Patent · US Expired

Constrained linear motion inertial balance

US4838371A · kind A · utility

10Cited by
9References
21Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 22, 1988
Grant dateJun 13, 1989
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 22, 2008

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01G21/24
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A suspension system for an inertial balance constrains the weighing platform when oscillated to undergo uniform linear motion, thereby ensuring high measurement accuracy. The suspension system includes a supporting framework and a first plurality of elongate elastic support members for suspending the weighing platform from the supporting framework. The elongate support members are disposed in a common plane when the weighing platform is at rest and their inner ends intersect at a first common point to which the weighing platform is firmly linked. A second plurality of such elongate support members is similarly disposed in a second common plane parallel to but spaced from the first common plane. A stiff connecting rod joins the intersection points of the two pluralities and also serves to support the weighing platform and, in conjunction with a feedback system, serves to induce and maintain the weighing platform in oscillation at a resonant frequency dependent upon mass loading. The elongate support members preferably operate in a bending mode, are hollow, and are constructed of a material having a temperature independent Young's modulus over the operating temperature range of the i…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.