Abstract: A weight sensing device for a microwave oven. The device has a fixing bracket having a bottom wall defined by a depress portion and a pair of protuberance portions which are provided at both ends of the depress portion and vertically ascending therefrom, and a pair of side walls which are integrally formed with side ends of the pair of protuberance portions and upwardly extending therefrom, a printed circuit board rested on the depress portion of the fixing bracket and provided at an upper surface thereof with a fixed electrode plate, an elastically movable electrode plate which is supported on the protuberance portions in a form of a fixed beam such that a predetermined gap is formed between the fixed electrode plate and the elastically movable electrode plate, a motor assembly which is mounted on an upper portion of the fixing bracket and is rotatably supporting a tray in which articles are placed, and a microcomputer determining the weight of articles based on the capacitance value.

Abstract: A resistive strain gauge bridge circuit, including a pulse code modulation counter operative under an algorithm designed for calibration with a voltage signal for effectively canceling out voltage and voltage fluctuation influences to maintain centering of the operating point of the strain gauges without the excessive costs attributable to devices such as electronic potentiometers which notably have been utilized to generally achieve satisfactory performance of strain gauges included in mobile personal computer systems.

Abstract: A load sensing system inexpensively monitors the weight and temperature of stored nuclear material for long periods of time in widely variable environments. The system can include an electrostatic load cell that encodes weight and temperature into a digital signal which is sent to a remote monitor via a coaxial cable. The same cable is used to supply the load cell with power. When multiple load cells are used, vast inventories of stored nuclear material can be continuously monitored and inventoried of minimal cost.

Abstract: A device and method are described for measuring the weight of objects using a pneumatically sealed bellows which contains a pair of spaced apart capacitor plates. In accordance with the invention, the pneumatic pressure within the bellows is varied to maintain constant dimensions for the bellows and a constant distance between the electric capacitor plates. This pressure is therefore a function of the weight placed upon the bellows which exerts a pressure tending to force the walls of the bellows and the capacitor plates closer together thereby changing the electric capacitance between the capacitor plates. By adjusting the pneumatic pressure to maintain a constant electric capacitance and constant dimensions for the bellows, a convenient parameter is obtained from which the weight of objects placed on the bellows can be measured. The invention has particular application in the meteorological sciences.

Abstract: An electromagnetic flow rate measuring apparatus measures and calculates a flow rate of granules based on a measurement of capacitance which changes according to the quantity of the granules flowing at a granule passage. The measuring apparatus includes a granule flow pipe which is coupled to the granule passage and is provided in the course of the granule passage, a capacitance detector provided to the granule flow pipe, shutters respectively provided at an upper end and a lower end of the granule flow pipe, for cutting off the flow of granules, the shutters being individually operable, and a load cell type weight detector independently supporting the granule flow pipe. The shutters, the load cell type weight detector, and the capacitance detector are connected to a calculation control device. The measuring apparatus provides a flow rate which is not influenced by the moisture content or the density of the granules.

Abstract: A device for sensing food weight in a microwave oven includes a bracket formed into one body and mounted with a motor assembly having a motor axis, a movable electrode plate fixed to an extending piece separated from the bottom of the bracket and a printed circuit board in which a fixed electrode plate is printed. The printed circuit board is inserted in a space formed between the bottom of the bracket and the movable electrode plate. An initial food weight is set by varying an overlapping area of the movable electrode plate and the fixed electrode plate. The food weight is sensed by using the distance variation between the movable electrode plate and the fixed electrode plate. Since no weight is applied to the printed circuit board, the deformation and the destruction of the printed circuit board is prevented. Further, the distance between the fixed electrode plate and the movable electrode plate may be maintained constantly.

Abstract: An electrostatic capacitance type weight sensor includes a sheet-like upper support plate and a sheet-like lower support plate with their respective end portions secured together and having a pair of electrodes sandwiched therebetween. The upper support plate is coupled to a loaded element. Either sides of the upper and lower support plates adjacent their respective end portions are provided with bridge type elastic arms having a surface area smaller than that of a central portion of the upper support plate and the lower support plates. When the loaded element carries a load, causing one of the end portions of the upper support plate and the lower support plate to displace downwardly, the elastic arms flex in compensation so that the electrodes remain parallel to each other even when the space therebetween varies, thus enhancing measuring precision in addition to providing a thin and easily assembled weight sensor.

