Abstract:
Force measuring apparatus of the type including a mechanical oscillator, such as a string, that vibrates under load to produce a signal voltage the frequency of which is a function of the force to be measured. The invention is characterized in that following multiplication of the signal frequency, the signal is fed to multi-stage counter means for selected long or short periods of time corresponding with the desired sensitivity of measurement. The duration of the period of connection is controlled by a gate timing switch which is operable simultaneously with a stage selection switch associated with the counter, whereby when the connection periods are alternately long and short, the signal to be counted is fed to lower and upper counter stages, respectively. The gate tuning switch is operable alternately by a reference signal supplied from a mechanical oscillator, such as a crystal, or a reference string contained in the same housing as the measuring string.
Abstract:
Force or length measuring apparatus including a movable membersuch as a pan carrier-movably connected with a housing, and a measuring member-such as an oscillating string element or a traction spring-connected between said housing and said movable member for measuring the movement of said movable member, characterized by the provision of temperature compensation means including at least one pair of cooperating permanent magnets for applying to at least one of said movable and measuring members a biasing force of a magnitude and direction to compensate for temperature-responsive variations in a physical property of the measuring member, thereby to reduce the influence of variations in temperature on the resulting measurement.