Shock Absorber, Damper Patents (Class 177/184)
  • Patent number: 11766808
    Abstract: A melter for preparing a molten medium, in particular for preparing a molten adhesive, has a melting tank that has a melting chamber for receiving and melting a medium to be melted. The melter has a heating device for heating the melting chamber. The melting chamber has an upper chamber section and a lower chamber section. The melting tank has a dispensing opening that can be fluidly connected to a delivery device for delivering the molten medium. The melting tank further has a drain opening. The dispensing opening and the drain opening open into the lower chamber section. The melter further has a closure body for closing the drain opening. In a closed position, the closure body closes the drain opening and an end section of the closure body projects into the lower chamber section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: ROBATECH AG
    Inventors: Urs Mösli, Martin Klinkert
  • Patent number: 11371874
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for measuring mass based on torque equilibrium, including a main blade for supporting and balancing a lever and parts arranged on the lever; a displacement measuring device for measuring a position of the lever; an electromagnetic torquer for balancing the apparatus after a balance weight is coarsely loaded during measuring; a product tooling on which a product to be measured is arranged and fixedly connected. The product tooling is fixed on a slider which freely slides along a guide rail; a locking block is provided to lock the product after the product slides in place; the guide rail is fixed on the level; a laser displacement sensor is provided to measure a displacement of the product along the guide rail; a lifting mechanism is provided to lift the lever and parts arranged on the lever to separate from the main blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Beijing Aerospace Institute for Metrology and Measurement Technology
    Inventors: Xiaosan Wang, Fengju Sun, Lei Yan, Tian Bai
  • Patent number: 11358431
    Abstract: A suspension system includes a top mount, a bottom mount, a rigid housing, an air spring, and a linear actuator. The air spring transfers force of a first load path between the top mount and the bottom mount. The air spring includes a pressurized cavity containing pressurized gas that transfers the force of the first load path. The linear actuator transfers force of a second load path between the top mount and the bottom mount in parallel to the first load path. The rigid housing defines at least part of the pressurized cavity and transfers the force of the second load path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Inventors: Jonathan L. Hall, Jacob L. Dawson, Paul J. Keas, Troy A. Carter, Roland R. Smith
  • Patent number: 10816419
    Abstract: A flexure structure comprising the unitary combination of three modified S-shaped beams arranged in parallel and sharing common top and bottom structures. The outside beams are oriented alike in one direction while the inside or center beam is oriented in the opposite direction. The outside edge surfaces of the beams are flat and are instrumented with strain sensors connected in bridge circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: FUTEK Advanced Sensor Technology
    Inventor: Maciej Lisiak
  • Patent number: 10426187
    Abstract: A device for high-pressure treatment of goods in a sealable high-pressure chamber may include a holding frame that holds the high-pressure chamber during pressurization, a closure having a sealing plug for sealing the high-pressure chamber, a hydraulic drive for moving the closure relative to the pressure chamber, and a support device that is movable between an end face of the high-pressure chamber and the holding frame and transmits force between the closure and the holding frame during pressurization. Axial forces acting on the sealing plug from the pressure may be absorbed by a force-transmission device configured as a semicircular disk. The semicircular disk may have an end face that faces the high-pressure chamber and a holder for a hydraulic cylinder. The semicircular disk may form a part of the outer shell of the hydraulic cylinder bearing the hydraulic pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: UHDE HIGH PRESSURE TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventors: Peter Nünnerich, Wilfried Knauf
  • Patent number: 9890811
    Abstract: A magnetic bearing system (120) includes a first active magnetic bearing (AMB) (202) including a first group of electromagnetic actuators (306, 310, 314, 318) to support a shaft and a second AMB (204) including a second group of electromagnetic actuators (308, 312, 316, 320) to support the shaft. A controller for the two AMB's includes a multi-phase topology (400) with a plurality of active current switches for controlling the electromagnetic actuators (306-320) of each of the first AMB (202) and the second AMB (204). Each electromagnetic actuator (306, 310, 314, 318) of the first AMB (202) is electrically coupled to an electromagnetic actuator (308, 312, 316, 320) of the second AMB (204).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Parag Kshirsagar, Peng Yan
  • Patent number: 9446650
    Abstract: An electric damper assembly includes a damper having a rotor and a stator which connect a first component and a second component movable relative thereto, excitation windings, and induction windings, wherein a rotation of the rotor in relation to the stator causes a rotation of the excitation windings relative to induction windings, thereby inducing an induction voltage in the induction windings. A sensor detects the movement of the first component relative to the second component. A control unit is connected to the sensor and the damper. The control unit supplies the excitation winding with electric energy in such a way that an electromagnetic rotary field is generated which is dependent on the detected movement, and thereby is superimposed on the rotation of the rotor relative to the stator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventor: Marco Willems
  • Patent number: 9285263
    Abstract: To prevent measurement errors caused by impact including an impact load transmitted at high speed or static electricity and prevent destruction of a sensor unit due to the above-mentioned impact load. Through-holes (12f) are formed in four corners of a pan receiver, upwardly protruding pieces (14a) of a plate spring fixed to a bottom surface of the pan receiver are inserted into the through-holes (12f), and pan receiver legs are attached to the upwardly protruding pieces (14a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: A&D Company, Limited
    Inventors: Naoto Izumo, Akiyoshi Ota
  • Patent number: 8383965
    Abstract: A top-pan balance having a pan, a weighing system, and an overload safety mechanism. The load cell (4) of the weighing system is connected to fixed points (1) on a housing of the weighing system by an upper connecting rod (2) and a lower connecting rod (3) as a parallel guide so as to be movable in the vertical direction. The pan is attached to a pan support (8/9) for securing against overload, the support being connected to the load cell through an auxiliary parallel guide (15/16) and through a biased spring element (17/18), whereby the pan is quasi rigidly coupled to the load cell in the permissible weighing range, but is only resiliently coupled to the load cell when the permissible weighing range is exceeded. At least one limit stop is fixed to the housing and limits the elastic deflection of the pan and the pan support in case of overload.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Sartorius Weighing Technology GmbH
    Inventors: Detlev Erben, Helga Covic, Jochen Doerner
  • Patent number: 8242388
    Abstract: A scale includes a stationary bracket, a movable bracket, a linear displacement sensor and a plurality of the resilient mechanisms. The movable bracket is disposed opposite to the stationary bracket. The linear displacement sensor is disposed between the stationary bracket and the movable bracket. The resilient mechanisms are disposed between the stationary bracket and the movable bracket. Each resilient mechanism includes a limiting shaft, a sleeve movably sleeved on the limiting shaft and a resilient member received in the sleeve. The limiting shaft is fixed to one of the stationary bracket or the movable bracket, and the sleeve is fixed to the other. The resilient member is elastically deformed by resisting a free end of the limiting shaft. The linear displacement sensor registers a displacement of the movable bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jin-Jin Song
  • Patent number: 8178796
    Abstract: A mail processing system having a transport that reduces the amount of oscillation of the scale to allow for faster weighing of mail pieces is provided. A mailing machine includes a plurality of different modules through which mail pieces are fed by a transport system. A guide piece is provided in the transport path between the weighing module and the subsequent module, e.g., a printing module. The guide piece is structured such that forces imparted on the weighing platform of the weighing module by the trail edge of a mail piece being transported off of the weighing platform are reduced. Because of the reduction in this significant external force on the weighing platform, a faster weighing algorithm can be used on more mail pieces, thereby increasing the throughput of the mailing machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Allen, Thomas M. Lyga
  • Patent number: 8148650
    Abstract: A transport system that reduces the amount of oscillation of the weighing platform thereby weighing mail pieces faster. A take-away nip of the weighing module is formed by a pivot arm having a roller mounted thereon and a drive roller mounted in the weighing platform. The take-away nip feeds mail pieces from the weighing platform to the subsequent module of the mailing machine. The pivot arm has a biasing mechanism with a force that results in less impact force between the pivot arm roller and drive roller when the trailing edge of each mail piece passes through the take-away nip, resulting in less vibration of the weighing platform as mail pieces exit the weighing platform. The reduction in vibration results quicker settling of the weighing platform during weighing of subsequent mail piece, allowing for faster weighing of the mail pieces, which increases the throughput of the mailing machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventor: Chiping Sye
  • Patent number: 8017878
    Abstract: The present invention protects a mass sensor from an overload in any direction. A support structure is accommodated in a case, has a floating frame provided on one end side and a fixed portion provided on the other end side, receives a load of an object to be weighed placed on a scale pan with the aid of the floating frame part, and supports the mass sensor used in scales to detect the mass of the object to be weighed. The support structure has a spring member for supporting the mass sensor, and is interposed between the fixed portion and the case, which are structural members. The spring member is elastically deformed in advance to thereby press/urge on the fixed portion of the mass sensor and cause the portion to come into contact with the structural member side. The spring member deforms elastically so that the fixed portion separates from the contact location when a force greater than the pressing/urging force is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: A&D Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoto Izumo, Akiyoshi Oota
  • Patent number: 7956297
    Abstract: A water resistant scale damper has a damper sleeve with an interior passage, an open top, and an open bottom. A piston is received in and axially slidable along the interior passage and has a top surface, an underside, and a piston rod extending from the underside toward the open bottom. A top cap is fitted over the open top of the sleeve and an air chamber is created between the top cap and the top surface of the piston. An air passage is formed through the top cap to permit air to enter and exit the air chamber. A portion of the top cap can create an elongate, non-linear air channel between the air passage and a port remote from the air passage and formed through the top cap. A bottom cap can also be fitted over the open bottom of the sleeve. The bottom cap has an annular flange that extends radially inward from a skirt of the bottom cap. The flange is funnel-shaped so as to direct liquid from beneath the underside of the piston toward a central opening in the flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Rubbermaid Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael P. Dawson, Mark A. Stultz, Joseph Ramos
  • Patent number: 7829801
    Abstract: The scale may include a base supportable on a surface, a measuring mechanism supported by the base and operable to measure a characteristic of an object, the measuring mechanism including a measuring platform on which the object is supportable, and an indicator supported by the housing, the indicator being operable to provide feedback to a user relating to a measured characteristic of the object. In some aspects, the scale may include a housing supported by the base, the housing cooperating with the base to cover at least a portion of the measuring mechanism, and a connecting assembly operable to removably connect the housing to the base. In some aspects, the scale may include a resistance device coupled to at least one of the indicator and the measuring mechanism and operable to resist oscillation of the indicator at least one of during a measurement and after a measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Rubbermaid Incorporated
    Inventors: Paul D. Nizzere, Matthew H. Lawler, Carla DeYoung, Chris Kulujian, Morad Ghassemian, Theron Kotze, Timothy A. Bearint
  • Publication number: 20100078229
    Abstract: A water resistant scale damper has a damper sleeve with an interior passage, an open top, and an open bottom. A piston is received in and axially slidable along the interior passage and has a top surface, an underside, and a piston rod extending from the underside toward the open bottom. A top cap is fitted over the open top of the sleeve and an air chamber is created between the top cap and the top surface of the piston. An air passage is formed through the top cap to permit air to enter and exit the air chamber. A portion of the top cap can create an elongate, non-linear air channel between the air passage and a port remote from the air passage and formed through the top cap. A bottom cap can also be fitted over the open bottom of the sleeve. The bottom cap has an annular flange that extends radially inward from a skirt of the bottom cap. The flange is funnel-shaped so as to direct liquid from beneath the underside of the piston toward a central opening in the flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicant: Rubbermaid Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael P. Dawson, Mark A. Stultz, Joseph Ramos
  • Patent number: 7554042
    Abstract: Systems and techniques for scanner scale implementation and operation using a plurality of load cells mounted in a planar arrangement. A plurality of load cells is mounted to a scanner base. The load cells are secured within a mounting chassis in such a way that the load bearing elements of the load cells extend through the protective cover. The mounting chassis and load cells may be mounted to the scanner base. A scanner top plate may be secured to the load cells such that the weight of the scanner top plate and any object placed on the scanner top plate is borne by the load bearing elements of the load cells, part of the weight being borne by the load bearing element of each load cell. Upon presentation of an object for weighing, weight signals generated by the load cells are processed to produce a weight reading for the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: David L. Gregerson, Paul O. Detwiler, Harry E. Lockery
  • Patent number: 7514639
    Abstract: The apparatus for weighing a load in motion includes a rigid member, a plurality of strain gages mounted within the rigid member and forming a Wheatstone bridge network for measuring a force exerted by such load onto the rigid member and an accelerometer mounted within the rigid member for measuring gravitational acceleration of the load. A controller mounted in remote location compensates the measured force according to a measurement from the accelerometer and according to a predetermined algorithm to determine the actual weight of the load. Strain gages and accelerometer are connected to the controller by way of a wiring connection. The apparatus can be easily retrofitted into existing applications, particularly for loading scrap metal by way of a crane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Technical Weighing Services, Inc.
