Abstract: A soil moisture and fertility sensor system is presented that includes an elongated probe having a plurality of sensor modules positioned along the length of the probe. Each sensor module includes a co-located sensors configured to take a moisture, temperature, and fertility measurements at varying depths of the soil. The probe is configured for wireless communication. The probe is configured to take moisture measurements, temperature measurements and/or nutrient measurements at different times so as to prevent interference between measurements. The probe includes a plurality of receptacles that receive the fertility sensor assembly cartridge that may be inserted into and removed from a receptacle so as to facilitate end-of-life replacement. In one arrangement, the fertility sensor assembly includes a reference sensor and a plurality of nutrient sensors that are each configured to sense the presence of a specific nutrient.

Abstract: A load cell scale, has a columnar shaped load cell part having a upper surface and a lateral surface intersecting with the upper surface, the load cell part having a first load cell with a first weighting and a second load cell with a second weighting, and a stopper part for restricting deformation occurring in the load cell, wherein the load cell part further has a strain portion capable of elastically deforming, and wherein the stopper part is a plate-shaped member formed to extend along the longitudinal direction, the stopper portion has a fixing-end portion fixed to the lateral surface of the load cell; and a free-end portion separating from the fixing-end portion along the longitudinal axis, the free-end portion being configured to restrict the elastic deformation of the load cell part due to the load in a state when the fixing-end portion is fixed to the lateral surface.

Abstract: A linear force-measuring device for a hydraulic actuator of an orthopedic device. The force-measuring device includes a base, a bearing receptacle and at least one sensor for detecting changes in length between the base and the bearing receptacle, wherein the bearing receptacle is connected to the base via two opposing connecting parts, and the at least one sensor is secured to one of the connecting parts.

Abstract: An elongate force sensor assembly for measuring a force applied in a force application direction and a method of manufacturing the assembly, the force sensor assembly including an extruded elongate force responsive beam element (EFRB) extending along a longitudinal axis which is generally perpendicular to the force application direction, the EFRB having a hollow and generally rectangular cross-section generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and being formed with a throughgoing longitudinal bore along the longitudinal axis, the throughgoing longitudinal bore being formed together with the EFRB and a strain engine extending along a transverse axis, generally perpendicular to both the force application direction and to the longitudinal axis; at least one strain gauge affixed to the EFRB, each strain gauge generating an output in response to the force, and a plurality of circuit elements operative to convert the output into a force indication, indicating a magnitude of the force.

Abstract: A force measurement system is disclosed herein. The force measurement system includes a force measurement assembly with at least one first load transducer beam and at least one second load transducer beam, and a data processing device. The at least one first load transducer beam includes a first load transducer frame portion and a first plurality of deformation sensing elements disposed on the first load transducer frame portion. The at least one second load transducer beam includes a second load transducer frame portion and a second plurality of deformation sensing elements disposed on the second load transducer frame portion. The data processing device is operatively coupled to the first plurality of deformation sensing elements of the at least one first load transducer beam and the second plurality of deformation sensing elements of the at least one second load transducer beam.

Abstract: There is a strap tension detector for detecting tension in a strap. A housing has an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion and lower portion are adapted to receive the strap. A strain beam is mounted to one of the upper portion and the lower portion. The strain beam is arranged at an angle to the strap to extend across the width of the strap when the strap is placed between the upper portion and the lower portion and extending through the first and second strap-receiving openings so that the strap bears on the strain beam when taut. A strain gauge is operatively connected to detect strain across the strain beam.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a platform or other accessory that is supported by one or more transducer assemblies using piezoelectric transducers. In one implementation, a saddle structure provides mechanical support to a platform while transferring force from a load onto a portion to which a pair of piezoelectric transducers are affixed. As a load on the saddle changes, the resulting change in strain on the portion produces signals from the piezoelectric transducers. In another implementation a beam provides mechanical support to a platform or other accessory. A pair of piezoelectric transducers are affixed near a strain concentrator, such as a hole in the beam, produce signals indicative of a change in load on the beam.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a six-dimensional force sensor with high sensitivity and low inter-dimensional coupling, including a clockwise or counterclockwise swastika-shaped beam, vertical beams, a rectangular outer frame, and strain gauges; the clockwise or counterclockwise swastika-shaped beam includes a cross-shaped transverse beam and four rectangular transverse beams; a center of the cross-shaped transverse beam is provided with several force application holes used for applying forces and moments; four tail ends of the cross-shaped transverse beam are each connected to one of the rectangular transverse beams to form a clockwise or counterclockwise swastika-shaped structure; a top end of a vertical beam is connected to a tail end of a corresponding rectangular transverse beam, and bottom ends of the vertical beams are connected to the rectangular outer frame; and there are a plurality of strain gauges to form six groups of Wheatstone bridges that are respectively used for measuring an X-direction for

