Abstract: The digital force sensor (1) includes a measuring cell (2) which is able to be deformed elastically, the deformation of said cell (2) directly resulting from the force with which a robot arm approaches a discrete electronic component (11) in a magazine, then mounts it onto a printed circuit, and digital means (3) for measuring a displacement representative of the deformation of said cell (2), then supplying in response to said displacement a digital signal corresponding to the direct measurement of the force with which the robot arm approaches, then mounts the electronic component onto the printed circuit.

Abstract: A weight sensor (10) senses a load applied to a vehicle seat (12). The sensor includes a first mounting member (40; 120) and a second mounting member (42; 122) positioned opposite from and movable relative to the first mounting member (40; 120). A pair of spaced apart and opposed guide elements (44 and 46; 132 and 134) are connected between the first and second mounting members (40 and 42; 120 and 122), respectively. The pair of guide elements (44 and 46; 132 and 134) guide relative movement between the first and second mounting members (40 and 42; 120 and 122). Biasing means (44 and 46; 132 and 134) are provided for urging a spaced apart relationship between the first and second mounting members (40 and 42; 120 and 122).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the volume of a fluid using a load cell transducer in which the container holding the fluid, such as a cardiotomy reservoir, is firmly but detachably engaged to an adapter for a load cell transducer. Further, this invention relates to a method and apparatus for detecting the presence and alignment of the container on a load cell so as to allow accurate measurement of the volume of a fluid contained within the container. The apparatus generally includes a magnetic ring on a bottom-facing surface of the container, a metallic ring on an upward-facing surface of the mounting adapter for the load cell and a sensor capable of detecting a magnetic field.

Abstract: A weighing system for a refuse truck having lifting means for engaging and lifting a refuse container. The weighing system comprises a transducer which is mounted on the lifting means of the truck for sensing the weight of the refuse container for producing an electrical analog signal. Electrical digitizing means convert the analog signal to a digital signal which is indicative of the weight which is sensed by the transducer. A limit switch is operatively connected to the transducer so that the transducer is energized at a point when a full container is supported by the lifting means and when an empty container is supported by the lifting means for the purpose of determining the weight of the refuse in the container.

Abstract: A scale is designed to be lightweight and easily portable. The scale comprises two weighing assemblies connected by a flexible joint so that the two assemblies may be folded against each other to form a compact case. Each weighing assembly comprises a weighing platform connected by resilient support members to a based. Weight measurement is effected by a Hall effect sensor in each weighing assembly which measures the variation in magnetic flux density caused by the movement of magnets mounted on the platforms when a load is placed on the platforms. Output from the Hall effect sensors is summed and the total weight is displayed on a digital display.

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: 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 weight detecting type sensor comprising a roller capable of partly jutting out upwardly from the surface of a body conveying belt, a strut rotatably supporting the roller and having a through-aperture at a portion thereof, a sensor having an optical axis associated with the through-aperture formed in the strut, and a pair of magnets disposed below the bottom of the strut.

Abstract: A measuring system using the magnetic scale and a sensing head measures a deformation of a deformable member and/or one or more physical quantities, e.g. a strain and internal stress of, or an external force to, the member, which are functions of the deformation. The magnetic scale comprises a succession of discrete, uniformly spaced scaling units each of which individually consists of a pair of magnetic poles (N, S). The magnetic scale is arranged to be displaceable relative to the magnetic sensing head in response to a deformation of the deformable member so that the magnetic pickup head successively senses the passage of the magnetic scaling units. An output circuit unit is connected to the magnetic head for counting the number of magnetic scaling units sensed corresponding to the deformation and produces an electrical output signal representative thereof, and/or one or more of the above physical quantities.

Abstract: Electromagnetic load compensation weighing apparatus including a temperature correction circuit having a temperature-responsive element mounted in heat sensing relation relative to the permanent magnet, characterized by the further mounting of a component of the compensating current supply circuit in heat-responsive relation relative to the permanent magnet. A Zener diode serving as a reference voltage device in the compensating current supply circuit is preferably the component that is mounted, together with the temperature-responsive element, in heat conducting relation in a common bore contained within the permanent magnet.

Abstract: Precision weighing and filling of comminuted materials is carried out at high speeds by advancing the material to be weighed into a rotatable pan, applying an unbalanced electromagnetic force to the pan so as to cause it to rotate through a predetermined angle to dump the contents into a tiltable discharge funnel and selectively locking the pan in a predetermined rotational position in preparation for refilling and the next dumping operation, all in rapid succession.

Abstract: A weighing apparatus of the electromagnetic load compensation type is disclosed, including a housing, a load receiver connected for vertical movement relative to the housing, a permanent magnet system connected with the housing for establishing a permanent magnetic field, and an electromagnetic compensating system including a compensation coil connected with the load receiver for movement within the magnetic field. The invention is characterized in that--in order to simplify manufacture and assembly while also achieving low structural height-the permanent magnet system includes a hollow sectional open-ended soft iron yoke member having a generally rectangular cross-sectional configuration, which yoke member is formed from a pair of longitudinally extending generally identical sections. At least one flat permanent magnet is mounted on the inner surface of the yoke member for establishing a flux path therein to generate the magnetic field.

Abstract: A blood collection bag is suspended from a leaf spring, which leaf spring, on being repositioned a specified distance by the weight of a properly filled blood collection bag, energizes an electrical circuit. The electrical circuit generates a pulse to momentarily energize a coil in proximity to a permanent magnet and momentarily disrupt the magnetic field of the magnet. A clamp for terminating the flow of blood to the blood collection bag is actuated on release of a weight retained by the magnetic field of the magnet, which release is achieved by the disruption of the magnetic field on energization of the coil.