    Inventor: David M. Heuer
  • Patent number: 7317167
    Abstract: A weighing module 1 has a force-transmitting linkage 13 arranged between the load-receiving portion 3 of the weighing cell 2 and the load receiver 5, with an overload protection device that precisely maintains its position being an integral part of the force-transmitting linkage 13. By means of a positioning element 7, 107, 207, the load receiver 5 is positioned without play relative to the load-receiving portion 3 in the plane that extends orthogonal to the load direction, and the load receiver 5 is also guided in the load direction without play. When forces in excess of the pre-tension force of the elastic element 8 act on the load receiver 5, the latter has the capability of being displaced in the load direction and to tip in all directions that are orthogonal to the load direction. The housing part 18 serves to delimit at least the range of linear downward deflection as well the tipping movement of the load receiver 5 when the load receiver 5 is exposed to transverse forces and to overloads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo AG
    Inventors: Hans-Rudolf Burkhard, Andreas Metzger, Peter Schilling
  • Patent number: 7244896
    Abstract: In a multipoint scale for weighing a load applied to a placement section by a plurality of weight sensor units, the weight sensor unit includes a weight sensor having a strain-sensitive part; a first flexible elastic member for receiving the load applied to the placement section; a load transmission part for transmitting the load from the first flexible elastic member to a power point of the weight sensor; a load support part for supporting a fulcrum of the weight sensor; and a second flexible elastic member for receiving the load applied to the load support part and for maintaining a direction of the load applied to the strain-sensitive part of the weight sensor to be vertical in accordance with a deflection of the first flexible elastic member. Torsion of the weight sensor is avoided by reducing the effect of deflection of the placement section on transmission of the load to the weight sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Tanita Corporation
    Inventors: Akihisa Honda, Mikio Yamashita
  • Patent number: 7112749
    Abstract: A compliant interface (14,16) for vehicular seat weight sensors minimizes parasitic stresses affecting sensor output. In one embodiment, an integral compliant interface (14) has an annular flange (14a) attached to a post extending from the sensor body with a first compliant member (14r) disposed between the annular flange and an upper elongated flange (14h) of a mounting bracket (14l) and a second compliant member (14s) disposed between the annular plate and a lower elongated flange (14k) to allow pivotal movement of the sensor limited by a motion stop member (14f) of annular flange (14b) engaging the lower flange. An overload cage (14u) may be placed over the sensor and attached to an additional flange (14l) to contain the sensor in the event of a failure of the mount in a catastrophic high speed crash. According to another preferred embodiment, an interface having upper and lower body members are formed with a sensor post receiving bore (16c) for attachment to the post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Sensata Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. DiPaola, Peter H. Frackelton, David E. Hyland, Timothy M. McBride, Nathan Smith, Chetak Reshamwala, William S. Boyce, Jonas M. Bautista
  • Patent number: 6958453
    Abstract: A weighing pan carrier (47) for a balance with a weighing pan and with a weighing cell that includes a load-receiving portion (11) and a stationary portion (12) has an overload protection device against excessive vertically directed forces that is releasably engaged with the weighing pan carrier. The weighing pan carrier (47) is fastened to the load-receiving portion (11) of the weighing cell and has on the other hand a fixed connection to the weighing pan. The weighing pan carrier (47) has a torque safety feature, which is integrated in the overload protection device and provides protection against excessive forces acting tangentially on the weighing pan and/or on the weighing pan carrier (47) in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the weighing load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo GmbH
    Inventor: Hans-Rudolph Burkhard
  • Patent number: 6943695
    Abstract: A vehicle seat load measuring apparatus includes a base for bearing a load applied to the seat, an arm supported by the base for receiving the load, a load sensor supported by the arm for detecting the load, and a seat rail for guiding the seat in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The base is fixed to the seat rail so that an open face of the base faces in a downward direction. The arm is connected by a stopper pin inserted through holes in the base to a mounting bracket fixed to a vehicle body. The base bracket includes a load bearing portion and is attached to the base and fixed to the seat rail. The load bearing portion of the base bracket is configured to contact the stopper pin when a load exceeding a predetermined value is applied to the seat rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventor: Toshihiko Kobata
  • Patent number: 6797893
    Abstract: A method scale system and transducer used in such system for rapid weighing of items. Said scale system includes: a transducer assembly; said transducer assembly in turn including, a transducer having a first member for supporting said item above a reference level, said first member producing a deflection proportional to said weight of said item, a clamping mechanism for clamping said first member to restrict deflection when activated, and a sensor for sensing said deflection and generating a signal representative of said weight as an output signal proportional to said deflection. Said scale system further includes a transport or platform for supporting said item during weighing, said transport being fixed to said first member, and a controller for controlling activation of said clamping mechanism. Said controller controls said clamping mechanism to clamp said transducer as said item is transported into position for weighing so that disturbances of said transducer are reduced and weighing time is decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Eaton, John E. Massucci, John P. Miller
