Force measurement of low forces in combination with high dead loads by the use of electromagnetic force compensation

This paper discusses the force measurement of small forces in combination with high dead loads. The measurement force acts perpendicular to gravity, while the dead load is orientated in the direction of gravity. Furthermore, the influence of the dead load on the metrological properties is described. The application is the flow rate measurement of conducting fluids by Lorentz force (Thess et al 2006 Phys. Rev. Lett. 96 164501). The aim is to measure forces with a resolution of FM = 10−6 N. The dead load is mainly due to the mass of the magnet system. It is of the order of magnitude of FG = 10 N. The force measurement system works with the principle of electromagnetic force compensation. The applied force is compensated by a Lorentz force induced by a current in a voice coil and a magnetic field of a permanent magnet. The current is proportional to the applied force. (paper)