Patents by Inventor Peter F. Sorenson

Peter F. Sorenson has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 4418774
    Abstract: This apparatus is for use in measuring a weight, or force, and it is particularly useful as a scale. The apparatus includes a single vibrating wire and wire supports that rigidly clamp the two ends of the wire. A weight to be measured is applied to the wire in substantially the direction of its length, and the applied weight changes the tension in the wire. The apparatus includes a wire drive circuit that causes the wire to vibrate at essentially its natural resonant frequency. The frequency varies as a known cubic equation with respect to the applied weight, and a computer, operating in accordance with the equation, converts the measured frequency to a weight signal. The apparatus further includes vibration dampers and isolators for reducing the effects of sympathetic vibrations and of externally induced vibrations, and means to correct for external influences such as disturbing frequencies and ambient temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1983
    Assignee: Franklin Electric Co., Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Whitney, Daniel T. Dwyer, Peter F. Sorenson