System for measuring load on lower boom block yoke of pipelayers
A system for measuring load, from a cable, associated with a boom of a pipelayer is disclosed. The system includes a linkage configured to be coupled between a boom block, engaged with the cable, and a portion of the pipelayer. In addition, the system includes a load cell coupled between the linkage and the boom block for measuring the load, from the cable, on the linkage. A measurement load path, of the load cell, is aligned with a load path, of the load, between the boom block and the linkage.
1 . A system for measuring load from a cable associated with a boom of a pipelayer, the system comprising:
a linkage coupled between a boom block engaged with the cable and a portion of the pipelayer; and
a load cell coupled between the linkage and the boom block and configured to measure the load from the cable on the linkage,
wherein a measurement load path of the load cell is aligned with a load path of the load between the boom block and the linkage,
wherein the linkage includes:
a clevis bracket pivotable relative to the portion of the pipelayer about a first axis of rotation, and
a yoke pivotable relative to the clevis bracket about a second axis of rotation different from the first axis of rotation, and
wherein a first end of the load cell is coupled to the yoke and a second end of the load cell opposite the first end is coupled to an engagement portion coupled to the boom block.
2 . The system of claim 1 ,
wherein the pipelayer includes a winch to actuate the cable to pivot the boom, and
wherein the portion includes a frame associated with the winch.
3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the linkage defines a multi-axis coupling with respect to the portion of the pipelayer.
4 . The system of claim 3 , wherein the multi-axis coupling corresponds to a universal coupling.
5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the pivoting of the clevis bracket about the first axis of rotation enables the linkage to move in a vertical plane defined along a height of the pipelayer.
6 . The system of claim 5 , wherein the second axis of rotation is perpendicular to the first axis of rotation.
7 . The system of claim 5 , wherein the load cell is configured to generate a signal corresponding to a tension sustained in the yoke in response to the load from the cable.
8 . The system of claim 5 , wherein the load cell includes one or more strain gauges.
9 . A pipelayer comprising:
a main frame;
a boom configured to pivot with respect to the main frame to allow lifting and lowering of the boom, the boom defining a first end coupled to the main frame and a second end away from the main frame;
a first boom block coupled to the second end of the boom;
a linkage coupled to main frame;
a second boom block coupled between the linkage and the first boom block;
a cable engaged with the first boom block and the second boom block and configured to be actuated to pivot the boom; and
a load cell coupled between the linkage and the second boom block for measuring load, from the cable, on the linkage,
wherein a measurement load path of the load cell is aligned with a load path of the load between the second boom block and the linkage, and
wherein a first end of the load cell is directly coupled to the linkage and a second end of the load cell opposite the first end is directly coupled to an engagement portion coupled to the second boom block.
10 . The pipelayer of claim 9 includes a winch to actuate the cable to pivot the boom, and wherein the main frame includes a frame associated with the winch.
11 . The pipelayer of claim 9 , wherein the linkage defines a multi-axis coupling with respect to the main frame of the pipelayer.
12 . The pipelayer of claim 11 , wherein the multi-axis coupling corresponds to a universal coupling.
13 . The pipelayer of claim 9 , wherein the linkage includes a clevis bracket pivotable relative to the portion about a first axis of rotation.
14 . The pipelayer of claim 13 , wherein the pivoting of the clevis bracket about the first axis of rotation enables the linkage to move in a vertical plane defined along a height of the pipelayer.
15 . The pipelayer of claim 14 , wherein the linkage includes a yoke pivotable relative to the clevis bracket about a second axis of rotation, the second axis of rotation being different from the first axis of rotation.
16 . The pipelayer of claim 15 , wherein the second axis of rotation is perpendicular to the first axis of rotation.
17 . The pipelayer of claim 15 , wherein the load cell is coupled to the yoke and is configured to generate a signal corresponding to a tension sustained in the yoke in response to the load from the cable.
18 . The pipelayer of claim 15 , wherein the load cell includes one or more strain gauges.