Abstract: A displacement, strain, and/or force sensor assembly (10, 110) has a mounting structure (12) with an anisotropic stiffness to facilitate the measurement of displacements, strains, and/or forces along the X-axis, while minimizing errors due to undesired displacements, strains, and/or forces along the Y- and Z-axes, and rotations about the X-, Y-, and Z-axes. A pedestal (30, 130) configured to respond to axial displacements along the X-axis is centrally disposed on the X-axis of the mounting structure (12), and a displacement or strain sensor (38) is coupled to the pedestal (30) to provide a measure of the displacements, strains, and/or forces. Contact pads (14, 114) are formed on opposite ends of the X-axis of the mounting structure, to enable the displacement and/or strain sensor assembly to be secured to an application structure.

Abstract: A displacement, strain, and/or force sensor assembly (10, 110) has a mounting structure (12) with an anisotropic stiffness to facilitate the measurement of displacements, strains, and/or forces along the X-axis, while minimizing errors due to undesired displacements, strains, and/or forces along the Y- and Z-axes, and rotations about the X-, Y-, and Z-axes. A pedestal (30, 130) configured to respond to axial displacements along the X-axis is centrally disposed on the X-axis of the mounting structure (12), and a displacement or strain sensor (38) is coupled to the pedestal (30) to provide a measure of the displacements, strains, and/or forces. Contact pads (14, 114) are formed on opposite ends of the X-axis of the mounting structure, to enable the displacement and/or strain sensor assembly to be secured to an application structure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing, evaluating, and/or calibrating strain sensors. A test beam (12) having a uniform shear-strain region is secured at opposite ends of a longitudinal axis by uniform force clamp assemblies (14) and (16). A first clamp assembly (14) at one end of the rectilinear test beam is configured to hold the rectilinear test beam (12) in a fixed position, while the second clamp assembly (16) at the opposite end is configured to enable application of torque to the test beam (12) about the longitudinal axis. Displacement sensors (60) in operative proximity to the second clamp assembly (16) provide data which is representative of the deflection of the test beam (12) about the longitudinal axis in response to the applied torque, while a torque sensor (62) provides data which is representative of the actual applied torque.

Abstract: A load sensing antifriction bearing (16) for a vehicle that senses wheel loads applied by a road wheel R to a suspension upright (10) of the vehicle. The load sensing antifriction bearing (16) supports a shaft connected to the road wheel R and provides an axis X of rotation about which the road wheel R can rotate. The load sensing antifriction bearing (16) comprises an outer race (36), the outer race further (36) having a flange (20) configured for attachment to the suspension upright (10). The flange (20) has a face (22) that is presented away from the suspension upright (10) and having a groove (24) opening out of that face (22). The bearing (16) also comprises an inner race (42). Rolling elements (48) are located between and contact the outer race (36) and the inner race (42). A sensor substrate (54) attaches to the flange (20) on each side of the groove (24) such that the sensor substrate (54) spans the groove (24).

Abstract: A wheel end (A) has a housing (2, 70, 80, 90) and a hub (4) provided with a spindle (32) that projects into the housing, and the hub rotates relative to the housing on an antifriction bearing (6) located between the housing and hub spindle. The housing has a tubular core (12, 72, 82, 92) that encloses the bearing and ring mounts (14, 74, 84, 94) spaced outwardly from the core and also webs (16,76,86,96) that connect the ring mounts to the core. A road wheel (B) is attached to the hub and rotates with the hub relative to the housing. The housing is secured to a suspension upright (C) at its ring mounts. The core deflects relative to the ring mounts, owning to forces and moments transferred through the bearing from the suspension upright to the road wheel and vice versa, and the magnitude of those forces and moments are reflected in signals derived from strain sensor modules (SM) attached to the webs of the housing.

Abstract: A load sensing bearing assembly comprises a bearing outer race secured to an application structure by a flange assembly incorporating a plurality of anisotropic spring regions which enable a limited range of displacement and/or rotation of the bearing outer race relative to the application structure in response to applied forces or moments. A set of sensor modules disposed through the bearing outer race and flange assembly acquire measurements from which the radial forces, thrust forces, and tilting moments exerted on the bearing outer race can be determined.

Abstract: A load sensing bearing assembly comprises a bearing outer race secured to an application structure by a flange assembly incorporating a plurality of anisotropic spring regions which enable a limited range of displacement and/or rotation of the bearing outer race relative to the application structure in response to applied forces or moments. A set of sensor modules disposed through the bearing outer race and flange assembly acquire measurements from which the radial forces, thrust forces, and tilting moments exerted on the bearing outer race can be determined.

Abstract: The setting of opposed bearings located between two machine components is controlled with at least one piezoelectric actuator located such that it axially displaces a race of one of the bearings.