Multi-dimensional sheave for use in tension measurement systems

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11473989-B2
Application number	US-201916526549-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 30, 2019
Priority date	Jul 31, 2018
Publication date	Oct 18, 2022
Grant date	Oct 18, 2022

Abstract

Disclosed is a sheave for use in a tension measurement system to measure a tension force in a cable. The sheave includes a first diameter and a second diameter. The sheave is configured to rotate about an axis to orient the first diameter or the second diameter toward the cable, such that a contact force between the sheave and the cable is measured by a tension sensor to determine the tension force in the cable.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A sheave for use in a tension measurement system to measure a tension force in one or more cables, the sheave comprising:
a first diameter; and
a second diameter, wherein the first diameter and the second diameter form part of a channel that circles the sheave in a central plane perpendicular to an axis of rotation, the sheave configured to rotate about an axis to orient the first diameter or the second diameter toward the one or more cables, wherein a contact force between the sheave and the one or more cables is measured by a tension sensor to determine the tension force in the one or more cables,
wherein the first diameter represents a diameter of a first cable of the one or more cables configured for placement along a first portion of the channel, and the second diameter represents a diameter of a second cable of the one or more cables configured for placement along a second portion of the channel.

2. The sheave of claim 1 , wherein the first diameter is arranged at a first radial position spanning a first arc length along the channel, and the second diameter is arranged at a second radial position spanning a second arc length along the channel.

3. The sheave of claim 2 , further comprising a third diameter arranged at a third radial position spanning a third arc length.

4. The sheave of claim 1 , wherein the orientation of the sheave within the tension measurement system is fixed relative to the cable during a measurement process.

5. The sheave of claim 1 , wherein an interior portion of one of the first diameter or the second diameter comprises a plurality of grooves to accommodate a plurality of strands associated with the cable.

6. A tension measurement system for measuring a tension force in a cable comprising:
a sheave comprising a first diameter and a second diameter, wherein the first diameter and the second diameter form a channel that circles the sheave in a central plane perpendicular to an axis of rotation,
wherein the first diameter is arranged at a first radial position spanning a first arc length along a first surface of the channel, the first diameter defined by a first radius R 1 measured between a center point along the central plane external to the sheave and the first surface, and
the second diameter is arranged at a second radial position spanning a second arc length along a second surface of the channel, the second diameter defined by a second radius R 2 measured from a center point along the central plane external to the sheave toward the second surface, the sheave configured to rotate about an axis to orient the first diameter or the second diameter toward the cable;
an adjustable support configured to adjust a position of the sheave relative to the cable; and
a tension sensor to measure the tension force in the cable based on a contact force between the sheave and the cable.

7. The tension measurement system of claim 6 , further comprising a base, wherein the adjustable support is configured to rotate about a fulcrum located on the base to adjust the position of the sheave.

8. The tension measurement system of claim 7 , further comprising a plurality of tensioners configured to engage with the cable to provide the contact force between the sheave and the cable when the adjustable support positions the sheave adjacent to the cable.

9. The tension measurement system of claim 8 , wherein the sheave is arranged between two tensioners of the plurality of tensioners along a length of the cable.

10. The tension measurement system of claim 9 , wherein the sheave is arranged on a surface of the cable opposite the two tensioners.

11. The tension measurement system of claim 8 , wherein a position of one or more of the plurality of tensioners are fixed relative to the base.

12. The tension measurement system of claim 6 , wherein the sheave further comprises:
a first opening through which a fastener secures the sheave to the adjustable arm at the axis; and
a second opening that is offset from the first opening and configured to accept a removable pin, wherein the second opening is arranged to align with a first slot of the adjustable support to orient the first surface toward the cable, and a second slot of the adjustable support to orient the second surface toward the cable.

13. The tension measurement system of claim 6 , wherein the sheave further comprises:
a first opening through which a fastener secures the sheave to the adjustable arm at the axis; and
a second opening that is offset from the first opening and configured to accept a removable pin.

14. The tension measurement system of claim 13 , wherein the removable pin is configured to engage with a first slot or a second slot on the adjustable support to fix the orientation of the sheave relative to the cable.

15. The tension measurement system of claim 6 , further comprising a processor configured to:
receive a signal from the tension sensor associated with the measured tension force; and
generate a tension force alert for presentation to a user.

16. A tension measurement system for measuring a tension force in a cable comprising:
a sheave including a first surface configured to receive a first cable comprising a first diameter, and a second surface configured to receive a first cable a second diameter, wherein the first surface and the second surface form a portion of a channel that circles the sheave in a central plane perpendicular to an axis of rotation,
the sheave configured to rotate about an axis to orient the first surface or the second surface toward the cable;
an adjustable support comprising a first end to mount the sheave and a second end to control movement of the first end relative to the cable; and
a plurality of tensioners configured to engage with the cable to provide a contact force between the sheave and the cable when the adjustable support positions the sheave adjacent to the cable, wherein a tension force results from the contact force, the tension force to be measured by a tension sensor, wherein the first diameter and the second diameter are different.

17. The tension measurement system of claim 16 , wherein the adjustable support comprises a movable arm configured to move to adjust a position of the sheave relative to the cable, a base, or the plurality of tensioners.

18. The tension measurement system of claim 16 , wherein the adjustable support comprises a telescoping pole to provide leverage for positioning the sheave relative to the cable.

19. The tension measurement system of claim 18 , wherein the adjustable support further comprises a clamp configured to fix the position of the adjustable support in a desired position relative to the cable.

20. The tension measurement system of claim 16 , wherein the sheave comprises a non-conductive material.

Assignees

• Illinois Tool Works

Inventors

• Sukalski Andrew James

Classifications

• G01L5/06 Primary

  using mechanical means {(G01L5/042, G01L5/045 take precedence)} · CPC title

• G01L5/102 Primary

  using sensors located at a non-interrupted part of the flexible member · CPC title

• G01L5/107

  for measuring a reaction force applied on an element disposed between two supports, e.g. on a plurality of rollers or gliders · CPC title