Eccentric load sensing device used to sense differential pressures

A differential load sensor comprising:

• a first surface;
• a second surface,
• said first surface and said second surface are parallel planar, the second surface in intimate contact with a membrane, the membrane conveying eccentric loading to an intermediate load conveying structure which then refers concentric and eccentric loading back to the first surface, the intermediate load conveying structure conducting excessive concentric or eccentric loads to ground;
• a strain gauge circuit coupled to said first surface capable of providing a signal that is proportional to an eccentric load that is applied to said first surface;
• and
• signal means, receiving the signal, for generating an eccentric load signal representative of the differential loading across a centerline of the first surface,
• whereby the differential loading across the first surface is detected.

A differential load sensor comprising:

• a housing;
• a cap having a surface placed within one end of said housing;
• a load sensor comprising at least two strain gauges placed within said housing;
• a connecting member placed between said cap and said load sensor, said connecting member attached to said load sensor between the at least two strain gauges, whereby an eccentric load placed on said cap causes a bending mode in said load sensor;
• and
• a bridge circuit coupled to said at least two strain gauges, said bridge circuit providing an electrical signal representative of the eccentric load placed on said cap,
• whereby the eccentric load of said cap can be detected and a difference in loading of the cap determined.

A differential load sensor comprising:

• a housing;
• a spring cap having a surface placed within one end of said housing;
• a load sensor comprising at least two strain gauges placed within said housing;
• a spring piston placed between said spring cap and said load sensor, said spring piston attached to said load sensor between the at least two strain gauges, whereby an eccentric load placed on said spring cap causes a bending mode in said load sensor;
• a spring placed between said spring cap and said spring piston, whereby excessive loads are shunted, and
• a bridge circuit coupled to said at least two strain gauges, said bridge circuit providing an electrical signal representative of the eccentric load placed on said spring cap,
• whereby the eccentric load of said spring cap can be detected and a difference in loading of the cap determined.