Abstract: A device for checking the weights of individual capsules in a stream of capsules by passing the stream of capsules past a capacitance sensor which measures the capacitance of each capsule as representative of the capsule weight, and passing the stream of capsules past a velocity sensor which measures the velocity of each capsule as representative of the capsule weight. The measured capacitance and measured velocity values are each compared against preset ranges of values, and a capsule is mechanically deflected from the moving stream if the comparison shows either measured value to be outside the respective preset range of values.

Abstract: A capacitance mat for use in measuring loads includes a number of substantially horizontal electrode plates (of high strength aluminum) forming a capacitor with a substantially rigid dielectric material (e.g. nylon or fiberglass) separator disposed between the stacked substantially parallel electrode plates. The separators define spaces at which at least one of the electrode plates may bend in response to an applied load, to move with respect to each other, causing the capacitance of the mat to change. The separators may comprise a number of substantially parallel elongated strips of substantially rigid dielectric material spaced from each other in a dimension transverse to the dimension of elongation to define the spaces.

Abstract: An apparatus for and a method of detecting a weight of a food in a microwave oven wherein a weight sensor is used which includes a pair of facing electrodes and an annular spacer interposed between the electrodes and is placed on a turning track of support rollers to be pressed by the support rollers so that the space between the electrodes can be varied when each of the support rollers presses the weight sensor, causing the weight sensor to linearly vary in capacitance and thus in frequency, thereby capable of accurately detecting the food weight by utilizing the frequency variation.

Abstract: A food weight sensing device of a microwave oven using a variable capacitor of which the capacitance is varied in accordance with pressure applied thereto. The device comprises of first and second electrodes placed on a side portion of a lower surface of a cooking chamber, the side portion being included in a rotating trail of a roller applied with part of the food weight, each of the electrodes comprising a metal plate spring. A spacer is interposed between the first and second electrodes to space out the electrodes from each other at a predetermined interval. A rubber plate engages with the first electrode for transmitting the food weight to the first electrode. The first electrode comprises a center circular push part, an outer flange part and at least two arcuate ribs connecting the center circular push part to the outer flange part. The spacer is made of a metal so as to electrically connect the first electrode to a printed circuit board.

Abstract: A food weight sensing device for a microwave oven, which comprises a fixed electrode plate and a movable electrode plate which vary in overlapping area, according to a vertical movement of a movable spacer caused by the weight of a food to be measured. A capacitance signal indicative of the variation in overlapping area is converted into a frequency signal, so as to sense precisely the weight of food.

Abstract: A spring structure for a weight scale is described which is assembled from four extruded aluminum parts. The structure readily lends itself to the addition of a platform for placing weights and its deflection resulting from a weight is essentially invariant to the location of the weight on the platform. The sensor which converts deflection of the structure into an electrical signal includes two conducting plates, attached to the structure, which constitute a variable capacitor. The variable capacitor is part of a self-excited oscillator circuit which yields a frequency which is accurately related linearly to the value of the weight. Means are provided for distorting one of the capacitor plates to provide further improvement of invariance to weight location on the platform.

Abstract: A tension bar especially a lifting bar, connects the lower steering arm of a three-point attaching device to the associated force arm of a tractor. The lifting arm is connected to the force arm and lower steering arm through attaching ends. A tension axis extends through the attaching ends of the lifting bar. The lift bar 5, in the direction transverse to the tension axis 12, is divided into an upper bar part 9 and a lower bar part 10. The upper bar part 9 and the lower bar part 10 are connected to one another by a bending beam 11, which is arranged outside the tension axis 12. The upper bar part 9 and the lower bar part 10 are separated from one another by a gap 13 which extends transversely to the tension axis 12 and to the bending beam 11. At the end of the transverse tension axis 12 facing away from the bending beam 11 a connecting element 15 is provided which is anchored both to the upper bar part 9 and to the lower bar part 10. The connecting element 15 limits the change in the width of the gap.

