Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining mass throughput of material to be conveyed through an essentially closed conveying system. In addition to a mass measuring device for determining the throughput of a flow of a conveying fluid carrying the material to be conveyed, there is provided a second measuring device for determining the mass of conveying fluid supplied to the conveying system. Subtracting the values measured results in a very accurate indication of the mass of material momentarily conveyed, without error caused by the conveying fluid.

Abstract: A gravimetric metering apparatus for pourable material comprises a rotor rotating about vertical axis. The rotor has the form of a disk divided into four sectors. In a four phase measuring process the individual sectors are cyclically charged with pourable material, weighed and discharged. Preferably, an emptied sector is weighed as well and the determined tare weight is deducted from the brutto weight.

Abstract: A continuous gravimetric metering apparatus for pourable material including a predetermined measuring path supplied with pourable material, the predetermined measuring path being provided with a porous wall for continuously supplying a finely distributed air stream thereto. The apparatus is particularly adapted for use in a continuously operating conveying system for pourable material having lower flowability in large quantities.

Abstract: A hollow body integrally formed of ceramic material and comprising a cavity formed therein and an integral connecting joint including a passage to said cavity at least one side of said cavity being confined by a diaphragm integral thereto. The ceramic hollow body may be produced by merging two green individual parts together followed by burning, the individual parts having large complementary contact surfaces with each other.

Abstract: A system and method for continuous pneumatic gravimetric metering and/or mixing of pourable materials using at least one gravimetric metering apparatus incorporated in a closed loop air conveying path.

Abstract: An aircraft and a method and system for operating thereof as force/moment sensors integrated in elastic connecting joints of parts and units of the aircraft. The various force/moment components determined by the sensors are processed in order to generate control signals for optimizing the operation of the aircraft.

Abstract: A trailer coupling including an intermediate unit to be inserted between a standard-type connecting coupling and a trailing vehicle and having integrated therein a force measuring cell for determining vertical forces. Furthermore, horizontal pushing and pulling forces may be determined by integrating at least one force measuring cell acting in horizontal direction. The fifth wheel coupling of semi-trailers may have integrated force measuring cells measuring forces acting in vertical, longitudinal, horizontal and/or lateral horizontal directions.

Abstract: A joint including an elastic connecting device includes a rigid element and a rigid outer element receiving the rigid inner element such that the rigid inner element is movable with respect to the rigid outer element. The rigid inner element and the rigid outer element have respective outer and inner facing surfaces. A bore is disposed in one of the rigid inner element and the rigid outer element, and the bore opens to one of the respective outer and inner facing surfaces. A force/pressure sensing arrangement is disposed in the bore, and a substantially incompressible fluid is sealed in the bore. Elastomeric material is disposed between the rigid outer element and the rigid inner element in force/pressure transmission contact with the force/pressure sensing arrangement.

Abstract: The present invention embodies a calibration/testing device having a housing having a generally cylindrical recess, a piston guided within the recess via a hydrostatic/aerostatic bearing, a pressure chamber formed between the piston and the cylindrical recess, a conduit connected to the pressure chamber for transmitting an exact pressure prevailing in the chamber, and a regulating device for maintaining the piston in a precisely constant position with respect to height independent of varying the load on the piston. The constant position is maintained by the feeding or discharging of fluid to and from the pressure chamber. The pressure within the pressure chamber is defined by loading the piston with calibration weights. The present invention offers the advantage of a comparatively simple structure, while maintaining a high level of accuracy.

Abstract: An optical sensor uses a beam waveguide embedded in a force or pressure transmitting material, in particular an elastomer. To be used as force measuring sensor, the beam waveguide is mounted on an elastic deformable body and embedded in a material that does not undergo creep under the influence of a force.

Abstract: A pressure transducer comprising a rigid body formed of noncreeping material with a ringlike shape and having a central opening, and a radially extending plane end surface, a diaphragm unitary with said rigid body and covering said opening at an end surface opposite to said plane end surface, and thickfilm resistor means applied to at least one of two main surfaces of said diaphragm.

