Method and apparatus for measuring bending in a pin member

• Main Authors: EVERTON RANDY L, TOTMAN PETER D, BORGSTROM RANDY L, BUNDERSON MARVIN D, ST. JEAN PAUL A, SMITH DOUGLAS E, EGGETT MARK R
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 04.10.2005
• Edition: 7
• Subjects: BLASTING; DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS ORMACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS,CLIPS, WEDGES, JOINTS OR JOINTING; ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVEFUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; HEATING; LIGHTING; MEASURING; MEASURING FORCE, STRESS, TORQUE, WORK, MECHANICAL POWER,MECHANICAL EFFICIENCY, OR FLUID PRESSURE; MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; PHYSICS; TESTING; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL; WEAPONS

An instrument pin member is provided that is capable of measuring bending moments and optionally of measuring bending and axial strain in real or near real time. The instrumented pin member includes a pin member body disposed about a pin member axis, wherein the pin member body includes a bending portion. A sensing device is positioned at the pin member body within the bending portion for sensing a bending strain in the bending portion exclusive of a net axial strain, and for outputting a sensor measurement signal representative of the bending strain. A sensor measurement signal output device is provided for outputting the sensor measurement signal from the sensing device. A related system includes a plurality of pin members, among other things. Related methods also are disclosed.