Abstract: The invention comprises a force measuring system for the dynamic determination especially of axle loads, speed, vehicle wheelbase and gross weight. The force measuring system is laid permanently in the roadway. It is of modular assembly, consisting of the amplifier (11), sensor (12) and terminal module (13). The individual modules may be coupled tightly by plug-and-socket connections, welding flanges or glued flanges. The sensor module (12) consists of a hollow section (1), in which piezo-elements (4) are fitted under elastic preload. The piezo-elements (4) are accommodated in the hollow section (1) at intervals of typically 5 to 10 cm, and they may be connected all together with only one electrically conductive foil (5) to the signal processing facility (19), or groupwise or even singly. According to this subdivision the road width can be sectioned as desired, in order to obtain a road loading diagram for instance.

Abstract: A spring formed as a Roberval-based frame of conventional material is combined with a smaller sensor in the form of a deflectable load cell of material such as a ceramic. The combination associates the higher load capacity spring with the sensor capable of performing in a manner substantially free of system error. A method for configuring the assembly for optimal system error rejection is described wherein a transmission beam carrying out a load sharing function exhibits a stress selectively greater than the average stress exhibited by the spring.

Abstract: Springs for use in a weighing system for measuring gems and other very light masses. A pan and sensor assembly is used in which the springs are sandwiched between the plates of the sensor assembly. The springs have a generally conic cross-section and include holes for releasing air pressure when the pan and sensor assembly is compressed. In a preferred embodiment, grooves are provided in the surface of the springs which allow the springs to compress, in a bellows or accordion-like fashion, substantially parallel to a central axis. One large spring or a plurality of springs may be used in a weighing system. The weighing system uses three or more transducers about the pan to measure the weight of the mass, and correlates the values measured by each transducer for a given mass, at given locations, to arrive at a true weight value for the mass in spite of its potentially off-center location on the system's holding pan.

Abstract: An improved capacitor-sensor formed between two rigid, closely-spaced and facing, first and second plates, each with a facing and nonfacing surface and with specific facing electrode patterns on the plates forming a plurality of capacitors sensitive to displacement between the plates, which will eliminate asymmetrical overlap patterns and horizontal motion sensitivity. The first and second plate electrode patterns each have three, equispaced, identical, circular conductive regions on their facing surfaces. The diameters of the first plate circular conductive regions are less than the diameters of the circular conductive regions of the second plate. Electrical leads and interconnections are so arranged that overlap between leads and interconnections on opposing plates is avoided.

Abstract: An instrument includes multiple sensing elements of the variable-capacitance type. The sensing elements are placed by a switching network into a single capacitance sensing circuit, and those elements which are not active in the circuit at a given time are switched by another or the same switching network into a ground shunt. The switching is effected at a rate, in relation to the expected vibrational spectrum of the sensor system, to determine a set of readings which are essentially equivalent to a set of simultaneous capacitance measurements of the plural sensing element. A preferred system is a weight sensing system employing three or four load cells to support a scale platform.

Abstract: A load sensor which has an elongate hollow body 11, preferably formed as a metal extrusion, and which forms a first capacitative plate 21. A second parallel capacitative plate 15 is formed on an insulating body which is held in place relative to the extrusion by a resilient support 16. Application of a load to the extrusion causes variation in the gap between the plates of the capacitor, thus affecting the capacitance in a manner which is measured and processed to provide an output signal which is directly proportional to the applied load.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein an automatic heating appliance for controlling heating of an object in response to operation of instruction keys and on the basis of the weight of an object to be heated. The appliance includes therein a heating chamber for housing the object, a heater provided on or in the heating chamber for heating the object placed therein, and a turntable provided in the heating chamber for keeping thereon the object during heating. Also included in the appliance are a weight detector for obtaining first weight data in response to the object being placed on the turntable and a temperature compensator for obtaining a second weight data in response to the object being placed thereon, the temperature compensator substantially having the same temperature characteristic as the weight detector.

