Sensor for measuring the flex of a pole

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11965784-B2
Application number	US-201916978315-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 5, 2019
Priority date	Mar 7, 2018
Publication date	Apr 23, 2024
Grant date	Apr 23, 2024

Abstract

A sensor for measuring the flex of a pole when exposed to one or more forces, the sensor including at least one magnet and Hall Effect sensor combination, wherein the at least one magnet and Hall effect sensor are at a predetermined position relative to one another when there are no forces acting on the pole and which are movable relative to one another when forces act on the pole, such that a signal proportional to the relative movement is generated by the sensor.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A sensor for measuring the flex of an oar when exposed to one or more forces, the sensor comprising:
a magnet and Hall Effect sensor combination, wherein the magnet and the Hall effect sensor of the combination are at a predetermined position relative to one another when there are no forces acting on the oar and which are movable relative to one another when forces act on the oar, such that a signal proportional to the relative movement is generated by the sensor;
a cylindrical first portion locatable inside of the oar and configured to move with the oar when the oar is acted upon by forces; and
a protruding second portion having an end in juxtaposition with an end surface of the cylindrical first portion.

2. The sensor of claim 1 , wherein the sensor is attachable to an external surface of the oar.

3. The sensor of claim 2 , wherein the sensor includes a first portion fixedly attachable at one or more positions along the external surface of the oar and adapted to flex therewith when the oar is acted upon by forces, and a second portion extending over the first portion and spaced apart from the first portion.

4. The sensor of claim 3 , wherein the sensor includes a body supporting the first and second portions such that movement of the oar gives rise to a relative movement between the first and second portions.

5. The sensor of claim 3 , further comprising a slidable member supporting one of the magnet and the Hall Effect sensor of the combination movable relative to the second portion to adjust the sensitivity of the magnet and Hall Effect sensor combination.

6. The sensor of claim 1 , further including a memory for collecting and storing the signal.

7. The sensor of claim 6 , further including a processor for analysing the signal.

8. The sensor of claim 1 , wherein the magnet and the Hall Effect sensor of the combination are positioned on the sensor so that they are in alignment with one another when there are no forces acting on the oar.

9. The sensor of claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises a first portion and a second portion, the first portion having first and second end regions attachable to the oar, the first portion being adapted to move with the oar as forces are applied, and the second portion having a third end region attached to the first end region of the first portion and a free end positioned spaced apart from the second end region of the first portion.

10. The sensor of claim 1 , wherein the magnet of the combination is located on one of the end surface of the cylindrical first portion or the end of the second portion, and the Hall Effect sensor of the combination is located on the other of the end surface of the cylindrical first portion or the end of the second portion.

11. The sensor of claim 1 , wherein the sensor is adapted to measure flex in one of more axes.

12. The sensor of claim 1 , wherein the sensor is locatable inside of the oar.

13. The sensor of claim 1 , wherein the magnet and Hall Effect sensor combination is one of a plurality of such combinations.

14. A sensor for measuring the flex of a pole when exposed to one or more forces, the sensor comprising:
a magnet and Hall Effect sensor combination locatable inside of the pole, wherein the magnet and the Hall effect sensor of the combination are at a predetermined position relative to one another when there are no forces acting on the pole and which are movable relative to one another when forces act on the pole, such that a signal proportional to the relative movement is generated by the sensor;
a cylindrical first portion adapted to fit tightly within the pole and move therewith when the pole is acted upon by forces; and
a protruding second portion that is not adapted to move with the pole and which has an end in juxtaposition with an end surface of the cylindrical first portion.

15. The sensor of claim 14 , wherein the cylindrical first portion includes a plurality of flexible spiral elements connected by two end portions, and wherein the protruding portion extends from one of the end portions towards an internal surface of the other end portion.

16. The sensor of claim 15 , wherein one of the magnet and the Hall Effect sensor of the combination is located on the internal surface, and the other one of the magnet and the Hall Effect sensor of the combination is located on the end of the protruding portion juxtaposed to the internal surface.

17. The sensor of claim 14 , wherein the pole is an oar.

18. An oar comprising the sensor of claim 14 .

19. An oar comprising:
a sensor for measuring the flex of the oar when exposed to one or more forces, the sensor disposed within the oar and comprising:
a magnet and Hall Effect sensor combination, wherein the magnet and the Hall effect sensor of the combination are at a predetermined position relative to one another when there are no forces acting on the oar and which are movable relative to one another when forces act on the oar, such that a signal proportional to the relative movement is generated by the sensor;
a cylindrical first portion including first and second circular end portions and a plurality of flexible spiral members connecting the first and second circular end portions; and

a protrusion extending from the first circular end portion and having an end in juxtaposition with an internal surface of the second circular end portion.

20. The oar of claim 19 , wherein the sensor further comprises a body having a first portion, a second portion, and a spacing portion;
wherein the first portion is configured to be positioned along a region of a shaft of the oar and includes first and second ends configured to be attached to the shaft of the oar;
wherein the spacing portion is attached to the first end of the first portion;
wherein the second portion includes a first end attached to the spacing portion and a free end positioned spaced apart from the second end of the first portion, a gap distance between the second end of the first portion and the free end of the second portion being determined by the spacing portion;
wherein the magnet of the combination is located on one of the second end of the first portion or the free end of the second portion, and the Hall sensor of the combination is located on the other of the second end of the first portion or the free end of the second portion.

Assignees

• Bae Systems Plc

Inventors

• Kitching Stuart John
• Bishop Daniel

Classifications

• G01L1/122 Primary

  by using permanent magnets · CPC title

• B63H16/04

  Oars; Sculls; Paddles; Poles · CPC title

• G01L5/0095

  measuring work or mechanical power · CPC title

• G01L5/169

  using magnetic means · CPC title

• G01B7/16 Primary

  for measuring the deformation in a solid, e.g. by resistance strain gauge · CPC title