Abstract: A pressure sensor having high measuring accuracy comprises a ceramic base of hat-like shape having a stable clamping portion, a diaphragm support portion spaced from said clamping portion and a flexible transition portion connecting said clamping portion with said diaphragm support portion; a ceramic diaphragm deformable in dependence on pressure applied thereto, formed unitary in said diaphragm support portion at a top surface thereof; and transducer means applied to a main surface of said diaphragm for converting any deformation of said diaphragm into electric signals representing said pressure applied to said diaphragm. In a manufacturing method for such a pressure sensor the diaphragm and the base comprising the clamping portion are formed in one method step into a homogenous sensor body prior to burning.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving the operation of a vehicle detects unevennesses of the road on which the vehicle is moving by sensing oscillations at two positions of the vehicle arranged in spaced relationship behind each other in the direction of movement of the vehicle. The actual speed of the vehicle is determined by correlating the oscillations sensed and by multiplying the time delay therebetween with the distance of the two positions. The slippage of the wheels, which is an important parameter in particular for braking the vehicle, may be calculated by setting the determined actual speed into relation to the speed of the vehicle as derived from the rotary speed of the wheels. The vehicle may be controlled in dependence of this slippage and other parameters derived from the actual speed, the slippage and forces vertically acting onto the wheels of the vehicle.

Abstract: For optimizing the driving characteristics of a vehicle, especially a motor vehicle, there is proposed a method and an apparatus, wherein the monetary wheel-load is preferably continuously determined and the level of the car body and/or the damping-characteristics of a shock-absorber are regulated in dependence of these signals of momentary wheel load, which is continuously determined by a single force-measuring-cell integrated in each of the shock-absorbers.

Abstract: A novel force measuring device of simple design is provided with complementary stop surfaces protecting the device against over-loading. Alternatively, overloading is prevented by duplicating the force measuring device with two portions operating in opposite directions of force application. Such force measuring devices are advantageously incorporated in couplings between a motor driven vehicle and a further vehicle to be coupled thereto. Signals derived from these force measuring devices are used in a board computer for controlling the operation of the motor driven vehicle and the further vehicle coupled thereto.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for calibrating and/or testing of load cells of heavy duty weighing systems use a force transmission device being self-adjustable without friction and having a force transmission ratio in the range of 1:50 to 1:5000 and is adapted to be placed onto a force introduction member. The load cell interposed between said force introduction member and a base may be calibrated by connecting said force transmission device through said force introduction member to said base and by applying varying calibration standards at the force introduction side of the force transmission device.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for determining at least one moment acting about a predetermined axis of an object placed on a force measuring apparatus in a flowing medium. In order to compensate measurement errors caused by a displacement of the center of gravity of the object upon application of the flowing medium exactly defined variable forces are applied to the object prior to the application of the flowing medium. The displacement of the center of gravity of the object is determined in dependence on the force variation and then taken into consideration when evaluating the force and moment measurements.

Abstract: A platform weighing apparatus is at least partially made of polymeric concrete. With one embodiment a lost self-supporting shuttering made of polymeric concrete is used for forming the platform of the weighing apparatus and a base frame is made of polymeric concrete. With another embodiment the platform is structured with cavities and made essentially of polymeric concrete. The method according to the invention permits molding of the shuttering or the complete platform at a manufacturing site with easy transportation and assembly at an operational site.

Abstract: Elastic connection between at least two rigid parts having provided an elastomeric material therebetween where in the connection at least one sensor is integrated which detects forces or moments acting at the connection. Such connections are advantageously built into apparatuses in particular vehicles and the determined forces and moments are used for controlling and monitoring.

Abstract: A force measuring device includes a rigid base plate and a first diaphragm symmetrical about a central normal axis and arranged in spaced parallel relationship to the base plate. An elastic connection between the base plate and a peripheral rim of said first diaphragm hermetically closes a cavity formed between the base plate and first diaphragm. A first projection is formed, for force introduction to the device, on an outer surface of the first diaphragm and extends along the central normal axis; a second projection extends from an inner surface along the central normal axis toward the base plate. A displacement sensor is arranged in the cavity between the base plate and second projection for sensing any displacement therebetween upon force application to the device, to generate an electrical signal indicative of the force applied.