The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 04, 2000
Filed:
May. 02, 1997
Ian E Kibblewhite, Strafford, PA (US);
Christopher J Vecchio, Broomall, PA (US);
Ultrafast, Inc., Malvern, PA (US);
Abstract
A load-indicating device including a load-bearing member adapted to deform when stressed. Ultrasonic waves are directed into one end of the load-bearing member and ultrasonic echoes are received at the same end by ultrasonic wave transmitting and receiving equipment. In one embodiment, ultrasonic waves are transmitted and received using an ultrasonic transducer disposed on either the head or the opposite end of the load-bearing member. The head, the end, the shank or a combination thereof are contoured to reduce the influence of geometric variations and asymmetrical stress in the load-bearing member on the ultrasonic measurement. A method is also provided, which encompasses a model, by which preferred geometries of the contoured surfaces of the load-bearing member can be designed. Also provided are a method of making a load-bearing member including contouring at least one end of a load-bearing member, or the shank to reduce the influence of geometric variations and asymmetrical stress in the load-bearing member on ultrasonic measurement, and a method of identifying a contour on a load-bearing member that will provide accurate and reliable ultrasonic load measurements.