Actuator system with smart load cell

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9829402-B2
Application number	US-201514612763-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 3, 2015
Priority date	Feb 3, 2015
Publication date	Nov 28, 2017
Grant date	Nov 28, 2017

Abstract

The present disclosure includes the use of a smart load cell in a system for controlling an electromechanical actuator. A load cell may be positioned along the outer surface of the electromechanical actuator. Further, the load cell may utilize strain gages and a microcontroller. The load cell may be configured to transmit data to an electric brake actuator controller which includes calibration for operating temperature of the electromechanical actuator.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An electromechanical actuator system, comprising:
an actuator having a housing with an outer surface comprising a channel; and
a load cell coupled to the actuator, the load cell comprising:
a circuit board,
a bridge including a strain gauge disposed within the channel and coupled to the housing of the actuator, the strain gauge configured to measure a strain on the housing of the actuator,
a microcontroller configured to receive data from the bridge,
and an output drive circuit in communication with the microcontroller.

2. The electromechanical actuator system of claim 1 , wherein the load cell further comprises a temperature sensing element and the microcontroller is configured to determine an operating temperature of the electromechanical actuator system.

3. The electromechanical actuator system of claim 1 , wherein the load cell comprises two strain gauges.

4. The electromechanical actuator system of claim 3 , wherein the two strain gauges are positioned apart from each other at 180 degrees along a circumference of the outer surface of the housing.

5. The electromechanical actuator system of claim 1 , wherein the load cell further comprises a temperature sensing element.

6. The electromechanical actuator system of claim 1 , wherein the output drive circuit provides a signal to an electric brake actuator controller.

7. The electromechanical actuator system of claim 1 , wherein the actuator comprises one of an electromechanical actuator, a hydraulic brake actuator, and a hybrid brake actuator.

8. The electromechanical actuator system of claim 1 , wherein the load cell further comprises an accelerometer in communication with the microcontroller.

9. The electromechanical actuator system of claim 1 , wherein the microcontroller and an electromechanical brake controller are in bidirectional communication with each other.

10. The electromechanical actuator system of claim 1 , wherein the output drive circuit includes an analog drive circuit and a digital drive circuit.

11. The electromechanical actuator system of claim 10 , wherein the analog drive circuit provides a digital signal to an electric brake actuator controller, and wherein the digital drive circuit provides an analog signal to the electric brake actuator controller.

Assignees

• Goodrich Corp

Inventors

• Beason Joseph E
• Rehfus Kevin
• Pant Albert Keith
• Freshour Thomas
• Streng Scott
• Drennen David

Classifications

• F16D66/00

  Arrangements for monitoring working conditions, e.g. wear, temperature · CPC title

• G01L25/00

  Testing or calibrating of apparatus for measuring force, torque, work, mechanical power, or mechanical efficiency · CPC title

• G01L5/225 Primary

  to foot actuated controls, e.g. brake pedals · CPC title

• F16D2066/005

  Force, torque, stress or strain · CPC title

• B64C25/44

  Actuating mechanisms · CPC title