At Offshore Europe '97, monitoring system specialist Scan-Sense will be exhibiting two new products.
The EGS-2000 is a portable electronic strain gauge designed for field measurement application on ships and offshore structures where surface strain needs to be verified. Attachment of the unit to non-ferrous structure can be performed easily using adhesive mounted magnetic pads, without the need for special tools or prior surface preparation.
Sensor positioning, or measurement axis reorientation, is immediately facilitated using the integral magnetic mounting, providing instant valid measurement from the moment of physical attachment.
The sensor has wide dynamic response (DC to 300Hz), cannot be mechanically overloaded, has zero hysteresis and extended fatigue life. Built-in advanced micro power integral electronics provide all necessary signal conditioning, computing and serial interface. The integral display operates directly in strain engineering units.
Scan-Sense's other new product, Bolt Safe, allows pre-tension in bolt joints to be measured and monitored, both while tightening up bolts as well as during the bolt's service life.
Conventional bolt-tightening is based on measuring the torque. This method is inaccurate, the company claims, owing to thread and surface friction, which can absorb up to 90% of the torque force. Incorrect pre-stressing of bolts on oil and gas flanges, cranes and winches could have catastrophic consequences, it points out.
Bolt Safe's sensor, based on patented technology, is designed like an ordinary washer and is used in the same way. When tightened, the washer measures the force between the base and the nut. This gives a direct measurement of the pre-stressing of the bolt with better than 5% accuracy.
Built into each washer is an electronic module that processes the signal and stores identification data for the unit. The data can be communicated to a portable measuring instrument or to a PC containing other system information and data from previous measurements. This allows continuous or periodic monitoring of bolt pre-stressing at critical installations.
The design has recently been accorded EUREKA status. Scan-Sense is now seeking partners to co-operate in further development, distribution and sales.
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