Abstract: A load cell comprises a member for receiving forces applied by the load, and a plurality of force sensing elements supported by the member and arranged with respect, to each other to independently sense differently directed components of the applied forces. The member is disposed, e.g., in a horizontal plane for receiving the load forces, and the force sensing elements are strain gages. One of the strain gages is arranged to sense a component of the forces applied in a vertical direction relative to the plane, and a second strain gage is arranged to sense a component of the forces applied in a horizontal direction relative to the plane. Among other advantages, the load cell is highly versatile can be used to measure loading forces applied in virtually any direction.

Abstract: A strain gauge transducer includes several features for enhancing operating life and improving measurement accuracy. Load force is applied transversely to the longitudinal axis of a load member that is configured to flex in the transverse direction in response to the load force, and the load member is constructed so that the material of the load member circumferentially surrounds device (e.g., one or more strain gauges) for measuring the force-induced flexure of the member. The load member and a mounting member that receives the load force and transfers it to the load member are configured to allow the mounting member to pivot about the axes of the load member and the mounting member and to inhibit the mounting member from moving along one of the axes. The ends of the load member are configured to roll within openings of side walls that support the load member above a base as said load member flexes in response to the load force.

Abstract: A high resolution and high speed analog to digital converter for use with a transducer in measuring parameters such as weight, which may stay the same or which may change in the system, the converter having an integrator which integrates for a fixed period the output voltage from the transducer, and subsequently deintegrates a known reference voltage, the deintegration times varying depending upon the magnitude of the transducer output voltage which has been integrated, a comparator comparing the deintegration times of successive conversions and shortening the integration times for the transducer output so as to obtain more conversions per time period to provide a high speed readout when the transducer output is changing, but lengthening the integration times to provide a high resolution readout when the comparison of deintegration times does not reveal any change in the transducer output.

Abstract: A low level strain gage transducer including housing which supports a strain member having a fixed end member and a free end member in the form of a cup, the free end member supported by a folded arm arrangement including one or more arms which permits the element being monitored for strain forces to pivot with respect to the cup so as to to accommodate any mis-alignment forces applied to the cup that would otherwise generate bending forces resulting in erroneous strain measurements.

Abstract: A new strain gage transducer comprises a support bar for measuring a load force. A base supports one end of the support bar in cantilever fashion in an orientation generally orthogonal to the direction in which the load force is to be applied. A load portion receives the load force and transmits it to the support bar, forcing it to flex. The amount of flexure is measured thereby allowing the amount of the load force to be determined. The base support includes a receiving portion mount on the base.

Abstract: A synchronous distributed measurement system in a digital computer network comprising a master node and a plurality of slave nodes interconnected by communications links to form a ring. The master mode includes a message transmitter for transmitting a synchronizing message over a communications link. Each slave node includes an operational portion for performing selected operations. A message receiver receiving the synchronizing message from a communications link, and a message transmitter responsive to receipt of the synchronizing message for retransmitting the synchronizing message over the communications link. An operational control portion starts the measurement portion a selected delay time after the message receiver receives the synchronizing message, the delay time providing that the operational portions of the slave nodes perform the measurements in synchronization.

Abstract: An electrical strain-gaged load cell whose central and peripheral load-transmitting portions are coaxial with one another about an axis of applied loading includes intermediate interconnections formed by several planar-surfaced elongated shear-sensing beam elements whose opposite ends are integral with the coaxial portions and whose directions of elongation are essentially those of chords across the substantially annular spacing between the coaxial portions. Even in cells of small size, the relatively large chordal lengths of the beams, and the relatively sizable access spaces which may be accommodated alongside them, allow for convenient and facile installation of strain gages which will electrically characterize shear strains induced in the beams as they share transmission of the applied loading.