US 11,717,213 B2
Loading device for measuring stiffness of structural member over time, monitoring system, and method thereof
Christian M. Puttlitz, Fort Collins, CO (US); and Kevin M. Labus, Fort Collins, CO (US)
Assigned to COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY RESEARCH FOUNDATION, Fort Collins, CO (US)
Filed by COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY RESEARCH FOUNDATION, Fort Collins, CO (US)
Filed on Sep. 30, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/39,111.
Application 17/039,111 is a continuation in part of application No. PCT/US2019/025054, filed on Mar. 29, 2019.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/650,520, filed on Mar. 30, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2021/0033507 A1, Feb. 4, 2021
Int. Cl. A61B 5/00 (2006.01); G01N 3/06 (2006.01); G01N 3/20 (2006.01); G01D 5/20 (2006.01); A61B 5/05 (2021.01); G01B 7/16 (2006.01); G01N 27/90 (2021.01); G01N 33/483 (2006.01); H01Q 9/16 (2006.01); G01N 3/08 (2006.01); G01B 7/24 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 5/4504 (2013.01) [A61B 5/0048 (2013.01); A61B 5/05 (2013.01); G01B 7/16 (2013.01); G01B 7/24 (2013.01); G01D 5/202 (2013.01); G01D 5/2013 (2013.01); G01N 3/066 (2013.01); G01N 3/08 (2013.01); G01N 3/20 (2013.01); G01N 27/9006 (2013.01); G01N 27/9046 (2013.01); G01N 33/4833 (2013.01); H01Q 9/16 (2013.01); A61B 2562/0252 (2013.01); A61B 2562/14 (2013.01); G01N 2203/0023 (2013.01); G01N 2203/0032 (2013.01); G01N 2203/0076 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A loading device for measuring stiffness of a structural member (SM), the loading device comprising:
a frame assembly including:
a lower support restable on a stable support;
a distal frame movable with respect to the lower support;
a plurality of first loading members disposed spaced on the distal frame along a longitudinal direction of the distal frame and configured to support the SM;
a plurality of SM support members disposed spaced on the lower support along a longitudinal direction of the lower support and configured to support the SM; and
at least one second loading member disposed between the plurality of SM support members and configured to be movable relative to the plurality of SM support members in a direction toward and away from the distal frame;
a first driving mechanism that moves the at least one second loading member to apply a load to the SM and create multiple bending points with respect to the plurality of first loading members and the at least one second loading member;
a first sensor that measures a load applied by the first driving mechanism to the at least one second loading member;
a plurality of second sensors that measure a first deflection of the SM undergoing loading;
a third sensor that measures a second deflection of the SM undergoing loading without using any strain sensing device attached to the SM or contacting the SM,
wherein the stiffness of the SM is determinable from:
a first slope of a first deflection curve obtained from the plurality of second sensors versus an applied load curve obtained from the first sensor; and
a second slope of a second deflection curve obtained from the third sensor versus the applied load curve.