Abstract: Improved shaped glass elements having very low thermal coefficients of elastic modulus are provided for use as measuring means in balances for determining the mass of objects with a high degree of resolution. A particularly preferred form of the invention id fabricated from a glass consisting of 60.6% SiO.sub.2, 14.7% B.sub.2 O.sub.3, 8.94% Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, 4.72% Na.sub.2 O and 10.98% BaO, by weight.

Abstract: Apparatus and method of determining the mass of an article by the shift of the period of oscillation of a flexibly mounted platform. An article whose mass is to be determined is placed upon the platform. The platform is caused to oscillate and the period of harmonic motion is calibrated. This period is compared against the period of harmonic motion when there is no article upon the platform, and the difference, or shift, in frequency, allows a determination of the mass of the article.

Abstract: The invention relates to a weight measuring apparatus utilizing a vibration type force sensor having a greatly increased Q and being inexpensive and easy to manufacture. The force sensor includes a single vibratory beam or a pair of vibratory beams, which oscillate at a particular measurement frequency related to the stress applied to the sensor by a weight. A rotational mass is coupled to a nodal point of the vibratory beam at the measurement frequency, and greatly influence the frequency at which the beam will vibrate. As a result, the tolerances for manufacture of the force sensor are greatly relaxed, and the pendulum-like movement of the rotational masses for a double-ended tuning fork type sensor tends to override any mismatch between the two parallel vibratory beams.

Abstract: A weighing device of a type wherein a vibrating weight indicative signal is integrated and averaged by arithmetic means and the resultant weight is digitally displayed, with the arithmetic means being improved in accordance with the invention by providing means for calculating the period of vibration of the associated vibrating system to determine the integration time from the calculated vibration period, thereby minimizing the measuring error attributable to a variation in the vibration period with the weight of product to be weighed.

Abstract: A filling and weighing system and method for particulate matter in which the particulate matter in powder form is electrically charged and electrically directed to a container on a weight-frequency sensitive balance. The frequency shift of the balance is a measure of the weight of the powder in the container and when a predetermined frequency shift occurs, this is a measure of a predetermined weight of the powder in the container.

Abstract: A weight transducer including an extruded housing having upper and lower inner surfaces. Affixed to the upper inner surface is a hall effect magnetic field sensor, and affixed to the lower inner surface is a pair of magnetic field generating magnets. The magnets are arranged with magnetic poles of opposite polarity located adjacent one another. The hall effect sensor senses changes in the magnetic field generated by the pair of magnets due to relative movement between the upper and lower inner surfaces with application of weight to the housing. The voltage output of the hall effect sensor is converted to a signal having a frequency which varies in proportion to the weight applied to the housing. The hall effect weight transducer provides a very rugged and relatively inexpensive yet highly accurate weight transducer.

Abstract: An electronic scale and length measurement apparatus including an electric transducer for providing an electrical signal indicative of the weight of an object to be measured and an electronic length measurement transducer for providing an electrical signal indicative of the length of an object to be measured. These signals are processed by an electronic signal processing circuit including a microprocessor and a ROM. The microprocessor derives values indicative of the weight and the length of an object to be measured which are then alternatively displayed on a liquid crystal display. The weight measurement transducer comprises a deflecting beam and a coil which is part of an oscillator circuit. Calibration of the device may be effected by means of a variable position aluminum disc connected to the deflecting beam for varying the apparent inductance of the coil. The length signal is provided by means of a pair of LED's, an apertured tape, and a pair of photocells.

Abstract: A heating cooking appliance in which a Roberval mechanism, which produces a change in the vibration frequency in accordance with the weight of the food to be heated, is incorporated in a turntable, and the vibration of the turntable is transmitted to the outside of the heating chamber through a magnetic coupling using a magnet to detect a magnetic signal outside the heating chamber. In order to positively pick up the magnetic signal, a yoke is employed in the magnetic circuit and a detecting coil is arranged near the magnet by raising the heating chamber bottom plate, thereby tightening the magnetic coupling. Further, in order to eliminate electromagnetic wave noise, etc., a filter circuit is provided to ensure exact picking-up of the vibration signal. In order to avoid an influence on the magnetic signal of other magnetic field producing devices, the measurement is made either while such devices are not in operation or by using an added magnetic shielding means.

Abstract: A piezoelectric device is used to determine the absolute weight of an unknown sample by comparison to a control sample whose weight is known. A piezoelectric driver is resiliently attached to a base that is isolated from vibrations. A piezoelectric receiver and a reed are resiliently attached to the piezoelectric driver so that (1) the reed is moved in response to motion of the piezoelectric driver, and (2) the piezoelectric receiver gives an electric signal out proportional to motion of the system. The entire system is set to operate on the leading edge of the resonant frequency for the system. By applying an oscillating sine wave voltage, such as 140 hertz, to the piezoelectric driver, and by applying a known mass to the tip of the reed, a first output is obtained from the piezoelectric receiver which represents the calibrated weight. Next by exchanging an unknown sample for the known mass, a second output is obtained that represents the second weight.

Abstract: A suspension system (11) for effectively decoupling an oscillating element microbalance (10) from its environment employs longitudinally extending suspension members axially aligned with an instantaneous center of rotation (S) of the microbalance. In a preferred embodiment, the microbalance includes a tapered elongate elastic element (12) having an elliptical cross section and the suspending members comprise a torsion bar arrangement (20, 22) oriented parallel to the major axis (HD) of the elliptical cross section. The suspension system minimizes vibrational losses from the microbalance while at the same time rendering environmental noise ineffectual.

Abstract: Fluid density measuring apparatus and method for directly measuring fluid density or indirectly measuring force, acceleration, flow velocity, differential pressure and other parameters affecting the apparatus. The apparatus includes a bellows and a generally rigid hollow housing having openings through which fluid may flow to the interior of the housing, and a vibratory single-ended tuning fork mounted in the housing. The apparatus also includes circuitry for causing the tines of the tuning fork to resonate, for example, 180 degrees out of phase in a transverse direction, with the frequency of the tines varying with variation in the density of the fluid surrounding the tines. Circuitry is also included for determining the frequency at which the tuning fork tines resonate. When the density of the fluid into which the housing is placed changes, the frequency of vibration of the tines of the tuning fork is caused to change to provide a measure of the density change.

Abstract: A load sensor includes a fixed rigid portion, a movable rigid portion spaced from the fixed rigid portion and adapted to receive an applied load, and a shear-deformable member provided between the two rigid portions. The shear-deformable portion is provided with a transmission and a reception transducer constituting an elastic surface-wave oscillator. When a load is applied to the movable rigid portion, weight is sensed based on a deviation in the oscillation frequency of the elastic surface-wave oscillator. The fixed and movable rigid portions, as well as upper and lower beams interconnecting these portions, constitute a load-sensitive element. The latter has a side face which is closed off by a pliable membrane for sealing the shear-deformable element disposed within the load-sensitivie element. Alternatively, a corrugated bellows is connected across the fixed and movable rigid portions to seal the shear-deformable member within the bellows.

Abstract: A piezoelectric device is used to determine a ratio of a second weight with an original weight where the second weight is less than the original weight. A piezoelectric driver is resiliently attached to a base that is isolated from vibrations. A piezoelectric receiver and a reed are resiliently attached to the piezoelectric driver so that (1) the read is moved in response to motion of the piezoelectric driver, and (2) the piezoelectric receiver gives an electric signal out proportional to motion of the system. The entire system is set to operate on the leading edge of the resonant frequency for the system. By applying an oscillating sine wave voltage, such as 140 hertz, to the piezoelectric driver, and by applying an unknown mass to the tip of the reed, a first output is obtained from the piezoelectric receiver which represents the original weight. Next by removing part of the mass by any convenient means, such as heat, a second output is obtained that represents the second weight.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring a weight including a tuning fork vibrator to produce an oscillation signal having a frequency determined in accordance with a weight applied to the vibrator, a circuit for detecting an abnormal increase in an amplitude of the oscillation signal due to disturbing vibration to produce an abnormal signal, a frequency counter for counting the number of waves of the oscillation signal except for a period during which the abnormal signal is generated and a data processor for resetting the frequency counter each time the frequency counter has counted waves of the oscillation signal for a predetermined period and calculating a measured weight from a count value of the frequency counter.

Abstract: A device for measuring force, which is preferably applicable to a weighing device, is provided, wherein two cantilever arms are arranged substantially in parallel and generally in a vertical plane, an elastic member is coupled between the free ends of the both arms so as to be subjected to tension or compression when a force to be measured is applied to the free end of the either arm, the elastic member forms a part of mechano-electric transducer which produces an electric signal whose feature has a theoretical relationship with the applied force, and the device further includes an arithmetic unit for calculating the force in accordance with this relationship.

Abstract: A vibration type force detector in which the vibration string is made of a platinum-based nickel-containing alloy. The magnitude of a force to be detected is obtained through the measurement of a natural vibration frequency of a string vibrating with the force loaded thereto. However, the force detector using a Pt-Ni alloy vibration string based on the invention makes it possible, for the first time, to apply a vibrational type force detector to a precision measurement of force or weight. Measurement with an accuracy of 10.sup.-5 is made possible by the present invention.

Abstract: A mechanism for converting a weight into a frequency by means of a tuning fork vibrator having a pair of elongated plate-like vibrating strips extending in parallel with each other, a lever unit with a power pivot, fulcrum pivot and a load pivot, and a base portion, both ends of the tuning fork vibrator being coupled with the power pivot of the lever unit and the base portion, respectively by means of thin plate-like members. The weight to be converted is applied to the load pivot of the lever unit and is transferred to the tuning fork vibrator by means of the lever unit. All the parts of the mechanism are formed integrally from a single plate.

Abstract: A mass and force meter with two dynamometers, in which the load to be measured acts at least on one of the dynamometers and is compared with the weight of a reference mass which also acts upon at least one of the dynamometers. The reference mass is linked to a lever pivotally mounted on a horizontal axis of the frame of the meter by guiding means having a reset force so that the reference mass is guided horizontally and parallelly. The guiding means includes a vertical, flat spring and at least one pair of arms connected by resilient guides.

Abstract: A weighing apparatus of the vibratory string type is disclosed, wherein a current-carrying string connected intermediate its ends between a movable load-responsive member and a frame vibrates in a magnetic field produced by a permanent magnet mounted on the frame. The ends of the string extend beyond the clamping connections with the movable member and the frame, respectively, for electrical connection with the conductors to the string drive and load detection circuit. This driving and detection circuit and the aforementioned conductors are mounted on a printed circuit board that is connected with the frame, thereby to avoid the need of a separate power supply with its disadvantageous effect on string vibrations. In one modification, the protruding string end associated with the movable member comprises a tension spring for prestressing the string.

Abstract: A transducer system for a weighing scale having a flexure mode crystal resonator includes a parallelogram linkage for supporting the load platform of the scale, a mounting structure for mounting the crystal resonator between two pivotally connected mounting arms, and a coupling assembly for coupling force from the parallelogram linkage to one arm of the mounting structure.

Abstract: An electromechanical weighing apparatus is disclosed including a device for correcting the load measurement in accordance with the given gravitational force existing at the geographical place of installation of the weighing apparatus. An adjusting mechanism (6) is used to set various switching states corresponding with given different predetermined gravitational acceleration values, respectively, and a calculator or microprocessor (41)--operable in accordance with the aforementioned switching positions to supply from a storage unit corresponding retrievable gravity values--determines the adjusted gravitational acceleration value that is to be used to modify the measured weight signal to produce a geographically-corrected signal of the mass of the object being weighed that is displayed on the indicating device.

Abstract: An electronic bathroom scale employs a low profile planar coil position sensor which responds to the positioning of a pivotable lever system. The levers are coupled to a platform which moves in the vertical direction as a weight is placed upon the top or supporting platform of the scale. The sensor provides variable amplitude or frequency proportional to the weight on the scale. The output signal is processed so that a direct reading of the weight is displayed by means of a digital display. The circuitry described serves to compensate for the nonlinearity of the transducer while further providing other compensation to eliminate environmental effects such as temperature and other factors from affecting the direct display of weight.

Abstract: Weighing apparatus of the short-stroke type is disclosed including a resilient parallel guidance arrangement (3) connecting a load-receiving member (2) for vertical movement relative to a console member (1), characterized by the provision of a pivotally movable lever (14) connected between the console and load-receiving members and including a resilient arm (18) for transmitting to the measuring device--for example, a vibratory string (23)--a force corresponding with the load applied to the load-receiving member. A stop device (20) is provided for limiting the extent of pivotal movement of the lever, the force introduced into the parallel guidance arrangement being only a fraction of the load to be measured, whereby the deleterious influences disturbing the measurement force are eliminated, whereby a relatively simple and inexpensive parallel guidance arrangement of less expensive materials may be achieved.

