A lockout assembly for selectively limiting the force applied to a weigh module, with a load cell, that senses force applied to a top plate from an equipment flange. A cowling with a flange spacer, is placed between the top plate and the equipment flange. The cowling has a jack arm that extends laterally and downwardly therefrom, and a jack screw extending downwardly, adjacent a support structure. A jack nut is threaded onto the jack screw, and is adjustable between a lockout position wherein the jack nut engages the support structure, and a weighing position wherein the jack nut does not engage the support structure.

A fluid container measurement system is disclosed. The fluid container measurement system is configured to suspend a load measurement assembly a distance above a support surface. The load measurement assembly houses a load cell and a measurement control circuit. The measurement control circuit is coupled to the load cell and configured to receive electrical signals indicative of a force imposed on the load cell. Electrical signals generated by the load cell indicative of the force exerted on the load cell can be used to measure the fluid container attached to the load cell linkage member.

A fluid container measurement system is disclosed. The fluid container measurement system is configured to suspend a load measurement assembly a distance above a support surface. The load measurement assembly houses a load cell and a measurement control circuit. The measurement control circuit is coupled to the load cell and configured to receive electrical signals indicative of a force imposed on the load cell. Electrical signals generated by the load cell indicative of the force exerted on the load cell can be used to measure the fluid container attached to the load cell linkage member.

A method and apparatus to monitor the weight of a silo or tank is disclosed. The system is adapted to be attached to a leg of the silo and comprises a load cell, a support member anchored to the ground and a lifting device attached to the load cell and to the support member. The load cell comprises two extremities that are attached to the silo leg and comprises an aperture there between. The aperture is preferably threaded to receive the lifting device, such as a bolt. The bolt is rotated using a tool as to induce a movement of the load cell along the axis of the bolt thereby lifting the load cell and the attached silo leg. Strain gauges are attached to the load cell to measure the variation in an electric or optical signal that is translated in human readable data using a monitoring device.

A method and apparatus to monitor the weight of a silo or tank is disclosed. The system is adapted to be attached to a leg of the silo and comprises a load cell, a support member anchored to the ground and a lifting device attached to the load cell and to the support member. The load cell comprises two extremities that are attached to the silo leg and comprises an aperture there between. The aperture is preferably threaded to receive the lifting device, such as a bolt. The bolt is rotated using a tool as to induce a movement of the load cell along the axis of the bolt thereby lifting the load cell and the attached silo leg. Strain gauges are attached to the load cell to measure the variation in an electric or optical signal that is translated in human readable data using a monitoring device.

Sensors at an inventory location can be used to detect the occurrence of an event at the inventory location. For example, capacitive sensors can gather capacitance values, which can then be analyzed for changes that indicate an event has occurred at the inventory location. When an event has been detected, event data is generated and used as a possible trigger to collect additional sensor data. As an example, if an event involving items at an inventory location is detected, such an action can trigger the collection and analysis of additional sensor data, such as weight sensor data, to determine a quantity of the items added or removed from the inventory location.

Systems and methods related to multiple degree of freedom force sensors are disclosed. One aspect of the disclosure provides a load sensor. The load sensor comprises a first plate and a second plate, a plurality of single-axis load cells including first, second, and third single-axis load cells, wherein each of the first, second, and third single-axis load cells is disposed between the first plate and the second plate and is oriented along a first axis, and a plurality of constraint joints coupled to the first plate and the second plate, the plurality of constraint joints configured to inhibit translation of the first plate relative to the second plate in directions perpendicular to the first axis and configured to inhibit rotation of the first plate relative to the second plate about the first axis.

A load detector includes a housing having a height direction, and a load sensor provided within the housing. The load detector further includes a base platform, an elastic beam and an elastic member, the base being floatingly supported on the housing by the elastic beam, and the elastic member being provided on the base platform for receiving a load force. With the load force is applied to the elastic member, the elastic beam and the elastic member are simultaneously elastically deformed in the height direction, and the load force is transmitted to the load sensor via the base platform. The base platform is floatingly supported on the housing by the elastic beam, so that a high sensitivity of the load sensor may be enabled and the load sensor may be prevented from damage caused by excessive load.

A weight measuring device includes a top layer including a plurality of first flats and at least one bi-stable spring band. The plurality of first flats are connected to each other via the at least one bi-stable spring band. The weight measuring device further includes a bottom layer including a plurality second flats connected the plurality of first flats. The weight measuring device further includes at least one force sensor interposed between the top layer and the bottom layer. The weight measuring device further includes a processor configured to determine a weight of an object placed on the top layer or the bottom layer based on signals generated from the at least one force sensor.

A weight measuring device includes a top layer including a plurality of first flats and at least one bi-stable spring band. The plurality of first flats are connected to each other via the at least one bi-stable spring band. The weight measuring device further includes a bottom layer including a plurality second flats connected the plurality of first flats. The weight measuring device further includes at least one force sensor interposed between the top layer and the bottom layer. The weight measuring device further includes a processor configured to determine a weight of an object placed on the top layer or the bottom layer based on signals generated from the at least one force sensor.