  • Patent number: 6759603
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly 12 is mounted to a vehicle base member 24 such as a riser or a vehicle floor. Weight sensor assemblies 32 for measuring weight on the vehicle seat are mounted to a seat structural component. The weight sensor assemblies 32 each include plate 44 having a bendable center body portion 46 for supporting a strain gage 48. The strain gage 48 measures bending in the center body portion 46 caused by normal weight force applications on the vehicle seat 12. A secondary resilient beam member 34 is mounted between each weight sensor 32 and the vehicle base member 24. The beam member 34 and the weight sensors 32 deflect to prevent failure of the weight sensors 32 in response to an overload force applied in an opposite direction to the direction of a normal weight force application. The beam member 34 prevents permanent deformation of the plate 44 and strain gage failure by allowing the weight sensor 32 to deflect upwardly away from the vehicle floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventors: Brian M. Curtis, Jeffrey A. Clark
  • Publication number: 20040094337
    Abstract: A weight measuring equipment comprising a base fixed to an object, a strain detection substrate fixed to the base, a fitting pin fixed to the strain detection substrate, an arm rotatably attached to the base by a support pin, and a leaf spring with one end fixed to the arm and the other end supported by the fitting pin. The weight measuring equipment further comprises a second arm with one end receiving the load of the object to be measured and the other end fixed to the arm through a link pin. By the configuration of the present invention, the load applied to the strain detection substrate is reduced, and a weight measuring equipment improved in detecting resolution is obtained. Furthermoe, the weight measuring equipment of the present invention is unitized, and the equipment can be easily built in various equipments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Saito, Shusaku Kawasaki, Shigehiro Yoshiuchi, Tsuyoshi Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20030209368
    Abstract: The present invention discloses methods and apparatus to protect a loadcell that is incorporated into a scale or weighing device (including a combinational weigher) during shipment, handling, movement, maintenance or cleaning of the device. The invention protects the loadcell by inserting one or more rods or braces into one or more holes in the beam of the loadcell or by mechanically pinning, grasping, bracing, screwing, or holding the loadcell or the actuator, thus protecting the beam and preventing bending. The invention may protect (and release) the loadcell either automatically or manually.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2002
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Applicant: Hayssen
    Inventor: James Asbury
  • Patent number: 6633008
    Abstract: The electronic load cell is for measuring force using a force sensor within and has reduced susceptibility to shock or impact in the direction of its measurement vector. The load cell device includes a load cell structure formed of a suitable solid and including vertically spaced apart, generally parallel horizontal elements integrally formed with longitudinally spaced apart, generally parallel vertical elements with flexible members. Flexures interconnect each horizontal element with the vertical elements. A force sensor is connected between the horizontal element connecting the two flexures on the first side of the parallelogram and a spring connected to the second parallel member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Weigh-Tronix, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Johnson
  • Patent number: 6596949
    Abstract: A tank weighing assembly includes a shear-web load cell in the form of an annular disk, a supporting base plate and components for mounting the load cell in a manner such as to enable compensation for effects of exposure to forces of the wind and thermal expansion. The load cell and a mounting washer each have an axial aperture through which a connecting bolt extends. The bolt has a countersunk head inclined at an angle of 45 to 50 degrees and an adjacent wall has an angle 3 degrees larger. A gap of ⅛th inch on each side of the bolt is provided to allow a small amount of lateral movement. Mating arcuate surfaces at the bottom of the load cell hub and at the top of the mounting washer enable self alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Inventor: Jon L. Stimpson
  • Publication number: 20030132037
    Abstract: A lift system for effecting a vertical parallel movement of a platform relative to a base, in particular for moving a sample changer platform of a sample changer in a weighing system, has at least three substantially identical and mutually interchangeable mechanical lift units supporting the platform. The lift units occupy an at least triangular flexible layout on the base. The lift system is equipped with a drive system that includes a transmission device and a drive element, wherein the transmission device connects the lift units among each other and to the drive element. The arrangement produces a simultaneous vertical movement of the lift units with the platform always staying aligned in a plane that is substantially orthogonal to the gravity force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2002
    Publication date: July 17, 2003
    Applicant: Mettler-Toledo GmbH
    Inventor: Rene Weber
  • Patent number: 6501032