Abstract: This invention relates to force responsive transducers and more particularly concerns a micromachined, solid state micro-scale. The device consists of a central silicon platorm surrounded and supported by a thin silicon membrane. The silicon substrate is placed over an aluminum pad recessed into a well on a supporting glass substrate. The micro-scale responds to a static method of measuring force, similar to a spring scale. A gravitational acceleration vector acting on a mass placed onto the device produces a force known as weight. The weight mechanically displaces the silicon platform and membrane which is transduced to an electrical signal where a change in capacitance is measured. Geometry of the silicon platform, membrane and glass well depth may be used to affect the linearity, sensitivity and range of measurement of the micro-scale.

Abstract: An improved digital display scale of the type with a load receiver acting on an arrangement of two parallel leaf springs which are movable relative to a base member, in which the leaf springs, a mounting support on the base and a load receiver supporting structure together form a parallelogram, and a capacitor with a pair of closely spaced capacitor plates the spacing between which changes under load to change capacitance and thereby serve as an indicator of load. One of the two capacitor plates is between the leaf springs and connected to the mounting support through an insulating piece. The other capacitor is formed by one of the leaf springs. Various preferred embodiments are also disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: A scale arranged and constructed of relatively small size to be hand held and portable for use in weighing relatively light articles such as fish and the like. The scale operates on a capacitance measuring concept wherein an initial capacitance between two conductive, spaced and insulated plates is measured with a change in distance between the two plates caused by a load is measured and, through a logic circuit, converted to a digital read-out. The capacitance sensor unit for the measuring of the capacitance caused by the load includes a stationary plate and a moveable plate insulated from each other with proper leads connecting the plates to the logic circuit. The entire capacitance measuring device is provided in a sandwiched arrangement to provide a small and compact unit. The logic circuitry provides for digital readout and provides automatic zeroing.

Abstract: Electronic weighing device adapted particularly to be mounted in a personal weighing scale and comprising a capacitative collector (C1) forming a measuring condenser whose capacity varies as a function of the weight to be measured and which has for this purpose a first electrode (10) connected mechanically to a weighing platform (12) and a second electrode (14) mounted fixedly in the casing. The measuring condenser is connected to a measuring circuit, which comprises: a reference condenser (C0) mounted in series with the measuring condenser (C1), each of these condensers having an electrode (14, 16) connected to a terminal (18) common to the two condensers and an electrode (20, 10) connected to an external non-common terminal (22, 24).

Abstract: Weighing apparatus including variable capacitance load sensing means, a capacitance detection circuit, an analog to digital convertor and microcomputer control means is automatically verified for accurate operation. The capacitance detection circuit is provided with a computer controlled verification switch by which the value of a parameter, such as resistance in an attenuation circuit, can be changed. Automatic verification of correct operation is obtained by periodically, with no weight on the scale, obtaining a first weight reading, operating the verification switch to change the parameter and obtaining a second weight reading. The difference between the two readings is a verification value and is compared to a stored verification value obtained in the same manner during calibration and stored for later use. If the difference between the obtained and stored verification values exceeds an allowable limit, the scale may be disabled from further weighing.

Abstract: A compact electronic weighing scale whose major dimension is not substantially greater than the width of an average adult shoe and comprises a capacitive load cell adapted to be acted upon by an annular load transmission element coupled to the weighing platform. The capacitive load cell and the load transmission element are so dimensioned that the change in capacitance of the load cell in response to a load acting upon the weighing platform is substantially uniform regardless of the point of application of the load on the weighing platform.

Abstract: A compact force transducer has at least one flexible beam mounted at one or both its ends to a force summing member or members. The force-to-be-measured is applied to the force summing member along a first axis generally transverse to the beams to deform the beam elastically, without overstressing, through a displacement d. A sensor member carries a conductive surface and is coupled to the beam member. In a parallelogram form, there are a parallel pair of beam members extending between two force summing members and a sensor member is secured to each beam member at or near its point of inflection. One sensor member includes multiple arms that sandwich the other sensor member to produce a linear, push-pull mode of operation. In a low cost cantilevered beam form, the sensor is coupled to the beam at the force summing member in a parallel, spaced relationship.