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: An improved weighing apparatus of the electromagnetic load compensation type is disclosed, characterized by the provision of a stationary permanent magnet system including two oppositely arranged pairs of spaced parallel flat magnet members that cooperate to define a common air gap. The compensation current coil, which is connected for movement with the movable load-receiving member, is of a flat annular configuration and is contained in the plane of the air gap extending between the magnet members of each pair. The magnet members of one pair are magnetized oppositely from those of the other pair, whereby the magnetic field established across the portion of the air gap between the permanent magnet members of one pair is of a direction opposite that established between the permanent magnet members of the other pair. Consequently, not only can the compensation current for a desired compensation force effect be reduced, but also, the manufacture of the permanent magnet system is greatly simplified.

Abstract: A weighing device using an electromagnet to attract a load bearing member where the balancing force is sensed using a Hall effect device to sense the force of the magnetic field. Means are provided to produce a signal which is linearly proportional to the weight of the object being weighed.

Abstract: An improved balance of the electromagnetic load-compensation type is disclosed wherein, in order to improve the temperature-dependent performance of the balance and to reduce the size and amount of operating space required, the load compensation coil (54) is transversely mounted on the balance beam (36) with the plane of the coil extending normal to the longitudinal axis of the balance beam. The load-compensation system also includes a permanent magnet (74) mounted on the balance housing adjacent, spaced from and parallel with the compensation coil, the permanent magnet being magnetized in a direction causing the magnetic field lines to extend parallel with the longitudinal axis of the balance beam, whereby current flowing through the load compensation coil reacts with the magnetic field of the permanent magnet to produce a force on the balance beam that compensates for the load applied to the balance.

Abstract: A magnetic coupling between the sample support shaft and the internal weighing mechanism of a weighing balance assembly is provided which permits transverse movement of the shaft when it or a sample supported by it are bumped or jarred. Generally, the internal weighing mechanism of a weighing balance is quite sensitive to the unavoidable bumping and jarring which occurs during the loading and unloading of a sample. Because the magnetic coupling permits movement of the shaft, no damaging forces or torques are transmitted to the weighing mechanism. The magnetic attraction between the shaft and coupling is sufficient to insure that the shaft remains in an upright position during normal operation.

Abstract: A digital optical display device incorporated in a scale including a movable measuring member, a code plate with opaque and transparent areas, a stationary light source irradiating the code plate, a seven-segment display adjacent the code plate and having light guide inlets receiving the coded light transmitted through the code pattern on the code plate, a magnetic indexing system associated with the code plate and defining a multiplicity of magnetic indexing locking positions arranged in step by step relation to each other to retain the code plate in any of the multiplicity of discrete positions; a spring coupling between the measuring member and the code plate and yieldable within one magnetic index position of the location at which the measuring member has stopped to locate the code plate at the position of a discrete code pattern.

Abstract: An improved weighing apparatus of the electromagnetic compensation type is disclosed including at least one ferromagnetic member connected with the load-receiving system for reacting with the permanent magnetic field of the apparatus to compensate for the dead-load forces which act on the load-receiving system. Preferably the ferromagnetic members are connected with the coil carrier member in circumferentially spaced relation about the axis of the load receiver member. The permanent magnet which produces the magnetic field and the ferromagnetic members preferably have generally mutually-compensating temperature coefficients of magnetic performance.

Abstract: A balancing scale or electromagnetically compensated weighing apparatus has an independently actuatable and temperature-sensitive magnetic device for balancing a load member; the magnetic device forms a magnetic circuit, and includes a temperature-sensitive corrective device affecting the circuit in at least two locations, so as to substantially temperature-compensate the magnetic circuit over a predetermined temperature range.

Abstract: A load platform with multiple stress sensitive magnetic member supports is disclosed in which the frequency of an electrical output signal is proportional to the applied platform load. This device consists of multiple magnetic stress sensitive members in which mechanical stress is induced by the platform load and a magnetic multivibrator constructed so the stress sensitive magnetic characteristics of the stress members are the principal frequency determining elements of the magnetic multivibrator. Also disclosed are various stress member loading configurations, a laminated stress member, and methods for zero-load, linearity, and scale factor adjustments in the variable frequency transducers. Also disclosed is an adjustable frequency-sensitive switch which can be used as a load switch.

Abstract: Weight monitoring apparatus supports and agitates a fluid collection bag to mix a received flow of fluid with a fluid contained within the bag while simultaneously monitoring the increasing weight of the bag. When a predetermined weight of the bag and its contents is achieved, the inflow of fluid is automatically interrupted.

Abstract: Weighing apparatus for grading articles such as eggs and the like according to their weight. The apparatus comprises a tray, and a pair of leaf springs for mounting the tray for up and down movement and operatively connected to the tray and a support member, and being deflectable generally downwardly relative to the support member a first distance responsive to article weight. A stop is provided for allowing downward deflection of the tray relative to the support only to a second distance, which is normally less than the first distance. An out-of-round cam or the like changes the relative position of the stop and the support member so that the second distance approaches the first distance, and electrical contacts, photoelectric apparatus, or the like, are provided to sense when the second distance is substantially equal to the first distance.

Abstract: A precision cut-off weighing apparatus having a balance type weighing device on which a desired weight is placed on one side and a bag to be filled with a fluid such as blood on the other. A magnet is mounted on the arm of the balance on which the bag is placed and a reed switch in a circuit mounted in proximity of the magnet to be influenced to close the circuit when the arm swings to the balanced position and bag has been filled to substantially the exact weight desired. The circuit is connected to a lever mounted on a support through which a tube extends to the bag whereby when the reed switch has been actuated, the lever swings to compress the tube and thereby prevent any further flow of fluid to the bag.