Abstract: A calibrated load cell includes a monolithic load beam having a first region, a second region on a distal end of the load beam from the first region for receiving a force from a load, and a third region arranged between the first and second regions, wherein the third region comprises a recess on one side of the load beam. A strain gauge is arranged in the recess for detecting a deformation of the third region from the load and for generating a strain gauge output signal proportional to the deformation of the third region. The load cell also includes a microcontroller arranged in the recess for receiving and processing the strain gauge output signal to produce a load cell output signal that represents the load on a load cell output cable. The microcontroller transforms the strain gauge output signal based on calibration parameters to produce the load cell output signal as a calibrated load cell output signal.

Abstract: A force sensor includes a sensing element, a forced element and strain gauges. There are flexure mechanisms on the sensing element, the forced element is coupled to a free end of each of the flexure mechanisms, and each of the strain gauges is placed on an elastic portion of each of the flexure mechanisms respectively. Each of the strain gauges is provided to detect an elastic strain of the elastic portion when a forced is applied to the forced element, transmitted to the free end via the forced element and transmitted to the elastic portion via a flexure hinge of each of the flexure mechanisms.

Abstract: Provided is a load sensor that may precisely detect a load of pressing force to an object.

Abstract: A device for and a method of monitoring the healing status of a fractured bone in a person's limb is disclosed. The external fixation device may include one or more rods or struts that incorporate strain gauges designed to measure the mechanical forces on the strut when force is applied to the fractured bone. The mechanical force data may be collected by an electronic module and transmitted to a computer for statistical analysis. The device may also include a foot insole sensor for measuring the foot plantar force to normalize the data collected by an external fixation device attached to a person's leg. The method of measuring the healing status of a fractured bone includes measuring the changes in mechanical forces exerted on the one or more struts, and based on the measurements, estimating the healing status of the bone.

Abstract: A load measuring pin sensor disposed as a connecting pin in a connecting portion of a plurality of frames of a bed is provided. The load measuring pin sensor includes a shaft portion constituting the connecting pin, force point portions provided on the shaft portion where a load from one frame acts on the force point portions, a fulcrum portion provided at a position different from a position of the force point portions of the shaft portion where a stress from the other frame acts on the fulcrum portion, sensing portions provided at a portion connecting the force point portions, and the fulcrum portion of the shaft portion, and a strain gauge that detects strain occurring in the sensing portions.

Abstract: A force sensor has an input part, a base part, an intermediate part and a sensor element. The external force to be sensed is applied to the input part. The input part transmits the external force to the base part via the intermediate part. The base part is fixed to a frame of reference and exerts a reaction force on the input part via the intermediate part. The intermediate part deforms as a result of the external force and the reaction force. The deformation of the intermediate part causes the input part to change its position or orientation relative to the base part. The sensor element senses this change and supplies an output signal representative of the change.

Abstract: A load cell includes a horizontal upper beam; a lower beam extending parallel with the upper beam; a fastening section connecting one end of the upper beam to the lower beam and is fastened to a stationary object; a movable section which connects the upper beam and the lower beam and is displaced vertically by a load applied to the movable section 5; and a cylindrical stopper having a circular cross-section. The fastening section has a first circular hole. The movable section has a second circular hole concentric with the first circular hole. A base end portion of the stopper is fastened to the first circular hole and a tip of the stopper member 7 is located at an inner side of the second circular hole such that there is a space of a specified width between the tip and an inner surface of the second hole.

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.

Abstract: A gravimetric measuring instrument has a weighing cell and a flexible, tubular-shaped encapsulation. The weighing cell has a parallel-guiding mechanism and at least one measurement transducer. The ends of the encapsulation are attached, respectively, to the stationary parallelogram leg and the movable parallelogram leg, so that at least the parallel-guiding mechanism and the measurement transducer are enclosed by the encapsulation, protecting them from dirt and humidity. In some aspects, the parallel-guiding mechanism has an adjustment region formed at one of the parallelogram legs which allows adjustment of the distance between at least one flexure pivot of the upper parallel-guiding member and a flexure pivot of the lower parallel-guiding member. This adjustment region is mechanically connected to at least one adjustment-setting area, which is arranged outside the encapsulation and allows changes to be made to the adjustment region.

