Patent ID: 8457836

Claim:
A system for announcing mechanical failure, the system comprising: a mechanically actuated load bearing apparatus having first and second load bearing elements, each such load bearing element constituting a respective load path, the second load bearing element being configured to bear the load upon failure of the first load bearing element; a first coupler arrangement for coupling the first load bearing element of said mechanically actuated load bearing apparatus to a structural element that is desired to be controlled; a first force sensor coupled to said first coupler arrangement, said first coupler arrangement and said first force sensor constituting a primary load path; a second coupler arrangement for coupling the second load bearing element of said mechanically actuated load bearing apparatus to the structural element that is desired to be controlled; a second force sensor coupled to said second coupler arrangement, said second coupler arrangement and said second force sensor constituting a secondary load path; and a controller for monitoring changes in the forces experienced by said first and second force sensors.