Ralph S Shoberg

US Patent:

6782594, Aug 31, 2004

Filed:

Apr 3, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/825416

Inventors:

Ralph S. Shoberg - Farmington Hills MI 48335

International Classification:

B23Q 1700

US Classification:

2940703, 2940702, 29702, 173 5, 173176, 173181, 173183, 73 109

Abstract:

The present invention is directed towards a method and an apparatus for accurately estimating the tension or clamp force in a bolted joint. An installed fastener is rotated and the torque necessary to rotate the fastener and the angle through which the fastener is rotated are measured. The angle and torque values are plotted against one another such that the angle values are plotted on an angle axis and the torque values are plotted on a torque axis. A tangent is extended from the plot towards the angle axis. The point at which the tangent crosses the angle axis is defined as zero degrees and is called the âelastic originâ. The known angle through which the fastener rotates is used to scale the angle axis. The angle from the elastic origin to the point at which the tangent was drawn is defined as the M-alpha angle and is directly proportional to the clamp force created by the bolted joint or tension in the fastener.

US Patent:

40066290, Feb 8, 1977

Filed:

Jul 17, 1975

Appl. No.:

5/596914

Inventors:

Gary L. Barrett - Milford MI
Ralph S. Shoberg - Farmington MI

Assignee:

GSE, Inc. - Farmington Hills MI

International Classification:

B25B 2314

US Classification:

73139

Abstract:

A torque measuring apparatus having a head adapted to rotate about an axis of rotation and a lever arm extending from the head and perpendicular to the axis of rotation designed to react to normal forces applied at a distance from the head. On the lever arm are a plurality of strain transducers spaced apart a certain distance as determined in accordance with predetermined mechanical properties of the lever arm. The transducers are joined electrically to form a bridge circuit, the output of which is directly proportional to the torque on the workpiece. This output is then transmitted to a display for a visual presentation of the torque.

US Patent:

45806454, Apr 8, 1986

Filed:

Sep 28, 1984

Appl. No.:

6/656096

Inventors:

Ralph S. Shoberg - Brighton MI

Assignee:

GSE, Inc. - Farmington Hills MI

International Classification:

G01G 300
G01G 314
G01G 2110
G01G 2112

US Classification:

177211

Abstract:

A weigh scale apparatus in which forces caused by the applied load are transformed into moments of opposite sense and applied to opposite ends of a substantially rigid beam. Bending deflection of the beam is measured by centrally disposed strain gauge resistors to produce an electrical signal quantity proportional to the applied load. The conversion of applied load to moments of opposite sense is accomplished by a pair of spaced parallel pivot members which are suspended between the load receiving pan and the base such that the pivots tend to rotate in opposite directions. The beam is mechanically connected between the pivots such that it is subjected to the bending moment over substantially its entire length. A flexure hinge is provided adjacent each end of the beam to render the beam soft or compliant with respect to twisting forces imposed on the beam with the result that the twisting moment introduced into the beam in response to a given magnitude of twist is greatly reduced to a point where it generates no significant cross-talk in the beam such as would affect the accuracy of the bending stress being measured by the beam in response to the opposite rotation of the pivots.

US Patent:

RE320021, Oct 15, 1985

Filed:

Jun 25, 1979

Appl. No.:

6/052077

Inventors:

Ralph S. Shoberg - Brighton MI
Thomas A. Ulicny - Ferndale MI

International Classification:

G01G 314

US Classification:

177 24

Abstract:

A weigh scale apparatus in which forces caused by the applied load are transformed into moments of opposite sense and applied to opposite ends of a substantially rigid beam. Deflection of the beam is measured by centrally disposed strain gage resistors to produce an electrical signal quantity proportional to the applied load. The conversion of applied load to moments of opposite sense is accomplished by a pair of spaced parallel pivot members which are suspended by straps between the load receiving pan and the base such that the pivots tend to rotate in opposite directions. The beam is mechanically connected between the pivots such that it is subjected to the bending moment over substantially its entire length. A split scale device is provided by a composite pan, one portion of which is connected to the pivots directly and another portion of which is connected to the pivots through long lever arms to provide moment multiplication. A vibrator device for dithering the pivots is provided. . Iadd.

US Patent:

39437612, Mar 16, 1976

Filed:

Jan 7, 1974

Appl. No.:

5/431114

Inventors:

Ralph S. Shoberg - Farmington MI
Kenneth R. Kozlowski - Livonia MI

International Classification:

G01L 510
G01L 122

US Classification:

73144

Abstract:

A cable tension tester including a hang-on device having spaced clamping rollers and a central tang for bending the cable by lateral displacement through a predetermined departure. DELTA. from a straight line. A load cell connected to the tang measures the force required to maintain the departure. The tester comprises a frame, a slide body for clamping and bending the cable, a lever-type actuator and a spring connecting the actuator to the slide body so as to avoid local flattening of large diameter cables. In the illustrated form, the tester is part of a motor vehicle brake cable tension adjuster including a controller having one or more comparators for comparing measured tension to tension reference values. A difference signal is applied to a control valve to operate an air wrench which turns a nut on a tension adjustment shaft while the parking brake pedal is maintained in a fixed position.

US Patent:

43622186, Dec 7, 1982

Filed:

Jul 1, 1980

Appl. No.:

6/165156

Inventors:

Ralph S. Shoberg - Brighton MI

Assignee:

GSE, Inc. - Farmington Hills MI

International Classification:

G01G 2302
G01G 314

US Classification:

177154

Abstract:

A weigh scale includes a flexure beam disposed between a platform and the base. Load transmitting devices operate to deflect the beam as a function of the load placed on the platform. Overload protection is provided for the beam to restrict the amount of beam deflection to maintain it within its elastic limits to thereby prevent yielding of the beam.

US Patent:

RE320030, Oct 15, 1985

Filed:

Jun 25, 1979

Appl. No.:

6/052078

Inventors:

Ralph S. Shoberg - Brighton MI

International Classification:

G01G 314

US Classification:

177211

Abstract:

A weigh scale apparatus in which forces caused by the applied load are transformed into moments of opposite sense and applied to opposite ends of a substantially rigid beam. Deflection of the beam is measured by centrally disposed strain gage resistors to produce an electrical signal quantity proportional to the applied load. The conversion of applied load to moments of opposite sense is accomplished by a pair of spaced parallel pivot members which are suspended by straps between the load receiving pan and the base such that the pivots tend to rotate in opposite directions. The beam is mechanically connected between the pivots such that it is subjected to the bending moment over substantially its entire length. A split scale device is provided by a composite pan, one portion of which is connected to the pivots directly and another portion of which is connected to the pivots through long lever arms to provide moment multiplication. A vibrator device for dithering the pivots is provided. . Iadd.

US Patent:

39699358, Jul 20, 1976

Filed:

Oct 29, 1974

Appl. No.:

5/518455

Inventors:

Ralph S. Shoberg - Farmington Hills MI

Assignee:

GSE, Inc. - Farmington Hills MI

International Classification:

G01L 122

US Classification:

73141A

Abstract:

A load cell of the shear-link type comprising a solid body of high modulus of elasticity material having a longitudinal axis of sensitivity and longitudinally spaced transverse slots entering the body from opposite directions to define the shear link. The body is bored out in the area of the shear link to create a stress concentration which is monitored using bonded-on strain gage resistors connected in a Wheatstone bridge circuit.