Differential force balance apparatus
First Claim
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1. A force balance apparatus comprising:
- a first test mass including a first electrically conductive means for conducting an electrical current;
second electrically conductive means for conducting an electrical current spaced apart from and in close proximity to said first electrically conductive means;
first current means for providing an electrical current between said first and second electrically conductive means by way of non-contact electron transfer mechanism;
first maintaining means cooperative with said first current providing means for maintaining said first electrically conductive means a constant distance from said second electrically conductive means, said first maintaining means having a measurable voltage when maintaining the constant distance between said first and second electrically conductive means;
a second test mass including a third electrically conductive means for conducting an electrical current;
a fourth electrically conductive means for conducting an electrical current spaced apart from and in close proximity to said third electrically conductive means;
second current means for providing an electrical current between said third and fourth electrically conductive means by way of non-contact electron transfer mechanisms;
second maintaining means cooperative with said second current providing means for maintaining said third electrically conductive means a constant distance from said fourth electrically conductive means, said second maintaining means having a measurable electrical voltage when maintaining the constant distance between said third and fourth electrically conductive means; and
means for differentially measuring the voltages of said first and second maintaining means.
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Abstract
A force measurement apparatus that provides means to compensate for thermal or other disturbances. The apparatus utilizes non-contact electron transfer mechanisms to provide indications of force sensed on a test mass. A plurality of electrodes are used in a differential measurement mode to provide self-zeroing and distortion compensation.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A force balance apparatus comprising:
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a first test mass including a first electrically conductive means for conducting an electrical current; second electrically conductive means for conducting an electrical current spaced apart from and in close proximity to said first electrically conductive means; first current means for providing an electrical current between said first and second electrically conductive means by way of non-contact electron transfer mechanism; first maintaining means cooperative with said first current providing means for maintaining said first electrically conductive means a constant distance from said second electrically conductive means, said first maintaining means having a measurable voltage when maintaining the constant distance between said first and second electrically conductive means; a second test mass including a third electrically conductive means for conducting an electrical current; a fourth electrically conductive means for conducting an electrical current spaced apart from and in close proximity to said third electrically conductive means; second current means for providing an electrical current between said third and fourth electrically conductive means by way of non-contact electron transfer mechanisms; second maintaining means cooperative with said second current providing means for maintaining said third electrically conductive means a constant distance from said fourth electrically conductive means, said second maintaining means having a measurable electrical voltage when maintaining the constant distance between said third and fourth electrically conductive means; and means for differentially measuring the voltages of said first and second maintaining means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A force measurement apparatus which comprises:
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a first element incorporating a first electrode; a second electrode in a spaced-apart relationship to said first electrode; means for causing a current to exist between said first and second electrodes by non-contact electron transfer mechanisms; first distance maintenance means for maintaining the distance between said first and second electrodes at a constant value, said first maintenance means having a measurable electrical property when maintaining the distance at the constant value; a second element incorporating a third electrode; a fourth electrode in spaced apart relationship to said third electrode; means for causing a current to exist between said third and fourth electrodes by non-contract electron transfer mechanisms; second distance maintenance means for maintaining the distance between said third and fourth electrodes at a constant value, said second maintenance means having a measurable electrical property when maintaining the distance at the constant value; and means for measuring the electric properties of said first and second distance maintenance means. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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15. A force balance apparatus comprising:
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a first elastically-suspended member having a first electrically conductive means; a reference member having first and second surfaces that are substantially parallel to each other; a second electrically conductive means located on said first surface of said reference member that is spaced apart and in close proximity to sai first conductive means, said first elastically-suspended member being suspended relative to said reference member to cause movement of said first conductive means relative to said second conductive means when said first elastically-suspended member is subjected to a force; first current providing means for providing a current flow between said first and second conductive means by way of noncontact electron transfer mechanisms; first maintaining means operatively linked with said first current providing means for maintaining said first conductive means a constant distance from said second conductive means, said first maintaining means including electrical means having a measurable electrical property when said first maintaining means operates; a second elastically-suspended member having a third electrically conductive means; a fourth electrically conductive means located on said second surface of said reference member that is spaced apart and in close proximity to said third conductive means, said second elastically-suspended member being suspended relative to said reference member to cause movement of said third conductive means relative to said fourth conductive means when said second elastically-suspended member is subjected to a force; second current providing means for providing a current flow between said third and fourth conductive means by way of noncontact electron transfer mechanisms; second maintaining means operatively linked with said second current providing means for maintaining said third conductive means a constant distance from said fourth conductive means, said second maintaining means including electrical means having a measurable electrical property when said second maintaining means operates; and means for differentially measuring the electrical properties of said first and second maintaining means. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification