Method and system for weighting material storage units based on current output from one or more load sensors
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A weighing assembly comprising:
- a base plate;
a first bearing plate coupled to the base plate and a second bearing plate coupled to the base plate;
a first load sensor coupled to the first bearing plate and a second load sensor coupled to the second bearing plate; and
a mounting block;
wherein there is a gap between a portion of the first load sensor and a portion of the first bearing plate;
wherein there is a gap between a portion of the second load sensor and a portion of the second bearing plate;
wherein a first portion of the mounting block is coupled to the first load sensor;
wherein a second portion of the mounting block is coupled to the second load sensor;
wherein the first load sensor includes a first electrical connector and a second electrical connector;
wherein the second load sensor includes a first electrical connector and a second electrical connector;
wherein the first electrical connector of the first load sensor is connected to the first electrical connector of the second load sensor;
wherein current flows from the first electrical connector of the second load sensor to the first electrical connector of the first load sensor;
wherein the second electrical connector of the first load sensor is connected to a power supply; and
wherein a sum of currents output from the first load sensor and the second load sensor flows through the second electrical connector of the first load sensor; and
wherein the sum of currents indicates amount of force applied to the mounting block.
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Abstract
Methods and systems for accurate measurement of forces to determine the amount of materials in a container are disclosed. A weighing assembly is disclosed which includes a base plate, a plurality of bearing plates coupled to the base plate and a plurality of load sensors. Each of the plurality of load sensors is coupled to one of the plurality of bearing plates. A mounting block is symmetrically supported by the plurality of load sensors and a current measurement device measures a sum of currents output from the plurality of load sensors.
120 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A weighing assembly comprising:
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a base plate; a first bearing plate coupled to the base plate and a second bearing plate coupled to the base plate; a first load sensor coupled to the first bearing plate and a second load sensor coupled to the second bearing plate; and a mounting block; wherein there is a gap between a portion of the first load sensor and a portion of the first bearing plate; wherein there is a gap between a portion of the second load sensor and a portion of the second bearing plate; wherein a first portion of the mounting block is coupled to the first load sensor; wherein a second portion of the mounting block is coupled to the second load sensor; wherein the first load sensor includes a first electrical connector and a second electrical connector; wherein the second load sensor includes a first electrical connector and a second electrical connector; wherein the first electrical connector of the first load sensor is connected to the first electrical connector of the second load sensor; wherein current flows from the first electrical connector of the second load sensor to the first electrical connector of the first load sensor; wherein the second electrical connector of the first load sensor is connected to a power supply; and wherein a sum of currents output from the first load sensor and the second load sensor flows through the second electrical connector of the first load sensor; and wherein the sum of currents indicates amount of force applied to the mounting block. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of weighing a container comprising:
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providing a container having a plurality of standing legs; providing a plurality of weighing assemblies, each of the plurality of weighing assemblies comprising; a base plate; a first bearing plate coupled to the base plate and a second bearing plate coupled to the base plate; a first load sensor having a first electrical connector and a second electrical connector coupled to the first bearing plate and a second load sensor having a first electrical connector and a second electrical connector coupled to the second bearing plate; a mounting block resting on the first load sensor and the second load sensor; wherein current flows from the first electrical connector of the second load sensor to the first electrical connector of the first load sensor, wherein the second electrical connector of the first load sensor is connected to a power supply, and wherein a sum of current outputs from the first load sensor and the second load sensor flows through the second electrical connector of the first load sensor, and wherein the sum of current outputs indicates amount of force applied to the mounting block; coupling each of the plurality of standing legs to the mounting block of one of the plurality of weighing assemblies; determining the weight of the container by summing the amount of force applied to the mounting block of each of the plurality of weighing assemblies. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A weighing assembly comprising:
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a base plate; a plurality of bearing plates coupled to the base plate; a plurality of load sensors; wherein each of the plurality of load sensors is coupled to one of the plurality of bearing plates; wherein each of the plurality of load sensors comprises a first electrical connector and a second electrical connector; wherein current flows from the first electrical connector of a second one of the plurality of load sensors to the first electrical connector of a first one of the plurality of load sensors; a mounting block symmetrically supported by the plurality of load sensors; and a current measurement device for measuring a sum of currents output from the plurality of load sensors. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification