Abstract:
A force transmitting device for automotive vehicle use has a piston movable under force such as weight appearing between two vehicle parts. A plastic deformable body within the piston communicates with a rod biased by an adjustable spring to transmit movement as a function of the force. Coupled to the rod is a valve which controls a supply of compressed air for example, that can be released whenever the vehicle load exceeds a predetermined value.
Abstract:
Means indicating displacement of a coil spring comprises a flexible tube having one closed end and partially filled with a liquid forming a meniscus in the tube. The liquid-containing portion of the tube is coiled between adjacent convolutions of the spring and in an abutting relationship therewith. A scale means is provided adjacent to the meniscus in said tube for determining change in position of the meniscus as the spring is compressed or extended.
Abstract:
A SUBMERSIBLE HAVING AN EXTERNALLY MOUNTED HYDRAULIC SYSTEM IS PROVIDED WITH A DIFFERENTIAL PRESSURE TRANSDUCER CONNECTED BETWEEN THE SUPPLY AND RETURN LINES WHICH ARTICULATE A REMOTELY DISPOSED CLAW. THE TRANSDUCER IS RESPONSIVE TO PRODUCE A SIGNAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE PRESSURE DIFFERENTIAL BETWEEN THE INTERNAL PRESSURES IN THE LINES. THIS SIGNAL IS FED THROUGH THE PRESSURE HULL OF THE SUBMERSIBLE TO AN INTERNALLY CARRIED METER TO ENABLE THE DETERMINATION OF THE CLAW''S
GRIPPING FORCE. ALTHOUGH THE METER ACTUALLY "READS" DIFFERENTIAL PRESSURE, IT IS CALIBRATED IN UNITS OF GRIP FORCE, IN THIS CASE, POUNDS (OF FORCE). THIS IS POSSIBLE BECAUSE THE DIFFERENTIAL PRESSURE IS PROPORTIONAL TO THE CLAW GRIP FORCE. BEING THUSLY ARRANGED, THE SENSING OR READOUT DEVICES ARE REMOVED FROM THE NEAR PROXIMITY OF THE CLAW AND ARE LESS VULNERABLE TO DAMAGE.
Abstract:
A LOAD TO BE MEASURED TENDS TO DEFLECT, CRUSH OR WARP A RING TYPE OF TRANSDUCER. HOWEVER, A SENSOR DETECTS THE SLIGHTEST DEFLECTION OR WARPING OF THE RING AND ACTUATES APPARATUS TO RESTORE THE RING SO THAT THE NET RESULT IS SUBSTANTIALLY ZERO DEFLECTION OF THE TRANSDUCER RING. THE FORCE REQUIRED OF THE APPARATUS, TO HOLD THE TRANSDUCER RING OR TO RESTORE THE RING TO ZERO DEFLECTION, IS PROPORTIONAL TO THE FORCE APPLIED TO THE RING. BY MEASURING THIS FORCE, BY A HYDRAULIC PRESSURE GAGE, FOR EXAMPLE, THE MAGNITUDE OF THE LOAD TO BE MEASURED CAN BE ASCERTAINED. IN SIMPLE TERMS, A "HEAVY DUTY" YET VERY SENSITIVE SCALE IS PROVIDED TO INDICATE LIGHT OR HEAVY WEIGHT OR FORCE. NEVERTHELESS, THE SENSING ELEMENT INCURS SUBSTANTIALLY ZERO DEFLECTION. AND, THIS IS TRUE EVEN WHEN COMPARATIVELY LIGHTWEIGHT AND INEXPENSIVE APPARATUS IS USED.