Systems and methods for detecting rescue hoist loads

• US 9,828,220 B2
• Filed: 03/14/2016
• Issued: 11/28/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Goodrich Corporation (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Original Assignee: Goodrich Corporation (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Inventors: Lopes, David R., Wong, Theodore W., DeZan, Domenic
• Primary Examiner(s): Noori, Max
• Application Number:
  US15/069,646
• Publication Number:
  US 20170260030A1
• Time in Patent Office: 624 Days
• Field of Search: 73862393
• CPC Class Codes: B66C 13/16 Applications of indicating, registering, or weighing devices in crane hooks B66C1/40; in safety gear B66C15/00; weighing-apparatus G01G; remote indicating in general G08
• CPC Class Codes: B66C 23/022 Pivot axis common with column
• CPC Class Codes: B66C 23/16 with jibs supported by columns, e.g. towers having their lower end mounted for slewing movements
• CPC Class Codes: B66C 23/18 specially adapted for use in particular purposes
• CPC Class Codes: B66C 23/90 Devices for indicating or limiting lifting moment
• CPC Class Codes: B66C 23/905 electrical
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/18 having electrical weight-sensitive devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 5/0042 applying a torque
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 5/0071 Specific indicating arrangements, e.g. of overload

Abstract

A boom assembly for a hoist may include a flat surface configured to elastically deform in response to a load on the hoist, and a strain sensor coupled to the flat surface and configured to generate an electronic signal.

Claims

1. A boom assembly for a hoist, comprising:

a flat surface configured to elastically deform in response to a load on the hoist;

a strain sensor coupled to the flat surface and configured to generate an electronic signal;

a first electronic component mechanically coupled to the boom assembly and configured to process the electronic signal, wherein the first electronic component includes at least one of a transient suppressor, an amplifier, a low-pass filter, a scaling network, or an input/output connector;

a second electronic component mechanically coupled to the boom assembly and configured to provide a power signal, wherein the second electronic component includes at least one of the transient suppressor, an electromagnetic interference (EMI) filter, a DC to DC converter, a DC bus, or a precision reference component; and

an end cap, wherein the first electronic component and the second electronic component are mechanically coupled to the end cap.

2. The boom assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a base portion mechanically coupled to the end cap, wherein the flat surface is a surface of the base portion; and

an arm extending from the base portion and including a hoist interface configured to retain a hoist assembly.

3. A hoist load sensor system, comprising:

a strain load sensor mechanically coupled to a boom assembly;

an amplifier mechanically coupled to the boom assembly and electronically coupled to the strain load sensor, wherein the amplifier is configured to amplify a signal generated by the strain load sensor;

a low-pass filter electronically coupled to the boom assembly and electronically coupled to the amplifier, wherein the low-pass filter is configured to filter an amplified signal from the amplifier; and

an input/output connector electronically coupled to the low-pass filter, wherein the input/output connector is configured to output a filtered signal from the low-pass filter;

an electromagnetic interference (EMI) filter, wherein the EMI filter is configured to filter a power signal from the input/output connector;

a precision reference component, wherein the precision reference component is configured to generate a reference signal for use by the strain load sensor.

4. The hoist load sensor system of claim 3, wherein the strain load sensor is mounted on a flat surface of the boom assembly.

5. The hoist load sensor system of claim 4, further comprising a base portion of the boom assembly comprising the flat surface.

6. The hoist load sensor system of claim 5, further comprising an end cap, wherein at least one of the amplifier, the low-pass filter, or the input/output connector is disposed on the end cap.

7. The hoist load sensor system of claim 6, wherein the end cap further comprise a plug having a wire configured to carry the signal generated by the strain load sensor, wherein the plug is electronically connected to the amplifier.

8. A boom assembly for a hoist, comprising:

a base portion configured to mounting to an airframe;

a flat surface formed on the base portion and configured to elastically deform in response to a load on the hoist;

a strain sensor coupled to the flat surface and configured to generate a signal in response to elastic deformation of the flat surface;

an arm extending from the base portion and including a hoist interface;

a first electronic component mechanically coupled to the boom assembly and configured to process the signal, wherein the first electronic component includes at least one of a transient suppressor, an amplifier, a low-pass filter, a scaling network, or an input/output connector;

a second electronic component mechanically coupled to the boom assembly and configured to provide a power signal, wherein the second electronic component includes at least one of the transient suppressor, an electromagnetic interference (EMI) filter, a DC to DC converter, a DC bus, or a precision reference component; and

an end cap, wherein the first electronic component and the second electronic component are mechanically coupled to the end cap.