Strain sensing device

• US 7,472,599 B2
• Filed: 06/30/2006
• Issued: 01/06/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Vik, Timothy A., Sundermeyer, Jeffry N.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lefkowitz; Edward
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kirkland, III; Freddie
• Application Number:
  US11/477,857
• Publication Number:
  US 20080011085A1
• Time in Patent Office: 921 Days
• Field of Search: 736/27, 736/35, 737/67, 737/68, 738/620.41, 73862043-862045, 738/626.27, 738/626.31
• US Class Current: 73/627
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 5/0004 Force transducers adapted for mounting in a bore of the force receiving structure G01L5/0009 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 5/136 Force sensors associated with a vehicle traction coupling vehicle connections B60D; control of vehicle brakes B60T

Abstract

A strain sensing device is provided, which may include a hollow, cylindrical member having an inner surface and an outer surface. The outer surface may have an outer diameter corresponding approximately in size to an inner diameter of an inner surface of a cylindrical bore of a structural component configured to undergo mechanical loading. The hollow, cylindrical member may be configured to mate to the inner surface of the cylindrical bore of the structural component such that strain in the structural component is translated into strain in the hollow, cylindrical member. The strain sensing device may also include one or more strain sensing elements attached to the inner surface of the hollow, cylindrical member and configured to detect strain exhibited by the hollow, cylindrical member.

Claims

1. A strain sensing device, comprising:

a hollow, cylindrical member having an inner surface and an outer surface, the outer surface having an outer diameter corresponding approximately in size to an inner diameter of an inner surface of a cylindrical bore of a structural component configured to undergo mechanical loading;

wherein the hollow, cylindrical member is configured to mate to the inner surface of the cylindrical bore of the structural component such that strain in the structural component is translated into strain in the hollow, cylindrical member; and

one or more strain sensing elements attached to the inner surface of the hollow, cylindrical member and configured to detect strain exhibited by the hollow, cylindrical member.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the outer diameter of the hollow, cylindrical member is sized to provide an interference fit with the inner surface of the cylindrical bore.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the hollow, cylindrical member is fixed within the cylindrical bore using adhesive.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the hollow, cylindrical member is fixed within the cylindrical bore using welding.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the hollow, cylindrical member is fixed within the cylindrical bore using an ultrasonic attachment method.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the one or more strain sensing elements are configured to detect axial strain, shear strain, bending strain, or torsional strain.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the one or more strain sensing elements include a rosette configuration configured to measure strain in multiple axes.

8. A method of installing a strain sensing device in a structural component configured to undergo mechanical loading, comprising:

inserting a hollow, cylindrical member into a cylindrical bore in the structural component, the hollow, cylindrical member including one or more strain sensing elements attached to an inner surface of the hollow, cylindrical member such that the one or more strain sensing elements are configured to detect strain exhibited by the hollow, cylindrical member;

wherein the hollow, cylindrical member has an outer surface having an outer diameter corresponding approximately in size to the inner diameter of the cylindrical bore of the structural component; and

wherein the hollow, cylindrical member is mated to the inner surface of the cylindrical bore of the structural component such that strain in the structural component is translated into strain in the hollow, cylindrical member.

9. The method of claim 8, further including pressfitting the hollow, cylindrical member into the cylindrical bore.

10. The method of claim 8, further including fixing the hollow, cylindrical member within the cylindrical bore using adhesive.

11. The method of claim 8, further including fixing the hollow, cylindrical member within the cylindrical bore using welding.

12. The method of claim 8, further including fixing the hollow, cylindrical member within the cylindrical bore using an ultrasonic attachment method.

13. A machine, comprising:

a power source;

a structural component configured to undergo mechanical loading and including a cylindrical bore having an inner surface defining an inner diameter; and

a strain sensing device positioned within the cylindrical bore of the structural component and configured to measure strain in the structural component, the strain sensing device including;

a hollow, cylindrical member having an inner surface and an outer surface, the outer surface having an outer diameter corresponding approximately in size to the inner diameter of the inner surface of the cylindrical bore of the structural component;

wherein the hollow, cylindrical member is configured to mate to the inner surface of the cylindrical bore of the structural component such that strain in the structural component is translated into strain in the hollow, cylindrical member; and

one or more strain sensing elements attached to the inner surface of the hollow, cylindrical member and configured to detect strain exhibited by the hollow, cylindrical member.

14. The machine of claim 13, wherein the outer diameter of the hollow, cylindrical member is sized to provide an interference fit with the inner surface of the cylindrical bore.

15. The machine of claim 13, wherein the hollow, cylindrical member is fixed within the cylindrical bore using adhesive.

16. The machine of claim 13, wherein the hollow, cylindrical member is fixed within the cylindrical bore using welding.

17. The machine of claim 13, wherein the hollow, cylindrical member is fixed within the cylindrical bore using an ultrasonic attachment method.

18. The machine of claim 13, wherein the one or more strain sensing elements are configured to detect axial strain, shear strain, bending strain, or torsional strain.

19. The machine of claim 18, wherein the one or more strain sensing elements include a rosette configuration configured to measure strain in multiple axes.