Abstract: An apparatus for determining the weight and/or center of gravity of an aircraft is disclosed and includes a plurality of fittings attached to each oleo strut on the aircraft for accessing the working fluid in the oleo strut, a computer, a first, electronically-responsive valve coupled to each fitting for controlling the fluid flow through the fitting in response to control signals from the computer, a pressure transducer coupled downstream of the first valve for measuring the pressure of the working fluid therein and coupled to the computer to provide a pressure measurement signals to the computer for each strut, and an inclinometer attached to the aircraft and electronically coupled to the computer for providing incline information to the computer.

Abstract: A method for dynamically measuring and indicating payload weight for a machine having at least one lift cylinder for elevating a payload carrier is provided. The method includes the steps of lifting a load of known mass during calibrating and sensing a calibration lift cylinder velocity during calibration. To determine payload, lift cylinder hydraulic pressure and lift cylinder extension are sensed during a lifting operation of the machine. A first estimate of the payload is determined as a function of the lift cylinder hydraulic pressure and extension. The method further includes the steps of determining an operating lift cylinder velocity during the lifting operation and determining a velocity correction factor as a function of the calibration lift cylinder velocity and the operating lift cylinder velocity. A second estimate of the payload is calculated as a function of the first estimate and the velocity correction factor.

Abstract: A control system for a bi-directional shuttlecar having a loading end and a discharge end. A conveyor extends along the shuttlecar from the loading end to the discharge end, and a pressure sensing transducer is located at the loading end and an independent pressure sensing transducer is located at the discharge end. The pressure sensing transducers are connected in an electric circuit with programmable logic controller which also includes a drive motor for the conveyor and a controller for the drive motor. The weight of mined material supported on the conveyor at the loading end of the vehicle is sensed by the pressure sensing transducer at the loading end and creates a signal for transmission to the programmable logic controller to start the movement of the conveyor and the weight of the mined material at the discharge end of the vehicle is sensed by the pressure transducer at the discharge end and creates a signal for transmission to the programmable logic controller to stop the movement of the conveyor.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to accurately measure a carrying weight of a vehicle on the basis of a force applied to suspension cylinders and allow an operator to accurately recognize the weight. A first force applied to a front wheel suspension cylinder of a vehicle carrying a load can be obtained on the basis of detection values of pressure sensors (2a, 3a, 2b, 3b), and a second force applied to a rear wheel suspension cylinder can be obtained on the basis of detection values of pressure sensors (2c, 3c, 2d, 3d). An inclination O of the vehicle in the longitudinal direction is detected by an inclinometer (8), and the first and the second force are corrected in accordance with this inclination O. Further, the first and the second force are corrected in accordance with the magnitudes of the first and the second force to thereby obtain the weights of the vehicles on the front wheel side and the rear wheel side.

Abstract: A hydraulic by-pass control system is provided in the hydraulically operated lift assembly of a loader which uses double-acting hydraulic cylinders. The by-pass control system provides a low-resistance alternative pathway between the lowering circuit of the lift assembly and the hydraulic fluid tank. Accurate weighing measurement of the load on the lifting arms of the loader may be achieved by temporarily opening the alternative low-resistance pathway, thereby effectively converting the hydraulic circuit to a single-acting configuration during the taking of load cell signal measurements of back-pressure in the lift circuit.

Abstract: A measurement device (10) is disclosed that uses the actual hydraulic cylinders of the aircraft landing gear to weigh the aircraft. The device (10) comprises a pressure-weigh sensitive transducer (12) with a flow-through passage (14) and adaptors (20a, 20b) to attach the device to the standardized service valve on the aircraft landing gear. The transducer (12) measures the pressure in the landing gear's hydraulic cylinder. This measurement signal is converted into an aircraft weight and center of gravity location. These determinations are displayed on a converter/display (50). The transducer (12) has a flow-through passage (14) to allow servicing of the landing gear's hydraulic cylinder.

Abstract: A managing system for a construction vehicle which has for its object to enable management of the vehicle relating to pre-operation checking, maintenance and summary of work load, etc to be conducted easily and quickly. This managing system comprises a vehicle control monitor (7) for inputting and recording information necessary for management of the vehicle from a plurality of information sources, a non-contact type recording card (27) for recording the information recorded in the vehicle control monitor (7), a card reader/writer (40) for reading out the information recorded in the recording card (27), and a printer (42) and a personal computer (43) for compiling management ledgers and displaying data on the basis of the information read out by the card reader/writer.

Abstract: An apparatus determines the payload carried in a work vehicle by monitoring the pressure of a fluid contained within front and rear suspension struts. The struts are connected in supporting relation between a load carrying portion and a ground engaging portion of the work vehicle such that a compression condition of the strut is detected while the work vehicle is in motion. Moreover, a pressure differential corresponding to the compression condition is indicative of the magnitude of the payload supported by the strut.

Abstract: A load weighing system for refuse trucks preferably of the type using a front end loader which lifts, empties and lowers containers. Measurements are made of variable angles of pivoting elements and forces within hydraulic cylinders causing the pivoting elements to pivot. Other measurements are made of geometric constants in the apparatus. Sensors monitor the measured variables and the output is provided to a computational unit. The computational unit has been pre-programmed with the measured geometric constants and combines the variables with the constants to calculate a distance to the center of gravity of a container being emptied. Once the distance is calcuated, the measured force within the hydraulic cyinder can be used to calculate a weight. The weight of the container being lowered as calculated is then subtracted from the weight of the container raised as calculated. The resultant weight is the weight of the refuse emptied from the container.

Abstract: An air spring load monitoring system provides a vehicle operator with an on-board visual display of the load distribution imposed on each axle from front to rear of a truck and trailer, and displays differential loads imposed from side to side across each axle as a result of local overloading caused by unequal load distribution. Pneumatic transducers produce analog output signals proportional to the internal air pressure of each air spring as an accurate indicator of payload distribution. Load data is presented by load display groups in which visual display elements are positioned in spaced relation along a scale representative of a predetermined air spring load range. The visual display elements of each group are positioned in side by side relation for visual comparison to each other and to the scale. Each visual display element is representative of a predetermined load range increment.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and device for dynamic measurement of a load in displacement in a vertical plane, this load undergoing a force exerted upward.The value of the load is determined from its displacement speed in a determined portion of its travel and from a parameter exhibiting a relation with said force in this same travel position. The device comprises a sensor (4) of the hoisting speed of the load in a determined portion of its travel, means (3) for measuring the upward force undergone by the load when it is being hoisted in a determined portion of its travel, and processing means (6) to deduce the value of said load from the displacement speed of the load and of said force.

Abstract: The instantaneous load sensor of a motor vehicle is incorporated in a suspension assembly of the vehicle, and comprises a suspension element (1) fastened via an elastic mechanism (3) to a rod (5) carried by a yoke (7). The rod (5) is a blind hollow tube, in which a slot (12) has been made substantially in the axis of the suspension element (1) and opposite the latter, so as to allow the elastic mechanism (3) to penetrate into the tube (5), a sensor (10) of the pressure prevailing in the tube hermetically closing the open end of the tube.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating a signal, dependent on the weight of an object, is provided for an air-suspended vehicle. Control processes of the air-suspended vehicle with automatic levelling control unit correct road conditions, such as, for example, curve inclinations, influencing the suspended weight. According to conventional apparatuses, the suspended weight is determined by the measurement of the pressure in the air suspension. This requires additional measurement and signal transfer means. The invention apparatus is to generate a signal corresponding to the suspended weight under use of the distance values stored in the automatic levelling control unit. The automatic levelling control unit (8) is structured such that it generates during automatic control an additional signal, dependent on the temporary change of the distance value. The additional signal serves as the signal dependent on the suspended weight.

Abstract: A dynamic payload monitor measures and displays payload weight for a loader vehicle by sensing the hydraulic pressure of a lift arm cylinder. The payload weight is computed by curve fitting the second cylinder pressure to a second order polynomial, calculating a pressure differential, and then performing interpolation or extrapolation with a pair of pressure versus position or time reference parabolas obtained during calibration. The weight computation algorithms used in the dynamic payload monitor are applicable to a number of work vehicles having at least one work implement linkage and at least one hydraulic cylinder for modifying the linkage geometry.

