Abstract:
A low profile, high capacity load cell suitable for use in connection with in motion weighing or other weighing scales and systems. Also disclosed are scales for use with the load cell, and systems for using the scales. The load cells are especially suited for use in high speed in-motion weighing.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS, IF ANY 
     This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/712,033, filed Oct. 10, 2012, which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     37 C.F.R. §1.71(E) AUTHORIZATION 
     A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the US Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable. 
     REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX, IF ANY  
     Not applicable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates, generally, to weighing systems, apparatus and methods. Particularly, the invention relates to elongated, low profile load cells used for example in a scale to weigh vehicles or other articles. The load cells are particularly well suited for use in strip-type scales, that weigh vehicles or articles while they are in motion, most particularly high speed motion of up to 80 miles per hour. 
     2. Background Information 
     Existing technology in this field is believed to have significant limitations and shortcomings. 
     All US patents and patent applications, and all other published documents mentioned anywhere in this application are incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
     The present invention provides load cell apparatus and methods which are practical, reliable, accurate and efficient, and which are believed to constitute an improvement over the background technology. 
     In one aspect, the invention provides a load cell having a low profile, strip configuration, comprising an elongated body having a longitudinal aspect and opposing first and second sides, a pair of legs disposed on the first side, and a rail disposed on the second side. 
     In another aspect, the invention provides a low profile, strip electronic load cell for use in in-motion weighing of vehicles or cargo passing over the scale, the load cell having an elongated, thin geometry with a length of between 20.0-78.7 inches (0.5-2.0 meters), a width approximately 2.0-6.0 inches (5.08-15.24 cm) and a height approximately 1.465 to 1.475 inches, comprising: (a) a body, the body having a rectangular shape with a longitudinal aspect, opposing top and bottom sides and opposing longitudinal edges, the body having a predetermined length, width and thickness; (b) a pair of legs formed unitarily with the body on the bottom side thereof, the legs being disposed proximate the opposing longitudinal edges of the body, the legs defining a central recess along the first side of the body between the legs, the legs further extending the length of the body, and (c) a rail formed unitarily with the body on the top side thereof, the rail being disposed centrally and longitudinally with respect to the body, the rail extending the length of the body. 
     In a further aspect, the invention provides a method of weighing vehicles or cargo moving over a surface while the vehicles or cargo are moving: (a) providing an electronic load cell having an elongated, thin, strip geometry, comprising: (i) a body, the body having a rectangular shape with a longitudinal aspect, opposing top and bottom sides and opposing longitudinal edges, the body having a predetermined length, width and thickness; (ii) a pair of legs formed unitarily with the body on the bottom side thereof, the legs being disposed proximate the opposing longitudinal edges of the body, the legs defining a central recess along the first side of the body between the legs, the legs further extending the length of the body, and (iii) a rail formed unitarily with the body on the top side thereof, the rail being disposed centrally and longitudinally with respect to the body, the rail extending the length of the body; (b) placing the load cell on or in a surface, whereby a predetermined portion of the rail is exposed to sense the weight of the vehicle or cargo passing over the load cell; (c) passing vehicles or cargo over the surface and the load cell; and (d) actuating the load cell and sensing a weight 
     The present invention is believed to involve novel elements, combined in novel ways to yield more than predictable results. The problems solved by the invention were not fully recognized in the prior art. 
     The aspects, features, advantages, benefits and objects of the invention will become clear to those skilled in the art by reference to the following description, claims and drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING  
         FIG. 1  is a perspective, or isometric view of a first embodiment of an elongated, low profile load cell of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a side or elevation view of the first load cell embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  is an end view of the first load cell embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a load cell of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is an end view of the second load cell. 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of the second load cell. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the load cell of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a side view of the third load cell. 
         FIG. 9  is an end view of the third load cell. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the load cell of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  is another perspective view of the fourth load cell. 
         FIG. 12  is a side view of the fourth load cell. 
         FIG. 13  is an end view of the fourth load cell. 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the load cell of the invention. 
         FIG. 15  is another perspective view of the fifth load cell. 
         FIG. 16  is a side view of the fifth load cell. 
         FIG. 17  is an end view of the fifth load cell. 
         FIG. 18  is a detailed view of the ends of the fifth load cell, taken from the bottom of the load cell. 
