DEPARTMENT OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION

ANDHRA PRADESH
Name of the staff : D. Simhachalam
Designation : Lecturer
Branch : A.E.I.E
Institute : K.D.R.G.P.T, Wanaparthy.
Semester : III
Subject : Process Instrumentation-I
Subject code : AEI-305
Topic : Conductivity, Weight and Humidity
measurement
Duration : 100 minutes

Subtopic : Hydraulic Load cells

Teaching Aids : PPTS,
AEI305.76animations,
To 77 Diagrams 1
 Objectives

Upon completion of this topic, you will be able

to know

• Principle of operation for weight measurement

• Construction, Advantages

• Applications of Hydraulic load cells

AEI305.76 To 77 2
 Characteristics of H. L. C

• Hydraulic load cells are self-contained

• Required no external power for operation

• They are inherently explosion-proof

• Available for both tension and compression force

measurement

AEI305.76 To 77 3
 Basic principle of operation
• The Hydraulic load cells function on the principle of a
force counterbalance.
• Weight imposed upon the load cell causes a change
in internal fluid pressure.
• To translate pressure into an analog signal
proportional to weight A wide variety of pressure
detective devices are explored.
• The most popular readout device is a precision
Bourdon tube

AEI305.76 To 77 4
 Construction

It mainly consists of

2. Diaphragm

4. Fluid chamber

6. Spiral bourdon tube

AEI305.76 To 77 5
 Applied force

Schematic diagram of Hydraulic load cell

AEI305.76 To 77 6
 Construction
• One end of the fluid chamber is connected to the
diaphragm.

• The other end is connected to the spiral bourdon

tube.

• The fluid chamber is filled with the fluid with out any
air bubbles.

AEI305.76 To 77 7
 Construction

• A pointer is attached to the bourdon tube

• Which moves over a scale calibrated in units of

weight or force as shown in figure.

• The diagram is shown below.

AEI305.76 To 77 8
 Operation principle

• The force (weight) to be measured is applied against

the diaphragm

• Then it creates a fluid pressure in the chamber

• This pressure (P) is equal to the force (F) magnitude

divided by effective area (a) of the diaphragm. ( P=F/A)

AEI305.76 To 77 9
 Principle

• This pressure is indicated by the pointer

• Connected to the bourdon tube on the calibrated

scale

• Gives the value of applied force

AEI305.76 To 77 10
AEI305.76 To 77 11
Load cell

AEI305.76 To 77 12
Load cell

AEI305.76 To 77 13
AEI305.76 To 77 14
Load cell

AEI305.76 To 77 15
Load cell

AEI305.76 To 77 16
Load cell

AEI305.76 To 77 17
Load cell

AEI305.76 To 77 18
 Advantages

• It responds to quick load changes

• High natural pressure

• Low deflection

AEI305.76 To 77 19
 Applications

• Well adapted for high impact loading applications

• And will withstand high overloads without loss of

accuracy or zero shift.

AEI305.76 To 77 20
 Summary

We have discussed about

• Principle of operation of Hydraulic load cells for

weight measurement.

• Advantages

• Applications of Hydraulic load cells.

AEI305.76 To 77 21
 Quiz

1. The Hydraulic load cells function on the principle of

a) Frequency counterbalance

b) Force counterbalance

c) Both a) and b)

d) None

AEI305.76 To 77 22
1. The most popular readout device in the load cells is a

b) Diaphragm

d) Bellows

f) Bourdon tube

h) None

AEI305.76 To 77 23
1. When a weight imposed upon the load cell causes
a change in

• Internal force

• Internal temperature

• Internal pressure

• None

AEI305.76 To 77 24
1. The main advantage of Hydraulic load cell is it
responds to

b) Quickly to load changes

c) Quickly to temperature changes

d) Both a) and b)

e) None

AEI305.76 To 77 25
 Frequently asked questions

1. Explain the principle of operation of Hydraulic load

cells for weight measurement.

3. Draw schematic diagram of Hydraulic load cell.

5. List the applications of Hydraulic load cells.

AEI305.76 To 77 26