Hydraulic Load Cell Definition

Hydraulic load cells measure weight as a change in pressure of the internal fluid.

Hydraulic load cell definition.

It converts a force such as tension compression pressure or torque into an electrical signal that can be measured and standardized. Miniature load cell hydraulic cells are force balance devices measuring weight as a change in pressure of the internal filling fluid. A load cell is typically little more than a piston or diaphragm with a small oil filled compression chamber. In hydraulic load cell a load or force acting on a loading head is transferred to a piston that in turn compresses a filling fluid confined within an elastomeric diaphragm chamber.

In contrast to other solutions hydraulic load cells are safe from damage caused by lightning strikes or other electrical surges. Crown compression load cells often called pancake load cells are designed to give precise readings when compressed by a bulk tank deadline anchor or in other weight indication applications hydraulic compression load cells are ideally used in instances where electrical load cells may cause sparks and be potential explosion hazards. In a rolling diaphragm type hydraulic force sensors a load or force acting on a loading head is transferred to a piston that in turn compresses a filling fluid confined within an elastomeric diaphragm chamber. As the force applied to the load cell increases the electrical signal changes proportionally.

As the force increases the pressure of the hydraulic fluid increases. This pressure can be locally indicated or transmitted for remote indication or control. All hydraulic scale types consist of one or more load cells and a means of translating the resultant pressure into a visible mass indication. A load cell is a force transducer.