Abstract: A force measuring device for simultaneously measuring the static or dynamic force from each jaw of a chuck or segment of a collet. The device is formed with an annular housing having several radially extending openings in which are disposed elongated force transducers. In use, the force transducers are supported at the inner end and project from the housing into engagement with the jaws of a chuck. Each transducer has bridge configured strain gages disposed thereon. The strain gages are connected to appropriate instrumentation through a slip ring arrangement. The unbalance of the bridge circuits is used to indicate the force of the chuck.

Abstract: A strain gage load converter having a parallelogram shaped beam having strain gages on the top and bottom surfaces of the beam. These gage mounting surfaces are made reentrant concave shaped in order to eliminate occurrence of measurement loss due to lateral shift of load point against the main axis of the beam.

Abstract: A strain gage load cell having a primary load carrying member subjected to deformation under stress, a secondary load carrying member affixed to the primary load carrying member in bridging relationship and having a portion of reduced section substantially shorter than the primary load carrying member and a strain gage affixed to said portion of reduced section of said secondary load carrying member.

Abstract: A railway car wheel detection arrangement employing a pair of bolt-like sensor units which are spaced apart a given distance and are fastened to holes formed in the web portion of the track rail. Each of the sensor units includes an oblong aperture having a planar surface to which is secured a strain gage element. The strain gage element is tension stressed under the load of a wheel of a railway car to vary its resistance value which results in the unbalancing of a bridge network to produce a signal signifying the presence of a car wheel.

Abstract: A railway car wheel detection arrangement employing a pair of clamp-on sensor units which are spaced apart a given distance and are positioned on the upper surface of the base flange of the track rail. Each of the sensor units includes an elongated epoxy glass board member having a reduced intermediate portion to which is attached a strain gage element. A pair of C-shaped clamps securely holds each of the sensor units to the base flange of the rail. The strain gage element is placed in tension by the stress in the track rail under the load of a wheel of a railway car to vary its resistance value which results in the unbalancing of a differential bridge circuit to produce a signal signifying the presence of a car wheel.

Abstract: An external magnetic field retains a layer of magnetic liquid as a protective covering over an element, such as in slide wire potentiometers and in pressure measuring diaphragms.

Abstract: The force transducer includes an essentially symmetrical, beam flexure of generally rectangular platelike construction, one of the edge surfaces being provided with a strain gage. A continuous Z-shaped slotlike passage is formed through the thickness of the beam flexure between its major surface areas, with one cross bar of the "Z" preferably parallel to the edge carrying the strain gage. An enclosing housing supports the beam flexure via a pair of pin members extending through openings provided in the beam flexure and located at one side of the diagonal portion of the "Z". External forces are applied to the beam flexure via a further pin member extending through an opening provided on the other side of the diagonal portion of the "Z". Forces to be measured are applied substantially solely in planes parallel to the major surface planes of the beam flexure.

Abstract: A load disc having an annular flex plate connected to a pair of parallel mounting plates through respective support rings. The support rings are of unequal diameters so that compressive or tensile forces applied to the mounting plates cause the flex plate to spherically deform. The deformation of the flex plate produces tensile and compressive strains on opposite faces of the flex plate which are measured by strain gauges mounted on opposite faces of the flex plate. The flex plate is recessed away from the support rings at the points of attachment thereto so that the support rings intersect the flex plate at its neutral plane. Consequently, spherical deformation of the flex plate does not tend to expand or contract the support rings thereby allowing freer deformation of the flex plate and desensitizing the flex plate against lateral forces applied between the mounting plates.

Abstract: A temperature compensated piezoresistive transducer includes a silicon body having a major top surface and an under surface. The body has generally parallel spaced first and second elongate slots formed therein extending through said top and under surfaces to define a center portion between said slots and first and second outer portions at the outward edge of the respective slots. The center portion is adapted to receive pressure to be measured. The body has an additional slot extending through the top and bottom surfaces and extending around the first, second and center portions to define the outer periphery of a transducer membrane with portions of the body remaining to integrally support the membrane. Plural piezoresistive elements having elongate and transverse dimensions are formed on the membrane. The elements are arrayed to receive compressive and tensile stress when pressure is applied.

Abstract: A load cell has a circular structure comprising a resilient element and a hollow housing with a projection on the internal surfaces of the walls thereof. The resilient element is accommodated in the housing on a plurality of balls supported by the projection of the housing and has on one side thereof a lug adapted to take up the load being measured, and on the other side thereof props with strain gauges. The load cell is characterized in that it incorporates strain gauges which are not adhesive-bound, including wire of which the electric resistance varies in accordance with the strain applied to the wire, the wire being mounted on the props made integral with the solid resilient element, so that the wire follows a sinuous path, with the wire being arranged either continuously or between groups of the props.

Abstract: A semiconductor transducer comprises a semiconductor strain gauge composed of a mono-crystalline semiconducting material and a strain sensing region formed in a first main surface of the mono-crystalline semiconducting material, and a strain measuring member coupled to the semiconductor strain gauge through an alloy material. An electrical insulating layer is attached to a second main surface of the mono-crystalline semiconducting material which is coupled to the strain measuring member through the alloy material. The insulating layer is extended to a side surface of the mono-crystalline semiconducting material thereby to cover the same side.

Abstract: A column type bonded strain gage load cell having improved linearity and output is achieved using a column having a pair of opposed transverse bores which create a web therebetween. The web has a relatively high strain as compared to the circumferential strain of an unbored column. Strain gages bonded to the web, in combination with strain gages bonded at selected regions on the column provide improved linearity and increased output.

Abstract: A flat load cell comprising a centrally situated point of force application and an axially symmetrical round plate spring which has a variable thickness across the radius and a reinforced edge region, one side thereof being mainly flat while the other side is profiled, strain gauges being provided at the points where the greatest expansion or compression occurs. A second, similarly constructed round plate spring is coaxially arranged with respect thereto, so that their mainly flat sides face each other, while an annular, elastic force transfer member is provided between their reinforced edge regions.

Abstract: The invention refers to a load test apparatus for hoisting units by means of strain gages, where the test data affect the transmission of a hoisting unit motor. That is, a load test cell is positioned between the fixed support for the hoisting unit and the hoisting cable. The cell is mounted with an upper bolt connecting it to the fixed support and a lower bolt connecting it to the fixed support and the hoisting cable. In the area between the two bolts the flat cell is of restricted cross section and test gages are mounted here to monitor tensile forces in the cell according to the load. The gages are connected, in turn, through a bridging circuit incorporating resistances to the hoist drive. Because of the simplicity and size of the test structure, it can be manufactured economically by simple mass production techniques.

Abstract: A thin film strain gauge fabricated by depositing a first film of a high temperature insulating material upon a surface of an article to be tested, depositing both a thin film of a resistive material and a conducting lead in connection with each end of the resistive pattern upon the surface of the first film and overcoating the resistive strain gauge film and at least a portion of the conducting leads with a second film of high temperature insulating material to protect the strain gauge against corrosion and erosion in its operating environment.

Abstract: A cermet composition useful in the form of a thin-film as a strain gage consists of 65%-70% by weight chromium, 18%-32% by weight silicon monoxide, and 3%-12% by weight nickel, deposited by vacuum evaporation. After initial deposition, vacuum annealing is accomplished, or, if a more positive TCR and TSS is required, the annealing can be repeated at a higher temperature.

Abstract: Described is a dual guided-beam transducer provided with constant-strain characteristics by forming the two end sections of each beam with opposed edges that converge towards each other along straight lines crossing at the center of the beam, the strain gages being bonded to the end sections within their opposed converging edges.Two embodiments of the invention are described. One embodiment includes a body mountable to a fixed support in cantilever fashion with the load applied normal to the axis of the support. A second described embodiment is a folded-end transducer of cylindrical shape for accommodating loads applied axially to the cylinder.

Abstract: Solid state folded leaf spring force transducers are fabricated by batch photolithographic and etching techniques from a monocrystalline material, such as silicon. The folded leaf spring structure includes elongated gaps separating adjacent leaf spring leg portions, such elongated gaps being oriented parallel to a crystallographic axis of the monocrystalline material. In a preferred embodiment the monocrystalline material is of diamond cubic type and the leaf spring gaps extend in mutually orthogonal directions parallel to the <011> and <011> crystallographic axes, respectively. In a preferred method of fabricating the spring structure, the structure is etched from a monocrystalline wafer by means of an anisotropic etchant so as to more precisely define angles and dimensions of the resultant spring structure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a force sensing device which is to be inserted in a force transmitting structural member, like a rope, especially a rope for lifting a jib or a load of a crane. The force sensing device has a flat body provided with weak locations at which strain measuring devices are fixed. The flat body is dimensioned with respect to a high degree of safety against overload, to high duration working stability and reproducibility as well as to a simple and cheap production.

