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:
Feb. 12, 2013
Filed:
Sep. 30, 2008
Chris A. Ihrke, Hartland, MI (US);
Lyndon Bridgwater, Houston, TX (US);
Robert Platt, Houston, TX (US);
Chris A. Ihrke, Hartland, MI (US);
Lyndon Bridgwater, Houston, TX (US);
Robert Platt, Houston, TX (US);
GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Detroit, MI (US);
The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Washington, DC (US);
Abstract
A tendon tension sensor that has particular application for measuring tension on a tendon employed in a robotic arm. The tension sensor includes an elastic element having a curved channel through which the tendon is threaded. The elastic element also includes a center portion on which strain gauges are mounted that measure the strain on the elastic element. Tension on the tendon causes the center portion of the elastic element to flex or bend, which is measured by the strain gauges providing an indication of the tension in the tendon.