Balancing Or Alignment Patents (Class 700/279)
  • Publication number: 20040244483
    Abstract: A method for providing a centering check for a rotating body mounted on a wheel balancer based on measuring at least one imbalance parameter and for determining weight display thresholds for static and dynamic imbalance correction weights which vary with parameters of the wheel and/or tire. The rotating body is mounted on a spindle of the wheel balancer and an imbalance parameter or runout measurement taken. The mounting of the rotating body on the spindle is then altered, and a second measurement of the imbalance parameter or runout is taken. A processor in the wheel balancer determines if the difference between the first and second measurements exceeds a predetermined threshold value, indicative of off-center mounting of the rotating body one the spindle. Upon centered mounting of the rotating body, imbalance measurements are acquired, and required correction weights are displayed to an operator if they exceed an identified imbalance threshold level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2003
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Inventors: Michael D. Gerdes, Michael W. Douglas, David M. Scribner, Joel Clasquin, William B. Feero
  • Patent number: 6829522
    Abstract: A portable advisory system for balancing airflows in a paint booth includes a portable airflow sensor to measure airflows in the paint booth, and a portable computer connected to the airflow sensor for collecting data from the airflow sensor and guiding an operator through a process of adjusting multiple fan speeds and duct dampers to achieve desired airflows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dimitar P. Filev, Ernest Henry Tong
  • Publication number: 20040243283
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for balancing an elongate structure (1) rotating about an axis, like a spindle (3) carrying two grinding wheels (5, 6), wherein two vibration-detecting sensors (7, 8) and associated balancing devices (9, 10) with/movable masses (11-14) are arranged at to checking sections (S1, S2) spaced out along the axis of rotation. Processing and control means (20) control the balancing devices on the basis of one or more signals (VC; VC1, VC2) achieved as combination(s) of the vibrations, in module, detected by both the sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2004
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventors: William Montanari, Franco Danielli
  • Patent number: 6805004
    Abstract: The machine determines, by first measurement sensor means (30), the axial position of at least one transverse balancing plane (P1, P2) in which the operator chooses to apply a respective balancing mass, and the radial position of points on the application surface (11a) corresponding with said balancing plane (P1, P2), while the machine monitors the angular position of the body (10); the body (10) is rotated and by suitable means the machine determines the imbalance means together with the data originating from the first and second sensor means, the value of each balancing mass and the position of its point of application on the application surface (11a) being determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Corghi S.p.A.
    Inventor: Remo Corghi
  • Patent number: 6786093
    Abstract: Balancing apparatus that supports and rotates a body to be measured with a rotating mechanism so that the body vibrates due to the dynamic imbalance thereof. The vibration of the body is transmitted to a vibration member and then detected by a sensor. A vibrator is connected to the vibration member. The vibrator applies to the vibration member a vibration that is an inverse of a vibration that will be generated in the vibration member by an ideal body having an ideal dynamic imbalance. By detecting the vibration remaining in the vibration member, the balancing apparatus measures the deviation of the dynamic imbalance of the body from the ideal dynamic imbalance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Kokusai Keisokuki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroki Miura
  • Publication number: 20040172170
    Abstract: A portable wheel alignment apparatus comprising a portable unit, at least one light reflector and at least one docking station for the portable unit. The portable unit includes a vertical post having a camera boom thereon, with the camera boom being adapted to move vertically on the vertical post. The at least one light reflector is adapted to be connected to a wheel of a vehicle. Each of the at least one docking station is configured to be positioned in front of a bay for a vehicle whereby the portable unit can be removably positioned in the at least one docking station and an alignment of the wheels of the vehicle in the bay can be measured through interaction of the camera boom and the at least one light reflector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2003