    Abstract: A support device for a weighing cell is mounted on one or more support posts resting on support springs that are connected to a stationary chassis and are pre-tensioned with an upward force. In case of a downward-directed shock, the support springs will yield to the inertial shock force and allow the weighing cell to move downward. The support posts can lift off from their resting places on the support springs, but are constrained by guide members to a limited range of upward vertical movement. A balance equipped with the support device has a low profile height and protects the weighing cell from downward- as well as upward-directed shocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo GmbH
    Inventors: Paul Lüchinger, Eduard Fringeli, Siegfried Zeiss
  • Publication number: 20020148652
    Abstract: The electronic load cell is for measuring force using a force sensor within and has reduced susceptibility to shock or impact in the direction of its measurement vector. The load cell device includes a load cell structure formed of a suitable solid and including vertically spaced apart, generally parallel horizontal elements integrally formed with longitudinally spaced apart, generally parallel vertical elements with flexible members. Flexures interconnect each horizontal element with the vertical elements. A force sensor is connected between the horizontal element connecting the two flexures on the first side of the parallelogram and a spring connected to the second parallel member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Inventor: Thomas Johnson
  • Patent number: 6441321
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for continuously producing constant weight portions of semi-solid matter, such as bread dough, from a large mass through a dividing mechanism whereby variations in the weight of each portion are minimized by providing a signal proportional to the weight of a dough portion, or group of dough portions in order to automatically adjust the rate at which dough is fed to the dividing mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Creative Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Hebenstreit
  • Patent number: 6402363
    Abstract: A weigh scale blender comprising a frame, a weigh bin, a load cell connected to the frame for sensing weight of the bin and any material contained therein, a mix chamber connected to the frame, including a mixing paddle therewithin, a dump flap for selectably releasing material from the bin into the mix chamber, a bushing intermediate the load cell and the frame for damping transfer of vibration and shock motion therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Inventor: Stephen B. Maguire
  • Patent number: 6373002
    Abstract: A damper for a weighing device including a cavity 4 in which a plate 12 can move, which plate is designed for being connected to a weight measuring device 2. The cavity 4 is closed tightly by a flexible membrane 14 and is partly filled with an oil, while leaving a volume of air or of a gas between the top 14a of the oil and the membrane 14, the plate 12 being totally immersed in the oil. The lower surface of the plate 12 and the bottom of the cavity 4 have shapes which are not planar and which are not parallel to each other, thus preventing the formation of a thin film of oil between them. The peripheral surface of the plate 12 and of the peripheral wall of the cavity 4 define therebetween a first constriction 15 of which the transverse section is constant whatever the position of the plate 12 in the cavity 4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: S.C.A.I.M.E.S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Aumard, Jean-Claude Navarro
  • Patent number: 6340799
    Abstract: A weighing apparatus is provided which comprises an apparatus body with strain gages; a load button to transmit a weight of an object to be measured to a loading surface of the apparatus body; a top plate on one side of which the load button is installed and to the other side of which the object weight is applied; an elastic member provided around the load button and between the loading surface and top plate; and connecting members to connect the top plate to the loading surface in such a manner that the top plate can move horizontally within a predetermined range and tilt about the load button, and to prevent the top plate from coming out upward. Thus, the weighing apparatus is capable of measuring a large vertical load and sufficiently accommodating deformations caused by horizontal movement and tilting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2002
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuaki Hama, Fumiya Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 6303882
    Abstract: A load cell system (10) having a frame (12) to which upper compliance assembly (14) is connected. A load cell (16) is connected to upper compliance assembly (14) and lower compliance assembly (18) is connected to load cell (16). In preferred embodiments, load cell system (10) includes fixed overload limit (26), moving overload limit(28), and anti-rotation device (24). In a still further embodiment, load cell system (10) includes a data transmission and receiver device (65) for transmitting and receiving data to and from load cell (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Cranium Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas W. Stephens, Donald R. Zrudsky
  • Publication number: 20010015293
    Abstract: A support device for a weighing cell is mounted on one or more support posts resting on support springs that are connected to a stationary chassis and are pretensioned with an upward force. In case of a downward-directed shock, the support springs will yield to the inertial shock force and allow the weighing cell to move downward. The support posts can lift off from their resting places on the support springs, but are constrained by guide members to a limited range of upward vertical movement. A balance equipped with the support device has a low profile height and protects the weighing cell from downward- as well as upward-directed shocks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2001
    Publication date: August 23, 2001
