Abstract: To weigh objects in quick succession, the objects are projected with a known horizontal velocity onto a ramp which has a surface which curves down through 90.degree.. The ramp can move horizontally in response to the impulse corresponding to the change in horizontal momentum of the object. A transducer senses the movement of the ramp and the output horizontal velocity of the object is sensed, enabling the change in horizontal velocity to be calculated. The mass of the object is calculated from the horizontal movement of the ramp and the change in horizontal velocity of the object. In order to obtain accurate sensing of the movement of the ramp, the transducer is a linear variable differential transformer having a primary winding energized by a cyclical carrier signal and two matched secondary windings in series; the secondary winding output signal is rectified to a corresponding DC voltage having ripple components, and a sample is taken of the signal at the zero voltage of the principal ripple component.

Abstract: To weigh objects in quick succession, the objects are projected with a known horizontal velocity onto a ramp which has a surface which curves down through 90.degree.. The ramp can move horizontally in response to the impulse corresponding to the change in horizontal momentum of the object. A transducer senses the movement of the ramp and the output horizontal velocity of the object is sensed, enabling the change in horizontal velocity to be calculated. The mass of the object is calculated from the horizontal movement of the ramp and the change in horizontal velocity of the object. In order to obtain accurate sensing of the movement of the ramp, the transducer is a linear variable differential transformer having a primary winding energized by a cyclical carrier signal and two matched secondary windings in series; the secondary winding output signal is rectified to a corresponding DC voltage having ripple components, and a sample is taken of the signal at the zero voltage of the principal ripple component.

Abstract: Apparatus for testing the wrappers of cigarettes for leaks includes means for producing a series of first electrical signals indicative of the leakage flow through the wrappers of successive cigarettes, a comparator device for producing an ejection signal to eject each faulty cigarette, and an averaging device which responds to the running average level of the first signals and continuously varies the limit of the first signal which results in the production of an ejection signal by the comparator device, whereby that limit is raised when the running average of the first signals increases, and is lowered when the running average of the first signals falls.