Abstract: In many applications, a loader performs a loading operation that includes, sequentially: digging and/or crowding a stock pile, racking back the bucket to maintain the load, travelling to a dump site or a transport vehicle while raising the bucket, and finally dumping the load from a raised position. For many devices, such as payload monitors and productivity indicators, it is important to have an indication of which function in the loading operation is being performed. A loading function identifier senses, stores, and averages the hydraulic pressure in a lift cylinder. The sensed and averaged data are compared to a series of predetermined constants to identify the function being performed. The algorithms used in this invention are applicable to a number of work vehicles having at least one work implement linkage and at least one hydraulic cylinder for modifying the linkage geometry.

Abstract: In many applications, it is important to measure and display payload weight for a loader vehicle. The subject apparatus and method senses only the hydraulic pressure of a lift cylinder. The payload weight is computed by curve fitting the sensed cylinder pressure to a second order time dependent polynomial and comparing the time dependent polynomial to one of a series of predetermined second order geometric polynomials. The weight computation algorithms used in the payload monitor are applicable to a number of work vehicles having at least one work implement linkage and at least one hydraulic cylinder for modifying the linkage geometry.

Abstract: A dynamic payload monitor measures and displays payload weight for a loader vehicle operated on a slope by sensing the hydraulic pressure and position of the lift arm cylinders. The payload weight is computed by curve fitting the sensed cylinder pressure and position data to a second order polynomial, and then performing interpolation or extrapolation with a pair of pressure versus position reference parabolas obtained during calibration. Payload weight is corrected for errors caused by operating the loader vehicle on a slope. The weight computation algorithms used in the dynamic payload monitor are applicable to a number of work vehicles having at least one work implement linkage and at least one hydraulic cylinder for modifying the linkage geometry.

Abstract: A dynamic payload monitor measures and displays payload weight for a loader vehicle during tip loading by sensing the hydraulic pressure of the lift and tilt cylinders and the geometry of an implement linkage. The payload weight is computed by curve fitting the sensed lift cylinder pressure and geometry data to a second order polynomial, and then performing interpolation or extrapolation with a pair of pressure versus position reference parabolas obtained during calibration. Tilt cylinder curves are derived by curve fitting tilt cylinder pressure and lift cylinder geometry data to a third order polynomial. The tilt cylinder curves are then compared to a plurality of tabulated tilt cylinder curves. Tip loading conditions are detected and the computed payload weight is modified in response to the magnitude of the tilt cylinder pressure.

Abstract: An hydraulic bypass control system for tapping off the lift circuit of an hydraulically operated lifting device. The bypass control system slowly releases hydraulic fluid from the lift circuit and directs it back to the reservoir in a controlled manner so a load is smoothly moved from a reference position to a weighing position. Reliable weighing may be obtained by avoiding dynamic shaking, vibration and pressure surges, which permits the weighing step to be reliably made at the same point or range and affords precise calibration of a load transducer with a weighing instrument to be made.

Abstract: A hydraulic bypass control system for tapping off the lift circuit of a hydraulically operated lifting device. The bypass control system slowly releases hydraulic fluid from the lift circuit and directs it back to the reservoir in a controlled manner so a load is smoothly moved from a reference position to a weighing position. Reliable weighing may be obtained by avoiding dynamic shaking, vibration and pressure surges, which permits the weighing step to be reliably made at the same point or range and affords precise calibration of a load transducer with a weighing instrument to be made.

Abstract: An hydraulic bypass control system for tapping off the lift circuit of an hydraulically operated lifting device. The bypass control system slowly releases hydraulic fluid from the lift circuit and directs it back to the reservoir in a controlled manner so a load is smoothly moved from a reference position to a weighing position. Reliable weighing may be obtained by avoiding dynamic shaking, vibration and pressure surges, which permits the weighing step to be reliably made at the same point or range and affords precise calibration of a load transducer with a weighing instrument to be made.