Abstract: The specification discloses an improved weigh scale of the dual beam type having large and small flow buckets adapted to receive a flow of fluid therein, and an encoder connected to a ball screw having a poise weigh driven by a drive motor for keeping the scale continually balanced while a fluid is being introduced into one of said flow buckets, and having a power supply circuit, a pulse encoder circuit, and a poise control circuit for operation thereof, the improvement including an improved poise control circuit having low gain with high integration for use during the run mode, but being switchable to a circuit having high gain and derivative action during the calibration mode.

Abstract: A weighing scale is provided with a multi-string system stressed in tension and vibrated at its natural frequency for determining the magnitude of a weight applied to the scale. The string system comprises two or more laterally spaced-apart parallel strings that are constrained to vibrate as a unit.

Abstract: A weighing apparatus is disclosed in which the load carrier (3) is arranged immediately adjacent the console (1), whereby the length of the transmission arm (3b) between the load carrier and the measuring component is reduced to a minimum. The parallel guidance system for the vertically movable components is provided by upper and lower resilient guide members (11, 11') having parallel spaced first (11a) and second (11bb) guide arms connected at one end with the console and load carrier members, respectively, and freely suspended means (11c) connecting together the other ends of the arms, thereby to define a folded guide arrangement in which the temperature-dependent changes in lengths of the arms balance each other, whereby temperature-independent guidance is produced. Furthermore, by the use of a transmission member 3b of relatively short length, directional imbalances in the application of the weighing force upon the measurement system are avoided.

Abstract: A weight monitoring apparatus which is suitable for use in a computerized control system and which provides a visual net relative weight indication, as well as an alarm, indicative that an alarm level weight is being approached by the article being weighed.

Abstract: A mass and force meter particularly suited for weighing large and bulky loads, for example vehicles, which, in spite of the large dimensions of the load support due to the nature of the load, has a small total height and in which possible unpredictable deformations of the frame do not influence the precision of the measurement, said mass and force meter having a frame, a load support directly supported by two brackets each of which is connected to the frame by means of two flat springs forming a parallel guiding device, a measuring system, springs compensating the main share of the load and an elastic transmission element transmitting to the measuring system the load-proportional remaining share of the load.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the precise sample mass and corresponding sample weight, being tolerant of and relatively insensitive to unwanted background environmental forces, while functioning independently of the force of gravity, uses a vibratory method and a feedback means to monitor and to sustain the sample mass in oscillation at the mechanical resonant frequency of the system in which the sample mass is introduced. The sample mass is forced to oscillate continuously by electromagnetic action, whereby the resultant motion is transmitted by springs and a transmission structure to supporting piezoelectric transducers. These transducers generate an output voltage signal representative of the sample pan's motion, that is amplified and returned to an electromagnetic drive coil in order to sustain oscillation and maintain the closed-loop nature of this system. These oscillations are monitored and the associated frequency measurements used in calculating the sample mass.

Abstract: This apparatus is for use in measuring a weight, or force, and it is particularly useful as a scale. The apparatus includes a single vibrating wire and wire supports that rigidly clamp the two ends of the wire. A weight to be measured is applied to the wire in substantially the direction of its length, and the applied weight changes the tension in the wire. The apparatus includes a wire drive circuit that causes the wire to vibrate at essentially its natural resonant frequency. The frequency varies as a known cubic equation with respect to the applied weight, and a computer, operating in accordance with the equation, converts the measured frequency to a weight signal. The apparatus further includes vibration dampers and isolators for reducing the effects of sympathetic vibrations and of externally induced vibrations, and means to correct for external influences such as disturbing frequencies and ambient temperature.

Abstract: A zero tracking circuit (32) monitors the output of an electronic scale employing a dual slope integrating type analog-to-digital converter (20) to detect low magnitude output signal levels characteristic of drift and other low level noise. The converter (20) samples the magnitude of an input analog signal proportional to applied weight and in response controls a count accumulated in a resettable up/down counter (36). The counter (36) is manually reset to provide tare, that is, to provide a zero reading with an applied weight. The output of the counter (36) is supplied to a digital display (40a-40d) that displays changes in applied weight. The zero tracking circuit (32) includes a decoder (56) that monitors the output of the counter (36) and in response to low magnitude counts characteristic of drift, e.g., one count on each side of zero, resets the counter (36) to eliminate the drift.

