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Differential force balance apparatus

  • US 5,009,111 A
  • Filed: 08/31/1988
  • Issued: 04/23/1991
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/31/1988
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
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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