         FIG. 19  is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of the load cell of the invention. 
         FIG. 20  is another perspective view of the sixth load cell. 
         FIG. 21  is a side view of the sixth load cell. 
         FIG. 22  is an end view of the sixth load cell. 
         FIG. 23  is a detailed view of the ends of the sixth load cell, taken from the bottom of the load cell. 
         FIG. 24  is a perspective view of a seventh embodiment of the load cell of the invention. 
         FIG. 25  is another perspective view of the seventh load cell. 
         FIG. 26  is a side view, broken for clarity and to reduce length, of the seventh load cell. 
         FIG. 27  is an end view of the seventh load cell. 
         FIG. 28  is a detailed view of the ends of the seventh load cell, taken from the bottom of the load cell. 
         FIG. 29  is a perspective view of an eighth embodiment of the load cell of the invention. 
         FIG. 30  is a side view of the eighth load cell, broken for clarity. 
         FIG. 31  is an end view of the eighth load cell. 
         FIG. 32  is a perspective view of a ninth embodiment of the load cell of the invention. 
         FIG. 33  is another perspective view of the ninth load cell. 
         FIG. 34  is a side view of the ninth load cell, broken for clarity. 
         FIG. 35  is an end view of the ninth load cell. 
         FIG. 36  is a detailed view of the ends of the ninth load cell, taken from the bottom of the load cell. 
         FIG. 37  is a top view of a tenth embodiment of a load cell of the invention. 
         FIG. 38  is a bottom view of the tenth load cell. 
         FIG. 39  is a side view of the tenth load cell. 
         FIG. 40   a/b  is an end view of the tenth load cell. 
         FIG. 41  is a perspective view of an eleventh embodiment of a load cell of the invention. 
         FIG. 42  is another perspective view of the eleventh load cell. 
         FIG. 43  is a side view of the eleventh load cell, broken for clarity. 
         FIG. 44  is an end view of the eleventh load cell. 
         FIG. 45  is a detailed view of the eleventh load cell. 
         FIG. 46  is a top view of the eleventh load cell. 
         FIG. 47  is a side view of the eleventh load cell. 
         FIG. 48  is a detailed view of the eleventh load cell taken at area - 48 - of  FIG. 47 . 
         FIG. 49  is a perspective view of a twelfth embodiment of the load cell of the invention. 
         FIG. 50  is another perspective view of the twelfth load cell. 
         FIG. 51  is a side view of the twelfth load cell, broken for clarity. 
         FIG. 52  is an end view of the twelfth load cell. 
         FIG. 53  is a detailed view of the twelfth load cell. 
         FIG. 54  is a top view of the twelfth load cell. 
         FIG. 55  is a side view of the twelfth load cell. 
         FIG. 56  is a detailed view of the twelfth load cell, taken are area - 56 - of  FIG. 55 . 
         FIG. 57  is a perspective view of a thirteenth embodiment of a load cell of the invention. 
         FIG. 58  is another perspective view of the thirteenth load cell. 
         FIG. 59  is a side view of the thirteenth load cell, broken for clarity. 
         FIG. 60  is an end view of the thirteenth load cell. 
         FIG. 61  is a detailed view of the thirteenth load cell. 
         FIG. 62  is perspective view of a fourteenth embodiment of a load cell of the invention. 
         FIG. 63  is a top view of the fourteenth load cell. 
         FIG. 64  is an side view of the fourteenth load cell. 
         FIG. 65  is detailed view of the fourteenth load cell, taken are area - 65 - of  FIG. 64 . 
         FIG. 66  is a top perspective view of a fifteenth embodiment of a load cell of the invention. 
         FIG. 67  is a bottom perspective view of the fifteenth load cell. 
         FIG. 68  is a top perspective view of a sixteenth embodiment of a load cell of the invention. 
         FIG. 69  is a bottom perspective view of the sixteenth load cell. 
         FIG. 70  is a side view of the sixteenth load cell, broken for clarity. 
         FIG. 71  is an end view of the sixteenth load cell. 
         FIG. 72  is a detailed view of the sixteenth load cell. 
         FIG. 73  is top view of the sixteenth load cell. 
         FIG. 74  is a side view of the sixteenth load cell. 
