Abstract: A method for operating a balance includes: (a) introducing an ion cloud into a weighing chamber to bring an electrostatic charge state of a weighing sample towards an electrostatic neutral state, (b) detecting the neutral state, and (c) acquiring measured values of a weighing sensor, calculating therefrom a final weighing value representing the electrostatic neutral state, and outputting the final weighing value. When the ionizer is activated, the measured values of the weighing sensor are acquired, preliminary weighing values are calculated from the measured values and the final weighing value is calculated and output after a number of preliminary weighing values have been recognized as stable. During a recognition phase, positive and negative ion clouds are alternatingly generated, and during a neutralization phase, only ion clouds of that sign are generated that, in the recognition phase, had led to the larger changes within the preliminary weighing values.

Abstract: A gravimetric measuring system (10) includes a balance (12) with a weighing chamber (22), surrounded by a plurality of weighing chamber walls (23, 24, 26, 28); an electromechanical weighing system (181); and an electronic control apparatus (36) controlling the system operation according to routines stored in a memory (363) thereof; and a plurality of functional modules (14, 16), configured to be inserted into module receptacles, arranged on at least one weighing chamber wall (28). The at least one weighing chamber wall (28) is designed as a carrier structure, with recesses (283) which constitute clearances occupying a majority of the wall surface and which form the module receptacles. Either the functional modules (14, 16) or diaphragms (15) without a weighing function close the recesses and are spatially adapted to the recesses.

Abstract: A gravimetric measuring system (10) includes a balance (12) with a weighing chamber (22), surrounded by a plurality of weighing chamber walls (23, 24, 26, 28); an electromechanical weighing system (181), enclosed by an adjoining weighing system chamber (18); an electronic control apparatus (36) for controlling the system operation according to algorithms stored in a memory (363) thereof; and a plurality of functional modules (14, 16), which generate heat during operation and are configured to be inserted into module receptacles (283), arranged on at least one weighing chamber wall (28). A plurality of interacting measures lead to an advantageously controllable system that can be flexibly equipped, but is nonetheless calibratable.

Abstract: A gravimetric measuring system (10), includes a balance (12) with a weighing chamber (22), surrounded by a weighing chamber wall (23, 24, 26, 28); an electromechanical weighing system (181); an electronic control apparatus (36) for controlling the system operation; and a cooling apparatus (34), configured to be controlled by the control apparatus, for cooling the weighing chamber (22); and a plurality of functional modules (14, 16), which generate heat during operation and which insert into module receptacles (283), arranged on the weighing chamber wall (28). The module receptacles (283) have device-side thermal interface components (32a), which are thermally connected to the cooling apparatus (34), and the functional modules (14, 16) have corresponding, module-side thermal interface components (32b), which, in the inserted state of the respective functional module (14, 16), thermally contact the device-side thermal interface component (32a) of the respectively associated module receptacle (283).

Abstract: A gravimetric measuring system (10), includes a balance (12) with a weighing chamber (22), surrounded by a weighing chamber wall (23, 24, 26, 28); an electromechanical weighing system (181); and an electronic control apparatus (36) for controlling the system operation according to algorithms stored in a memory (363) thereof; and a plurality of functional modules (14, 16), configured to be inserted, into module receptacles (283), arranged on the weighing chamber wall (28). Each module receptacle (283) has a device-side identification interface component (30a); and each functional module has a corresponding module-side identification interface component (306). The control apparatus (36) identifies each functional module (14, 16) inserted into a module receptacle (283), through interaction between the respective device-side and module-side identification interface components (30a, b) and selects one of a plurality of operating routines according to algorithms stored in the memory.

Abstract: A precision balance including a weighing chamber (16); a draft shield (18, 20, 22), which surrounds the weighing chamber (16); a climate module (34), which is detachably disposed in the weighing chamber (16); a processor (32) and a data input unit, which both form part of the overall precision balance; and a data transmission path, over which data is exchanged between the climate module (34) and the processor (32). Also disclosed is a climate module for a precision balance. The climate module (34) forms a self-contained modular unit and includes an air pressure sensor (62), an air humidity sensor (54) and an air temperature sensor (52) The climate module also includes a data transmission path configured to transmit data to a processor external to the climate module, and a mounting mechanism configured to secure the climate module detachably to a weighing module (10).

Abstract: A mass comparator including a weighing chamber (16); a draft shield (18, 20, 22), which surrounds the weighing chamber; a climate module (34), which is detachably disposed in the weighing chamber; a processor (32), a data input unit, and a data transmission path, over which data is exchanged between the climate module and the processor. The processor is programmed to use the air pressure, the air humidity and the air temperature in the weighing chamber to determine, based on the density of a substance to be weighed, an air buoyancy of at least one test sample and/or a buoyancy correction factor. Also disclosed are a climate module configured to electrically yet detachably couple to a mass comparator, and a method for operating a mass comparator including determining the air buoyancy and/or the buoyancy correction factor.

Abstract: An electromagnetically force-compensating force-measuring apparatus (100) that includes a force dependent support coil (2) and an integrating analog/digital converter (10; 10?) that converts the coil current (IS) into a digital output signal. A current/voltage converter (6) is connected downstream of the support coil (2), the output of the current/voltage converter being connected to a measurement voltage input (14) of the analog/digital converter (10; 10?) and to the input of a voltage amplifier (8). The resistance value of a first heating resistor (RSH) is equal to the resistance value of the support coil (2), the resistance value of a second heating resistor (RWH) is equal to the conversion factor (RW) of the current/voltage converter (6) and the gain factor of a voltage amplifier (8) is equal to the ratio of the resistance value of the first heating resistor to the resistance value of the second heating resistor.

Abstract: A precision balance including a weighing chamber (16); a draft shield (18, 20, 22), which surrounds the weighing chamber (16); a climate module (34), which is detachably disposed in the weighing chamber (16); a processor (32) and a data input unit, which both form part of the overall precision balance; and a data transmission path, over which data is exchanged between the climate module (34) and the processor (32). Also disclosed is a climate module for a precision balance. The climate module (34) forms a self-contained modular unit and includes an air pressure sensor (62), an air humidity sensor (54) and an air temperature sensor (52) The climate module also includes a data transmission path configured to transmit data to a processor external to the climate module, and a mounting mechanism configured to secure the climate module detachably to a weighing module (10).

Abstract: A mass comparator including a weighing chamber (16); a draft shield (18, 20, 22), which surrounds the weighing chamber; a climate module (34), which is detachably disposed in the weighing chamber; a processor (32), a data input unit, and a data transmission path, over which data is exchanged between the climate module and the processor. The processor is programmed to use the air pressure, the air humidity and the air temperature in the weighing chamber to determine, based on the density of a substance to be weighed, an air buoyancy of at least one test sample and/or a buoyancy correction factor. Also disclosed are a climate module configured to electrically yet detachably couple to a mass comparator, and a method for operating a mass comparator including determining the air buoyancy and/or the buoyancy correction factor.

Abstract: A precision balance provided with a windshield having at least one wall element (2, 10, 12, 20, 24), which is provided with an electrically conductive coating (62), and having an electrical connection (66) for the coating. An electrical test device (68) is additionally provided, which is integrated into the precision balance and with which it is possible to check whether the coating (62) is connected to the electrical connection (66).

Abstract: In an integrating A/D converter, first and second reference voltage inputs (18, 20) alternatingly connect through a reference voltage switch (16, 16?) via a first reference resistor (Rref) to an inverting input (122) of an integrator (12). A comparator (22) connected downstream of the integrator (12) compares a test voltage applied to its test voltage input (221) with a comparator reference voltage applied to its reference voltage input (222). This input (221) is connected to- the output (126) of the integrator (12). A control device (40) actuates the first reference voltage switch (16, 16?) in a pulsed manner and measures the time intervals between the individual switching processes. An inverter (24) inverting a measuring voltage (UM) and a first heating resistor (RMH) coupled thermally with a measuring resistor (RM), are connected in series between the measuring voltage input (14) and the output of the first reference voltage switch (16, 16?).

Abstract: An electromagnetically force-compensating force-measuring apparatus (100) that includes a force dependent support coil (2) and an integrating analog/digital converter (10; 10?) that converts the coil current (IS) into a digital output signal. A current/voltage converter (6) is connected downstream of the support coil (2), the output of the current/voltage converter being connected to a measurement voltage input (14) of the analog/digital converter (10; 10?) and to the input of a voltage amplifier (8). The resistance value of a first heating resistor (RSH) is equal to the resistance value of the support coil (2), the resistance value of a second heating resistor (RWH) is equal to the conversion factor (RW) of the current/voltage converter (6) and the gain factor of a voltage amplifier (8) is equal to the ratio of the resistance value of the first heating resistor to the resistance value of the second heating resistor.

Abstract: In an integrating A/D converter, first and second reference voltage inputs (18, 20) alternatingly connect through a reference voltage switch (16, 16?) via a first reference resistor (Rref) to an inverting input (122) of an integrator (12). A comparator (22) connected downstream of the integrator (12) compares a test voltage applied to its test voltage input (221) with a comparator reference voltage applied to its reference voltage input (222). This input (221) is connected to the output (126) of the integrator (12). A control device (40) actuates the first reference voltage switch (16, 16?) in a pulsed manner and measures the time intervals between the individual switching processes. An inverter (24) inverting a measuring voltage (UM) and a first heating resistor (RMH) coupled thermally with a measuring resistor (RM), are connected in series between the measuring voltage input (14) and the output of the first reference voltage switch (16, 16?).

Abstract: A precision balance provided with a windshield having at least one wall element (2, 10, 12, 20, 24), which is provided with an electrically conductive coating (62), and having an electrical connection (66) for the coating. An electrical test device (68) is additionally provided, which is integrated into the precision balance and with which it is possible to check whether the coating (62) is connected to the electrical connection (66).