Patent application title: Beam deflection sensor
Arielle Ann Blankers (Nicollet, MN, US)
IPC8 Class: AG01B1126FI
Class name: Optics: measuring and testing angle measuring or angular axial alignment
Publication date: 2012-07-05
Patent application number: 20120170028
An aluminum disc containing three lasers which will be projected along
the `X`, `Y`, and `Z` axes of a structural beam to which the device is
attached. It will then relay this information to a computer which will
calculate deflection in the beam. The computer will compare the
deflection in the beam with the programmed maximum safe amount of
deflection. Due to its construction and simplicity the device can be used
quickly by a person not trained in the field. A simple suction cup on the
front surface of the disc allows it to be easily attached to the beam
simply by pressing it against a flat surface area of said beam. The
invention is intended for use as an early warning device to prevent
unexpected creep failure of structures, but has potential application as
a measuring device in the Materials Testing industry.
1. A sensor for measurement of deflection and/or bending moment in
objects to which it is attached; said sensor comprising a receptacle
body; said body defined by a compact solid form comprising cavities
necessary to house three lasers to be projected along the 2D- and 3D-axes
of the object to which it is attached and the electrical wires necessary
to supply electricity to said lasers, said device implementing a vacuum
system of attachment.
2. The sensor recited in claim 1 wherein said device implements an adhesive system of attachment.
3. The sensor recited in claim 1 wherein said body houses only the two `X`- and `Y`-axes lasers.
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
 Not Applicable
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
 Not Applicable
REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
 The Beam Deflection Sensor pertains to the industries of Mechanical and Structural Engineering, Building Design, and in some cases Materials Testing. More specifically, it relates to other sensors used to measure the force required to break a piece of material or cause deflection in the same. However, unlike existing devices for identification and measurement of beam deflection, this invention is small and easy to use. It is attached to the structural beam simply by pressing it against said beam, making it a useful device for people with no background in the industry. Therefore, it is practical for everyday use in any building or other structure which is at risk for creep failure.
 It is intended to serve as an early warning system for material weaknesses and will limit casualties caused by the unexpected creep failure of structural supports. The invention works by projecting a laser along the "X", "Y", and "Z" axes of the structural beam to which it is attached. It relays this information to a computer which will calculate deflection in the beam.
 It is a constant concern in the structural engineering and construction industries that unforeseen creep deformities (or causes of such deformities) in construction materials will result in an unexpected progressive failure of the structure. Creep deformities exist as natural molecular imperfections in materials and rapid modernization has led to unforeseen causes of creep failure with catastrophic consequences. The Beam Deflection Sensor can be quickly and easily attached to structural columns and supports in any building and continually monitor deflection in high-activity, dangerous, and/or core structural areas. It can detect a progressing problem before it has reached severity--perhaps while the problem is easily reparable, saving thousands of dollars in expenses demolishing the unstable structure and rebuilding it.
 Another practical application of the invention would be the Materials Testing industry, where measuring the elasticity, stiffness, or other qualities of a test material often involves destructive testing--for example the Charpy Impact Test (which involves breaking a piece of the test material with a pendulum axe). Such destructive testing is sometimes dangerous and usually wastes resources like materials and energy. Extensive time-and-resource-consuming safety precautions must be taken when working with such great forces. The Beam Deflection Sensor precisely measures deflection in any material to which it is attached and provides a continuous information feed of such deflection. The necessary amount of force inflicted on the test material to determine its safe level of deflection would be substantially less. Due to its precision, the invention will also provide more detailed information regarding permanent damage and/or bending in the test material after the initial testing.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
 The invention possesses numerous advantages over existing sensors and/or devices used to determine beam deflection. Unlike most sensors--such as those used to determine error in a factory actuation system--the Beam Deflection Sensor does not contain within itself a printed circuit board, substantially reducing the risk of damage by airborne particles, damage by impact or vibration, cost of maintenance, and cost of manufacture. Instead, the invention simply utilizes wires to supply constant electricity to the lasers and a wire to provide continuous feedback to a monitoring computer. This design is advantageous for use in Materials Testing, as forces inflicted on test materials commonly result in high impact, resonance, and airborne particles. Therefore, with the use of conventional sensors, costly sealed casings and carefully controlled environments must be maintained to prevent damage to said conventional sensors. The Beam Deflection Sensor eliminates the need for such expense. Furthermore, it will improve the accuracy while reducing the cost of deflection measurement in materials tests--the amount of force which must be inflicted on the test material to determine its safe level of deflection would be substantially less, since measurement information from the sensor is constant.
 The invention is simple, small, and easy to use by people with no training in the industry. Installation is immediate and does not require the use of permanent attachment methods--the sensor can be removed from the beam simply by pulling it off. This is a huge advantage over existing sensors used to calculate and/or determine beam deflection, most of which require lengthy and permanent installations.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
 FIG. 1 is a top projected view of the assembly;
 FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the assembly;
 FIG. 3 is a front projected view of the assembly;
 FIG. 4 is a side projected view of the assembly; and
 FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the assembly attached to an I-beam.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
 The Beam Deflection Sensor is a simple aluminum disc 1'' in diameter which houses three lasers and the necessary wires to supply power to said lasers (which are intended to be projected along the `X`, `Y`, and `Z` axes of a structural beam to which the invention is attached). The invention utilizes a simple vacuum attachment system which enables it to be attached to the beam simply by pressing it onto a flat surface area of said beam. When the device is attached correctly to the structure, the center laser should project along the `Z` axis--through the beam--and the edge lasers should be parallel to the adjacent edges of the beam--the `X` and `Y` axes--as depicted in FIG. 5.
 The process of manufacture is as follows:
 1. The invention starts as a 1'' diameter aluminum disc, 0.25'' thick, with a 0.2'' diameter hole protruding into the center of the disc, a second hole of the same dimension in one side of the disc on the adjacent surface, and a third hole of the same dimension placed on the adjacent surface at a 90-degree angle from the second hole.
 2. Holes 0.1'' diameter are then drilled in the center of the existing 0.2'' diameter holes, going from the sides to the center and from the center hole out the back of the disc. These holes are for the electrical wires that will supply power to the lasers and the wire which will feed information to the monitoring computer.
 3. The laser casings are simply cup-shaped pieces of aluminum 0.2'' diameter which fit into the holes on the disc. The lasers are mounted in the casings, and the casings are then coated in an adhesive substance and fitted into the holes in the disc with the electrical wires of the lasers going through the smaller holes and out the back of the disc.
 4. A 1'' suction cup with a 0.2'' diameter hole in the center is fixed to the front of the disc.
 This process of manufacture is simple and inexpensive compared to existing sensors and other devices used to measure beam deflection (which contain printed circuit boards within the device and are therefore complicated to manufacture). Since no custom-built printed circuit board need be built for this invention, the manufacturing process is immediate. Furthermore, sensors containing printed circuit boards are susceptible to damage caused by dust, impact, and vibration--all of which are to be expected in a mechanical floor of a building or in a Materials Testing facility. Because the Beam Deflection Sensor does not contain within itself a printed circuit board, it is not nearly as susceptible to damage from these environmental factors.
 Utilizing a basic suction cup as the method for attachment to the beam, the sensors are very easy to attach and remove--even for a person with no training in any field related to the invention. Since the only operating components in the invention are the lasers and their corresponding electrical wires, troubleshooting and maintenance are equally simple.
Patent applications in class ANGLE MEASURING OR ANGULAR AXIAL ALIGNMENT
Patent applications in all subclasses ANGLE MEASURING OR ANGULAR AXIAL ALIGNMENT