Gse, Inc.

Rs Technologies Inc.

Gary L Barrett

Ralph S Shoberg

A transducer body having a traditional single-axis envelope capable of multi-axis measurements. The transducer body includes coaxial base ends with an intermediate flexure element in the form of a ring having an internally centered stiffening web which reduces deflection and localizes strain for accurate high-capacity single-axis load measurements, as well as for bending and shear. The invention further includes a novel arrangement of strain gages on the transducer body, preferably including three sets: strain gages on the stiffening web to measure single-axis loading along the longitudinal axis of the transducer body; bending measurement strain gages spaced at 45&deg; around the periphery of the ring element; and shear measurement strain gages located at 90&deg; locations on the periphery of the ring.

Three-axis transducer body and strain gage arrangement therefor

Tension in a cable of a parking brake assembly is measured by way of a force measuring transducer device which is removably attachable to the lever arm bracket of the assembly located in the cabin of the automobile. The lever arm is lifted and the transducer device is positioned such that the arm presses against the load receiving surface of the transducer, such pressure being a function of the cable tension. Preferably, the transducer includes at least one flexure element connected to the load receiving surface operative to convert the force applied by the lever arm to electrical signals as a function thereof. The transducer device incorporates a retractable pin which engages an opening in the mounting bracket for the lever arm. The transducer is thus wedged between portions of the bracket and a pawl on the lever arm in a predetermined orientation such that the forces exerted by the pawl are applied generally perpendicularly to the flexure element. The invention finds particular utility in the manufacture of automobiles where the parking brake cable is not accessible underneath the body of the car.

Method and apparatus for measuring cable tension in a parking brake

Apparatus for sensing the force necessary to pull the lever arm of an automobile parking brake to a predetermined position. An elongated body includes a cavity for receiving the lever arm of the parking brake assembly. The body includes a switch arranged to come into contact with portions of the parking brake assembly when the lever arm is lifted to a predetermined position. A transducer is operative to measure the amount of force required to lift the lever arm to the position at which the switch contacts the parking brake assembly.

Apparatus for measuring parking brake activating forces

A load cell for measuring the rolling resistance of a tire as a function of a load placed on the tire. The cell includes a block having major parallel surfaces and a centrally disposed opening through which a shaft coupled to the tire rotates. An inner hub surrounding the opening and an outer hub are connected by a plurality of beams. Each beam is defined by a first pair of bores on the periphery of the inner hub and a second pair of bores in the outer hub. The first pair of bores are connected by a recessed web portion, as is the second pair of bores. The thickness of the first web portion relative to the major surfaces of the block is greater than the thickness of the other web. A first strain gage in one bore of the second pair and a second strain gage in the other bore of the second pair sense the rolling resistance of the tire along one axis and the loading force applied to the tire along another axis, respectively.

Bi-axial load cell

A torque measuring apparatus having a head adapted to rotate about an axis of rotation and a lever arm extending from the head and perpendicular to the axis of rotation designed to react to normal forces applied at a distance from the head. On the lever arm are a plurality of strain transducers spaced apart a certain distance as determined in accordance with predetermined mechanical properties of the lever arm. The transducers are joined electrically to form a bridge circuit, the output of which is directly proportional to the torque on the workpiece. This output is then transmitted to a display for a visual presentation of the torque.

Growing community of inventors

Union Lake, MI, United States of America

Gary L Barrett