MS Thesis R. Hager - Hawaii National Marine Renewable Energy ...

The body connects to the aluminum plate by two ½” aluminum rods 2 ½” long, as seen inFigures 5.4 and 5.5. The load cell has #6-32 male threaded studs allowing it to attach to asection of uni-strut above and an aluminum plate below, as seen in Figure 5.5. Aluminumhas been used because it is lightweight and quite rigid. Additionally, a lock washer is usedbetween the load cell and uni-strut to prevent rotation. The section of uni-strut is clamped tothe top of the wave flume. A lateral support system is included, as seen in Figures 5.5 and5.6, to dampen horizontal forces that may induce bending moments.Figure 5.4 Body and Aluminum Rod and Plate AttachmentThe lateral support system is constructed of an aluminum arm hinged at 10 o to a section ofuni-strut clamped to the top of the wave flume. At the end of the aluminum arm, analuminum foot is hinged. The aluminum foot rests along the aluminum rods attaching thebody and load cell. Note the lateral support system only makes surface contact with thealuminum rods.86