         FIG. 75  is a detailed view of the sixteenth load cell, taken at area - 75 - of  FIG. 74 . 
         FIG. 76  is a top perspective view of a seventeenth embodiment of a load cell of the invention. 
         FIG. 77  is a bottom perspective view of the seventeenth embodiment. 
         FIG. 78  is a top view of the seventeenth load cell. 
         FIG. 79  is a bottom view of the seventeenth load cell. 
         FIG. 80  is a side view of the seventeenth load cell. 
         FIG. 81  is an end view of the seventeenth load cell. 
         FIG. 82  is a detailed view of the seventeenth load cell, taken at area - 82 - of  FIG. 80 . 
         FIG. 83  is a first perspective view of an eighteenth embodiment of a load cell of the invention. 
         FIG. 84  is a second, opposite perspective view of the eighteenth load cell. 
         FIG. 85  is a top view of the eighteenth load cell. 
         FIG. 86  is a side view of the eighteenth load cell. 
         FIG. 87  a perspective view of a nineteenth embodiment of a load cell of the invention. 
         FIG. 88  is a perspective view of a twentieth embodiment of a load cell of the invention. 
         FIG. 89  is a top view of one embodiment of a gauging pattern on a load cell. 
         FIG. 90  is a bottom view of the gauging pattern shown in  FIG. 89 . 
         FIG. 91  is an end diagram of an example process of gauging a load cell. 
         FIGS. 92A  and B are compression side and tension side views of the gauging process of  FIG. 91 . 
         FIG. 93  is a side view of an embodiment of a scale in which an embodiment of the load cell of the invention may be used. 
         FIG. 94  is an end view of the scale. 
         FIG. 95  is a perspective view, exploded, of the scale. 
         FIG. 96  is another exploded perspective view of the scale. 
         FIG. 97  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a system using embodiment of the scale using the load cells of the invention. 
         FIG. 98  is a top, plan view of the system. 
         FIG. 99  is an end view, partially in cross-section, of the scale deployed in a roadway as part of the system. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The load cell of the present invention is suitable to weigh vehicles or other articles while they are in motion. The load cell is particularly well suited for weighing of vehicles moving at high speeds over road ways. The load cell may be used for example, either alone or in a scale, by embedding the load cell or scale in a roadway either during construction of the roadway or after construction by retrofit, and then weighing vehicles traveling at normal speeds over the roadway of for example of 35 to up to 80 miles per hour (130 Km/h). Examples of vehicles include motorcycles, cars, trucks, buses and the like. 
       FIGS. 1-3  show a first embodiment of an elongated, low profile load cell of the present invention. Load cell  10  has a generally rectangular configuration with a relatively long length and a relatively thin height or thickness, or low profile. The load cell  10  has a body portion  11 , a pair of legs  12   a  and  12   b  extending downwardly from the edges of the body  11 , and a central base rail  13  extending upwardly from the center of the body  11 . A foot  14  is disposed downwardly from each leg  12 . A top rail  15  extends upwardly from the center of the base rail  13 . 
     The strip like configuration of the load cell  10 , and the other embodiments described below, is at least three (3) times longer than it is wide, and preferably between 17-22 times longer. The range of satisfactory lengths and widths is 2.0-6.0 inches (5.08-15.24 cm) wide, and 20.0-78.7 inches (0.5-2.0 meters) long. Preferably, the scale is approximately 3.41 inches (8.66 cm)wide and a length of 1.5 meters (59.0 in.), 1.75 meters(68.8 in.) or 2.0 meters (78.7 in). The scales are very low profile. A preferred height is approximately 0.250 to 0.360 inches (0.635 to 0.914 cm). 
       FIGS. 4-6  show a second embodiment of the load cell  20  of the invention. Load cell  20  has a structure which is similar to load cell  10 , with different dimensions. 
       FIGS. 7-9  show a third embodiment of the load cell  30  of the invention, again with a similar configuration and varying dimensions. 
       FIGS. 10-12  show a fourth embodiment of the load cell  40  of the invention, again with a similar configuration and varying dimensions. 
       FIGS. 13-18  show a fifth embodiment of the load cell  50  of the invention. It has cutout regions  51  and  52  on the bottom of the body  53 , proximate one end thereof. 
