Patent ID: 6351998
Filing Date: 2002-03-05
Classification: G01G,G01L

Abstract:
A method for designing a load cell of an article, comprising the steps of:selecting an article; selecting transducer properties; selecting loads applicable to the article including a primary load applied along a given axis, and including at least one selected off-axis secondary load; performing a finite element analysis of the article to thereby provide a finite element model of the article comprising a predetermined number of finite elements, wherein each finite element has a respective principal strain axis and a respective principal strain angle responsive to the selected loads; creating a mathematical Wheatstone bridge transducer for a plurality of combinations of finite elements, wherein each finite element comprises a mathematical strain gage; orienting the mathematical strain gages of the mathematical Wheatstone bridge transducer in a first orientation relative to the principal strain angle so as to be generally optimally responsive to the primary load; determining a first output voltage of the mathematical Wheatstone bridge transducer for each of the combinations of finite elements responsive to the primary load; determining a second output voltage of the mathematical Wheatstone bridge transducer for each of the combinations of finite elements responsive to the at least one off-axis secondary load; identifying which combinations of finite elements provide a selected range of highest first voltage output and provide a selected range of lowest second voltage output; and forming a load cell of the article by attaching to the article selected strain gages at an identified finite element combination, said selected strain gages to be wired into a Wheatstone bridge in the same manner that said mathematical strain gages are connectedly modeled in said mathematical Wheatstone bridge.