A balance (1) has a weighing pan (3) that is held in a predetermined free-floating and constant position relative to translatory and rotary displacements in the six degrees of freedom during use. At least six position sensors are used to measure the position of the weighing pan in all three dimensions. A weighing mechanism having at least six electromagnetic mechanisms (5) generate compensation forces (F.sub.c1-F.sub.c6) that act on the weighing pan by sending currents through a force coil (7) associated with an associated permanent magnet. The weight of an object on the weighing pan is determined from the amounts of current flowing in the respective force coils to maintain the weighing pan in position.

A balance (1) has a weighing pan (3) that is held in a predetermined free-floating and constant position relative to translatory and rotary displacements in the six degrees of freedom during use. At least six position sensors are used to measure the position of the weighing pan in all three dimensions. A weighing mechanism having at least six electromagnetic mechanisms (5) generate compensation forces (F.sub.c1-F.sub.c6) that act on the weighing pan by sending currents through a force coil (7) associated with an associated permanent magnet. The weight of an object on the weighing pan is determined from the amounts of current flowing in the respective force coils to maintain the weighing pan in position.

An animal monitor comprising a microcontroller; at least one three-axis accelerometer; an energy source; a charger; and a communications system, including a wireless transmitter and receiver.

A force exerted by a load is determined in a force-measuring device (1) operating under electromagnetic force compensation. The device includes a measurement transducer (18, 118) with a coil (20, 120) movably immersed in a magnet system (19, 119) and a force-transmitting mechanical connection between a load-receiving part (12, 112) and the coil or magnet system. A position sensor (21, 28), also part of the device, determines a displacement of the coil from its settling position relative to the magnet system (19, 119) which occurs when the load is placed on the load-receiving part. An electrical current (24) flowing through the coil generates an electromagnetic force between the coil and the magnet system whereby the coil and the load-receiving part are returned to, and/or held at, the settling position. The magnitude of current and the amount of displacement are used to determine the weight force exerted by the load.

A force exerted by a load is determined in a force-measuring device (1) operating under electromagnetic force compensation. The device includes a measurement transducer (18, 118) with a coil (20, 120) movably immersed in a magnet system (19, 119) and a force-transmitting mechanical connection between a load-receiving part (12, 112) and the coil or magnet system. A position sensor (21, 28), also part of the device, determines a displacement of the coil from its settling position relative to the magnet system (19, 119) which occurs when the load is placed on the load-receiving part. An electrical current (24) flowing through the coil generates an electromagnetic force between the coil and the magnet system whereby the coil and the load-receiving part are returned to, and/or held at, the settling position. The magnitude of current and the amount of displacement are used to determine the weight force exerted by the load.

A magnetic bearing assembly (20) comprises a first magnet assembly (34) for generating a first quadrupole magnetic field in a first plane and a second magnet assembly (36) for generating a second quadrupole magnetic field in a second plane. The second plane is arranged parallel to the first plane. The quadrupole magnetic fields exhibit in each case in the planes magnetic field axes arranged at an angle to one another between four poles. A longitudinal axis (A) is defined at right angles hereto by the centres of the quadrupole magnetic fields. At least one diamagnetic element (44) is arranged on the longitudinal axis (A). The first and second magnet assemblies (34, 36) are arranged relative to one another in such a way that the first and the second quadrupole magnetic fields are rotated towards one another about the longitudinal axis (A) by an angular amount which is not a whole-number multiple of 90. Such a bearing arrangement can be used in particular in a magnetic levitation assembly (10) with a lifting assembly (26).

A magnetic bearing assembly (20) comprises a first magnet assembly (34) for generating a first quadrupole magnetic field in a first plane and a second magnet assembly (36) for generating a second quadrupole magnetic field in a second plane. The second plane is arranged parallel to the first plane. The quadrupole magnetic fields exhibit in each case in the planes magnetic field axes arranged at an angle to one another between four poles. A longitudinal axis (A) is defined at right angles hereto by the centres of the quadrupole magnetic fields. At least one diamagnetic element (44) is arranged on the longitudinal axis (A). The first and second magnet assemblies (34, 36) are arranged relative to one another in such a way that the first and the second quadrupole magnetic fields are rotated towards one another about the longitudinal axis (A) by an angular amount which is not a whole-number multiple of 90. Such a bearing arrangement can be used in particular in a magnetic levitation assembly (10) with a lifting assembly (26).

An animal monitor comprising a microcontroller; at least one three-axis accelerometer, an energy source; a charger and a communications system, including a wireless transmitter and receiver.

A force-measuring device (1) with a parallelogram linkage has a measurement transducer coupled to it. A coil (25) of the transducer has guided mobility in a magnet system (27) and can carry an electric current (24). A position sensor (21) detects the deflection of the coil (25) from a balanced position relative to the magnet system when a load is placed on the force-measuring device. The electric current (24) flowing through the coil (25), by way of the interaction between the coil and the magnet system, returns the coil and the movable parallel leg to the balanced position. A system-characterizing means (29) is established in a processor unit (26). The system-characterizing means and an unchangeable system reference means (30) are compared to determine the functionality of the device. The functionality is verified by the magnitudes of the electric current and the deflection of the coil from its balanced position.

A force-measuring device (1) with a parallelogram linkage has a measurement transducer coupled to it. A coil (25) of the transducer has guided mobility in a magnet system (27) and can carry an electric current (24). A position sensor (21) detects the deflection of the coil (25) from a balanced position relative to the magnet system when a load is placed on the force-measuring device. The electric current (24) flowing through the coil (25), by way of the interaction between the coil and the magnet system, returns the coil and the movable parallel leg to the balanced position. A system-characterizing means (29) is established in a processor unit (26). The system-characterizing means and an unchangeable system reference means (30) are compared to determine the functionality of the device. The functionality is verified by the magnitudes of the electric current and the deflection of the coil from its balanced position.