Sensor for Metering by Weight Loss

• US 20090107734A1
• Filed: 10/31/2007
• Published: 04/30/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Incorporated (Halliburton Company)
• Original Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Incorporated (Halliburton Company)
• Inventors: Lucas, Bruce, McConnell, Rebecca, Crain, Stephen
• Granted Patent: US 7,858,888 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 177/25.110
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 1/243 having pans carried above the beam
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/021 having electrical weight-sensitive devices G01G19/04 - G01G19/07 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/12 having electrical weight-sensitive devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 23/002 Means for correcting for obliquity of mounting for pendulum-weight apparatus G01G1/16

Abstract

Systems and methods for transporting and/or sensing mass of industrially useful material to identify inventory, mass or volumetric delivery rates. A load measuring apparatus comprising a framework and at least one load sensors coupled to the framework is disclosed. The load sensor senses a load applied to the framework.

Claims

1. A load measuring apparatus comprising:

a weighing platform;

a first lever arm defined by a first end and a second end;

a second lever arm defined by a first end and a second end; and

a load sensor;

wherein the first ends of the first and the second lever arms are coupled to the weighing platform and the second ends of the first and the second lever arms are coupled to the load sensor.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a first support foot on the first lever arm and a second support foot on the second lever arm.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein a position of the first support foot on the first lever arm and a position of the second support foot on the second lever arm are adjustable.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a first pinned support on the first lever arm and a second pinned support on the second lever arm.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the position of the first pinned support on the first lever arm and the position of the second pinned support on the second lever arm are adjustable.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first lever arm and the second lever arm are coupled to the weighing platform through a pivotal connection.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the weighing platform, the first lever arm and the second lever arm form a single piece.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a distance from the first end of the first lever arm to the load sensor is substantially equal to a distance from the first end of the second lever arm to the load sensor.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the load measuring apparatus is coupled to a vehicle.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising one of a temperature sensor, an angle sensor, a fluid density sensor or a fluid level sensor coupled to one of the weighing platform, the first lever arm or the second lever arm.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the load sensor is an electronic load cell.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a locking mechanism coupled to the load sensor, wherein the locking mechanism isolates the load sensor from the first lever arm and the second lever arm.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a computer system for analyzing data obtained from the load sensor.

14. A load measuring apparatus comprising:

a weighing platform hinged at a first end;

a load sensor coupled to the weighing platform; and

a support foot coupled to the load sensor;

wherein the load sensor senses a load applied to the weighing platform.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a lifting device coupled to the weighing platform, wherein the lifting device protects the load sensor from shock loads.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the load measuring apparatus rests on a roading foot when lifted by the lifting device.

17. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the load sensor is positioned at a second end of the weighing platform.

18. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the load sensor is an electronic load cell.

19. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the weighing platform is a tanker trailer.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the hinge comprises one of a tanker trailer axle or a truck fifth wheel.

21. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the load sensor is installed at one of a truck fifth wheel or a tanker trailer axle.

22. A load measuring apparatus comprising:

a framework;

at least one load sensors coupled to the framework;

wherein the load sensor senses a load applied to the framework.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the load sensor is an electronic load bar.

24. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the framework is a tanker trailer.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the load sensor is installed in one of a tanker trailer axle or a truck fifth wheel.

26. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the load sensor is a load pin.

27. A method of measuring a load comprising:

coupling a weighing platform at a first end to a first torque sensor;

providing support to a first side of the weighing platform;

applying a load to a second side of the weighing platform; and

using the first torque sensor reading to determine a value of the load applied to the weighing platform.

28. The method of claim 27, further comprising:

coupling the weighing platform at a second end to a second torque sensor;

coupling a first lever arm to the first torque sensor;

coupling a second lever arm to the second torque sensor;

providing support to the first lever arm and the second lever arm; and

determining a value of the load applied to the weighing platform from a sum of the torque sensed by the first torque sensor and the torque sensed by the second torque sensor.