Inventors:
David C. Jackson - Tulsa OK
James D. Musshafen - Tulsa OK
International Classification:
F16H 3706
Abstract:
A side load sensor is provided for sensing the longitudinal load on a rotary worm which is used to rotate a turret on a utility vehicle and wherein a boom is mounted on the rotatable turret. The load sensor includes a gear housing mounted on the turret for supporting a worm shaft for rotation about a horizontal axis, the worm being disposed centrally on the worm shaft. The bearing housing also includes a pair of spaced gear mounts for supporting the ends of the worm shaft and a worm gear disposed for rotation around a vertical axis. A motor is provided for rotating the worm shaft, the worm being arranged in driving relation with the worm gear. A sleeve is mounted at each end of the worm shaft for movement with the worm shaft in response to longitudinal forces transferred back from the worm gear to the worm. A polyurethane ring is mounted adjacent each end of the worm shaft and disposed between a flat surface on the adjacent sleeve and a flat surface on the associated bearing mount so that a polyurethane ring is compressed between a sleeve and its adjacent bearing mount depending upon the direction of the force exerted by the worm gear against the worm. A slidable spool is mounted in a spool bore in one of the gear mounted and connects with the sleeve.