Abstract: An electronic weighing apparatus of induction type comprises a weighing member adapted to be moved according to the weight of a load to be measured, a variable inductance element consisting of a coil and a magnetic core which is movable relatively to the coil through the coil, a connecting member for connecting the weighing member with one of the coil and the magnetic core of the inductance element so that the one can be moved with respect to the other according to the movement of the weighing member and thus the inductance of the inductance element can be changed proportionally to the movement of the weighing member, a sensor oscillator including the variable inductance element as one of its oscillating parameters for generating a series of pulses having a characteristic representative of the inductance of the variable inductance element, a converting circuit for converting the characteristic of the output pulses from the sensor oscillator into a weight signal indicative of the weight of the load, and a disp

Abstract: A weighing device uses frequency measurement to determine weight. One body (3; 23; 68) is of known mass and another body (8; 28; 66) also of known mass is spring (9; 29; 83) connected to it. This body carries the load whose mass is to be determined. Both bodies can oscillate in one mode in an effectively isolated system, being carried by springs (2, 13; 22, 33; 65, 67) from a support (1; 21; 60, 62). The oscillations are electromagnetically generated, but when a certain amplitude is attained the drive is cut off and the system resonates freely. The frequency varies with the mass of the bodies, and so a load on one can be weighed by reference to the frequency, which can be detected through the electromagnetic means (12, 32, 76) which provided the initial drive pulses.

Abstract: The oscillating element in a microbalance is provided with a filter on its oscillating end for the entrapment of matter whose mass is to be determined by passing the medium containing such matter therethrough. The oscillating element itself is hollow and the medium passes first through the filter and then through the oscillating element.

Abstract: A loader includes a lift arm assembly, raised by hydraulic lift cylinders and carrying a load bucket. Alignment members mounted respectively on the loader frame and lift arm assembly, and visible to the loader operator, identify the weigh position of the lift arm assembly. A pressure to voltage transducer is mounted on one lift cylinder, and is connected in a bridge circuit producing a DC voltage output. The bridge circuit output signal, proportional to the bucket load, is fed to an amplifier, whose output is passed to an analog-to-frequency converter producing pulses at a frequency proportional to the bucket load. An electronic clock allows the converter output pulses to pass through an AND gate to a bucket counter which displays the bucket load, and is automatically reset to zero. The converter pulses are passed to an accumulator counter through a second AND gate.

Abstract: Weighing device, including a load table for supporting a load, a parallel motion system formed of transverse links for moving the load table, a vertical rod for supporting a load on the load table, a cross piece, a vibrating string being suspended from the vertical rod and the cross piece, and four magnet systems being disposed on the vertical rod for exciting the string to vibrations at higher frequency.

Abstract: Weighing apparatus for determining the tare and net weights of a container containing a liquid or a substance behaving like a liquid without requiring separate weighing of the empty container or its contents including apparatus for applying force to the container whereby force interactions between the liquid and the container are negligible for at least a predetermined measuring duration; and apparatus for sensing characteristics of the force applied to the container and of the motion of the container at the measuring duration for determining the tare weight of the container.

Abstract: This invention relates to a capacity measuring device. A first capacity-frequency converter operates on the capacity to be measured and supplies a measurement frequency FM; a second capacity-frequency converter co-operates with a standard capacity and supplies a standard frequency FE. A calculation circuit determines (M.multidot.FM/FE)-N and a display circuit visualizes this numerical magnitude. The device can be used for weighing apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus for determining weight of a container moving along a path past a weighing zone with radioactive source and detector mounted on opposite sides of the path for directing a radiation beam through the container passing through the weighing zone. Counters for counting radiation detector output pulses and reference timing pulses, with position sensors providing a gating for the counters so as to count when a container is moving past the radiation beam. The quotient of the two counts provides a measure of weight of a container.

Abstract: An electronic weighing apparatus comprises a slit plate provided to be displaceable in association with the weight of an article being placed on a weighing pan. A photosensitive device is provided in the vicinity of the split plate for generating a train of pulses responsive to the slits in association with the displacement of the slit plate. The slits are provided on the slit plate such that the pulses are obtained from the photosensitive device only if and when the amount of displacement exceeds that corresponding to a predetermined weight value. The slit plate is further provided with a magnetic shield plate at the position before the photosensitive device detects the slits for the first time when the slit plate is displaced by virtue of an article.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the percentage of moisture content and weight of a sheet-like object has a pair of metal boxy sections for providing a cavity resonator with openings, defining a gap interposed therebetween. In measurement, the sheet-like object is inserted in the gap. The percentage of moisture content of the sheet-like object is measured by detecting the variable resonant voltage of a microwave signal introduced into the cavity resonator. Weighing of the sheet-like object is measured detecting the variable resonant frequency of the microwave signal introduced.

