Pressure equalizing load cell system

Claim 1

A load cell assembly comprising: an elongated load cell mounted within a fluid environment and having a force-sensing portion intermediate the ends thereof; enclosure means on said load cell spaced from and surrounding said force-sensing portion for forming a sealed enclosure therearound and containing a non-corrosive fluid therein; said enclosure means including at least one flexible diaphragm sealingly secured to said load cell for allowing slight relative movement between the ends of said load cell; and pressure equalizing means in fluid communication with such environment and the interior of said enclosure means for equalizing the pressure on each side of said diaphragm and for preventing the fluid of such environment from entering said enclosure means; said pressure equalizing means including an elongated chamber having a piston slidable therein forming within said elongated chamber two variable volume fluid chamber portions, a first pressure line communicating said non-corrosive fluid between said enclosure means and one of said chamber portions, a second pressure line communicating the fluid of such environment with the other of said chamber portions.