Bulk metallic glass load cell
According to some embodiments, a load cell for determining a weight of a large object comprises a base plate comprising at least one recessed opening, a bulk metallic glass plug disposed in the at least one recessed opening of the base plate, and a top plate positioned above the base plate. A portion of the top plate is supported by the bulk metallic glass plug. The load cell further comprises a micro strain sensor coupled to the bulk metallic glass plug. The micro strain sensor is operable to determine a change in micro strain on the bulk metallic glass plug. The bulk metallic glass plug extends to a height where the top plate does not contact the base plate.
1. A load cell for determining a weight of an object, the load cell comprising:
a base plate comprising at least one recessed opening;
a bulk metallic glass plug disposed in the at least one recessed opening of the base plate;
a top plate positioned above the base plate, wherein a portion of the top plate is supported by the bulk metallic glass plug;
a micro strain sensor coupled to the bulk metallic glass plug, wherein the micro strain sensor comprises a sensor that determines a change in micro strain on the bulk metallic glass plug caused by compression of the bulk metallic glass by the object; and
wherein the bulk metallic glass plug extends to a height where the top plate does not contact the base plate.
2. The load cell of claim 1 , wherein the micro strain sensor is communicably coupled to a data collection device.
3. The load cell of claim 2 , wherein the micro strain sensor is communicably coupled to the data collection device via one or more wires.
4. The load cell of claim 2 , wherein the micro strain sensor is communicably coupled wirelessly to the data collection device.
5. The load cell of claim 2 , wherein the data collection device is operable to transmit a weight measurement to an operations center.
6. The load cell of claim 1 , wherein the bulk metallic glass plug comprises one of a Zr-based, Fe-based, and Cu-based bulk metallic glass.
7. A truck assembly for a railcar, the truck assembly comprising:
a center plate and a center pin for supporting a railcar structure;
a load cell disposed on the center plate, the load cell comprising:
a base plate comprising at least one recessed opening;
a bulk metallic glass plug disposed in the at least one recessed opening of the base plate;
a top plate positioned above the base plate, wherein a portion of the top plate is supported by the bulk metallic glass plug;
a micro strain sensor coupled to the bulk metallic glass plug, wherein the micro strain sensor comprises a sensor that determines a change in micro strain on the bulk metallic glass plug caused by compression of the bulk metallic glass by the object; and
wherein the bulk metallic glass plug extends to a height where the top plate does not contact the base plate.
8. The truck assembly of claim 7 , wherein the micro strain sensor is communicably coupled to a data collection device.
9. The truck assembly of claim 8 , wherein the micro strain sensor is communicably coupled to the data collection device via one or more wires.
10. The truck assembly of claim 8 , wherein the micro strain sensor is communicably coupled wirelessly to the data collection device.
11. The truck assembly of claim 8 , wherein the data collection device is operable to transmit a weight measurement to an operations center.
12. The truck assembly of claim 7 , wherein the bulk metallic glass plug comprises one of a Zr-based, Fe-based, and Cu-based bulk metallic glass.
13. The truck assembly of claim 7 , wherein the load cell comprises a center opening, and the center pin is positioned within the center opening of the load cell.
14. A vehicle comprising:
a container for transporting bulk material;
an underframe coupled to and supporting the container; and
one or more load cells disposed between the container and the underframe, wherein each load cell of the one or more load cells comprises:
a base plate comprising at least one bulk metallic glass plug;
a top plate positioned above the base plate, wherein a portion of the top plate is supported by the at least one bulk metallic glass plug;
a micro strain sensor coupled to the at least one bulk metallic glass plug, wherein the micro strain sensor comprises a sensor that determines a change in micro strain on the at least one bulk metallic glass plug caused by compression of the bulk metallic glass by the object; and
wherein the at least one bulk metallic glass plug extends to a height where the top plate does not contact the base plate.
15. The vehicle of claim 14 , wherein each of the micro strain sensors is communicably coupled to a data collection device.
16. The vehicle of claim 15 , wherein the data collection device is operable to transmit a weight measurement to an operations center.
17. The vehicle of claim 15 , wherein the data collection device is operable to determine a weight of the container has changed and transmit a notification to an operations center.
18. The vehicle of claim 15 , wherein the data collection device is operable to determine a weight of the container by combining measurements from each of the one or more load cells.
19. The vehicle of claim 14 , wherein:
the container comprises a railcar hopper;
the underframe comprises a pair of railcar truck assemblies disposed at each end of the underframe; and
the one or more load cells comprise a pair of load cells, each disposed between one of the pair of railcar truck assemblies and the railcar hopper.
20. The vehicle of claim 14 , wherein the container comprises a shipping container; and the underframe comprises a trailer.