Metallic resonant strain gauges with high overload capability

Abstract

Purpose

This paper reports on a novel load cell and a novel torque transducer having stiffness and potential overload capability some ten times that of existing load cells and torque transducers based on the resistance strain gauges.

Design/methodology/approach

Describes the practical capabilities and technology – the design, construction and characterisation.

Findings

Both the load cell and the torque transducer use recently developed metallic triple beam resonators with thick‐film lead zirconate titanate (PZT) drives and pickups. The advantages of this technology are frequency output, high overload capability, high sensitivity, high resolution, and low‐cost manufacture. Both the load cell and torque transducer output large changes in frequency (>500 Hz for relatively low changes in strain level i.e. <200 microstrain for the load cell and <400 microstrain for the torque transducer), providing high sensitivity and high overload capability.

Practical implications

Load cells and torque transducers employing the new metallic resonators are expected to be far more robust than those using metallic resistance strain gauges.

Originality/value

Focuses on an instrument with important features of use in many applications.

Citation

Yan, T., Jones, B.E., Rakowski, R.T., Tudor, M.J., Beeby, S.P. and White, N.M. (2005), "Metallic resonant strain gauges with high overload capability", Sensor Review, Vol. 25 No. 2, pp. 144-147. https://doi.org/10.1108/02602280510585736