Abstract: An hydraulic bypass control system for tapping off the lift circuit of an hydraulically operated lifting device. The bypass control system slowly releases hydraulic fluid from the lift circuit and directs it back to the reservoir in a controlled manner so a load is smoothly moved from a reference position to a weighing position. Reliable weighing may be obtained by avoiding dynamic shaking, vibration and pressure surges, which permits the weighing step to be reliably made at the same point or range and affords precise calibration of a load transducer with a weighing instrument to be made.

Abstract: Equipment for handling containers such as refuse bins for garbage, comprising lifting and tipping structures which are power actuated, and comprising automatic control systems employing micro-processors, sensing and read-out devices by which there is effected automated handling of the bins, determination of the contents and other data relating to garbage collection.

Abstract: A load weight measuring system mounted on a construction machine which, in order to prevent overload, subtracts the weight (Wn) of load that is really loaded relative to the predetermined weight (W.sub.o) of load, to display a residual weight (W'n) that can be loaded for each loading operation. The measuring apparatus comprises a second weight display unit (24) which displays an actually loaded weight as the measured weight for each loading operation, a first weight display unit (23) which displays the residual weight (W'n) that can be loaded, and a control unit (7) which controls the display of weight in the first and second weight display units relying upon at least a boom cylinder hydraulic pressure (P) and a boom position (H) as detecting elements.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for load weight determination of the truck including the steps of loading the truck, sensing the pressure of the tilting cylinders to determine the amount of load, indicating the load weight, providing feedback on the affect of variations in the center of gravity of load to correct the load weight determined and providing a corrected load weight. The apparatus includes a tilting bed truck with the bed hinged to the truck frame and tilted to its dumping position by tilting cylinders, a sensing device for sensing the pressure in the tilting cylinders when they are supporting the bed above its support pad, a data processor having data on truck loading and receiving information on the pressure sensed by the sensing device and having an output to indicating devices of the load weight.

Abstract: A dynamic payload monitor measures and displays payload weight for a loader vehicle by sensing the hydraulic pressure and position of the lift arm cylinders. The payload weight is computed by curve fitting the sensed cylinder pressure and position data to a second order polynomial, and then performing interpolation or extrapolation with a pair of pressure versus position reference parabolas obtained during calibration. The weight computation algorithms used in the dynamic payload monitor are applicable to a number of work vehicles having at least one work implement linkage and at least one hydraulic cylinder for modifying the linkage geometry.

Abstract: A system for measuring the load on drive axles of tractors of over the road semitrailers and for determining load distribution on the front and drive axles of the tractor and the rear axles of the trailer. A calibratable air pressure gauge, placed in the cab of the tractor or truck, senses the pressure exerted by the trailer load on conventional air bags used to cushion the load on the drive axles. Approximate weight load may be determined by reading the pressure gauge. The gauge may be variably calibrated to accommodate the progression of settings for the fifth wheel assembly placement on an adjustment rack. Besides use on semitrailers, the system may be employed on straight or box trucks and trailers provided with air bags to cushion the axle load.

Abstract: A weighing system for a refuse truck having lifting means for engaging and lifting a refuse container. The weighing system comprises a transducer which is mounted on the lifting means of the truck for sensing the weight of the refuse container for producing an electrical analog signal. Electrical digitizing means convert the analog signal to a digital signal which is indicative of the weight which is sensed by the transducer. A limit switch is operatively connected to the transducer so that the transducer is energized at a point when a full container is supported by the lifting means and when an empty container is supported by the lifting means for the purpose of determining the weight of the refuse in the container.

