A weighing scale for measuring the weight of an object is disclosed. The weighing scale includes a base portion, a platform extending along a plane above the base portion to support the object, and at least one peg extending below the platform along an axis that is adjustable from a first position perpendicular to the plane to a second position not perpendicular to the plane.

A system includes a span block configured to couple with an extension from a top drive at a first end of the span block and configured to couple to a tubular at a second end of the span block. The system also includes a sensor block of the span block. The sensor block extends between the first end and the second end of the span block. Moreover, the sensor block is configured to provide an electronic indication of deformation of a portion of the sensor block in response to forces placed on the span block.

A silo content monitoring system (100) for a silo (102) fitted with a rotatable discharge auger (114, 118). The system has a strain gauge (150) affixed to at least one of the support struts (124) supporting the silo shell (104) above the ground. The strain gauge output (1500) is proportional to the compressive strain in the said silo strut (124), and is used to obtain an estimate of the silo's weight, and hence the weight of the silo's content, by subtracting a tare value. The system also has a motion sensor (152), which detects rotation of the discharge auger (118). A central processor of the system calculates: during a night time interval, an overnight silo content weight measurement (1502) based on the strain gauge (150) readings; and during a daytime interval, an estimated dispensed weight by subtracting a certain weight for each rotation or part-rotation of the auger (118). By doing this, the system (100) is able to display, on a read-out device (158), a dead reckoning silo content weight estimate (174), which is the overnight silo content weight measurement, minus the estimated dispensed weight since the last overnight silo content weight measurement.

A method for producing a force sensor is a method for producing a force sensor that includes a plate-shaped member (base material) and a strain gauge made of a conductor film, the method including: a first step (see (c)) of forming a conductor layer on one of main surfaces of the plate-shaped member (base material) via a dielectric layer; and a second step (see (d)) of processing the conductor film into the strain gauges by a semiconductor transfer production method.

A bushing for a load cell that reduces assembly height and measurement error and enables tool-less insertion and removal to a mount hole of a load cell and to connect with a load bearing surface of a weight system is described herein. The bushing may include a first end having a tapered surface for inserting into a mounting hole of a load plate. The bushing also includes a second end and a middle portion. The middle portion has a diameter less than the first end and the second end. The bushing defines an internal passageway with fins arranged along the inside thereof. The fins are disposed at an angle with respect to a radius of the internal passageway. The fins may interface with a pin to couple to a load bearing plate of a weight sensor system.

A silo content monitoring system (100) for a silo (102) fitted with a rotatable discharge auger (114, 118). The system has a strain gauge (150) affixed to at least one of the support struts (124) supporting the silo shell (104) above the ground. The strain gauge output (1500) is proportional to the compressive strain in the said silo strut (124), and is used to obtain an estimate of the silo's weight, and hence the weight of the silo's content, by subtracting a tare value. The system also has a motion sensor (152), which detects rotation of the discharge auger (118). A central processor of the system calculates: during a night time interval, an overnight silo content weight measurement (1502) based on the strain gauge (150) readings; and during a daytime interval, an estimated dispensed weight by subtracting a certain weight for each rotation or part-rotation of the auger (118). By doing this, the system (100) is able to display, on a read-out device (158), a dead reckoning silo content weight estimate (174), which is the overnight silo content weight measurement, minus the estimated dispensed weight since the last overnight silo content weight measurement.