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventor: Brooks R. Lesert
  • Publication number: 20040167674
    Abstract: An improved vehicle wheel alignment system having a voice interface configured with an induction-pickup microphone associated with an earpiece and adapted to receive voice signals from a vibration transmitting anatomical structure associated with an operator. A central processing unit in the vehicle wheel alignment system is configured with one or more software objects to process received data signals representative of acoustic signals acquired through the induction-pickup microphone to identify one or more spoken commands, and to execute operating instructions associated with the identified spoken commands.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Inventor: David A. Voeller
  • Patent number: 6768932
    Abstract: A wheel motor traction assembly configured for use on a light duty vehicle adaptable for electric traction. The wheel motor traction assembly includes a wheel, a brake disc operatively connected to the wheel, a motor operatively connected to the wheel and a motor housing operatively connected to the motor. The motor housing has structural connectors for steering and suspension systems on a vehicle chassis and has a brake caliper operatively connected thereto. A parking brake caliper may also be connected to the motor housing for connection to a parking brake cable on the chassis. The motor housing is configured to bear vehicle chassis loads as the motor housing structurally interconnects the wheel to the chassis through the structural connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: George M. Claypole, Bruce Edward Zemke, Cheuk S. Ng, Douglas Lee Wickham, Milos Stakich, Chris J. Karras, James M. Nagashima, Khwaja M. Rahman, Terence G. Ward
  • Patent number: 6763286
    Abstract: A stand having an automatically correctable balancing system and balancing mechanisms electrically controlled by a computer (10). Replaceable accessories can be joined to a component (9) movably joined to the stand (6). Associated with the computer (10) are a calculation program and an information system that, by means of a reading device, reads correction information from data media of the accessories and conveys it to the computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: Leica Microsystems (Schweiz ) AG
    Inventor: Andrzej Metelski
  • Patent number: 6763285
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for stabilizing a rotor about its geometric center in a magnetic bearing system at a constant rotor speed. In the method, the controller for controlling the magnetic bearing uses an adaptive control algorithm which simultaneously identifies and compensates for synchronous sensor runout and rotor mass unbalance while determining a control action that drives the rotor rotating at a constant speed to its geometric center. The identification of sensor runout and mass unbalance is by varying the magnetic stiffness which is achieved by perturbation of the bias currents in opposing electromagnet coils in a manner that does not alter the equilibrium of the rotor while it is rotating at a constant speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: Board of Trustees of Michigan State University
    Inventors: Joga Dharma Setiawan, Ranjan Mukherjee
  • Patent number: 6757636
    Abstract: A system and method for measuring the radial runout of a shaft, rotatably supported on a standard rest, includes at least a first journal surface sensing assembly, a second journal surface sensing assembly, and a test surface sensing assembly which sense the radial position of the first journal surface, the second journal surface, and a test portion of the shaft, respectively, during rotation of the shaft. A transmitter of each surface sensing assembly transmits a runout signal which is received by a receiver of a computer. Within the computer, the runout signal from the test surface sensing assembly is adjusted with the runout signals from the first and second journal surface sensing assemblies to factor out deflection of the shaft caused by the standard rest and the shaft runout is computed and plotted using the normalized runout data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd.
