Abstract: Methods and systems for using force measurements to determine the amount of material in a container and/or the rate at which material is discharged from a container are disclosed. A container for storing a desired material is positioned so that the center of gravity of the container shifts horizontally with changes in level of the material in the container. A plurality of load sensors are symmetrically arranged at a base of the container and are used to monitor the amount of materials in the container.

Abstract: Methods and systems for accurate measurement of forces to determine the amount of materials in a container are disclosed. A weighing assembly is disclosed which includes a base plate, a plurality of bearing plates coupled to the base plate and a plurality of load sensors. Each of the plurality of load sensors is coupled to one of the plurality of bearing plates. A mounting block is symmetrically supported by the plurality of load sensors and a current measurement device measures a sum of currents output from the plurality of load sensors.

Abstract: Methods and systems for accurate measurement of forces to determine the amount of materials in a container are disclosed. A weighing assembly is disclosed which includes a base plate, a plurality of bearing plates coupled to the base plate and a plurality of load sensors. Each of the plurality of load sensors is coupled to one of the plurality of bearing plates. A mounting block is symmetrically supported by the plurality of load sensors and a current measurement device measures a sum of currents output from the plurality of load sensors.

Abstract: Methods and systems for using force measurements to determine the amount of material in a container and/or the rate at which material is discharged from a container are disclosed. A container for storing a desired material is positioned so that the center of gravity of the container shifts horizontally with changes in level of the material in the container. A plurality of load sensors are symmetrically arranged at a base of the container and are used to monitor the amount of materials in the container.

Abstract: System and methods for determining the amount of materials contained in individual storage units in a storage device with multiple storage units are disclosed. A weight change of the storage device is detected and the position of the weight change is determined. The weight change is then attributed to a storage unit corresponding to the position of the weight change.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for determining the instability of equipment by measuring the reaction forces at different points at the base of the equipment are disclosed. A plurality of load sensors are symmetrically arranged at the base of the equipment. A Cartesian coordinate system is then imposed on the base of the equipment with the center of the base being the origin of the Cartesian coordinate system. The X-axis and the Y-axis of the Cartesian coordinate system are arranged to define a plane corresponding to the base of the equipment. Each load sensor is then designated with Cartesian coordinates and the reaction force at each load sensor is determined. An overall instability factor for the equipment is then determined from the Cartesian coordinates of each load sensor and the reaction force at that load sensor.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for determining the instability of equipment by measuring the reaction forces at different points at the base of the equipment are disclosed. A plurality of load sensors are symmetrically arranged at the base of the equipment. A Cartesian coordinate system is then imposed on the base of the equipment with the center of the base being the origin of the Cartesian coordinate system. The X-axis and the Y-axis of the Cartesian coordinate system are arranged to define a plane corresponding to the base of the equipment. Each load sensor is then designated with Cartesian coordinates and the reaction force at each load sensor is determined. An overall instability factor for the equipment is then determined from the Cartesian coordinates of each load sensor and the reaction force at that load sensor.