System for continuously monitoring compression and tension loads on force carrying member

摘要

A system for continuously monitoring both compressive and tension loads on a force carrying member. The system includes a transducer having a pair of physically aligned piezoelectric elements which each are adapted to sense changes in stresses in the load carrying member to produce electrical output signals which can be separately utilized by tension and compression load monitoring circuits. The illustrated system discloses a compression load monitoring circuit that is responsive to electrical output signals generated by one of the piezoelectric elements upon an increase in compressive stresses in the member and a tension load indicating circuit which is responsive to electrical signals generated by the other piezoelectric element upon an increase in tension stresses in the transducer.