US3661221A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Weighing apparatus
Assignee: Smiths Group PLC
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Filing: 1970-07-15
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Granted: 1972-05-09
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Expires: 1990-07-15
Abstract
Abstract Weighing apparatus incorporated in a vehicle to be responsive to the load on the vehicle''s axle(s) and to be used when the vehicle is in motion, which comprises mechanical low pass filtering means to attenuate sudden variations of the relative displacement between the vehicle''s load carrying structure and axle(s) at least when the moving vehicle is heavily laden so that only the average value of this varying relative displacement is utilized in giving an indication of the load carried by said structure. The mechanical low pass filtering means comprises high rate spring means and mechanical damping means that have two closely spaced generally concentric cylindrical surfaces defining an annular gap which contains a silicone substance in fluid or compound form.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward George Barrett
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 11:22
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01G; G01G19/00; G01G19/08; G01G3/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
233 words
For weighing apparatus to be incorporated in a vehicle having an axle structure, ground engaging wheels mounted on said axle structure, springs acting on said axle structure, and a load carrying structure supported by said springs for relative movement with respect to ground, and to be utilized when the vehicle is in motion, a transducer mechanism and means for mounting said transducer mechanism to one of said structures in vertical association with said axle structure; wherein said transducer mechanism comprises: a. an input member, b. means mounting said input member for angular movement, c. an operating member to angularly move said input member at least when said relative movement exceeds a predetermined value, d. a rotation member having a first cylindrical surface and an outer surface, e. high rate spring means interconnecting said input member and said rotation member and to transmit angular movement of said input member to said rotation member, f. a support member for said rotation member and having a second cylindrical surface generally concentric with and slightly radially spaced from said first cylindrical surface to provide an annular gap there-between, g. a silicone substance in said annular gap to damp relative movement between said rotation member and said support member, h. an electrical resistance element coiled about said outer surface, i. a contact element, and j. means mounting said contact element for wiping engagement of said electrical resistance element.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
233 words
For weighing apparatus to be incorporated in a vehicle having an axle structure, ground engaging wheels mounted on said axle structure, springs acting on said axle structure, and a load carrying structure supported by said springs for relative movement with respect to ground, and to be utilized when the vehicle is in motion, a transducer mechanism and means for mounting said transducer mechanism to one of said structures in vertical association with said axle structure; wherein said transducer mechanism comprises: a. an input member, b. means mounting said input member for angular movement, c. an operating member to angularly move said input member at least when said relative movement exceeds a predetermined value, d. a rotation member having a first cylindrical surface and an outer surface, e. high rate spring means interconnecting said input member and said rotation member and to transmit angular movement of said input member to said rotation member, f. a support member for said rotation member and having a second cylindrical surface generally concentric with and slightly radially spaced from said first cylindrical surface to provide an annular gap there-between, g. a silicone substance in said annular gap to damp relative movement between said rotation member and said support member, h. an electrical resistance element coiled about said outer surface, i. a contact element, and j. means mounting said contact element for wiping engagement of said electrical resistance element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
A transducer mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said silicone substance is a silicone compound.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A transducer mechanism according to claim 1, herein said high rate spring means comprises a spiral spring.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A transducer mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said high rate spring means comprises a flat strip torsion spring.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
67 words
A transducer mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said outer surface is generally cylindrical and is provided externally with a rib that follows a helical path of small helix angle about an axis of the generally cylindrical outer surface; and wherein said contact element comprises an elongate portion extending longitudinally of said generally cylindrical outer surface in wiping contact with said electrical resistance element above said rib.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
A transducer mechanism according to claim 5, wherein said small helix angle is of the order of 20* of arc.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
A transducer mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said rotation member comprises a generally annular wall having an internal surface and an external surface, said external surface constituting the aforesaid outer surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
A transducer mechanism according to claim 7, wherein said internal surface constitutes the aforesaid first cylindrical surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
86 words
A transducer mechanism according to claim 7, wherein said rotation member comprises another generally annular wall disposed concentrically within and in radially spaced relation to the first-mentioned annular wall and having an external surface facing the internal surface of the first-mentioned annular wall; and wherein said support member comprises an annular wall having an external surface and an internal surface that constitutes the aforesaid second cylindrical surface, said annular wall of the support member being disposed generally concentrically between the annular walls of said rotation member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
202 words
For weighing apparatus to be incorporated in a vehicle having an axle structure, ground engaging wheels mounted on said axle structure, springs acting on said axle structure, and a load-carrying structure supported by said springs for relative movement with respect to ground, and to be utilized when the vehicle is in motion, an electrical transducer to respond to movement between said two structures in accordance with weight imposed on said load-carrying structure, comprising a first member having an outwardly-facing cylindrical surface; a second member having an inwardly-facing cylindrical surface of larger diameter than said outwardly-facing cylindrical surface; means for coupling the two members to the said two structures respectively for angular displacement relative to one another in accordance with said movement, said coupling means including means mounting the two members with the said surfaces co-axial with one another to define an annular gap between the two members; damping means comprising a viscous substance in said gap to damp said relative angular displacement between the two members; and an electrical pick-off for providing a measure of said weight, said pick-off being responsive to said relative angular displacement between the two members to provide an electrical signal in accordance with said relative angular displacement.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
202 words
For weighing apparatus to be incorporated in a vehicle having an axle structure, ground engaging wheels mounted on said axle structure, springs acting on said axle structure, and a load-carrying structure supported by said springs for relative movement with respect to ground, and to be utilized when the vehicle is in motion, an electrical transducer to respond to movement between said two structures in accordance with weight imposed on said load-carrying structure, comprising a first member having an outwardly-facing cylindrical surface; a second member having an inwardly-facing cylindrical surface of larger diameter than said outwardly-facing cylindrical surface; means for coupling the two members to the said two structures respectively for angular displacement relative to one another in accordance with said movement, said coupling means including means mounting the two members with the said surfaces co-axial with one another to define an annular gap between the two members; damping means comprising a viscous substance in said gap to damp said relative angular displacement between the two members; and an electrical pick-off for providing a measure of said weight, said pick-off being responsive to said relative angular displacement between the two members to provide an electrical signal in accordance with said relative angular displacement.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
92 words
An electrical transducer according to claim 10, wherein said electrical pick-off comprises a resistance element carried with one of said members, and a contact element for establishing electrical connection with a point of said resistance element, the particular point at which contact is made being dependent on the relative positions of said resistance and contact elements; and wherein there is provided means mounting said contact element with respect to the other of said members to make contact with said resistance element at a location whose position is dependent on said angular displacement.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-05-09 | 1975-11-08 | 1976-05-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-05-09 | 1979-11-08 | 1980-05-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-05-09 | 1983-11-08 | 1984-05-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |