Patent US3800895A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3800895A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle weighing device with a balanced electrical bridge
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1972-06-19
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Granted: 1974-04-02
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Expires: 1992-06-19
Abstract
Abstract A weighing device particularly suited for vehicles, comprising strain gauges placed on a structural member of a vehicle, such as an axle of a truck in optimum orientation thereto, to compensate for certain inclinations of the vehicle when it is being weighed. The vehicle weighing device comprises strain gauges placed in a unique configuration on special mechanisms, and on the axles of a vehicle positioned laterally and angularly with respect to each other. The strain gauges are connected to and form a part of a constant current cross balanced bridge circuit which forms a portion of this invention. The circuit incorporates certain amplifiers analogous to operational amplifiers, and balancing techniques in a configuration creating a novel balanced bridge. Thus, this invention comprises a novel balanced bridge configuration and a novel weighing device and forms a new circuit and strain gauge combination, as well as mechanisms for optimum utilization of the gauges.
Inventors
- 👤 L Gale
- 👤 D Savage
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 13:52
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01G; G01G3/00; G01G3/12; G01G3/14; G01G3/1402; G01G3/1406; G01G19/00; G01G19/08; G01G19/12; G01G3/142
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
234 words
Apparatus for measuring the loading on an axle of a vehicle comprising: a. at least two strain gauges in displaced relationship along said axle; b. an electrical bridge circuit comprising four legs employing at least one of said strain gauges in a first leg in parallel relationship with a second of said strain gauges in a second leg; c. each of said legs having two ends; d. first ends of each of said legs containing strain gauges connected to each other and comprising a first common junction; e. the other two legs of said bridge comprising means for maintaining a constant current through the legs having said strain gauges, first ends of each of said other two legs connected to each other and comprising a second common junction; f. cross coupling circuit between the two legs comprising constant current means; g. voltage supply connected across the first and second common junctions; h. the second end of a first strain gauge leg and the second end of a first constant current means leg connected to each other and comprising a third common junction; i. the second end of a second strain gauge leg and the second end of a second constant current means leg connected to each other and comprising a fourth common junction; j. output means connected across said third and fourth common junctions to provide an indication of the weight in the vehicle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
234 words
Apparatus for measuring the loading on an axle of a vehicle comprising: a. at least two strain gauges in displaced relationship along said axle; b. an electrical bridge circuit comprising four legs employing at least one of said strain gauges in a first leg in parallel relationship with a second of said strain gauges in a second leg; c. each of said legs having two ends; d. first ends of each of said legs containing strain gauges connected to each other and comprising a first common junction; e. the other two legs of said bridge comprising means for maintaining a constant current through the legs having said strain gauges, first ends of each of said other two legs connected to each other and comprising a second common junction; f. cross coupling circuit between the two legs comprising constant current means; g. voltage supply connected across the first and second common junctions; h. the second end of a first strain gauge leg and the second end of a first constant current means leg connected to each other and comprising a third common junction; i. the second end of a second strain gauge leg and the second end of a second constant current means leg connected to each other and comprising a fourth common junction; j. output means connected across said third and fourth common junctions to provide an indication of the weight in the vehicle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising: an amplifier connected across said bridge between said strain gauges.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising: second and third amplifiers each connected to the constant current means to maintain the current through said strain gauges at a constant level.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein: said second and third amplifiers are operational amplifiers,
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein: the output of said first amplifier is connected to a D''ArSonval movement calibrated to read the load on said axle; and, said strain gauges are angularly disoriented with respect to each other around the axis of said axle.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-04-01 | 1977-10-01 | 1978-04-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-04-01 | 1981-10-01 | 1982-04-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-04-01 | 1985-10-01 | 1986-04-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |