Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for measuring the load measuring rolling element deformity of rolling element bearings as a result of applied loads by providing a load measuring rolling element in a bore of a rolling element bearing, defining a fluid cavity about a central shaft and first and second end seal means. The fluid cavity is in continuous communication with a fluid conduit, the fluid conduit in communication with an external volumetric liquid measuring means. When the rotating bearing is placed under dynamic loading, the rolling element will distort and the applied load is a function of the amount of distortion of the rolling element, i.e., the fluid cavity thus producing a correlated volumetric change of the amount of fluid contained in the fluid cavity. The load measuring apparatus is calibrated to provide the measurement of three-dimensional loading and averaging of loading along the rotating bearing axis.

Abstract: A method for measuring the weight of a suspended load, such as the bucket of a dragline, is disclosed. The method incorporates visual observations by a person such as a test engineer, or the operator of the dragline. During a dig cycle, once the steady state operation of the hoist is achieved, sampling of parameters such as hoist motor armature and field currents, and hoist and drag rope lengths, is performed. Using the calculated values of the force applied to the load and the geometry determined by the various rope lengths, the weight of the suspended load is calculated for each sample in the dig cycle. The calculated weight data may be accepted or rejected based upon the presence of dynamic factors observed by the test engineer or operator, or evident in the data. Calibration of certain values, such as the hoist efficiency, may take place on-site, rather than relying on theoretical or modeled values.