3150. Wireless Weighing
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Paper
Abstract
Portable weighing systems have been available for many years for weighing aircraft or ground vehicles. These systems traditionally used remote weighing sensors connected through a web of cables to a remote sensing or display instrument. These systems used the analog outputs of the sensing elements transmitted through cables to a single a/d converter mounted in the remote instrument. This left a lot to be desired in as much as the low level analog signals were effected by changes in temperature or resistance in the wiring due to crimps or crushing of the cabling. The load sensing devices were highly affected by false loads introduced by the canted landing gear or off level weighing services. Leveling of the platforms or load cells to accommodate the off level conditions of hangar floors or weighing areas was always a concern and in all cases a necessity. Many systems still have ‘sweet spots’ or weighing areas marked on the platform.
In the late 1980’s, GEC introduced and patented the first platform and load cell sensing devices with a self-contained a/d converter, self leveling, or side load canceling capabilities, power supply, digital display and remote indicating device. Finally, a weighing system without cables for either power or indication!
However, the many advances made by GEC, still did not solve all of the portable weighing problems associated with using a plurality of sensing devices, especially when multiple sensors were needed in order to accurately weigh the vehicle. GEC then designed and patented a method of connecting via cables multiple sending devices to a remote computer in order to get real time weights and C. G. In fact, GEC manufactured a system for McDonnell Douglas for weighing and dispatching the MD-11 and C-17 in adverse flight test situations.
In 1992, GEC introduced and patented the first ever remote transmission capabilities without the use of connecting cables. However, at the time GEC was so far ahead of technology that the systems proved to be very expensive due to the cost of the transmission equipment.
Technology and production has finally caught up to GEC and the products introduced then are now affordable.
