In this section, the following term is used with the meaning indicated:
"variable" (as a noun) means a feature or property (e.g., a dimension, a physical condition such as temperature, a quality such as density or colour) which, in respect of a particular entity (e.g., an object, a quantity of a substance, a beam of light) and at a particular instant, is capable of being measured; the variable may change, so that its numerical expression may assume different values at different times, in different conditions or in individual cases, but may be constant in respect of a particular entity in certain conditions or for practical purposes (e.g., the length of a bar may be regarded as constant for many purposes).
Attention is drawn to the definitions of terms or expressions used, appearing in the notes of several of the classes in this section, in particular those of "measuring" in class Fulltext... Hierarchy... Expanded...G01 and "control" and "regulation" in class Fulltext... Hierarchy... Expanded...G05.
Classification in this section may present more difficulty than in other sections, because the distinction between different fields of use rests to a considerable extent on differences in the intention of the user rather than on any constructional differences or differences in the manner of use, and because the subjects dealt with are often in effect systems or combinations, which have features or parts in common, rather than "things", which are readily distinguishable as a whole. For example, information (e.g., a set of figures) may be displayed for the purpose of education or advertising (Fulltext... Hierarchy... Expanded...G09), for enabling the result of a measurement to be known (Fulltext... Hierarchy... Expanded...G01), for signalling the information to a distant point or for giving information which has been signalled from a distant point (Fulltext... Hierarchy... Expanded...G08). The words used to describe the purpose depend on features that may be irrelevant to the form of the apparatus concerned, for example, such features as the desired effect on the person who sees the display, or whether the display is controlled from a remote point. Again, a device which responds to some change in a condition, e.g., in the pressure of a fluid, may be used, without modification of the device itself, to give information about the pressure (Fulltext... Hierarchy... Expanded...G01L) or about some other condition linked to the pressure (another subclass of class Fulltext... Hierarchy... Expanded...G01, e.g., Fulltext... Hierarchy... Expanded...G01K for temperature), to make a record of the pressure or of its occurrence (Fulltext... Hierarchy... Expanded...G07C), to give an alarm (Fulltext... Hierarchy... Expanded...G08B), or to control another apparatus (Fulltext... Hierarchy... Expanded...G05).
The classification scheme is intended to enable things of a similar nature (as indicated above) to be classified together. It is therefore particularly necessary for the real nature of any technical subject to be decided before it can be properly classified.
This class covers, in addition to "true" measuring instruments, other indicating or recording devices of analogous construction, and also signalling or control devices insofar as they are concerned with measurement (as defined in Note 2 below) and are not specially adapted to the particular purpose of signalling or control.
In this class, the following term is used with the meaning indicated:
"measuring" is used to cover considerably more than its primary or basic meaning. In this primary sense, it means finding a numerical expression of the value of a variable in relation to a unit or datum or to another variable of the same nature, e.g. expressing a length in terms of another length as in measuring a length with a scale; the value may be obtained directly (as just suggested) or by measuring some other variable of which the value can be related to the value of the required variable, as in measuring a change in temperature by measuring a resultant change in the length of a column of mercury. However, since the same device or instrument may, instead of giving an immediate indication, be used to produce a record or to initiate a signal to produce an indication or control effect, or may be used in combination with other devices or instruments to give a conjoint result from measurement of two or more variables of the same or different kinds, it is necessary to interpret "measuring" as including also any operation that would make it possible to obtain such a numerical expression by the additional use of some way of converting a value into figures. Thus the expression in figures may be actually made by a digital presentation or by reading a scale, or an indication of it may be given without the use of figures, e.g. by some perceptible feature (variable) of the entity (e.g. object, substance, beam of light) of which the variable being measured is a property or condition or by an analogue of such a feature (e.g. the corresponding position of a member without any scale, a corresponding voltage generated in some way). In many cases there is no such value indication but only an indication of difference or equality in relation to a standard or datum (of which the value may or may not be known in figures); the standard or datum may be the value of another variable of the same nature but of a different entity (e.g. a standard measure) or of the same entity at a different time.
In its simplest form, measurement may give merely an indication of presence or absence of a certain condition or quality, e.g. movement (in any direction or in a particular direction), or whether a variable exceeds a predetermined value.
Attention is drawn to the Notes following the title of section G, especially as regards the definition of the term "variable".
In many measuring arrangements, a first variable to be measured is transformed into a second, or further, variables. The second, or further, variables may be (a) a condition related to the first variable and produced in a member, or (b) a displacement of a member. Further transformation may be needed. [6]
When classifying such an arrangement, (i) the transformation step, or each transformation step, that is of interest is classified, or (ii) if interest lies only in the system as a whole, the first variable is classified in the appropriate place. [6]
This is particularly important where two or more conversions take place, for instance where a first variable, for example pressure, is transformed into a second variable, for example an optical property of a sensing body, and that second variable is expressed by means of a third variable, for example an electric effect. In such a case, the following classification places should be considered: the place for the transformation of the first variable, that for sensing the condition caused by that variable, subclass Fulltext... Hierarchy... Expanded...G01D for expression of the measurement, and finally the place for the overall system, if any. [6]
The measurement of change in the value of a physical property is classified in the same subclass as the measurement of that physical property, e.g. measurement of expansion of length is classified in subclass Fulltext... Hierarchy... Expanded...G01B.
Weighing apparatus wherein the balancing is effected by magnetic, electromagnetic, or electrostatic action, or by means not provided for in the preceding groups
G01G 7/02
·
by electromagnetic action
G01G 7/04
· ·
with means for regulating the current to solenoids
G01G 7/06
·
by electrostatic action
G01G 9/00
Methods of, or apparatus for, the determination of weight not otherwise provided for
G01G 11/00
Apparatus for weighing a continuous stream of material during flow; Conveyer-belt weighers
Means for automatically loading weigh-pans or other receptacles, e.g. disposable containers, under control of the weighing mechanism
G01G 13/04
· ·
involving dribble-feed means controlled by the weighing mechanism to top up the receptacle to the target weight
G01G 13/06
· · ·
wherein the main feed is effected by gravity from a hopper or chute
G01G 13/08
· · ·
wherein the main feed is effected by mechanical conveying means, e.g. by belt conveyers, by vibratory conveyers
G01G 13/10
· · ·
wherein the main feed is effected by pneumatic conveying means, e.g. by fluidised feed of granular material
G01G 13/12
· ·
Arrangements for compensating for material suspended at cut-off, i.e. for material which is still falling from the feeder when the weigher stops the feeder
G01G 13/14
· ·
Arrangements for determination of, or compensation for, the tare weight of an unloaded container, e.g. of a disposable container
G01G 13/16
·
Means for automatically discharging weigh receptacles under control of the weighing mechanism
G01G 13/18
· ·
by valves or flaps in the container bottom
G01G 13/20
· ·
by screw conveyers in the weigh receptacle
G01G 13/22
· ·
by tilting or rotating the receptacle
G01G 13/24
·
Weighing mechanism control arrangements for automatic feed or discharge
G01G 13/26
· ·
involving fluid-pressure systems
G01G 13/28
· ·
involving variation of an electrical variable which is used to control loading or discharge of the receptacle
with provision for adding or removing a make-up quantity of material to obtain the desired net weight (dribble-feed means for automatic batch-weighers Fulltext... Hierarchy... Expanded...G01G 13/04)
G01G 15/04
·
with provision for adding or removing a make-up quantity of material to obtain the desired gross weight (dribble-feed means for automatic batch-weighers Fulltext... Hierarchy... Expanded...G01G 13/04)
G01G 17/00
Apparatus for, or methods of, weighing material of special form or property (determining weight by measuring volume Fulltext... Hierarchy... Expanded...G01F)
G01G 17/02
·
for weighing material of filamentary or sheet form
G01G 17/04
·
for weighing fluids, e.g. gases, pastes
G01G 17/06
· ·
having means for controlling the supply or discharge
G01G 17/08
·
for weighing livestock
G01G 19/00
Weighing apparatus or methods adapted for special purposes not provided for in the preceding groups
G01G 19/02
·
for weighing wheeled or rolling bodies, e.g. vehicles
Guides or linkages for ensuring parallel motion of the weigh-pans
G01G 21/26
·
Counterweights; Poise-weights; Sets of weights; Holders for the reception of weights
G01G 21/28
·
Frames; Housings
G01G 21/30
·
Means for preventing contamination by dust
G01G 23/00
Auxiliary devices for weighing apparatus
G01G 23/01
·
Testing or calibrating of weighing apparatus [3]
G01G 23/02
·
Relieving mechanisms; Arrestment mechanisms
G01G 23/04
· ·
for precision weighing apparatus
G01G 23/06
·
Means for damping oscillations, e.g. of weigh-beams
G01G 23/08
· ·
by fluid means
G01G 23/10
· ·
by electric or magnetic means
G01G 23/12
· ·
specially adapted for preventing oscillations due to movement of the load
G01G 23/14
·
Devices for determining tare weight or for cancelling out the tare by zeroising, e.g. mechanically operated (in connection with automatic loading Fulltext... Hierarchy... Expanded...G01G 13/14)
G01G 23/16
· ·
electrically or magnetically operated
G01G 23/18
·
Indicating devices, e.g. for remote indication; Recording devices; Scales, e.g. graduated
G01G 23/20
· ·
Indicating the weight by mechanical means
G01G 23/22
· · ·
combined with price indicators
G01G 23/24
· · ·
involving logarithmic scales
G01G 23/26
· · ·
Drive for the indicating member, e.g. mechanical amplifiers
G01G 23/28
· · ·
involving auxiliary or memory marks
G01G 23/30
· · ·
with means for illuminating the scale
G01G 23/32
· ·
Indicating the weight by optical projection means
G01G 23/34
· · ·
combined with price indicators
G01G 23/35
· ·
Indicating the weight by photographic recording
G01G 23/36
· ·
Indicating the weight by electrical means, e.g. using photoelectric cells