Abstract: An electronic weighing apparatus is disclosed which detects weight of a subject by variation in capacitance, converts an oscillating output of an oscillating circuit corresponding to said variation in capacitance and displays the converted value on a display. In this apparatus, a solar battery and a supplementary cell are employed as a power source and on-off control of electric power supply from the supplementary battery to each circuit of the apparatus is effected by the output voltage of the solar battery.

Abstract: An automatic weight detecting device is provided with a platform on which an object to be measured is placed, a supporting shaft for supporting the platform is rotatable and smoothly movable in the supporting direction. A driving motor rotates the supporting shaft, and an elastic member supports the supporting shaft. A load detecting device converts the load of the object, transmitted in the supporting direction of the rotatable supporting shaft through the elastic member into a given electrically physical amount and a weight detecting circuit integrates to obtain the average of the electrically physical amount while the shaft rotates, so that the weight of the object is detected.

Abstract: The invention provides an electronic weighing instrument of the electrostatic capacity type which eliminates an influence on a measured weight value of a rate of change in oscillation frequency which is caused by environmental conditions such as an ambient temperature or a humidity. The electronic instrument comprises a pair of capacitors having capacitances which are differentially varied by a displacement caused by a load. The capacitors are alternately connected to the oscillating circuit at predetermined intervals of time, and each time either of the capacitors is connected to the oscillating circuit, an oscillation frequency is fetched from the oscillating circuit. Then, a difference and a sum between two different oscillation frequencies successively fetched from the oscillating circuit are calculated, and the difference is divided by the sum to obtain a measured weight value.

Abstract: Variations in the relative humidity of the air present within a housing of a scale, particularly a high accuracy scale utilizing a capacitive transducer mounted at the interior of the housing, are controlled by a combination of (i) a mechanical partial seal of the housing which resists a flow of moisture (by diffusion and air flow) through the seal, and (ii) a supply of a desiccant located within the housing which both absorbs and desorbs moisture from the air held within the housing. The partial seal is preferably located at an opening in the housing for a shaft mounting a weighing pan external to the housing. For low motion, a face seal of a few mils provides the appropriate flow resistance. For high motion or low capacity scales, the partial seal is a radial seal formed by the shaft and a surrounding sleeve mounted with a small annular clearance is used. The desiccant is preferbly silica gel.

Abstract: A capacitance type weight sensor including an upper strictive member integratedly forming the upper half of a stationary strut portion, the upper half of a movable strut potion and an upper beam, and a lower strictive member integratedly forming the lower half of the stationary strut portion, the lower half of the movable strut portion and a lower beam. The upper strictive member and the lower strictive member are coupled and fixed together by a single unit of fixing members, so as to have one end of a stationary electrode sandwiched therebetween, and by a bowl receptacle by a single unit of fixing members, so as to have one end of a movable electrode sandwiched therebetween. The electrodes may be provided with deformable adjusting pieces.

Abstract: A price indicating apparatus for a spring-loaded weighing scale used for calculating the total price and displaying the price of an article, comprising an inducing component and a transducing component. The inducing component is mounted on the rack of the weighing scale to be shifted according to the movement of the tray; the transducing component is provided for sensing the amount of movement of the inducing component and converting it into digital signals and calculating the price by multiplying the weight and the unit price input from a keyboard.

Abstract: The invention detects the weight of an object by detecting the change in electrostatic capacity due to a change in the distance between electrodes caused by deflection of flat plates, by using a pressure sensitive sensor having flat plates composed of two elastic insulators stuck together across a proper gap and extending parallel to one another, with electrodes provided at the confronting sides of the flat plates, and by transferring the load of the object to be measured to the sensor through a load support. The gap between the electrodes of this pressure sensitive sensor is enclosed, and a hole is provided to allow air to pass into and out of the gap. Furthermore, the surface of the pressure sensitive sensor is coated with a water-repellent substance to eliminate current loss due to dust or dew deposited on the surface of the electrodes. As a result, the weight may be measured accurately without being effected by temperature changes or humidity.

