Transducer for sensing tension loading of a conveyor chain
First Claim
1. A transducer for sensing tension loading of a conveyor chain of the type including single and dual links pivotally connected in an alternating relationship along an axis thereof, the transducer comprising:
- a transducer link having opposite ends for connection along the chain between links thereof such that the transducer link extends along the axis of the chain;
one of the ends of the transducer link having a bifurcated shape including a pair of spaced legs with aligned connection pin openings that have elongated shapes along the axis of the chain;
the other end of the transducer link including a connection pin opening;
a transducer member located between the ends of the transducer link and including at least one strain gauge; and
a clamp including;
(a) a connector end located between the spaced legs of the one end of the transducer link and having a connection pin opening aligned with the elongated connection pin openings of the spaced legs such that the legs normally do not carry any tension loading of the chain but can carry the chain tension upon failure of the transducer member, (b) a shank that extends from the connector end toward the other end of the transducer link, and (c) a clamp that is connected to the shank to compress the transducer member as tension loading is applied between the opposite ends of the transducer link.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A transducer (30) for sensing tension loading of a conveyor chain (12) of the type including single and dual links (14,16) pivotally connected in an alternating relationship includes a transducer link (40) having opposite ends (42,44) for connection along the chain and also includes a transducer member (46) mounted by the transducer link (40) between its ends. The transducer member (46) includes an opening (48) and at least one strain gauge (50) mounted thereon. A clamp (52) of the transducer compresses the transducer member (46) as tension loading is applied between the opposite ends of the transducer link to provide a strain gauge indication of the extent of the tension loading. The clamp (52) includes a clamp member (54) that opposes a clamping seat (56) on the transducer link (40) with the transducer member (46) clamped therebetween by a connector (58) that extends to one end (42) of the transducer link. The connector (58) includes a connector end ( 62) that carries the chain tension, a shank (64) that extends through a hole (60) in the transducer member (46), and a clamping end (66) that is secured to the clamp member (54) preferably by a threaded connection.
29 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A transducer for sensing tension loading of a conveyor chain of the type including single and dual links pivotally connected in an alternating relationship along an axis thereof, the transducer comprising:
- a transducer link having opposite ends for connection along the chain between links thereof such that the transducer link extends along the axis of the chain;
one of the ends of the transducer link having a bifurcated shape including a pair of spaced legs with aligned connection pin openings that have elongated shapes along the axis of the chain;
the other end of the transducer link including a connection pin opening;
a transducer member located between the ends of the transducer link and including at least one strain gauge; and
a clamp including;
(a) a connector end located between the spaced legs of the one end of the transducer link and having a connection pin opening aligned with the elongated connection pin openings of the spaced legs such that the legs normally do not carry any tension loading of the chain but can carry the chain tension upon failure of the transducer member, (b) a shank that extends from the connector end toward the other end of the transducer link, and (c) a clamp that is connected to the shank to compress the transducer member as tension loading is applied between the opposite ends of the transducer link. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
- a transducer link having opposite ends for connection along the chain between links thereof such that the transducer link extends along the axis of the chain;
Specification