Abstract: Powder dispensing and sensing apparatus and methods are provided. The powder dispensing and sensing apparatus includes a tray support structure to receive a cartridge tray holding cartridges, a powder dispenser assembly including powder dispenser modules to dispense powder into respective cartridges of a batch of cartridges in the cartridge tray, a powder transport system to deliver powder to the powder dispenser modules, a sensor module including sensor cells to sense respective fill states, such as the weights, of each of the cartridges in the batch of cartridges, and a control system to control the powder dispenser modules in response to the respective sensed fill states of each of the cartridges of the batch of cartridges.

Abstract: An apparatus for customizing a vehicle seat includes a seat having a cushion and a back coupled thereto and a plurality of force sensors in respective locations along the cushion and the back. The apparatus further includes electronic circuitry coupled with the plurality of sensors and programmed to associate forces sensed by ones of the plurality of force sensors with the respective locations thereof and to output the sensed forces and associated areas.

Abstract: In a temperature sensitive element, a covering member containing a glass as a main component and having a thermal expansion coefficient smaller than that of output lines is provided on pads to cover at least portions of output lines located on the pads. The pads are formed of a glass-based material which contains, as main components, a metal and a glass having a thermal expansion coefficient smaller than that of a ceramic substrate, and the thermal expansion coefficient of the pads is set to be smaller than that of the output lines. Accordingly, in the case where the temperature sensitive element is exposed to a temperature change between a high temperature and ordinary temperature, compressive stress can be applied to the output lines by the covering member and the pads. Thus, the fixing force between the output lines and the pads can be increased.

Abstract: A balance ability measurement apparatus acquires load information on weight of a user as measured during a period of a stand-up movement which is a period of time from when the user starts the stand-up movement to when the user stabilizes standing posture. Based on the load information, the balance ability measurement apparatus calculates load change information on change in the weight of the user. Further, based on the load information, the balance ability measurement apparatus calculates left-right displacement information on displacement of the user in left-right direction. Based on the load change information and the left-right displacement information, the balance ability measurement apparatus calculates a balance ability evaluation value on balance ability of the user.

Abstract: A scale controller system and method of using the system is disclosed. The scale controller is adapted for use with a grain cart or similar implement that includes a discharge opening and conveyor. The system includes a scale and a plurality of sensors that work together to automate numerous functions that are typically performed manually. For example, the present invention discloses a system that automatically records the amount of material loaded or unloaded by continuously monitoring the load on a scale and the RPMs of a power take-off shaft that drives a conveyor.

Abstract: A thin personal weighing device comprising a bottom plate, extending along a reference plane, a top plate movably mounted with regard to the bottom plate along a direction perpendicular to the reference plane, four resilient elements directly interposed between the top and the bottom plate, four LC circuits positioned at a vicinity of an edge of the bottom plate, and a conductive material coating, arranged on the top plate, the four LC resonators and the at least conductive material coating exhibiting an inductance. Movement of the conductive material coating relative to each of the four LC resonators introduces a variation of the inductance. A computation unit detecting the variations of the inductance is electronically coupled with the LC resonators and configured to correlate the variations of the inductance with an actual weight placed on the weighing device. The thickness of the weighing device is less than 25 mm.

Abstract: A checkweigher assembly includes a frame that is rotatable about an axis of rotation, a scale operatively connected with the frame, and a holder member operatively connected with the scale. The holder member is substantially supported by the scale. The holder member includes first and second grip members, each having an outer surface. The outer surfaces of the first and second grip members are arranged in a face-to-face relationship and are axially spaced apart by a gap. The first grip member is movable from a first position to a second position. The gap is defined by a first minimum length when the first grip member is in the first position and a second minimum length when the first grip member is in the second position, wherein first minimum length is greater than the second minimum length. A method of weighing objects with the checkweigher assembly is provided.

Abstract: A weighing scale (30a, 30b, 40, 50) is designed for use in a first and a second configuration. In the first configuration, a base unit (1) has a main plane disposed horizontally with a load receiver (32, 42, 52) extending parallel thereto. A weighing cell (2) is mounted under the load receiver in the base unit and measures a weighing force acting perpendicular to the main plane. In the second configuration, the main plane is disposed vertically, with the load receiver hanging below the base unit as a suspended weighing pan, with the weighing cell mounted in the base unit to measure a vertical weighting force that is parallel to the main plane of the base unit.

Abstract: To detect humidity, used are a first series connection circuit connecting a thermistor and a fixed resistor via a node, a second series connection circuit connecting a resistance change type humidity sensor and the thermistor via the node, and a third series connection circuit connecting the humidity sensor and the fixed resistor via the node. A predetermined voltage is applied across the first circuit to detect a first voltage indicating temperature through the node, and secondly across the second circuit to detect a second voltage indicating a first humidity through the node, and finally across the third circuit to detect a third voltage indicating a second humidity through the node. Then, the first voltage is compared with a reference voltage and judgment is made, based on a comparison result, to determine which of the second voltage and the third voltage is relevant to use as a basis for outputting the humidity as detected.

Abstract: A method and a device for assessing the level of microbial activity of a substrate (9), preferably agricultural soil, biomass and other contexts, where there is enzymatic activity. The method includes: preparing one or more biodegradable threads (8); tensioning the one or more biodegradable threads with a pre-defined tension; introducing the one or more tensioned biodegradable threads partially in the substrate; leaving the one or more biodegradable threads in the substrate; measuring the time elapsed from the introduction of the one or more biodegradable threads in the substrate to the breakage of the one or more threads. The device includes one or more biodegradable threads (8) with a first fixing element (12) suited to fix one end of the biodegradable thread and a second fixing element (20) suited to fix the other end of the biodegradable thread, between which each biodegradable thread can be independently tightened with a pre-defined tension.