Abstract: A portable electronic scale of minimal thickness and weight is provided which is suitable for measuring the weight of an individual or object and which can be easily carried in a bag, stored in a cabinet or hung on a wall. The scale comprises a single load-bearing composite plate of composite (sandwich) construction with its principle strength concentrated on its top and bottom surfaces, and including a center core plate which includes a number of small cavities for electronic components. A plurality of shallow supporting feet exert a force from below on a plurality of mechanically deformable elements embedded rigidly in the composite plate, which force is measured and translated by electronic transducers such as strain gauges into electrical signals. These signals are summed in a Wheatstone bridge configuration, amplified and converted electronically to a digital display of the weight.

Abstract: A system for weighing a vehicle in motion is disclosed. One or more piezoelectric weight sensors produce charge outputs in response to the weight of a vehicle passing over the sensors. A charge amplifier converts the sensor outputs to a voltage level. A peak voltage detector detects the peak voltage, which represents the sum of all sensor outputs. The peak voltage is then converted to a weight value using the thickness sensitivity of the piezoelectric material.

Abstract: A heating oven has a weighing apparatus, and a weight of a food material placed on a tray in a heating cavity is conveyed by Roberval mechanism. The conveyed weight is measured by the weighing apparatus, and the heating oven controls heating time, heating power and the like responding to the measured weight of the food stuff.

Abstract: Weighing apparatus of the electromagnetic load compensation type includes an improved variable (C.sub.x) and reference (C.sub.o) capacitance comparison arrangement for sensing the position of the movable load receiver member relative to the stationary base member. The comparison arrangement supplies an error signal that is proportional to the capacity ratio, which error is used to control a compensation current (i.sub.L) that is supplied to a compensation coil to maintain the movable load receiver member at its initial zero position. The variable capacitance is produced by a variable air capacitor including a first pair of stationary capacitor plate electrodes (10, 12), and a movable plate-like metal shield or screen which extends partially between the first pair of electrodes in accordance with movement of the load receiver member.The position sensor arrangement is simple to construct and install, and affords precise measurement during use.

Abstract: Two spaced-apart outer elements are adapted to be excited by an oscillator. An inner element is disposed therebetween and provides a signal indicative of its spacing relative to the other elements. The signal is processed to determine this position. The elements are arranged on a flexure that is responsive to a load to form a load cell wherein the signal from the inner element is indicative of the magnitude of the load. Various flexure arrangements are disclosed. The elements are preferably parallel plates, having a surface area substantially greater than their separation. In an embodiment of the invention, the inner plate is bifurcated longitudinally, forming two nominally-coplanar inner plates, to offset the effects of off center loading on the flexure with respect to the output of the load cell.

Abstract: A weighing system for measuring gems and other very light masses with means for correcting errors in the measured value of said masses due to off-center placement on the system's holding pan. The system uses three or more transducers about the pan to measure the weight of the mass, and contains means for correlating the various transducer sensed values for a given mass at given locations to arrive at a true weight value for the mass in spite of its location on the system's holding pan.

Abstract: A modular apparatus for dispensing weight-controlled foodstuff portions includes a housing which supports a removable silo, feeder screw, and blocking plate components which discharge the foodstuff to a dosage cup. A capacitor transducer is employed to support the dosage cup and perform a weighing function. The housing has an opening for receiving foodstuff from the silo which leads to a feeder pathway. The removable feeder screw advances the food to the blocking plate which through a vibratory motion effects discharge to the dosage cup. An electronic control card inputs a weighing signal from the transducer for controlled operation of the apparatus.

Abstract: The position of the movable member relative to the stationary member of weighing apparatus of the electromagnetic load-compensation type is sensed by a variable-capacity alternating-current bridge network, use being made of two pairs of coplanar capacitive plate electrodes arranged in successively spaced opposed relation between planar parallel electrically-grounded surfaces of the movable and stationary members of the weighing apparatus. Opposed electrodes of each pair are connected in the bridge network to define two capacitive voltage dividers across the center points of which is developed an electrical signal corresponding with the deviation of the movable member from its zero position.The position sensor is manufactured in a simple manner and affords precise operation. All of the circuit connections are to fixed plate-type capacitive electrodes that may be mounted on a carrier member immediately adjacent the other electronic equipment.

