Diametral force sensor
First Claim
1. A device for determining the diametral changes in a substantially cylindrical member produced by axial loads imposed on the cylindrical member, comprising a clamp assembly having a first jaw member and a second jaw member rigidly connected to each other on opposite sides of the cylindrical member, the first jaw member having a substantially V-shaped recess adapted to engage two peripheral portions of the cylindrical member, the second jaw member having a flexure with a contact surface contacting a peripheral portion of the cylindrical member and a projection extending away from the contact surface to provide the transmittal of compressive forces representative of diametral changes in the cylindrical member against a compression load cell contained within the second jaw member.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed is a device for determining the diametral changes in a substantially cylindrical member produced by axial loads imposed on the cylindrical member, such as the valve stem in a motor operated valve assembly. The device is a clamp assembly comprised of a first jaw member and a second jaw member rigidly connected to each other and to the portions of the periphery of the cylindrical member by a pair of studs. The second jaw member has a flexure with a contact surface contacting a peripheral portion of the cylindrical member and a projection extending away from the contact surface to transmit compressive forces representative of diametral changes in the cylindrical member against a compression load cell housed in the second jaw member. The device is useful in the field of valve diagnostics.
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Citations
13 Claims
- 1. A device for determining the diametral changes in a substantially cylindrical member produced by axial loads imposed on the cylindrical member, comprising a clamp assembly having a first jaw member and a second jaw member rigidly connected to each other on opposite sides of the cylindrical member, the first jaw member having a substantially V-shaped recess adapted to engage two peripheral portions of the cylindrical member, the second jaw member having a flexure with a contact surface contacting a peripheral portion of the cylindrical member and a projection extending away from the contact surface to provide the transmittal of compressive forces representative of diametral changes in the cylindrical member against a compression load cell contained within the second jaw member.
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10. A device for measuring the diametral changes in a valve stem produced by axial loads imposed on the valve stem, comprising:
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a rigid clamp assembly comprising a first jaw member having a first contact face and a second jaw member having a second contact face; a compression load cell connected to said second contact face; wherein said rigid clamp assembly is adapted to be rigidly clamped around said valve stem so that said first contact face exerts a clamping force against a first portion of said valve stem, and said compression load cell contacts a second portion of said valve stem opposed said first portion of said valve stem, and wherein said compression load cell measures directly any change in said clamping force caused by a change in diameter of said valve stem. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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Specification