       FIGS. 19-23  show a sixth embodiment of the load cell  60  of the invention, which has a similar configuration to that of load cell  50 , with varying dimensions. 
       FIGS. 24-28  show a seventh embodiment of the load cell  70  of the invention. Load cell  70  has a body portion  71 , legs  72   a  and  b  and a top base portion  73 . Cut out areas  74   a  and  74   b  are disposed on the bottom of the body  71 . One end of the body  71  has a longitudinal inset area  75 . 
       FIGS. 29-31  shows an eighth embodiment of the load cell  80  of the invention. 
     It has a body  81 , legs  82   a/b  and a top base  83   
       FIGS. 32-36  show a ninth embodiment of the load cell  90  of the invention. Load cell  90  has a body portion  91 , legs  92   a  and  b  and a top base portion  93 . Cut out areas  94   a  and  94   b  are disposed on the bottom of the body  91 . The ends of the body  91  have longitudinal inset areas  95   a/b . Load cell  90  further has curvilinear, preferably semi-circular, groove  96  in the top base  93  and grooves  97   a/b  in the legs  92 . 
       FIGS. 37-40   a/b  show a tenth embodiment of the load cell  100  of the invention. Load cell  100  has lateral portions  101   a/b  and a central portion  102 , which are joined by intermediary portions  103   a/b . Intermediary portions  103   a/b  have respective top rails  104   a/b  and bottom rails  105   a/b . Top rails  104  extend the entire length of the load cell  100  and bottom rails  105  extend substantially the length of the load cell  100 , but stop short of one end. Lateral portions  101  have apertures  106 . 
       FIGS. 41-48  show an eleventh embodiment of the load cell  110 . Load cell  110  has a body portion  111 , legs  112   a  and  b  and a top base portion  113 . Top base portion  113  has raised areas  114   a - j . Cut out area  115  is disposed on the bottom of the body  111 . 
       FIGS. 49-56  show a twelfth embodiment of the load cell  120 . Load cell  120  is constructed and arranged in a manner substantially similar to that of load cell  110 . Load cell  120  further has lateral apertures  125  disposed along the lateral edges of the body  121 . 
       FIGS. 57-65  show a thirteenth embodiment of the load cell  130 . Load cell  130  is also constructed and arranged in a manner substantially similar to that of load cell  110 . Load cell  130  further has a lateral inset portion  135  disposed at its ends. 
       FIGS. 66 and 67  show a fourteenth embodiment of the load call  140 . Load cell  140  also has a structure similar to that of load cell  110 . Load cell  140  does not have a bottom inset portion. It has a central member  145  and a pair of lateral members  146   a/b  disposed longitudinally on the bottom. 
       FIGS. 68-75  show a fifteenth embodiment of the load cell  150 . Load cell  150  includes many of the features of load call  110 . The body  151  has laterally oriented cutouts  152 . Cutouts are preferably curvilinear and most preferably U-shaped. 
       FIGS. 76-82  show a sixteenth embodiment of the load cell  160 . Load cell  160  has a body portion  161 , a pair of legs  162 , a central row of raised members  163  on the top and laterally oriented side members  164  disposed on both sides. 
       FIGS. 83-86  show a seventeenth embodiment of the load call  170 . Load cell  170  is constructed and arranged in a manner similar to that of load cell  160 . Central raised members  173  disposed on the top surface of the body  171  have a curvilinear configuration. Central raised members  174  are also disposed on the bottom of the body  171 . Lateral raised members  175  are also disposed on each side edge of the body  171 , oriented downwardly from the bottom surface of the body  171 . 
       FIG. 87  shows an eighteenth embodiment of the load cell  180 . The load cell  180  has a plurality of consecutive, connected segments  181  and an axial cylindrical lumen  182 . 
       FIG. 88  shows a nineteenth embodiment of the load cell  190 . The load cell  190  is similar in basic structure to that of load cell  150  of FIGS.  68 - 75 ,except that laterally oriented side cutouts  192  are more pronounced, resulting in somewhat octagonal shaped body segments  193 . 
