Valve stem connector with integrated stem force measurement
US9874485B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 26, 2013 |
| Grant date | Jan 23, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 23, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01L17/005
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A valve stem connector comprises a first half and a second half, each of which includes a top section adapted to receive a portion of an actuator and a bottom section adapted to receive a portion of a valve stem. A plurality of cut-away sections is disposed in each of the first and second halves, and a pair of shear web installation sites is disposed between the plurality of cut-away sections on each of the first and second halves. A force measurement device is disposed in each shear web installation site of the pair of shear web installation sites, the force measurement device for measuring the strain on the valve stem. Each shear web installation site has a shear strain measurable by the force measurement device, and the plurality of cut-away sections allows for a bending beam near each pocket to minimize deflection.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.