C-beam force sensor

Year	Description
1990	Invention patented by Harlan W. Vangerpen on November 12th, 1990. Abstract: A draft force sensor includes a generally C-shaped member formed by a beam and a pair of lugs which both project to one side of the beam. Coupling holes are located in each lug and the centers of the holes are off-set from the centerline of the beam. One end of a flexible strap is fixed to one lug and the other end of the flexible strap is adjustably attached to the other lug. Alternatively, both ends of the flexible strap may be coupled to the lugs by adjustable support devices which are pivotally connected to the beam. The strap is curved and concave in a direction facing the beam and is biased to urge the supports and the lugs away from each other. A displacement transducer is mounted between the beam and the central portion of the strap. The displacement transducer senses the change of distance from the beam to the "arch" of the strap and generates an electrical signal indicative of the force on the ends of the C-shaped member.
Source: selected by the editor from original sources.

Invention: C-beam force sensor