Patent ID: 8646339

Claim:
A thread clamping device comprising: a) a top housing and an end housing surrounding a plurality of movable nut segments wherein each of said nut segments has a threaded inner surface suited for engaging a threaded rod; and, b) a plurality of base posts as part of said end housing in mechanical communication with said movable nut segments such that movement of said movable nut segments when fully engaged with said threaded rod causes movement of said base posts with respect to said threaded rod; and, c) a strain ring tightly surrounding said plurality of base posts; and, d) a strain gauge tightly joined to said strain ring suitable for measuring the load on said strain ring resulting from the movement of said fully engaged movable nut segments transmitted through said base posts and said strain ring; and, e) an antenna connected to said strain gauge through electronic circuits wherein said circuits enable said antenna to receive an inquiry signal from an external transmitter, receive and record the strain measured by said strain gauge and transmit said strain through said antenna to an external receiver.