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Cable load sensing device

  • US 5,728,953 A
  • Filed: 10/04/1996
  • Issued: 03/17/1998
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/04/1996
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. Load sensor apparatus for sensing the magnitude of a load on a cable as the cable is employed to support the load, comprising;

  • (a) a non-load bearing beam structure, wherein the beam structure does not bear a load in the axial direction of the cable;

    (b) means for slidably attaching said beam structure to said cable so that a length of cable lies along said beam structure;

    (c) spacer means associated with said beam structure for forcing a slight curvature in a portion of said length of cable under a no-load condition so that said portion of said length of cable is spaced from said beam structure to define a cable curved portion; and

    (d) sensing means secured to said beam structure;

    whereby as said cable is employed to support a load the load causes said cable curved portion to exert a force normal to said cable through said spacer means and on said beam structure to deform said beam structure as said cable curved portion attempts to straighten under the load and said sensing means detects the magnitude of the normal strain on said beam structure during said deformation which is proportional to the magnitude of the load on said cable.

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