       FIGS. 89-92  show methods of gauging and arrangements of strain gauges on the load cells.  FIG. 89  is a top view of one embodiment of a gauging pattern on a load cell, for example load cell  80  shown in  FIGS. 29-31 .  FIG. 90  is a bottom view of the gauging pattern shown in  FIG. 89 .  FIG. 91  is a end diagram for an example process of gauging a twentieth embodiment of the load cell  120  of the present invention. The load cell  120  has a similar structure to that of load cell  80 , except that it also has a top member  121 .  FIGS. 92A  and B are compression side and tension side views of the gauging process of  FIG. 91  on load cell  120 . This embodiment of the process of gauging process involves first sandblasting the load cell  120 , then dipping it in alcohol as an initial cleaning. After dipping, the load cell  120  is sprayed with alcohol as a rinse cleaning. After rinsing, gages labeled C 1 , C 2 , T 1  and T 2  are oriented at predetermined locations on the load cell  120 , for example the locations shown in  FIGS. 91 and 92 . A predetermined amount of adhesive is applied to bond the gages to the load cell  120 . Care should be exercised to avoid contaminating material or debris that may be present on the gage during gluing. Preferably, the gage should be inspected under magnification after glue is applied. Glue should not be placed on the top of the solder pads. Next, the assembly is cured, for example via heat in an oven. After curing, the resistance values of each gage are recorded. After verification of proper resistance values, wires are connected to the gages. After wiring, coat M is applied to the gages. 
       FIGS. 93-96  show an embodiment of a strip scale  150  employing an embodiment of a load cell of the present invention. The strip scale  150  has a low profile. It may be placed on a surface such as a road or a floor, either directly or indirectly as part of a larger weighing system. The strip scale  150  may be used for static weighing, but it is ideally suited for in motion weighing of vehicles or craft such as cars, trucks, aircraft, boats and other consumer, commercial, industrial, municipal or military articles or apparatus. The scale  150  is relatively long compared to known scales and very low profile. As is best shown in  FIGS. 98 and 99 , the scale  150  basically comprises a bottom base  151 , a load cell  152 , an intermediary top plate  153 , and a top platform  154 . 
     The base  151  is placed on a support surface (See  FIG. 43  for example). The load cell  152  is placed on the top surface of the base  151 . The top plate  153  is placed on the base  151 , over the load cell  152 . Pins  155  are placed (end to end) in slots  156  disposed on the top surface of the top plate  153 . Platform  154  is placed over the top plate  153 . Top, inner fastening screws  157  are oriented through apertures  158  a and  158  b (threaded) of the platform  154  and top plate  153  respectively to connect the platform  154  to the top plate  153 . Lower, outer fastening screws  159  are oriented through apertures  160   a  and  160   b  (threaded) of the top plate  153  and base  151  respectively to connect the top plate  153  to the base  151 . 
       FIGS. 97-99  show an embodiment of a system  200  including a pair of the strip scales  201   a  and  201   b  (utilizing an embodiment of the load cells of the invention) disposed in a roadway  210  and oriented perpendicular to the direction of traffic such that a vehicle, for example a truck  205  rolls over at least one scale  201 . The scales  201 A and  201 B may be embedded into the roadway  210 , either during initial construction of the roadway  210  or as an add on later.  FIG. 43  shows a means of embedding the scale  201  in the roadway  210  The scales  201   a/b  are disposed a predetermined distance apart. The platform of the scale  201  may be disposed above the top surface of the roadway  210  so that it comes into direct contact with a load (i.e. a vehicle) or a predetermined distance below the surface so that intermediate material transfers force thereto. The scales  201  are communicatively connected to an electronic control system (not shown). 
     The embodiments above are chosen, described and illustrated so that persons skilled in the art will be able to understand the invention and the manner and process of making and using it. The descriptions and the accompanying drawings should be interpreted in the illustrative and not the exhaustive or limited sense. The invention is not intended to be limited to the exact forms disclosed. While the application attempts to disclose all of the embodiments of the invention that are reasonably foreseeable, there may be unforeseeable insubstantial modifications that remain as equivalents. It should be understood by persons skilled in the art that there may be other embodiments than those disclosed which fall within the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. Where a claim, if any, is expressed as a means or step for performing a specified function it is intended that such claim be construed to cover the corresponding structure, material, or acts described in the specification and equivalents thereof, including both structural equivalents and equivalent structures, material-based equivalents and equivalent materials, and act-based equivalents and equivalent acts.