Abstract: A shear beam, single-point load cell is provided. The load cell includes a shear beam with a pair of shear strain gauge sensors mounted on opposing sides thereof for measuring strain within a small portion of the shear beam. The strain gauges are isolated within sealed pockets from moisture or harsh chemicals. The use of a shear beam, rather than a bending cantilevered beam of conventional load cells, allows the load cell to be sturdier and more robust than conventional load cells, to thereby measure and detect greater amounts of load. The provision of the strain gauges positioned for measuring strain within a small portion of the shear beam allows the load cell to accurately and precisely measure loads regardless of the mounting position of the load on the load cell. Further, the provision of closely adjacent strain gauges renders the load cells relatively immune to thermal gradients inherent in conventional load cells having widely separated strain gauges.

Abstract: A column type bonded strain gage load cell having improved linearity and output is achieved using a column having a pair of opposed transverse bores which create a web therebetween. The web has a relatively high strain as compared to the circumferential strain of an unbored column. Strain gages bonded to the web, in combination with strain gages bonded at selected regions on the column provide improved linearity and increased output.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved torquing apparatus that may be retrofitted in an in-line relationship, onto an existent power wrench as normally employed in mass production assembly processes. The disclosed apparatus is adapted to fit between the head of the wrench motor and the wrench attachment,so that the original torquing speed and power are transmitted to the work-piece in the same manner as originally intended. The disclosed torquing apparatus is designed to practically immune extraneous forces; so that the disclosed apparatus is particularly well adapted for wrenches employed in hand-held applications.