Sample mass evaluation appts. for use in space vehicle - uses centrifuge receiving sample holder acting on force measuring device

摘要

The mass evaluation system uses a rotary centrifuge (3), coupled to a drive and a force measuring device (5). The sample (1) is received by a sample holder (2) attached to a stand (10), so that the force measuring device (5) detects the displacement of the sample holder (2) resulting from the centrifugal force. The sample holder (2) has a rotation axis (7) parallel to the rotation axis (4) of the centrifuge (3), or tangential to a circular path around the rotation axis (4). A balancing counter-weight (6) pref. lies in mirror symmetry to the sample holder (2). ADVANTAGE - Provides mass without knowing exact centre of mass.