Patent · US Expired

Electric infinite-range load-sensing transducer

US4106370A · kind A · utility

40Cited by
4References
6Claims
0Family size

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 9, 1977
Grant dateAug 15, 1978
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 9, 1997

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF16B31/028
  • WIPO fieldMechanical elements
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A device for the sensing and the measuring of the axial tension stresses occurring within the bolt of a threaded fastening system under installation comprising a metallic, electrically conductive flat washer-like first member, and a metallic, electrically insulated flat washer-like second member; wherein the electrically insulating material of an anodic-oxide coating, which is grown onto the second member's electrically conductive aluminum base material, is used as an intervening solid supporting substance for the purpose of spacing the first and the second member's electrically conductive surfaces, through a predetermined distance from each other, to resist a current flow therethrough; wherein, due to the anodic-oxide coating's minute compressibility under varying light to severe compressive load conditions, a change in the oxide coating's electrical leak-resistance occurs, thus allowing a very minute, detectable current to flow between the first and the second member. The minute electric current is electronically detected, measured and displayed.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.