Abstract: An embodiment of the subject invention is directed to a jack incorporating one or more strain gauges. The one or more strain gauges can be positioned on, within, or integral to the jack. When a load or force is applied by the jack, one or more materials within the jack are deformed or displaced as a result of the applied load. The one or more strain gauges are used to measure the deformation or displacement and thus measure the strain. The measured strain can be used to determine the magnitude of the load applied by the jack. In an embodiment, a plurality of strain gauges are used and the resulting strain measurements can be combined to determine the applied load.

Abstract: A hydrostatic force/displacement measuring device measures the force and displacement exerted by a rotating tire in soil/aggregate. The measuring device has a hydrostatic actuation assembly having a pressure plate at near surface depths of soil/aggregate to provide hydrostatic pressures in a liquid representative of force and displacement created by the downward forces exerted by a rotating tire in the soil/aggregate at the near surface depths. A hydrostatic hose transmits the hydrostatic pressure forces in the liquid to a surface manifold assembly. The surface manifold assembly receives the hydrostatic pressure forces and has a gauge providing visual readouts of the hydrostatic pressure forces representative of the downward forces. The surface manifold assembly also has an axially displaceable piston defining an interface chamber. The piston is connected to an electronic sensor to provide visual readouts representative of displacements caused by the downward force.

Abstract: A hydraulic load cell configured to allow direct readout of an applied force in pounds by a standard hydraulic gauge, which is normally calibrated in pounds per square inch. A load is applied generally to the end of the load cell's piston. The piston is fitted with an o'ring in its machined groove and inserted into a fluid filled cylinder; the cylinder having been machined to a tightly controlled diameter of nominally 1.12838 inches. The fluid cavity is joined by a small bore tube to the hydraulic gauge. The three piece device and adjoined gauge is extremely rugged. Pascal's Law of incompressibility of a liquid and the equation of Force=Pressure×Area are utilized to realize the invention's unique simplicity and usefulness. Applications to single and multiple point loading are shown.

Abstract: A method of determining the coupling moment in a friction coupling with an electro-mechanical actuator which comprises a supporting element axially supported in a housing and a displaceable setting element axially supported on said supporting element, wherein the supporting element is axially supported in the housing via an undisplaceably enclosed hydraulic medium and that the pressure in the hydraulic medium is measured and used by lookup tables of values for the actuator and for the friction coupling for the purpose of calculating the coupling moment in a central ECU.

Abstract: A load cell includes a first element, a second element and a sensor measuring force between the first and second elements along a first axis. In some embodiments, lateral and angular decoupling is provided by the provision of a convex surface between the first and second elements. The convex surface is slidable relative to at least one of the first and second elements in a first direction perpendicular to the first axis.

Abstract: A seat occupant weight sensing system includes load cells that receive the weight of a seat occupant. A microprocessor receives indication of force applied to the load cells and may also receive output from a seat belt tension sensor and/or an atmospheric pressure sensor. In a first preferred embodiment four load cells supporting a seat each have a fluid filled chamber, and a pressure sensor in each load cell provides an electric signal indicating the pressure in the fluid. The four signals are added to determine the weight of the seat occupant. In a second preferred embodiment fluid conduits connect the four fluid filled chambers to a common pressure sensor. The load cells comprise two flanged conical springs stressed to provide preload. In the preferred embodiments, a spring is part of the surface of the chamber that confines the fluid. The two springs operate in concert to resist side forces and moments.

Abstract: A system for determining the weight of the occupant of a vehicle seat includes a hinge near the forward edge of the seat and a force sensor responsive to downward force at a point well to the rear of the hinge thereby indicating torque about the hinge. The system includes a microprocessor connected for receiving the output of the force sensor. The microprocessor may also receive outputs from an accelerometer responsive to vertical accelerations, a seat back recline angle sensor, a seat track position sensor, a seat belt tension sensor and an atmospheric pressure sensor. In a first embodiment the microprocessor determines the weight of the seat occupant from the outputs of the force sensor and the seat back recline sensor. In a second embodiment the microprocessor determines the weight of the seat occupant from the outputs of the force sensor, the seat back recline sensor and the seat track position sensor.