    Applicant: Mettler-Toledo GmbH
    Inventors: Paul Luchinger, Eduard Fringeli, Siegfried Zeiss
  • Patent number: 6080937
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for weighing and labeling packages of goods are provided. Each package is supplied to an electronic scale that is connected to an electronic analyzer that contains a computer. The load carrying mechanism of the scale is embodied as a conveyor belt, the speed of which is greater during supply and withdrawal than during a weighing process. Labeling of a package is effected on the conveyor belt after conclusion of the weighing process. Disruptions of the scale, caused by vibrations resulting from conveying and labeling packages, are eliminated on the one hand by a sufficiently high dead weight of the load carrying mechanism and on the other hand by a low-pass filter that is disposed in the electronic analyzer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Espera-Werke GmbH
    Inventors: Manfred Korthauer, Guillaume Roberto de Miranda
  • Patent number: 6013879
    Abstract: A multi-point cell type weighing machine has a plural number of scale cells set on a floor to support a table and to output weight signals indicative of weights measured thereby of a target object placed on the table. One or more floor vibration detecting cells are set on the same floor and output floor vibration detection signals indicative of the vibrations of the floor. The weight signals are corrected on the basis of vibration components of the floor vibration detection signals. A standard weight is placed at a larger plural number of places on the table than there are scale cells and output sensitivity ratios among the scale cells are calculated from outputted values from the scale cells, and the weight signals are further corrected on the basis of the output sensitivity ratios. These weight signals are added together and the weight of the target object is obtained from the added signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: Ishida Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Nakamura, Yukio Wakasa, Kazufumi Naito
  • Patent number: 5998742
    Abstract: A force transducer and method of measuring an applied force such as a weight of material, comprising a balance beam, said balance beam being supported at a preset position on a base at a fulcrum between its two ends, a voice coil actuator comprising an electrically conductive coil and a magnet, the coil being mounted on the base and the magnet being mounted on one side of the fulcrum of the balance beam, a counterbalance mounted on the second side of the fulcrum of the balance beam whereby said balance beam is generally unresponsive to low frequency vibration at the base, a beam position sensor for detecting beam movement from its preset position by a force applied to the beam, a control system associated with the sensor and coil and responsive to the sensor for supplying an electric current through the coil in an amount sufficient to maintain the magnet and thereby the beam at the present position, and a current detector for measuring the amount of current so supplied and thereby the amount of the applied fo
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Jyh-Dong Liu, Imre Andrew Pattantyus-Abraham, Lin Yang
  • Patent number: 5747746
    Abstract: A securing system is provided for securing a central, load-supporting, movable platform to a fixed peripheral framework base of a weigh scale, in a torque arm mounting for weigh scales. The securing system includes at least one securing element disposed between the central inner movable load-supporting platform constituted by inner upper and inner lower platforms, between the outer lower frame member and the fixed peripheral mounting frame. Aligned-through holes pass through the central inner lower platform and the outer lower frame member. A dead-end cylindrical bore extends from the upper face of the inner upper platform. A compression spring is seated within such dead-end cylindrical bore. A hole pierces the bottom of the dead-end cylindrical bore. A third aligned through-hole passes through the compression spring. A securing bolt extends concentrically through the three aligned through-holes, and the compression spring and is threadably secured to the mounting frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: International Road Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: Terry Bergan, Dwaine Friesen
  • Patent number: 5747747
    Abstract: There is provided a conveyor system having a conveyor belt for continuously transporting materials from a feed hopper to an end feed mechanism and a means for continuously weighing the bulk material as they pass over the weigh span of the conveyor belt. The conveyor system comprises a continuous conveyor belt disposed about a pair of pulleys for transporting a material from a feed hopper to a feed mechanism, at least one pair of support rollers, and a weigh assembly having a weigh roller means for continuously determining the weight of materials within the weigh span of the conveyor belt. The support rollers are positioned under the upper portion of the conveyor belt and spaced apart to define the boundaries of the weigh span. Moreover, the support rollers are disposed on opposite sides of the weigh roller wherein the pitch between each support roller and the weigh roller are identical and wherein the support rollers and the weigh roller are on the same horizontal plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: General Signal Corporation
    Inventors: Peter B. Cadou, John C. Homer, III, Kevin A. Alexeff
  • Patent number: 5747744
