NONGRAVIMETRIC MASS DETERMINATION SYSTEM

• US 3,555,886 A
• Filed: 05/20/1968
• Issued: 01/19/1971
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/1968
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: William E. Thornton
• Original Assignee: William E. Thornton
• Inventors: Thornton, William E.
• Application Number:
  US04/730,461
• Time in Patent Office: 974 Days
• US Class Current: 73/580
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 3/16 measuring variations of frequency of oscillations of the body

Abstract

A NON-GRAVIMETRIC MASS MEASUREMENT SYSTEM HAVING A SUPPORT STRUCTURE FOR HOLDING A MASS TO BE "WEIGHTED" ATTACHED TO AN OSCILLATING SPRING ASSEMBLY. A DEVICE FOR INDICATING PRECISELY WHEN THE OSCILLATING MASS CROSSES POINT OF ZERO DISPLACEMENT PRODUCES A SIGNAL WHICH IS SENT TO A COUNTER FOR DETERMINING THE TIME PERIOD. A SUBSTANTIALLY FRICTIONLESS AIR BEARING SERVES TO RESTRAIN THE MOTION OF THE OSCILLATING MASS TO A SINGLE AXIS UNDER ZERO GRAVITY CONDITIONS IN SPACE WHILE SERVING TO SUPPORT THE WEIGHT ON EARTH.

Claims