Abstract:
A load cell system for stationary or moving equipment is disclosed, wherein undesirable bending, shear, and torsion loads are minimized and an accuracy of the load cell system is maximized.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention relates to a load cell system and more particularly to a load cell system for stationary or moving equipment. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   In typical industrial settings, it is often desirable to obtain a weight of a raw or finished material. It has been a common practice to use load cells for determining this weight. Often, the materials are stored in tanks, hoppers, vehicles, or other containers, for example. One method used to obtain the weight of such containers is to provide a scale built into a floor or other supporting surface. The container is then positioned on the scale to determine the weight thereof. 
   Another method which is commonly used on moving containers such as cars, railroad cars, and other vehicles is to provide an undercarriage platform and a separate load holding platform which supports the transported load. Load cells are typically placed between the platforms. This system requires elaborate and expensive auxiliary equipment to militate against a misalignment of the platforms in respect of the load cells when the load is placed onto the load holding platform. In steel mills, for example, railroad cars are typically used for loading and transporting iron scrap or molten steel stored in a ladle after the steel has been tapped into the ladle from steel melting equipment. The scrap steel loading process is extremely harsh, and pieces of the scrap can become lodged between the platforms causing the weighing system to become inaccurate or inoperative. 
   Another typical weighing system used on moving containers such as cars, railroad cars, and other vehicles utilizes weighing beams or modules which are installed on each side of the container. This system can also become elaborate and expensive. In a conventional system, the module consists of two special beams, two load cells, and bushing/pin equipment to keep the load cells from moving or shifting. In steel mills, the heat from the ladle holding the molten steel often causes the load cells and the bushing/pin equipment to fail prematurely. The resulting downtime for repair can be lengthy, resulting in monetary losses. 
   Another system by the present inventor includes an axle bearing load cell weighing system. These systems integrate separate load holding platform assemblies into one unit. This eliminates auxiliary equipment compared to other methods, which lowers equipment and repair costs. However, lateral forces to the load cell still result in inaccurate weight measurement. 
   It would be desirable to develop a load cell system wherein undesirable bending, shear, and torsion loads are minimized and an accuracy of the load cell system is maximized. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Consistent and consonant with the present invention, a load cell system wherein undesirable bending, shear, and torsion loads are minimized and an accuracy of the load cell system is maximized, has surprisingly been discovered. 
   In one embodiment, the load cell system comprises a first block member having an aperture formed therein; a load cell disposed in the aperture of the first block member; and a cap member supported by the load cell and adapted to support a weight bearing member thereon, the cap member restrained by the first block member to minimize lateral movement of the cap member, wherein the cap member militates against an application of lateral forces on the load cell. 
   In another embodiment, the load cell system comprises a first block member having an aperture formed therein; a base member supporting the first block member; a load cell disposed in the aperture of the first block member; and a cap member supported by the load cell and adapted to support a weight bearing member thereon, the cap member restrained by the first block member to minimize lateral movement of the cap member, wherein the cap member militates against an application of lateral forces on the load cell. 
   In another embodiment, the load cell system comprises a first block member having an aperture formed therein; a second block member supporting the first block member; a base member supporting the second block member; a load cell disposed in the aperture of the first block member; and a cap member supported by the load cell and restrained by the first block member to minimize lateral movement of the cap member, wherein the cap member militates against an application of lateral forces on the load cell, a crowned outer surface of the cap member adapted to support a weight bearing member thereon. 

   
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The above, as well as other advantages of the present invention, will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment when considered in the light of the accompanying drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a plan view of a railroad car with a ladle disposed thereon and showing load cells disposed at each wheel of the railroad car; 
       FIG. 2  is a partial sectional view of the load cell system illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a sectional view of a load cell system according to an embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 4  is a sectional view of the load cell illustrated in  FIG. 3  and disposed on an axle of a vehicle; 
       FIG. 5  is a sectional view of a load cell system according to another embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 6  is a sectional view of a load cell system according to another embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 7  is a sectional view of a load cell system according to another embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 8  is a plan view of a load cell system according to another embodiment of the invention showing the load cell system disposed in a removable cassette; 
       FIG. 9  is a sectional view of the load cell system illustrated in  FIG. 8  taken along line  9 — 9 ; 
       FIG. 10  is a sectional view of a load cell system according to another embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 11  is a plan view of a load cell system showing two cassettes as illustrated in  FIGS. 9 and 10  disposed on a vehicle axle; 
       FIG. 12  is a partial sectional view of the load cell system illustrated in  FIG. 11  taken along line  12 — 12 ; 
       FIG. 13  is a sectional view of a load cell system according to another embodiment of the invention including lubrication means; and 
       FIG. 14  is a sectional view of a load cell system according to another embodiment of the invention including cooling means. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   The following detailed description and appended drawings describe and illustrate various exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description and drawings serve to enable one skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any manner. For exemplary purposes, a load cell system provided on a ladle car utilized in a steel mill is disclosed. However, it is understood that the load cell system can be used for other applications such as overhead cranes, tanks, vehicles, and load platforms, for example. It is understood that materials other than those described can be used without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. 
     FIG. 1  depicts a railroad car  10 . The railroad car  10  shown is commonly used in steel mills and includes a ladle  12  disposed thereon for holding molten steel therein. The wheels  14  of the railroad car  10  are adapted to ride on track rails  16 . An axle  18  extends between each pair of wheels  14 . The weight of the ladle  12  is carried by a main body  20 . Load cells  22  disposed in bearing blocks  24  are adapted to provide a weight measurement of the ladle  12 , and thus a weight of the molten metal disposed therein can be obtained. Although load cells  22  are shown at each wheel  14  of the railroad car  10 , load cells  22  can be disposed at fewer wheels  14  if desired, and a weight of the molten metal extrapolated. Typically, the load cell  22  provides an analog signal that can be converted to a signal usable by any normal control and supervisor equipment such as a display, PLC, PC, and the like. 
     FIG. 2  shows the load cell  22  and bearing block  24  assembly illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The bearing block  24  is disposed on the axle  18 , which is cradled in a bearing surface  26  having a semicircular cross section formed in the bearing block  24 . Alternatively, the bearing block  24  is disposed on a bearing assembly, such as an “AP” bearing assembly produced by Timken, which is pressed on an end of the axle  18  as a sealed unit. The bearing block  24  is substantially surrounded by a frame member  28  which is secured to a load bearing platform  30 . The load cell  22  is disposed in a cavity  32  formed in the bearing block  24  and may include a sealing material (not shown) disposed therebetween. The sealing material can be any conventional material such as silicon, for example. A wear plate  36  can be formed in the frame member  28  to militate against excessive wear. 
   The weight to be measured is born by the frame member  28 . Thus, the weight is transferred to the load cell  22 . Since the load cells  22  are capable of measuring vertical loads only, any lateral loads or forces applied to the load cell  22  by the frame member  28  result in inaccurate readings of the weight to be measured. Thus, in applications involving a moving body such as the railroad car  10 , any instability, unevenness in the railroad tracks, any movement of the molten metal within the ladle  12 , etc. will cause lateral forces to be applied to the load cell  22 , and result in inaccurate readings. The transfer of lateral forces to the load cell  22  is facilitated by the frictional forces between the wear plate  36  and the load cell  22 . 
     FIG. 3  shows a load cell system  50  according to an embodiment of the invention. The load cell system  50  includes a load cell  52 . The load cell can be any conventional type such as the JRT or KMR models manufactured by HBM, Incorporated. In the embodiment shown, the load cell  52  is disposed in an aperture  54  formed in a block member  56 . As used herein, the block member  56  includes a bearing block or a rigid member capable of supporting weight. The block member  56  and the load cell  52  are supported by a base member  58 . It is understood that block member  56  can extend under the load cell  52  to support the load cell  52 , with the block member  56  ultimately being supported by the base member  58 , without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. A base member  58  as used herein also includes an axle bearing or an axle as disclosed in other embodiments. 
   An annular cavity  60  is formed in the block member  56  at an end  62  opposite the base member  58 . A cap member  64  is inserted into the cavity  60 , and an inner surface  66  of the closed end abuts the load cell  52 . The cap member  64  is restrained in the cavity  60  to militate against relative lateral movement between the block member  56  and the cap member  64 . An outer surface  68  of the closed end of the cap member  64  is crowned. Crowned as used herein means having a peak, sloped, rounded, hemispherical, forming a segment a sphere, catenoid, and the like. The outer surface  68  can be coated with a lubricious material such as tetrafluoroethylene (TFE), for example, if desired. A sealing material  70  such as silicon, for example, is disposed around a peripheral edge of the cap member  64  adjacent the end  62  of the block member  56 . 
   A weight bearing member  72  is supported by the cap member  64  and abuts the outer surface  68  of the closed end thereof. It is understood that additional load cell systems  50  can be used as desired to support the weight bearing member  72 . A wear plate  74  is disposed in the weight bearing member  72  in the area where the weight bearing member  72  abuts the cap member  64 . It is understood that the wear plate  74  can be omitted without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The weight bearing member  72  can be any member supporting a weight thereon or capable of supporting a weight thereon. Thus, a vertical force component F A  is exerted on the weight bearing member  72 . Additionally, a lateral force component F L  is exerted on the weight bearing member  72 . The lateral force F L  as shown appears on a single axis, however, the lateral force F L  represents the sum of the force components along the two horizontal axes present. A frictional force component F F  exists between the cap member  64  and the weight bearing member  72  in the area where the crowned outer surface  68  of the cap member  64  abuts the weight bearing member  72 . 
   In operation, a total force is applied to the load cell system  50  through the weight bearing member  72 . The total force includes the vertical force F A  component and the lateral force F L  component. Additionally, any lateral motion or lateral force F L  components will result in the frictional force F F  component between the cap member  64  and the weight bearing member  72 . The restraint of the cap member  64  by the block member  56 , the crowning of the outer surface  68  of the cap member  64 , and the lubricious coating if applied, individually or in combination, result in a minimization of a lateral force F LL  applied to the load cell  52 . Thus, the total force exerted on the load cell  52  is substantially equal to the vertical force F A , thereby maximizing the accuracy of the load cell  52 . 
     FIG. 4  illustrates an embodiment of the invention wherein the load cell system  50  of  FIG. 3  is disposed on an axle bearing  80  of a vehicle such as a railroad car, for example. Elements repeated from  FIG. 3  have the same reference numerals in  FIG. 4 . A first block member  78  is disposed in a cavity  82  formed in a second block member  84  which is supported by the axle bearing  80 , or a bearing assembly as described and shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The first block member  78  is restrained in the cavity  82  to militate against relative lateral movement between the first block member  78  and the second block member  84 . 
   Therefore, as described for the embodiment disclosed in  FIG. 4 , the restraint of the cap member  64  by the first block member  78  and the second block member  84 , the crowning of the outer surface  68  of the cap member  64 , and the lubricious coating if applied, cooperate to result in a minimization of a lateral force F LL  applied to the load cell  52 . Thus, the total force exerted on the load cell  52  is substantially equal to the vertical force F A , thereby maximizing the accuracy of the load cell  52 . 
     FIG. 5  illustrates a load cell system  90  according to another embodiment of the invention. The load cell system  90  includes a load cell  92 . The load cell  92  is disposed in an aperture  94  formed in a block member  96 . The block member  96  and the load cell  92  are supported by an axle bearing  98 . A bearing assembly as described and shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  can also be used. 
   An annular cavity  100  is formed in the block member  96 . A cap member  102  is inserted into the cavity  100  and an inner surface  104  of the closed end of the cap member  102  abuts the load cell  92 . The cap member  102  is restrained in the cavity  100  to militate against relative lateral movement between the block member  96  and the cap member  102 . An outer surface  106  of the closed end of the cap member  102  is crowned. The outer surface  106  can be coated with a lubricious material such as tetrafluoroethylene (TFE), for example, if desired. A sealing material  108  such as silicon, for example, is disposed around a peripheral edge of the cap member  102  adjacent the block member  96 . 
   A weight bearing member  110  is supported by the cap member  102  and abuts the outer surface  106  of the closed end thereof. Additional load cell systems  90  can be used as desired to support the weight bearing member  110 . A wear plate  112  is disposed in the weight bearing member  110  in the area where the weight bearing member  110  abuts the cap member  102 . It is understood that the wear plate  112  can be omitted without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The weight bearing member  110  can be any member supporting a weight thereon or capable of supporting a weight thereon such as a vehicle frame, for example. Thus, as previously described for  FIG. 3 , a vertical force component F A  is exerted on the weight bearing member  110 , a lateral force component F L  is exerted on the weight bearing member  110 , and a frictional force component F F  exists between the cap member  102  and the weight bearing member  110  in the area where the crowned outer surface  106  of the cap member  102  abuts the weight bearing member  110 . 
   In operation, a total force is applied to the load cell system  90  through the weight bearing member  110 . The total force includes the vertical force F A  component and the lateral force F L  component. Additionally, any lateral motion or lateral force F L  components will result in the frictional force F F  component between the cap member  102  and the weight bearing member  110 . The restraint of the cap member  102  by the block member  96 , the crowning of the outer surface  106  of the cap member  102 , and the lubricious coating if applied, individually or in combination, result in a minimization of a lateral force F LL  applied to the load cell  92 . Thus, the total force exerted on the load cell  92  is substantially equal to the vertical force F A , thereby maximizing the accuracy of the load cell  92 . 
     FIG. 6  illustrates a load cell system  120  according to another embodiment of the invention. The load cell system  120  includes a load cell  122 . The load cell  122  is disposed in an aperture  124  formed in a first block member  126 . The first block member  126  is disposed in a cavity  128  formed in a second block member  130 . The second block member  130  is supported by an axle bearing  132 . A bearing assembly as described and shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  can also be used. The first block member  126  is restrained in the cavity  128  to militate against relative lateral movement between the first block member  126  and the second block member  130 . 
   An annular cavity  134  is formed in the first block member  126  in communication with and surrounding the aperture  124 . A cap member  136  is inserted into the cavity  134  and an inner surface  138  of the closed end of the cap member  136  abuts the load cell  122 . The cap member  136  is restrained in the cavity  134  to militate against relative lateral movement between the first block member  126  and the cap member  136 . An outer surface  140  of the closed end of the cap member  136  is crowned. The outer surface  140  can be coated with a lubricious material such as tetrafluoroethylene (TFE), for example, if desired. A sealing material  142  such as silicon, for example, is disposed around a peripheral edge of the cap member  136  adjacent the first block member  126 . 
   A weight bearing member  144  is supported by the cap member  136  and abuts the outer surface  140  of the closed end thereof. Additional load cell systems  120  can be used as desired to support the weight bearing member  144 . A wear plate  146  is disposed in the weight bearing member  144  in the area where the weight bearing member  144  abuts the cap member  136 . It is understood that the wear plate  146  can be omitted without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The weight bearing member  144  can be any member supporting a weight thereon or capable of supporting a weight thereon such as a vehicle frame, for example. 
   As previously described for  FIG. 3 , a vertical force component F A  is exerted on the weight bearing member  144 , a lateral force component F L  is exerted on the weight bearing member  144 , and a frictional force component F F  exists between the cap member  136  and the weight bearing member  144  in the area where the crowned outer surface  140  of the cap member  136  abuts the weight bearing member  144 . 
   In operation, a total force is applied to the load cell system  120  by the weight bearing member  144 . The total force includes the vertical force F A  component and the lateral force F L  component. Additionally, any lateral motion or lateral force F L  components will result in the frictional force F F  component between the cap member  136  and the weight bearing member  144 . The restraint of the cap member  136  by the first block member  126  and the second block member  130 , the crowning of the outer surface  140  of the cap member  136 , and the lubricious coating if applied, individually or in combination, result in a minimization of a lateral force F LL  applied to the load cell  122 . Thus, the total force exerted on the load cell  122  is substantially equal to the vertical force F A , thereby maximizing the accuracy of the load cell  122 . 
   In  FIG. 7 , a load cell system  150  is shown according to another embodiment of the invention. The load cell system  150  includes a load cell  152 . The load cell  152  is disposed in an aperture  154  formed in a block member  156 . The block member  156  and the load cell  152  are supported by an axle bearing  158 . A bearing assembly as described and shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  can also be used. 
   An annular cavity  160  is formed in the block member  156 . A cap member  162  is inserted into the cavity  160  and an inner surface  164  of the closed end of the cap member  162  abuts the load cell  152 . The cap member  162  is restrained in the cavity  160  to militate against relative lateral movement between the block member  156  and the cap member  162 . An outer surface  166  of the closed end of the cap member  162  is crowned. The outer surface  166  can be coated with a lubricious material such as tetrafluoroethylene (TFE), for example, if desired. A sealing material  168  such as silicon, for example, is disposed around a peripheral edge of the cap member  162  adjacent the block member  156 . 
   A weight bearing member  170  is supported by the cap member  162  and abuts the outer surface  166  of the closed end thereof. Additional load cell systems  150  can be used as desired to support the weight bearing member  170 . A wear plate  172  is disposed in the weight bearing member  170  in the area where the weight bearing member  170  abuts the cap member  162 . It is understood that the wear plate  172  can be omitted without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The weight bearing member  170  can be any member supporting a weight thereon or capable of supporting a weight thereon such as a vehicle frame, for example. Thus, as previously described for  FIG. 3 , a vertical force component F A  is exerted on the weight bearing member  170 , a lateral force component F L  is exerted on the weight bearing member  170 , and a frictional force component F F  exists between the cap member  162  and the weight bearing member  170  in the area where the crowned outer surface  166  of the cap member  162  abuts the weight bearing member  170 . 
   In operation, a total force is applied to the load cell system  150  by the weight bearing member  170 . The total force includes the force vertical force F A  component and the lateral force F L  component. Additionally, any lateral motion or lateral force F L  components will result in the frictional force F F  component between the cap member  162  and the weight bearing member  170 . The restraint of the cap member  162  by the block member  156 , the crowning of the outer surface  166  of the cap member  162 , and the lubricious coating if applied, individually or in combination, result in a minimization of a lateral force F LL  applied to the load cell  152 . Thus, the total force exerted on the load cell  152  is substantially equal to the vertical force F A , thereby maximizing the accuracy of the load cell  152 . 
     FIGS. 8 and 9  illustrate a load cell system  180  according to another embodiment of the invention. The load cell system  180  includes a load cell  182 . The load cell  182  is disposed in an annular cavity  184  formed in a block member  186 . In the embodiment shown, the block member  186  is a cassette which is capable of holding the load cell system  180  components therein. The cassette includes electrical components  187  including wiring in communication with the load cell and an electrical plug for electrically connecting the load cell with other electrical or electronic components as desired. 
   A cap member  188  is inserted into the cavity  184  to substantially surround the load cell  182 . An inner surface  190  of the closed end of the cap member  188  abuts the load cell  182 . The cap member  188  is restrained in the cavity  184  to militate against relative lateral movement between the block member  186  and the cap member  188 . An outer surface  192  of the closed end of the cap member  188  is crowned. The outer surface  192  can be coated with a lubricious material such as tetrafluoroethylene (TFE), for example, if desired. A sealing material  194  such as silicon, for example, is disposed around a peripheral edge of the cap member  188  adjacent the block member  186 . Apertures  196  can be provided to aid in removal of the cap member  188  from the cavity  184  with a tool or a threaded fastener. A locking pin  198  extends from the block member  186  into an aperture formed in the cap member  188  to militate against a rotation of the cap member  188  in the cavity  184 . An O-ring  200  is disposed between the load cell  182  and the block member  186  to maximize a stabilization of the load cell  182 . 
   A weight bearing member (not shown) is supported by the cap member  188  and abuts the outer surface  192  of the closed end thereof. Additional load cell systems  180  can be used as desired to support the weight bearing member. The weight bearing member can be any member supporting a weight thereon or capable of supporting a weight thereon such as a vehicle frame, for example. The application of forces to the load cell system  180  and the operation of the load cell system  180  are the same as previously described for the other embodiments of the invention. Thus, a total force exerted on the load cell  182  is substantially equal to a vertical force F A , thereby maximizing the accuracy of the load cell  152 . 
   In  FIG. 10 , another embodiment of a load cell system  210  is illustrated. The load cell system  210  includes a load cell  212 . The load cell  212  is disposed in a first annular cavity  214  formed in a block member  216 . In the embodiment shown, the block member  216  is a cassette as shown if  FIG. 8  which is capable of holding the load cell system  210  components therein. The cassette includes electrical components  218  which may include wiring in communication with the load cell  212  and an electrical plug for electrically connecting the load cell with other electrical or electronic components as desired. 
