Abstract: A calibration weight arrangement (4, 104) for an electronic balance with a force-transmitting mechanism (1) has a calibration weight (3, 103) adapted to be coupled to the force-transmitting mechanism. The arrangement also has a transfer mechanism and a drive source to manipulate the calibration weight in a guided movement. The drive source includes an actuator (18) cooperating with the transfer mechanism and at least one piezoelectric element (19) which drives the movement of the actuator. The piezoelectric element interacts with a drive wheel (17, 117) that is centrally positioned relative to the calibration weight arrangement and drives a likewise centrally positioned shaft (16, 126). The interaction between the piezoelectric element and the drive wheel occurs during the advance movement in one direction through the repeated engagement and release of a frictional contact force.

Abstract: The unbalance measuring device comprises a spindle unit (7) with a spindle holder (29) and with a spindle (11) mounted on the spindle holder (29) rotatably about an axis of rotation (9) and carrying at one of its two ends a coupling for fastening the article to be measured. The spindle unit (7) is combined together with an electric motor (5) for driving the spindle (11) into a first preassembled subassembly. The spindle holder is itself fastened releasably to a machine base (1) by means of a holder suspension (49), the holder suspension (49) itself being combined into a preassembled subassembly together with a sensor arrangement (61) measuring the unbalance forces during operation. For the releasable fastening of the two subassemblies to one another, connecting elements assigned in an indexed manner, for example a dovetail connection (77), are provided. Since the two subassemblies are preassembled, they can be exchanged on site in the event of a repair, without complicated adjustment measures being required.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for determining the position of an elongate member such as a shaft in relation to a vessel in which the elongate member operates. The apparatus includes a mounting component adapted for placement over the open end of the vessel, one or more movable plungers, and one or more transducers that interact with the respective plungers. The plungers and transducers are supported by the mounting component and disposed below the mounting component. Thus, upon placement of the mounting component over the vessel, the plungers and transducers reside within the vessel while permitting the elongate member to be disposed at its normal operating position within the vessel. If the position of the elongate member is offset from a predetermined desired position within the vessel, the plunger is displaced by a certain magnitude that is detected by the transducer.

Abstract: A circuit is provided for scanning and outputting a pressure sensor having at least one sensor point which sensor point is formed at each intersection of at least one first electrode and at least one second electrode, there being a pressure sensitive resistance between the electrodes at each sensor point. The circuit includes a reference potential generator the output from which is applied at an output end of each second electrode, a first potential source which is connected to each first electrode when a sensor point intersected by the first electrode is to be scanned and a ratiometric A/D converter which has as inputs a second potential source, an output derived from the second electrode intersecting the sensor point being scanned and the reference potential. The output from the converter is the circuit output.

Abstract: A measuring instrument includes first and second rigid, elongate measuring elements which are interconnected by a flexible element. The measuring elements are supported in a measuring tube inserted in the foundation soil. Whenever a displacement occurs in the foundation soil or construction, the measuring tube is deformed and the second measuring element is pivoted with respect to the first measuring element. The curvature or bending which thereby occurs in the flexible element of suitable dimensioning or configuration is preferably determined by at least one wire strain gage fitted to the flexible element in the plane of deformation, the elongations being converted, for example by use of a Wheatstone bridge circuit, into proportional electrical current or voltage signals. Preferably, wire strain gages are disposed on all four mutually perpendicular outer sides of the flexible element, in order to allow for the detection of displacements in mutually perpendicular planes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are set forth for calibration of a flowmeter in a system having a condensible fluid flowing in it. A known volume of a liquid test solution is inserted into the system flowpath upstream of the flowmeter with the solution having dissolved in it a known concentration of an inert gas. The indicated flowrate is observed on the flowmeter. The concentration of the inert gas present in the condensed fluid downstream of the flowmeter is measured. This allows a determination of the true flowrate which corresponds to the flowrate indicated by the flowmeter. The method and apparatus of the invention are particularly useful wherein the system is a heat transfer system of a power plant.