    Inventor: Keith Bluestein
  • Patent number: 6754562
    Abstract: A vehicle service system wherein a computer is configured for active wireless communication over a wireless micro-network with any of a variety of similarly configured external components and devices brought into proximity with the computer, including, but not limited to, sensors, input and output devices, mobile computers, onboard vehicle computers, and other vehicle service equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Hunter Engineering Company
    Inventors: Timothy A. Strege, David A. Voeller
  • Patent number: 6748141
    Abstract: An alignment system that uses a single optical sensor to enable the end of an optical fiber to be aligned with the input of an optical waveguide of an optical device. In accordance with the present invention, it has been determined that the output of a single optical sensor can be processed and converted into digital signals, which are then further processed in accordance with an alignment algorithm to generate feedback signals that enable precise alignment to be achieved. The alignment system includes the single optical sensor, a lens and processing logic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: William P Kennedy, Amanda J Price, Wallace J Lannen, John Bernard Medberry
  • Publication number: 20040098168
    Abstract: A balancer assembly 10 which automatically provides balancer limits, which achieves a balancing state while substantially minimizing short term vibration increases and which provides for multi-plane balancer dithering.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventor: Stephen William Dyer
  • Patent number: 6731382
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for providing a system that has a plurality of devices in which the position of a device of the plurality of devices relative to another device of the plurality of devices is self-calibrated. In one embodiment, the system is a five-camera aligner for use in aligning motor vehicle wheels. In this embodiment, the aligner includes a first camera pod having two alignment cameras and a calibration camera, and a second camera pod having another two alignment cameras and a calibration target. Because the aligner has four alignment cameras and a calibration camera, the aligner is often referred to as a five-camera aligner. For illustration purposes, the first camera pod is herein referred to as the left camera pod and the second camera pod is herein referred to as the right camera pod. In one embodiment, the left camera pod is placed to the left of the aligner, and the right camera pod is placed to the right of the aligner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Snap-On Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Jackson, Steven Glickman, Hoshang D. Shroff, Brian M. Bliven, Michael J. Kling, III
  • Patent number: 6728580
    Abstract: An apparatus for estimating the time to failure acceleration factor of a large industrial motor includes a sensor, a clock for controlling sensor sampling times, and a memory address calculator for mapping output signals of the sensor to a memory address. A unit is provided for incrementing the content of a specified memory address by unity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John Erik Hershey, Brock Estel Osborn, Kati Illouz, Gerald Burt Kliman
  • Publication number: 20040073338
    Abstract: An alignment apparatus 2 has a rotation angle position detector 35 comprising relatively rotatable first and second members 36 and 37. The first member 36 is secured on a first base 10 on a rotary table 83, and the second member 37 is secured to the lower face of a second base 41. A first movable body 43 is disposed on the second base 41 to be movable along a first axis, and a second movable body 45 is disposed on the first movable body 43 to be movable along a second axis. When the rotary table 83 is rotated while the second movable body 45 is restrained, the first movable body 43 is moved along the first and second axes. The misalignment amount between the rotary table 83 and the rotation angle position detector 35 is calculated from the movement position of the first movable body 43.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Applicants: MORI SEIKI CO., LTD., INTELLIGENT MANUFACTURING SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL
    Inventor: Takahiro Kobi
  • Patent number: 6721629
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for aligning a position sensor in a vehicle with steerable wheels comprising obtaining an absolute position value responsive to a position signal from a handwheel position sensor, obtaining a relative position value responsive to an encoder signal count from a position encoder, and obtaining an index position value responsive to an index position signal. The method further includes receiving an alignment enable signal and determining a correction factor responsive to the relative position value and the index position value. The method for aligning a position sensor is responsive to at least one of the absolute position value, the relative position value, and the index position value under conditions determined from the status of the alignment enable signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott M. Wendling, Steven Donald Klein, Reeny Sebastian, Scott E. Weiss
  • Patent number: 6687572
    Abstract: A method for dynamically balancing a rotating system through strategic control model updates, wherein said system contains sensors and sensor measurements whose responses to control actions are used to represent the system through a control model, where said control model and sensor measurements are used to determine future control actions is disclosed. The performance of the control model is evaluated using sensor measurements and responses; the evaluation is further used to determine if it is necessary to update the control model. The ongoing performance of the current control model is anticipated utilizing rate-of-change metrics obtained by evaluating said sensor measurements and responses. When a new control model is needed, further evaluation is done to determine if sensor measurements and responses are adequate for updating the control model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin J. Stalsberg, Dennice F. Gayme