   A cap member  220  is inserted into a second annular cavity  222  formed in the block member  216  radially outward of the first annular cavity  214 . An inner surface  224  of the closed end of the cap member  220  abuts the load cell  212 . The cap member  220  is restrained in the second annular cavity  222  to militate against relative lateral movement between the block member  216  and the cap member  220 . An outer surface  226  of the closed end of the cap member  220  is crowned. The outer surface  226  can be coated with a lubricious material such as tetrafluoroethylene (TFE), for example, if desired. A sealing material  228  such as silicon, for example, is disposed around a peripheral edge of the cap member  220  adjacent the block member  216 . Apertures  230  can be provided to aid in removal of the cap member  220  from the second annular cavity  222  with a tool or a threaded fastener. A locking pin  232  extends from the block member  216  into an aperture formed in the cap member  220  to militate against a rotation of the cap member  220  in the second annular cavity  222 . An O-ring  234  is disposed between the load cell  212  and the block member  216  to maximize a stabilization of the load cell  212 . 
   A weight bearing member (not shown) is supported by the cap member  220  and abuts the outer surface  226  of the closed end thereof. Additional load cell systems  210  can be used as desired to support the weight bearing member. The weight bearing member can be any member supporting a weight thereon or capable of supporting a weight thereon such as a vehicle frame, for example. The application of forces to the load cell system  210  and the operation of the load cell system  210  are the same as previously described for the other embodiments of the invention. Thus, a total force exerted on the load cell  212  is substantially equal to a vertical force F A , thereby maximizing the accuracy of the load cell  212 . 
   In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12  two load cell systems  180 , including the block member  186 , are disposed in a second block member  202 . The second block member  202  includes a slot  204  formed therein adapted to receive the block member  186 . The slot facilitates a removal of each of the block members  186  for inspection, repair, or replacement thereof without removing the second block member  202 . The second block member  202  is supported by an axle bearing  206 . A bearing assembly as described and shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  can also be used. 
   A weight bearing member  208  is supported by the cap members  188  and abuts the outer surfaces  192  of the closed ends thereof. The weight bearing member  208  can be any member supporting a weight thereon or capable of supporting a weight thereon such as a vehicle frame, for example. A wear plate  209  is disposed in the weight bearing member  208  in the area where the weight bearing member  208  abuts the cap member  188 . It is understood that the wear plate  209  can be omitted without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The application of forces to the load cell system  180  and the operation of the load cell system  180  are the same as previously described for the other embodiments of the invention. Thus, a total force exerted on the load cell  182  is substantially equal to a vertical force F A , thereby maximizing the accuracy of the load cell  182 . In the embodiment shown, the sealing material  194  is disposed between the second block member  202  and the weight bearing member  208  to maximize stability. 
     FIG. 13  illustrates the load cell system  150  shown in  FIG. 7 , according to another embodiment of the invention. For like structure from  FIG. 7 , the same reference numerals are used. The embodiment shown includes a lubrication cartridge  240  disposed around the periphery of the cap member  162 . A lubricant  242  such as grease, for example, is disposed within the cartridge  240 . The lubricant is in communication with the outer surface  166  of the cap member  166  to minimize frictional forces between the cap member  166  and the weight bearing member  170 . The cartridge  240  can be used in conjunction with or in place of the lubricious coating disposed on the outer surface  166 , as desired. It is understood that the lubrication cartridge  240  can be used with any of the embodiments of the invention. 
   In  FIG. 14 , the load cell system  120  of  FIG. 6  is shown according to another embodiment of the invention. For like structure from  FIG. 6 , the same reference numerals are used. In the embodiment shown, a cooling conduit  250  is formed in the first block member  126 . The cooling conduit  250  is in communication with a source of coolant (not shown). A flow of coolant through the cooling conduit  250  is indicated by the arrows. The cooling conduit  250  facilitates a removal of heat from the load cell system  120  in applications exposing the load cell system  120  to heat, such as a vehicle in a steel plant, for example. It is understood that the cooling conduit  250  can be used with any of the embodiments of the invention, including those providing the lubrication cartridge  240 . 
   The various embodiments of the load cell systems of the present invention protect the load cell from being negatively affected by undesirable design induced side/torque forces and other factors such as friction, wear, temperature, environmental, electrical, electro-magnetic, and electrostatic interferences. Thus, the dependability, reliability, accuracy, and vitality of load cell systems produced according to the present invention are maximized. 
   From the foregoing description, one ordinarily skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of this invention and, without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, can make various changes and modifications to the invention to adapt it to various usages and conditions.