Abstract: Solid state folded leaf spring force transducers are fabricated by batch photolithographic and etching techniques from a monocrystalline material, such as silicon. The folded leaf spring structure includes elongated gaps separating adjacent leaf spring leg portions, such elongated gaps being oriented parallel to a crystallographic axis of the monocrystalline material. In a preferred embodiment the monocrystalline material is of diamond cubic type and the leaf spring gaps extend in mutually orthogonal directions parallel to the <011> and <011> crystallographic axes, respectively. In a preferred method of fabricating the spring structure, the structure is etched from a monocrystalline wafer by means of an anisotropic etchant so as to more precisely define angles and dimensions of the resultant spring structure.

Abstract: A low pressure transducer and methods of fabricating the same employ piezoresistive bridges deposited on or diffused within a wafer of n-type silicon, the wafer is secured to a glass sheet and is then bonded to a silicon diaphragm of a relatively large size and fabricated from a distinct piece of silicon of non-critical electrical characteristics. Methods for producing a plurality of such devices by using compatible processing steps are also provided.

Abstract: A unit type strain gauge having a protective outer casing of a hard material provided with an internal space open at one side and a pressing member housed in the internal space arranged to press a strain gauge element attached to it against an object, in which strain is to be measured, the remainder of said space being filled with soft synthetic rubber arranged to maintain the parts of the gauge in position and to maintain a dust proof and moisture proof structure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tactile pick-up for making contact with an object and emitting signals which are representative of the deformation caused by the object. The pick-up comprises a supple layer of variable electrical conductivity as a function of its state of compression, a matrix of measuring electrodes each connected to an output lead, and a large number of conducting elements connected to an electric source fixing their potential at a determined excitation value.

Abstract: The vehicle weighing system for a towed vehicle includes removable stub axles and a hitch rigidly connected to a load support. The hitch and one or more of the stub axles are gauged in an identical manner. Two active electrical strain gauges are placed in a hole formed in the supporting member to be gauged, such hole extending normal to the direction of the load. The hole is placed adjacent the end of the supporting member which is remote from the load support and the two gauges are oriented to reduce the moment sensitivity of the system to a minimum. The hitch is provided with additional compensating gauges which are not responsive to strain, and the axle and hitch gauges are connected to form a measuring bridge circuit. The gauging holes are sealed by end plugs, a printed circuit board, potting compound and a boot, all of which are flexible so as not to interfere with the weight measurement.

Abstract: A compact apparatus for analyzing a signature or other handwritten markings, including a horizontal platen which can support paper on which a signature is written, a pair of inner beams extending horizontally from opposite sides of the platen to an intermediate structure, and a pair of outer beams extending horizontally, and in directions perpendicular to the inner beams, between the intermediate structure and a supporting frame. Strain gauges are attached to the sides of the inner and outer beams to sense forces applied to the platen by the tip of a writing instrument in the horizontal "X" and "Y" directions, and additional strain gauges are attached to opposite faces of the outer beams to sense forces in the vertical, or "Z," direction.

Abstract: A load cell of the shear-link type comprising a solid body of high modulus of elasticity material having a longitudinal axis of sensitivity and longitudinally spaced transverse slots entering the body from opposite directions to define the shear link. The body is bored out in the area of the shear link to create a stress concentration which is monitored using bonded-on strain gage resistors connected in a Wheatstone bridge circuit.

Abstract: This force transducer is intended for use in locations where the space available is dimensionally limited in the direction of the active and reactive forces being measured. It is more resistive to forces acting at an angle with respect to those active and reactive forces than the devices of the prior art. It comprises a cylindrical block, usually steel, having a central load bearing portion adapted at one end to oppose a force acting axially of the block, and a peripheral portion concentric with the central portion and adapted at the opposite end to oppose the reactive force. The central portion and the peripheral portion are separated by two arrays of cylindrical holes, with at least three holes in each array, each hole extending parallel to the axis of the block and spaced therefrom. The two arrays of holes define at least three pairs of parallel bridging portions extending between the central load bearing portion and the peripheral load bearing portion.

Abstract: Transducers of the resistance wire type are described, wherein strained resistance wires are adapted to function both as a sensor and load bearing member. These transducers comprise a pair of spaced apart load carrying or attaching devices which are connected by a plurality of lengths of resistance wire or filament, such as a coil, belt or rope of wire construction, in which the individual lengths of wire are mechanically parallel but are preferably connected in series electrically so as to form a continuous wire passing back and forth between and connecting the two load carrying or attaching elements.

Abstract: Transducers of the resistance wire type are described, wherein strained resistance wires are adapted to function both as a sensor and load bearing member. These transducers comprise a pair of spaced apart load carrying or attaching devices which are connected by a plurality of lengths of resistance wire or filament, such as a coil, belt or rope of wire construction, in which the individual lengths of wire are mechanically parallel but are preferably connected in series electrically so as to form a continuous wire passing back and forth between and connecting the two load carrying or attaching elements.