Patent ID: 6105439
Filing Date: 2000-08-22
Classification: F16C,G01L

Abstract:
A device for measuring the axial thrust exerted between a rotary shaft and a fixed structure in which said rotary shaft rotates about a geometric axis of rotation and is guided with respect to said fixed structure by at least one bearing including a rotary abutment which bears the axial thrust, said device comprising:axial connection means active by thrust on said rotary abutment and taking up said axial thrust, said rotary abutment being capable of an axial displacement along said rotary shaft;first and second flange members disposed between said axial connection means and said rotary abutment, said flange members each having a measurement side facing in the same direction;a resilient washer disposed between said first and second flange members, said washer having oppositely facing flanks for contact by said flange members;first and second displacement-measuring probes rigidly secured to said fixed structure so that said first probe faces the measurement side of said first flange member and said second probe faces the measurement side of said second flange member in order to measure the displacement of the first and second flange members relative to said fixed structure; andmeans for calculating the difference between the displacement measurements made by said probes and resulting from axially compressive deformation of said resilient washer in response to the axial thrust exerted during rotation of said rotary shaft and for determining the value of said axial thrust from said difference.