Load cell temperature compensation system

Abstract

A load cell temperature compensation system (10) for accurately measuring a force load applied to an external member (18) during environmentally varying temperature values. The load cell temperature compensation system (10) includes a standard load cell (12) which is rigidly mounted on a load cell mounting plate (20). The load cell mounting plate (20) is fixedly secured to the external member (18) which has an external force load applied thereto. The temperature compensation system (10) further includes a force load application mechanism (40) which transmits a predetermined force load to the load cell (12) responsive to the external force load applied to the external member (18). A mechanism for maintaining a constant reference load force (60) is provided to maintain a substantially constant reference load force on the load cell (12) independent of temperature variations applied to the external member (18). In this manner, temperature variations applied to the external member (18) will be compensated for by compensation system (10) and not read as a load force applied to the external member (18).

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.