Abstract: A particle mass sensing element comprises a piezoelectric crystal, a portion of whose surface is coated with a mat-like mass of substantially rigid whiskers for entrapping or otherwise retaining particles while the crystal is caused to vibrate.

Abstract: A position sensing and display means for use on a weighing scale includes two stationary spaced conductive plates to which out-of-phase oscillations are supplied. A movable conductive plate has a position between the two stationary plates dependent on the weight of an object being measured. The amplitude of the oscillations capacitively coupled to the movable conductive plate is displayed as an indication of the weight of the object.

Abstract: An electronic weight measuring device includes a load cell producing an output voltage varying from -V.sub.X to 0 volts according to the weight of load, a bias circuit producing a variable bias voltage V.sub.X, voltage generator receiving the output voltages from the load cell and bias circuit and producing an output voltage varying within a range from -1/2 V.sub.X to +1/2 V.sub.X, and an analog-digital converter for converting the output voltage from the voltage generator. The electronic weight measuring device further includes a zero point setting circuit coupled to the load cell and bias circuit and applying an output voltage varying with the output voltage from the bias circuit to the load cell, so that the no-load output voltage of the load cell is kept at substantially 0 volts.

Abstract: Mass and force meter with a frame, a load support and a rigid measuring system, in which only a part of the weight of the mass to be measured or of the force to be measured is transmitted to the measuring system, an intermediate body mounted between the load support and the frame which comprises two rigid parts linked by at least one resilient part, the load support being connected to the intermediate body by means of a number of load connections, the intermediate body being supported by the frame by means of an equal number of supporting connections, said rigid parts carrying each a spring lying outside the plane of said flexible part, the ends of these springs being linked to the measuring system.

Abstract: A clamping device for oscillatory or vibratory strings including a massive clamping head gripping one end of a string and secured to the frame or load receiving member by a flexurally and/or torsionally resilient neck which extends into the clamping head such that the clamping point of the string substantially aligns with the connecting area between the neck and the clamping head.

Abstract: A mass and force meter locked over its measuring system and comprising a frame, a load support, and a force transmission channel with a load-dependent force transmission ratio and at least one swivel lever is provided, in which the combination of the non-linearity of the measuring system with that of other elements of the meter can be eliminated with a force transmission channel having a non-linear characteristic, such a channel having a smaller resilience than the known meters coupled with a better adaptability to meeting the requirements for the parameters determining the non-linearity to be eliminated and with easy adjustment of these parameters, the swivel lever being connected with at least one adjacent element of the force transmission channel by means of a link having one of its ends fitted to the swivel lever, the link being mounted at least partly outside the action line of the force transmitted and being at least zone-wise elastically bendable.

Abstract: In a scale wherein the signal signifying the weight is generated by counting of clock pulses over a weight-dependent part of a predetermined time interval, a second counter counts clock pulses in the remaining part of the predetermined time interval. These are added to the clock pulses counted during the weight-dependent part of the predetermined time interval and compared to a reference number which represents the total number of clock pulses in the predetermined time interval. An error signal is furnished if the two numbers do not correspond.

Abstract: A postage scale includes a directly loaded weight-to-period transducer which provides an oscillating output, the period of which varies as a function of the weight to be measured. The transducer includes a disc of piezoelectrically active material bonded to an inactive substrate base which dishes at its center in response to the weight to be measured. The transducer frequency output is processed to provide a digital period signal. A reference oscillator having matched temperature characteristics generates a high frequency count calibrated for scaling the transducer period to a weight count. The high frequency signal and the period signal are gated to provide an input to a counter which generates a digital weight information signal. The weight information signal is transmitted to a mailing system processor for use in determining the postage requisite for mailing the article.

Abstract: A loader includes a lift arm assembly, raised by hydraulic lift cylinders and carrying a load bucket. Alignment members mounted respectively on the loader frame and lift arm assembly, and visible to the loader operator, identify the weigh position of the lift arm assembly. A pressure to voltage transducer is mounted on one lift cylinder, and is connected in a bridge circuit producing a DC voltage output. The bridge circuit output signal, proportional to the bucket load, is fed to an amplifier, whose output is passed to an analog-to-frequency converter producing pulses at a frequency proportional to the bucket load. An electronic clock allows the converter output pulses to pass through an AND gate to a bucket counter which displays the bucket load, and is automatically reset to zero. The converter pulses are passed to an accumulator counter through a second AND gate.