Force transducer for hostile environments - uses electrical strain gauges remote from point of force application to measure deflection of cantilever beam

摘要

The transducer which is remote from its point of application allows measurement of forces in hostile environment, eg. chemically corrosive, high or low pressure. It is also possible to use the device to measure liquid density or level (N) in a container (R) by measuring the upthrust on an immersed body (C). Forces are applied to the end of a cantilever beam (4) which is monolithic and co-axial with a tubular strain unit (P) of specific lengh: diameter (L:D) ratio, wall thickness (e) and elastic stiffness. The unit is isolated by gas tight seals (8) from the measurement area and has electrical strain gauges on its outer walls. For small deflections the electrical output is proportional to the applied force.