Abstract: A method and system for estimating the potential friction between a tire and a rolling surface in which: a first and second engaged-friction/kinematic-quantity reference curve respectively corresponding to a first and to a second reference value ??1, ?P2 of potential friction with ?P2>?P1 are provided; a first and a second kinematic quantity threshold value or a first and a second engaged friction threshold value are provided; the engaged friction ? between the tire and the rolling surface is determined; a current value of a kinematic quantity between the tire and the rolling surface is determined; a current working point given by the engaged friction ? and the current value of the kinematic quantity is determined; and the current value of the kinematic quantity is compared with the first and the second kinematic quantity threshold value or, respectively, the engaged friction ? is compared with the first and the second engaged friction threshold value.

Abstract: A gas sensing device that includes humidity compensation.

Abstract: In a dynamic scale and a weighing method therefor, an object to be weighed is received on a weighing unit of the dynamic scale and weight information of the object on the weighing unit is detected by the weighing unit. The weight information includes a number of items of weight information, which are supplied to a processor, and a derived weight value is determined in the processor by evaluation of a predetermined number of the items of weight information, and a quality value for the derived weight value is also determined in the processor by evaluation of the predetermined number of items of weight information. Depending on the quality value, it is established, in the processor, that the derived weight value is a valid weight value and, when it is established that the derived weight value is a valid weight value, the weighing unit is then fed with a new object.

Abstract: The gas sensor includes a sensor element, a first insulator inside which the sensor element is inserted, a second insulator disposed on a proximal side of the first insulator so as to cover a proximal side of the sensor element, and a contact member held by the second insulator and sandwiching the sensor element. A proximal end portion of the first insulator and a distal end portion of the second insulator abut on each other in an axial direction. Each the proximal end portion and the distal end portion is provided with a positioning structure. The positioning structure is configured to restrict a relative movement between the first and second insulators in a sandwiching direction in which the sensor element is sandwiched by the contact member and in an orthogonal direction perpendicular to the sandwiching direction and in the axial direction.

Abstract: A handheld scale for weighing luggage having a body housing a power source, a processor, and a display, a luggage engagement member rotatably coupled to the body and moveable between a first position and a second position in which the luggage engagement member presents a surface from which a piece of luggage can be supported, a load sensor, and a switch activated by the luggage engagement member, the switch being configured such that when the luggage engagement member is in the second position, the power source is operatively coupled to the display, and the processor is configured to receive, from the load sensor, a signal proportional to a force applied to the surface relative to the body, and to provide, via the display, an indication of the force; and when the luggage engagement member is in the first position, the power source is operatively decoupled from at least the display.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to load cell assemblies configured for measuring loads or weight associated with a semi-trailer. In one embodiment, a load cell assembly includes a shear plate load cell configured to be coupled between a frame and a support member of the semi-trailer. The shear plate load cell detects or measures the trailer's weight with a sensor positioned on a strain sensing section of a plate. The strain sensing section is positioned at a location offset from the plate's centerline. The shear plate load cell is accordingly configured to provide an ideal moment balance that allows accurate load measurements independent of where the load is applied relative to the load cell or the support member.

Abstract: Provided is a piezoelectric device capable of improving measurement precision of a temperature of a piezoelectric element. A piezoelectric device (1) includes a package (2) including a housing member (4) having a thermistor substrate (3) and a frame (7) provided to project from a first main surface (3a) of the thermistor substrate (3) and in which a housing part (6) is formed by the first main surface (3a) and the frame (7) and a lid (9) provided on the frame (7) to cover a space (5) of the housing part (6), and a piezoelectric vibration element (5) provided on the first main surface (3a) of the thermistor substrate (3) in the housing part (6), wherein the thermistor substrate (3) is a multilayer negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistor.

Abstract: A weighing apparatus comprise a large throw-in weighing hopper which is fed with objects having a weight which is less than a target weight of the objects, holds the objects which are weighed, and discharges the weighed objects; a plurality of medium throw-in weighing hoppers which are respectively fed with the objects having weights adjusted with a different ratio, hold the objects for which combination calculation is performed based on the weights of the objects, and discharge the objects based on a result of the combination calculation; and a loss-in weight hopper which is used in loss-in weighing and performs loss-in discharge of the objects.

Abstract: A household scale including a housing intended to be placed horizontally during use, the housing including a support, at least one weight measuring system, connected to a display unit for the result of the measurement, the scale being designed to hold on the support, during use, and a container for holding an item or ingredient. The housing includes a connection to the support enabling the support to hold the container in the following two positions. A stowage position in which the container is attached to the support regardless of the position of the scale in space, and a position of use in which the container is set down on the support not attached to it.

Abstract: A weighing chamber in a shape of a transparent cuboid with sliding panels (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) assembled on structural guides (8) that are fastened using at least a single adjustable lock (13) blocking at least one panel in a way that their releasing enables sliding and disassembling the other panels. The fastening lock forms a profiled element, preferably an angle bar shaped component assembled in a detachable manner to the horizontal structural beam (8). The chamber comprises two vertical columns (6, 7) assembled at the back corners of the chamber's interior which support the chamber structure (8) comprising a horizontal beam for assembling the fastening lock and guides for holding and sliding the top and side panels using grips (9, 10, 11).