Abstract: In the field of off-highway trucks, overloading and disproportionate load placement lead to undesirable vehicle stresses. The present invention pertains to an apparatus for displaying the distribution of the load, in an off-highway truck, to both the truck operator and the loader operator. The information is conveyed to the operators using displays having varying color ranges generally indicative of the load in portions of the dump body of the truck. Using this tool the truck operator attains optimum positioning of the truck prior to and during the loading cycle, while the loader operator directs loads to portions of the dump body having lower displayed loads.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for accurately measuring the weight of a load carried by a truck body which is pivotally mounted on a truck frame. With the truck body in its lowered position, the apparatus is located along an interface between the truck frame with the load carried by the truck body. In order to measure the weight of the load, the apparatus includes pressure sensors which communicate the entire weight of the load to the truck frame. The pressure sensors provide an electrical signal proportional to the pressure exerted by the load on the apparatus. This electrical signal is processed to calculate the weight of the load carried in the truck body. By providing a pressure sensing apparatus at an interface between the load and truck frame, the weight on the load carried by the truck body can be continually monitored without interrupting the loading, hauling and dumping routine.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for accurately measuring the weight of a load carried by a truck body which is mounted on a truck frame. The apparatus is located along an interface between the truck frame with the load carried by the truck body and uniformly distributes the weight of the body onto the frame along the interface. In order to measure the weight of the load, the apparatus includes pressure sensors which communicate the entire weight of the load to the truck frame. The pressure sensors provide an electrical signal proportional to the pressure exerted by the load on the apparatus. This electrical signal is processed to calculate the weight of the load carried in the truck body. By providing a pressure sensing apparatus at an interface between the load and truck frame, the weight on the load carried by the truck body can be continually monitored without interrupting the loading, hauling and dumping routine.

Abstract: A payload monitoring system of a work vehicle includes a software controlled method of predicting when one additional bucketload of material will properly fill the vehicle to its rated capacity. The system calculates the actual magnitude of each bucketload of material and adds that value to the present payload to predict the future payload resulting from an additional bucketload of material. When the predicted future payload encompasses the rated capacity, the system signals the operators of both the work vehicle and the loading vehicle that one additional pass will complete the loading process.

Abstract: A system for use on vehicles having air bag suspension components to provide the operator an accurate reading of the weight of the load carried. Air bag inflation is controlled by a height control valve to maintain a load carrying platform of the vehicle a constant distance from a vehicle axle. Pressure changes in the air bags and a first conduit serving same are communicated to a transducer or the like by a second conduit. A readout device is located in the vehicle operator station. The readout device displays the weight of the load on the platform and is adapted for use with different-sized air bag components.

Abstract: An emptying utility for containers, in particular for emptying garbage containers into the collecting tank of a garbage truck, is equipped with a weighing device which determines during the uninterrupted progress of the emptying operation, in one or two time clock windows, the weight of the filled container moving upwardly and, possibly, the weight of the emptied container moving downwardly. Towards this end there is provided a force transducer at that element of the pour-in utility which is connected to the fixed support of the utility, either directly or via an intermediate member. Display and/or registering instruments of the utility contain a control and computing unit which is capable of selecting predetermined measured values, for use in evaluation, from all those measured values which are constantly being supplied by the force transducer during the entire, uninterrupted course of the emptying operation.

Abstract: A weight scale for a loader operated by a hydraulic system incorporated in equipment and a related method are provided. The scale includes a pressure gauge installed in a hydraulic line of the hydraulic system. The gauge may either be located at a loader boom or the tractor instrument panel. The gauge includes an adjustable pointer to correspond the gauge to the tare weight of the particular loaded it is applied to; a calibration factor which allows the operator to convert from the pressure reading on the gauge to a weight value in pounds or kilograms; and a safety line for warning the operator when the safe load limit of the loader is being surpassed. The method includes the steps of: lifting an object on the loader; sensing the pressure exerted in the system by the gauge when the object is lifted by the loader; displaying the pressure; and converting the pressure displayed to a weight value based on the predetermined calibration factor.

Abstract: A weighing system for a refuse truck having lifting means for engaging and lifting a refuse container. The weighing system comprises a transducer which is mounted on the lifting means of the truck for sensing the weight of the refuse container for producing an electrical analog signal. Electrical digitizing means convert and analog signal to a digital signal which is indicative of the weight which is sensed by the transducer. A limit switch is operatively connected to the transducer so that the transducer is energized at a point when a full container is supported by the lifting means and when an empty container is supported by the lifting means for the purpose of determining the weight of the refuse in the container.