Abstract: A force-sensing device has a yoke having a location of force introduction for a force to be measured acting in a predetermined direction. A measuring spring has a first end rigidly connected to the yoke and is elastically deformable by the force to be measured. The measuring spring has a second end arranged on a support rigidly connectable to a machine frame. First predetermined measuring locations are provided that detect and evaluate a deformation of the measuring spring caused by the force to be measured. Parallel and spaced apart bending springs are connected to the yoke in such a way that the yoke is always guided in parallel in a transverse direction that is transverse to the predetermined direction of the force to be measured. Second predetermined measuring locations are provided on the bending springs and detect a transverse deformation caused by a force in the transverse direction.

Abstract: A link and sensor assembly includes a first rod, a second rod received telescopingly within the first rod, a force sensor attached between the rods and a motion limiter. The force sensor has a longitudinal range of motion. The limiter limits longitudinal motion between the rods to the range of motion and limits angular motion between the rods.

Abstract: A load cell type weight measuring device includes a load cell formed of a strain member provided with a plurality of strain gauges and deforming according to a load applied to a load receptacle. The load cell type weight measuring device converts an output of a Wheatstone bridge circuit formed of the respective strain gauges into a weight value to display. Two weight receptacles are attached to the strain member. It is arranged such that when a load is applied to one of the load receptacles, a strain at a portion of the strain member provided with the strain gauges becomes smaller than that when the load is applied to the other of the load receptacles.

Abstract: The invention relates to a strain-sensitive resistor, comprising a resistance layer arranged on a support element and an electromechanical transducer produced with this resistor. An increase in the electrical measured signal picked off across the resistor is achieved in a simple way by the support element (1) having a recess (7) on its surface (9) which, when the support element (1) is subjected to mechanical stress in at least one area of the surface (9) of the support element (1) in which the resistance layer (4) is positioned, produces a ratio between the two main strain directions (L, T) of the resistance layer (4) which differs in magnitude.

Abstract: A force sensing module with reduced sensitivity to torque in order to accurately measure weight in the presence of longitudinal and lateral torques, comprising two or more sensing means mounted vertically with output signal means combined and adjustable to minimize longitudinal torque response. The force sensing module further comprises a vertical support for lifting and supporting a load, a support arm coupled to the vertical support for engaging and holding a load, first and second sets of strain gauges, spaced from each other and either in vertical or horizontal alignment with each other. The strain gauges are connected at one end to the vertical support and at the other end to the arm for receiving a force proportional to the load and for receiving a torque from the arm.

Abstract: An integrated loadcell system, having a loadcell body having a leg connected to a spanning member, the leg having a transducer mounted thereto and a housing coupled to the loadcell body forming a wheatstone bridge circuit with the transducer; where an output of the wheatstone bridge circuit is indicative of a load experienced by the loadcell body.

Abstract: The device of the invention is intended for measuring a loading force and a friction force in a tribological tester. The device consists of two deformation-sensitive sensors for simultaneous equal deformation in two opposite directions for eliminating misbalance created in the measurement system when a single sensor is used. Each sensor is a deformable beam having through longitudinal slots extending in different and non-parallel directions and overlapped within the body of the beam. The sensor deforms in one direction under the effect of a loading force measured by two pairs of strain gauges located on opposite sides of the beam near one end of the beam and in another direction under the effect of a friction force measured by another two pairs of strain gauges located on opposite sides of the beam near the other end of the beam.

Abstract: Disclosed is a beam strain gauge to measure strain in a material which incorporates the theory of beam mechanics and the use of a full Wheatstone bridge circuit. In all cases the beam or beams used are not attached directly to the material to be measured, thereby making the beam or beams insensitive to transverse strain. The use of beam mechanics allows the use of the full Wheatstone bridge circuit, which has many desirable properties for strain measurement. Some of these properties are self compensation for temperature and a higher gauge output signal. The beam strain gauge can be employed using silicon chip technology and provides many advantages over the current conventional strain gauges.