Abstract: A flexure-based transducer especially adapted for very precise measurement of small forces in either direction along or parallel to a single axis, without being adversely affected by forces applied in any other direction or by moments applied about any axis. The transducer is capable of withstanding very high overloading, without damage, by the provision of two resilient portions mounted in parallel to each other but in series between the gaged portion and a fixed support, plus an overload pin on the gaged portion which bottoms after a pre-determined travel.

Abstract: A rotary transformer transducer system includes a rotatable shaft having a rotor and a transducer each mounted thereon, and a stationary member including a stator, with the rotor and stator coupling electrical energy therebetween without physical contact. A selectable resistor is mounted on the rotatable shaft for direct shunt calibration of the transducer without physical contact with the stationary member. A magnetically actuated reed switch is mounted on the shaft for coupling the resistor to the transducer, and an electromagnet is mounted on the stationary member for operating the switch.

Abstract: A device for measuring the magnitude and direction of unbalanced moments about each of two mutually perpendicular axes resulting from the displacement of the center of gravity of an object being measured, such as a tire, from the third mutually perpendicular axis. The moment sensing portion consists of two pairs of strain gage-equipped beams, one pair coincident with each of the two axes, with the intersection of the three axes corresponding with the design center of gravity of the object being measured. The sensing head is mounted on a spherical air bearing whose center of curvature corresponds with the intersection point of the three axes, so that unbalanced moments tend to cause pivotal movement about the associated axis, as permitted by yieldable flexing of the beams, while the weight of the object being measured is exerted parallel to the third axis and against the air bearing, so that such force is bypassed around the moment sensing portion to avoid damaging or influencing the sensing structure.

Abstract: A flexure based transducer structure capable of measuring forces along two mutually perpendicular axes without being adversely affected by large extraneous forces or moments. Forces are applied through one annular collar and are transmitted to a central hub by a pair of flexure elements and a pair of strain-gaged sensing beams, such structure being adapted to measure forces along an axis perpendicular to such beams. The hub connects to the hub of a similar structure oriented at right angles to the first structure for the purpose of measuring forces about a second axis. A second annular collar serves as the connection to the force reacting structure.

Abstract: A novel flexure-based transducer is capable of measuring forces along a first axis and moments about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, using strain-gaged cantilever beams. The configuration facilitates scaling for selected sensitivity to particular inputs. A second embodiment permits the strain gages to be completely sealed from the environment. Also disclosed is a platform weighing system of the force transferral type using four of the novel flexure members with only a single load cell, and permitting the relative sensitivity of each flexure member to be readily adjusted to provide equal sensitivity irrespective of the location of the applied load on the platform.