Patent ID: 8015865

Claim:
A foundation monitoring system for measuring loads on a rock anchor system that supports a wind turbine, the foundation monitoring system comprising: a rock anchor system comprising a foundation cap, a rock anchor that extends through the foundation cap, with an upper portion that extends above the foundation cap and a lower portion that extends below the foundation cap and is anchorable to bedrock, an anchor base plate that is fitted over the upper portion of the rock anchor, atop the foundation cap, a washer and an anchor lock nut that are fastened to the upper portion of the rock anchor, so as to apply a tensile load to the rock anchor; a load measuring device for measuring tensile load on the rock anchor, the load measuring device including a load sensor for sensing forces exerted on the rock anchor, wherein the load measuring device is mounted between the anchor base plate and the washer; signal emitter means for emitting a signal that indicates a condition of loading as sensed by the load measuring device; a signal transmission means for transmitting the signal; and a control system for receiving and displaying said signals on a computer; wherein signals indicating the condition of loading are transmitted via the signal transmission means from the load measuring device to the control system at a remote location.