G01G23/005

LOW-PROFILE LOAD CELL ASSEMBLY
20190301921 · 2019-10-03 ·

A load cell assembly, including an adapter adapted to receive a vertical load, and having loaded and unloaded dispositions; a load cell body including a spring element having a first cutout window defined by a top beam and a bottom beam, the window transversely disposed through the body, the spring element adapted such that responsive to a downward force exerted on a top face of the adapter, the beams assume a primary double-bending configuration; a strain-sensing gage, attached to the spring element, the strain-sensing gage for measuring strain in the spring element; and an at least two-dimensional flexural member having a second cutout window, the second cutout window being transversely disposed through the body; the adapter disposed in mechanical relation to the flexural member such that, in the loaded disposition of the adapter, the flexural member assumes a secondary, substantially double-bending configuration.

Multifunction livestock measurement station
10412935 · 2019-09-17 · ·

A multifunction livestock measurement system provides automatic hip location for animal height (hip height) assessment using a side-looking optical system. An automatic implementation identifies the hip through an analysis of the underside of the hindquarters of the animal. A manual version identifies the hip manually in a similar image. Automatic ear tag reading, weight measurement and animal temperature measurement can be integrated into the station.

HYDRAULIC SHOCK ABSORBER AND LABORATORY DEVICE
20190219440 · 2019-07-18 ·

A positioning foot having a hydraulic shock absorber with a fluid-filled hollow cylinder (210), in which a piston (220) that moves axially between an advanced, spring prestressed position and a retracted position. The piston separates a front axial fluid space (214) and a rear axial fluid space (215) from one another in the hollow cylinder. Both fluid spaces are connected to one another in a fluid exchanging fashion via at least one throttle opening (223) in the piston. The piston is rigidly connected to a piston rod (221), which passes through the front fluid space and abuts a fixed stop (218) in the retracted position, in which the volume of the rear axial fluid space is minimized and the volume of the front axial fluid space is maximized. The spring prestress is dimensioned so that the weight of the device body moves the piston dampingly into the retracted position.

ROLLER WITH INTEGRATED LOAD DETECTION

A sensorized roller of a bearing, the sensorized roller having a sensor module located within an axially extending hollow cylindrical bore. The sensor module is equipped with one or more deformation sensors for detecting deformation of the roller bore due to a radial load acting on the roller. The sensor module comprises a rigid housing that is shaped to fit inside the roller bore and is mounted to the roller bore with a small radial clearance between an outer cylindrical surface of the housing an inner cylindrical surface of the bore. Each of the one or more deformation sensors is formed by a proximity sensor that is accommodated at the outer cylindrical surface of the housing. A sensing element of the proximity sensor faces the inner cylindrical surface of the roller bore and measures a radial gap therebetween; the radial gap being indicative of bore deformation.

MONITORING SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING A VEHICLE MAINTENANCE CONDITION BASED ON WEIGHT
20190180528 · 2019-06-13 · ·

The invention is a monitoring system for determining a vehicle maintenance condition based on weight. The system includes a monitoring station, a weight determination system, a data input device configured to receive input data, and a processing device. The processing device includes a processor and non-volatile memory. The processor is configured to receive load ratings for a tow vehicle and tow equipment, receive maintenance requirements for the tow vehicle and the tow equipment, receive vehicle use requirements for the tow vehicle and the tow equipment, receive weight data from the weight determination system, and receive the input data from the data input device. Additionally, the processor is configured to determine at least one maintenance condition based on the load ratings, the weight data, and the input data. The processor is also configured to send the maintenance condition data to the monitoring system and communicate the maintenance condition to a user.

MONITORING SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING A VEHICLE SAFETY SETTING BASED ON WEIGHT
20190178701 · 2019-06-13 · ·

The invention is a monitoring system for determining a vehicle safety setting based on weight. The system includes a monitoring station, a weight determination system, a data input device configured to receive input data, and a processing device. The processing devices includes a processor and non-volatile memory. The processor is configured to receive load ratings for a tow vehicle and tow equipment, receive weight data from the weight determination system, and receive the input data from the data input device. The processor is also configured to determine at least one safety setting based on the load ratings, the weight data, and the input data, send the safety setting data to the monitoring system, and communicate the safety setting to a user.

AUXILIARY PAYMENT STATION IN THE FORM OF A SHOPPING TROLLEY
20190145816 · 2019-05-16 ·

An auxiliary payment station in the form of a shopping trolley with a scale fixed to its bottom, including elements of electronic equipment located in a casing mounted in the container, and visual elements of the electronic equipment fixed to a handle of the container. A loading inner container is located in an outer container, and a mounting plate of a carrying frame is fixed to a bottom of the scale, and an edge mounting plate of the carrying frame is fixed to a bottom of the outer container at its edge. The mounting plate of the carrying frame is fixed on a bar of the carrying frame extending through an opening in the bottom of the outer container.

Low-profile load cell assembly having flexural members with double-bending behavior

A load cell assembly, including an adapter adapted to receive a vertical load, and having loaded and unloaded dispositions; a load cell body including a spring element having a first cutout window defined by a top beam and a bottom beam, the window transversely disposed through the body, the spring element adapted such that responsive to a downward force exerted on a top face of the adapter, the beams assume a primary double-bending configuration; a strain-sensing gage, attached to the spring element, the strain-sensing gage for measuring strain in the spring element; and an at least two-dimensional flexural member having a second cutout window, the second cutout window being transversely disposed through the body; the adapter disposed in mechanical relation to the flexural member such that, in the loaded disposition of the adapter, the flexural member assumes a secondary, substantially double-bending configuration.

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR WEIGHING CONTENTS OF A STORAGE TANK
20190113383 · 2019-04-18 ·

The present disclosure relates to apparatuses and methods for weighing contents of a storage tank. One apparatus for weighing contents of a storage tank includes a load cell and a storage tank. The apparatus further includes a first plate removably attached to the storage tank. The apparatus additionally includes one or more compression springs disposed below and supporting the first plate. Still further, the apparatus includes a platform that includes a second plate, between the first plate and the storage tank, and one or more legs. The second plate engages the load cell. Each leg corresponds to one of the compression springs. Each leg extends from the second plate through a through-hole in the first plate and through a corresponding compression spring to a corresponding foot that supports the corresponding compression spring. The storage tank and the first plate are movable relative to the load cell and the platform.

Portafilter and grounds weighing platform system and methods of use
10240969 · 2019-03-26 · ·

A device with weighing capability (or scale feature) and also anvil capability (or tapping feature) allows accurate and precise filling of an espresso portafilter with coffee grounds for use in beverage preparation. Some versions switch between a protected mode for anvil use, and a weighing mode for accurate weighing of the portafilter and its grounds, by pivoting the entire load cell into and out of a protected location wherein tapping/shocks do not flex/strain the load cell free end. In other versions, one or more stop(s)/limit(s) are near the load cell free end or associated elements, and the free end/elements move during said tapping/shocks but only to the stop(s)/limit(s), corresponding to a safe amount of strain for the load cell. Also, this way, weighing the portafilter and its contents may continue between taps without switching to a separate protected mode.