Abstract: A method for measuring the weight of a load loaded in a vessel of a vehicle such as, for example, a large-sized dump truck comprises steps of detecting the axial force applied to each of suspension cylinders mounted between the vehicle body frame and axles, and then compensating or correcting the detected axial force in accordance with respective mounting angles of links of linkage mechanisms mounted in the periphery of the axle and the inclination angle of the vehicle body. An apparatus for carrying the method into practice has at least four sets of suspension cylinders, an inclination angle detector mounted on the vehicle body frame, pressure sensors each being mounted on each of the suspension cylinders, a calculation or arithmetic unit adapted to receive and calculate output signals transmitted by the inclination angle detector and the pressure sensors, and a display unit adapted to receive a signal indicative of the result of calculation transmitted by the calculation or arithmetic unit and indicate it.

Abstract: A method and system are set forth for determining the force necessary to separate a first and a second mass by using an inflatable member such as an air spring. More specifically, the invention includes a system and method for load leveling of a vehicle. The system and method includes means for determining the weight on each spring by inflating the spring at a substantially constant rate. The pressure of the gas within the air spring is sensed at time intervals and, through a microprocessor or the like, the sensed pressure at the time intervals is assembled into a pressure-time history. From the pressure time history, the pressure is determined at which the chassis begins to lift. The determined pressure is processed to give an indication of the weight of the chassis borne by the air spring. The foregoing procedure is repeated for each air spring so that a gross vehicle weight can be determined as well as the distribution of weight upon each air spring.

Abstract: An apparatus determines the payload carried in a work vehicle by periodically measuring the pressure of a fluid contained within front and rear suspension struts. The struts are connected in supporting relation between a load carrying portion and a ground engaging portion of the vehicle such that a pressure differential between a loaded and unloaded vehicle can be shown to be indicative of the magnitude of the payload. Moreover, the pressures are a function of the geometry of a suspension means which interconnects the load carrying portion and the ground engaging portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for accurately measuring the weight of a load carried by a truck body which is pivotally mounted on a truck frame. With the truck body in its lowered position, the apparatus is located along an interface between the truck frame with the load carried by the truck body. In order to measure the weight of the load, the apparatus includes pressure sensors which communicate the entire weight of the load to the truck frame. The pressure sensors provide an electrical signal proportional to the pressure exerted by the load on the apparatus. This electrical signal is processed to calculate the weight of the load carried in the truck body. By providing a pressure sensing apparatus at an interface between the load and truck frame, the weight on the load carried by the truck body can be continually monitored without interrupting the loading, hauling and dumping routine.

Abstract: An air/hydraulic scale for use on a truck or trailer and having frame mounted hydraulic cylinders with piston rods contactible with a vehicle axle. Fluid expelled from the cylinders actuates a load indicating displacement cylinder located adjacent the load cylinders. The piston rod assembly of each cylinder is automatically retracted at the end of a loading operation and prior to road travel of the vehicle.

Abstract: In a measuring method of a load weight carried by a vehicle wherein the load weight is measured by subtracting the weight of vehicle when the vehicle is empty from the weight of the vehicle when it is loaded, the load weight being supported by suspension cylinders of the vehicle, it is adapted to measure the weight of the vehicle when it is loaded and/or the weight of the vehicle when it is empty by the steps of detecting pressures in all suspension cylinders sequentially during a given period of time while the vehicle is vibrating, calculating the weights applied to all the suspension cylinders based on the detected pressures and the cross-sectional area of the cylinders, and obtaining an average value of the calculated weight at the given period of time.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a method for measuring the weight of bulk goods loaded or, alternatively, loading performance over time of hydraulic earth moving machines, excavators or similar machines which are provided with a hydraulically operated material loading scoop. Typically, these loading scoops rotate about and are supported on a loading arm. The scoop is controlled and tilted by a hydraulic piston-cylinder unit. The determination of the weight of bulk goods loaded or of the loading performance of the excavator is often required by the operator and the manufacturer of the apparatus, both for the determination of the performance of the apparatus per work shift, or for the computation of the fully loaded weight of a transport vehicle used in carrying away the bulk goods.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the load carried by a vehicle includes a plurality of load cells, each extending between the load bed and the unsprung portion of the vehicle suspension. Each load cell includes an hydraulic cylinder which generates an hydraulic force corresponding to the load applied thereto. A pressure transducer is connected to the hydraulic cylinder, and the outputs of the transducers are summed and fed to an auto zeroing system. The output of this system is connected to an A/D converter, and thence to a visual display. The A/D converter output is also fed to a digital comparator which is connected to a BCD switch set to an overload level. If the load exceeds the BCD input, an overload alarm is sounded.