Abstract: There is described a device, comprised of a frame or substructure, four arms arranged in cross shape or substantially in cross shape and hingedly supported on knife-edge in said frame, a weighing plate vertically movable relative to said frame, bearing through knife-edges on said arms, in notches provided therefor in the arms, in which said arms bear with the mutually-facing ends thereof on a box-design sensor, whereby the sensor capacity is changed proportionally to that force being exerted on said weighing plate, and in which said sensor is formed by a box-like holder with a bottom whereon a first insulated armature which acts as lowermost capacitive plate, is firmly secured.

Abstract: A food weight measuring device including a turntable for carrying a foostuff, a supporting shaft for supporting the turntable, a detector for detecting the amount of change in a thrust direction of the turntable supporting shaft, responsive to the weight of the food, a converter for converting the amount of change amount in a thrust direction of the turntable supporting shaft to a change in the electrostatic capacity, and means for preventing liquid or dust from contaminating to the coverter.

Abstract: Two pairs of parallel plate electrodes forming respectively a sensor capacitor and a reference capacitor are mounted on a parallelogram structure designed to deform under load in such a way that the gap width of the sensor capacitor changes as a function of load while the gap width of the reference capacitor is unaffected by the load. The capacitance of the reference capacitor is, however, similarly affected by temperature, humidity and other physical properties which may affect the dielectric constant of the medium, and is available for use in a ratio circuit to compensate for spurious changes in the sensor capacitance.

Abstract: A scale comprising a stationary frame assembly, platform means arranged to move vertically upon receipt of some material thereon and at least one movable beam assembly, each movable beam assembly being coupled to the stationary frame assembly by a force sensing means which resists downward movement of the platform. The platform is coupled to the beam assemblies that are movable, and each movable beam assembly has a section for supporting a displacement sensing means thereon. Most preferably the displacement sensing means is an electronic sensing means adapted to move substantially horizontally for detecting movement of the movable beam assemblies that is transmitted through the platform means when the material is placed on said platform means, and said electronic sensing means produces a signal indicative of the weight of said material.

Abstract: A platform weight scale comprising a capacitative load cell sensing means configured to be insensitive to off center loading of the horizontal platform regardless of load amount or location on the platform. The platform is supported by a plurality of springs selected for equal spring rates. The load cell is electrically connected into a FET (Field Effect Transistor), CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) or Bi-Polar semiconductor multivibrator circuit selected and designed to sense electric currents on the order of 10.sup.-13 amperes. In one preferred embodiment the load cell comprises a grounded hemispherical surface opposing a flat charged plate. In alternate embodiments the load cell comprises a differential capacitor or a parallel plate capacitor suspended in a manner that is insensitive to off center loading. An additional embodiment for the load cell comprises a spherically concave surface opposing the above grounded hemispherical surface.

Abstract: A food weight measuring device comprises a table for carrying a foodstuff, a pivotable electrode plate for receiving the food weight, the pivotable electrode plate being pivotably moved responsive to the food weight, a fixed electrode plate for providing an electrical signal corresponding to the food weight in cooperation with the pivotable electrode plate, and an output circuit responsive to the fixed electrode plate for outputting the electrical signal representative of the food weight.

Abstract: A platform weight scale comprising a capacitative load cell sensing means configured to be insensitive to off center loading of the horizontal platform regardless of load amount or location on the platform. The platform is supported by a plurality of springs selected for equal spring rates. The load cell is electrically connected into a FET (Field Effect Transistor), CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) or Bi-Polar semiconductor multivibrator circuit selected and designed to sense electric currents on the order of 10.sup.-13 amperes. In one preferred embodiment the load cell comprises a grounded hemispherical surface opposing a flat charged plate. In alternate embodiments the load cell comprises a differential capacitor or a parallel plate capacitor suspended in a manner that is insensitive to off center loading. The differential capacitor load cell embodiment utilizes an alternating switch circuit as a part of the multivibrator circuit.