    Abstract: In a weighing device for the point-of-sale of a retail outlet with a reading device installed therein, the following measures are taken: Only a single weighing cell in the form of a bending bar is provided and as far as possible is disposed laterally offset in a stationary manner on the scales stand. The support for a load plate of the weighing device is designed to be intrinsically rigid and in the vicinity of its one edge is rigidly connected to the bending bar such that a window provided in the load plate and in the support is held cantilevered over the scales stand. On the scales stand the reading device lies on the one side and an electronic evaluation circuit lies on the other side of the bending bar. The electronic evaluation circuit with microcomputer and analog-to-digital converter carries out an automatic weight determination and price calculation of the weighed article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: Bizerba GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Horst Kraft, Horst Purr, Edgar Engelhardt
  • Patent number: 5726393
    Abstract: A mail piece weighing scale for use with automated mail processing apparatus in which a plurality of mail processing components are disposed along a feed path for processing mail pieces moving seriatim along the feed path. The weighing scale has a platform, the upper surface of which is aligned with and forms a segment of the feed path. A transport means for moving mail pieces across the scale platform is mounted on the platform so that the platform and the transport means form an integral unit which constitutes the tare weight of the scale when it is calibrated to register 0 weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas M. Lyga
  • Patent number: 5721398
    Abstract: An overload protection device for a precision balance includes a measuring cell having a short travel distance, a parallel guide unit connected to a load receiving unit, and an auxiliary parallel guide unit whose guide members are connected to the load receiving unit, on the one hand, and to a weighing dish carrier member, on the other hand, wherein the guide members of the auxiliary parallel guide unit are pretensioned by at least one spring and form a rigid unit with the load receiving unit within the loading range of the balance. The auxiliary parallel guide unit includes an upper guide member and a lower guide member, wherein the two ends of the guide members of the auxiliary parallel guide unit on the side of the weighing dish are connected to each other by at least one guide bolt fastened to the upper guide member and the lower guide member. The guide bolt extends with play through a support plate which is fixedly connected to the load receiving unit of the measuring cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo AG
    Inventors: Franz Balsen, Hans-Rudolf Burkhard, Ferdinand Schneider
  • Patent number: 5719357
    Abstract: A lop loaded balance with a load receiver (1, 2, 3) connected by at least one upper (11) and at least one lower guide rod in the form of a parallel guide to a system carrier (4) fixed to the housing, which load receiver, guide rods and system carrier are manufactured from one piece. The system carrier (4, 5, 6, 7) is designed as a frame. The frame-like system carrier is completely surrounded by a second frame (14, 15, 16, 17) supported on the balance feet and that both frames are constructed in a one-piece manner and are connected to one another in such a manner that twistings of the one frame are transferred as little as possible onto the other frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1998
    Assignee: Sartorius AG
    Inventors: Matthias Eger, Heinz-Gerhard Kohn, Werner Schulze
  • Patent number: 5703334
    Abstract: A load to be measured is transmitted to a load cell, such as a compression load cell, through a double piston, single cylinder load transmitter that has a pressure chamber between two pistons in the single cylinder. One piston bears against the load. The other piston bears against the load cell to form a floating link between the load and the load cell when a sufficient pressure is introduced into said pressure chamber to prevent unwanted, off-center load application force components from adversely affecting any measured results. Preferably, at least one axially outwardly facing end surface of the piston bearing against the load cell has a curved end surface area. A rocker pin with a pressure controllable variable length may be formed by making both axially outwardly facing end surfaces curved. Several load transmitters may be arranged in parallel to transmit larger loads into a load cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1997
    Assignee: HBM, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas W. Hansson, Randall K. Hopkins
  • Patent number: 5569887
    Abstract: A weighing device has not only a scale cell which weighs an object and outputs a weight signal indicative of the measured weight value but also a vibration-detecting load cell for detecting the vibrations of the floor to which the scale cell is set such that the effects of the floor vibrations can be subtracted from the weight value detected by the scale cell. The vibration-detecting load cell has attenuation-adjusting members adhesively attached to strain-generating parts of its load-sensitive element such that the attenuation constant of the load cell is thereby increased at least by a factor of 2. The usable dynamic range of the load cell can thus be increased while the load cell is kept compact. Butyl rubber members can be used for this purpose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1996
    Assignee: Ishida Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazufumi Naito, Yoshihiro Nakamura, Hiroyuki Konishi
  • Patent number: RE40099
    Abstract: A load cell system (10) having a frame (12) to which upper compliance assembly (14) is connected. A load cell (16) is connected to upper compliance assembly (14) and lower compliance assembly (18) is connected to load cell (16). In preferred embodiments, load cell system (10) includes fixed overload limit (26), moving overload limit(28), and anti-rotation device (24). In a still further embodiment, load cell system (10) includes a data transmission and receiver device (65) for transmitting and receiving data to and from load cell (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Cranium Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas W. Stephens, Donald R. Zrudsky