Abstract: A horizontal table is provided for rigid support from a vehicle mounting portion and an upper plate including a downwardly directed peripheral flange is centered over the table and a diaphragm is sealingly secured to and extends between remote portions of the peripheral flange below the top plate and overlies and is supported from the table. The top plate is mounted from the table for limited vertical and horizontal shifting relative thereto and limited canting in all directions. A vertically elongated pop-off valve assembly is sealingly secured through a central portion of the table and includes an upwardly projectable piston plunger engageable with the underside of the top plate in response to the valve assembly being charged at its lower end and valve assembly includes structure operative to effect venting of the lower end thereof to the ambient atmosphere in response to upward movement of the plunger to its uppermost limit position.

Abstract: A loader includes a lift arm assembly, raised by hydraulic lift cylinders and carrying a load bucket. Alignment members mounted respectively on the loader frame and lift arm assembly, and visible to the loader operator, identify the weigh position of the lift arm assembly. A pressure to voltage transducer is mounted on one lift cylinder, and is connected in a bridge circuit producing a DC voltage output. The bridge circuit output signal, proportional to the bucket load, is fed to an amplifier, whose output is passed to an analog-to-frequency converter producing pulses at a frequency proportional to the bucket load. An electronic clock allows the converter output pulses to pass through an AND gate to a bucket counter which displays the bucket load, and is automatically reset to zero. The converter pulses are passed to an accumulator counter through a second AND gate.

Abstract: A horizontal table is provided including a depending central support portion for rigid support from a vehicle mounting portion. An upper top plate including a downwardly directed peripheral flange is centered over the table and a diaphragm is sealingly secured to and extends between remote portions of the peripheral flange below the top plate and overlies and is supported from the table. The top plate and table include coacting structure guiding the top plate from the table for vertical movement relative thereto, limited horizontal shifting relative thereto and limited canting in all directions about a central zone of the table.

Abstract: Weighing apparatus for a fifth wheel assembly, including a rockable subframe adapted for carrying such an assembly constructed for pivotal mounting with respect to an underlying vehicle frame. An inflatable air pad is disposed beneath the subframe, and is operable under inflation to pivot the subframe to a position wherein the pad carries a portion of any load borne by the subframe. Connected to the pad is a calibratable scale system for producing a load indication under such circumstances. Further provided is a safety locking system for releasably locking the subframe against pivoting under conditions of normal vehicle travel.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for delivering a measured amount of material to a receiving area includes a dispensing bucket on a carriage assembly that is pivoted about a horizontal axis on the free end of a vehicle-supported boom adapted to scoop up the material from a supply. The bucket has a central, restricted discharge opening with a controlled movable closure and further has an auger that gradually moves controlled amounts of the material out through the discharge opening for the controlled dispensing of the material from the bucket over a limited area. The carriage assembly has a carriage body on which the bucket is mounted so that the bucket is moved up and down relative to a carriage frame to further position the bucket relative to the end of the boom and achieve greater bucket heights above the end of the boom.

Abstract: The weight and balance of an aircraft is determined by measuring the pressure of a fluid in a variable volume chamber provided in a piston-cylinder shock absorber assembly of the landing gear strut. In order to minimize axial friction forces in the assembly that introduce errors in an otherwise accurate correlation between the measured fluid pressure and the magnitude of the aircraft load, an existing hollow cylindrical bearing structure, coaxially disposed between the piston and cylinder for guiding reciprocation of the former within the latter, is modified so that it can be rotated about the axis of the assembly. An actuator is provided on the strut for rotating the bearing structure with respect to the cylinder and piston. Such rotation minimizes axial friction forces in the assembly, allowing the fluid pressure to assume a value accurately reflecting the axial load.