Strain gauge installation tool
First Claim
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1. A tool for use in the process of bonding a strain gauge to a bonding area on a surface of a test specimen, comprising:
- a clamp, which produces a force, said clamp including a spring for producing said force; and
a pressure pad which comprises;
a rigid pad, attached to said clamp, having a surface area for distributing said force over the bonding area, anda compliant pad, comprising silicon, attached to said surface area of said rigid pad, for providing a more uniform distribution of said force over the bonding area.
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Abstract
A tool and a method for attaching a strain gauge to a test specimen by maaining alignment of, and applying pressure to, the strain gauge during the bonding of the gauge to the specimen. The tool comprises rigid and compliant pads attached to a spring-loaded clamp. The pads are shaped to conform to the specimen surface to which the gauge is to be bonded. The shape of the pads permits the tool to align itself to the specimen and to maintain alignment of the gauge to the specimen during the bond curing process. A simplified method of attaching a strain gauge is provided by use of the tool.
15 Citations
9 Claims
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1. A tool for use in the process of bonding a strain gauge to a bonding area on a surface of a test specimen, comprising:
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a clamp, which produces a force, said clamp including a spring for producing said force; and a pressure pad which comprises; a rigid pad, attached to said clamp, having a surface area for distributing said force over the bonding area, and a compliant pad, comprising silicon, attached to said surface area of said rigid pad, for providing a more uniform distribution of said force over the bonding area. - View Dependent Claims (2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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3. A tool for use in the process of bonding a strain gauge to a bonding area on a surface of a test specimen, comprising:
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a clamp, which comprises; a first lever, a second lever, a pivot, said pivot connecting said first and second levers in a scissors configuration, and a spring for producing a force; and a pressure pad shaped to conform to the surface of the test specimen in the bonding area, which comprises; a rigid pad, attached to said first lever, having a surface area for distributing said force over the bonding area, and a compliant pad comprising silicon, attached to said surface area of said rigid pad, for providing a more uniform distribution of said force over the bonding area.
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5. A tool for use in the process of bonding a first and a second strain gauge to a first and a second bonding area on a surface of a test specimen, comprising:
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a clamp, which comprises; a first lever, a second lever, a pivot, said pivot connecting said first and second levers in a scissors configuration, and a spring for producing a force; a first pressure pad shaped to conform to the surface of the test specimen in the first bonding area, which comprises; a first rigid pad, attached to said first lever, having a first surface area for distributing said force over the first bonding area, and a first compliant pad comprising silicon, attached to said first surface area of said first rigid pad, for providing a more uniform distribution of said force over the first bonding area; and a second pressure pad shaped to conform to the surface of the test specimen in the second bonding area, which comprises; a second rigid pad, attached to said second lever, having a second surface area for distributing said force over the second bonding area, and a second compliant pad comprising silicon, attached to said second surface area of said second rigid pad, for providing a more uniform distribution of said force over the second bonding area.
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Specification