  • Publication number: 20040002775
    Abstract: Based on the realization that, at the instant a holding brake in the drive of a machine tool is actuated, it may not be necessary to precisely observe the setpoint values, it may be provided to adapt control parameters in the controller of the drive such that, given an engaged holding brake, oscillations may be avoided or substantially reduced. By applying a correction value to the controller, it may be possible to prevent the adaptation of the control parameters from resulting in a change at the output of the controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Publication date: January 1, 2004
    Applicant: Dr. Johannes Heidenheim GmbH
    Inventors: Norbert Kerner, Frieder Kohler
  • Patent number: 6668213
    Abstract: An unbalance mass at the front side of a single wheel unit, an unbalance mass at the reverse side of the single wheel unit, a phase difference between the unbalance mass at the front side and the unbalance mass at the reverse side of the single wheel unit, a primary component amplitude of radial run-out of the single wheel unit, a phase angle of the primary component of the radial run-out of the single wheel unit, a contribution coefficient in which the radial run-out of the single wheel unit is transmitted to an RFV, an unbalance mass at the front side of a single tire unit, an unbalance mass at the reverse side of the single tire unit, a phase difference between the unbalance mass at the front side and the unbalance mass at the reverse side of the single tire unit, an RFV primary component amplitude of the single tire unit, and a phase angle of the RFV primary component of the single tire unit are measured and the measured values are input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventor: Fumio Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6665589
    Abstract: A method for predicting an amount of distortion experienced by turbine components due to the replacement of an upper turbine portion, such as an upper casing, is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, a horizontal plane is defined by reference to support points for the turbine casing or shell. From this plane, the relative elevations of support points for a component being aligned is measured, as are elevations along the turbine lower casing at the same axial location as the component. From these relative elevations, vertical and/or transverse offset values are calculated using a predictive algorithm. These offset values may then be used to adjust the aligned component to compensate for the predicted amount of vertical and/or transverse displacement that occurs when the upper casing(s) is/are replaced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Daniel Leonard Steingraeber
  • Patent number: 6657711
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the dynamic characteristics of the vehicle wheel alignment in non-contact fashion with high accuracy is disclosed. A laser light source (4) emits a laser beam of a predetermined geometric pattern toward the wheel side surface. A laser beam control device (6) controls the width of the laser beam in such a manner as to be radiated only in a predetermined range of the wheel side surface. Two laser light sources (120), (121) emit non-parallel laser beams. A photdetecting device (122) receives the two laser beams and converts them to two corresponding image data. A processing unit calculates the distance between the two images based on the two image data and calculates the wheel alignment based on the same distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignees: Anzen Motor Car Co., Ltd., Mitsubishi Precision Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideo Kitagawa, Hiroshi Takagi
  • Patent number: 6658326
    Abstract: A noise reduction system reduces noise associated with an input signal provided to a control system, while substantially minimizing the adverse affect on the responsiveness and stability of the control system. The noise reduction system includes a processor, a memory subsystem and processor executable code. The processor executable code causes the processor to perform a number of steps. Initially, the processor determines an input signal level of an input signal at an input of a noise reduction system. Next, the processor determines an output signal level of an output signal at an output of the noise reduction system. The processor then determines a magnitude of a difference signal which is the difference between the input signal level and the output signal level. When the magnitude of the difference signal is less than a predetermined noise limit, the input signal is provided to an input of a control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: David J. Trapasso
  • Publication number: 20030176949
    Abstract: A method for predicting an amount of distortion experienced by turbine components due to the replacement of an upper turbine portion, such as an upper casing, is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, a horizontal plane is defined by reference to support points for the turbine casing or shell. From this plane, the relative elevations of support points for a component being aligned is measured, as are elevations along the turbine lower casing at the same axial location as the component. From these relative elevations, vertical and/or transverse offset values are calculated using a predictive algorithm. These offset values may then be used to adjust the aligned component to compensate for the predicted amount of vertical and/or transverse displacement that occurs when the upper casing(s) is/are replaced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2003
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Daniel Leonard Steingraeber
  • Patent number: 6618646
    Abstract: A balancer assembly 10 which automatically provides balancer limits, which achieves a balancing state while substantially minimizing short term vibration increases and which provides for multi-plane balancer dithering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Baladyne Corp.
    Inventor: Stephen William Dyer
  • Patent number: 6606922
    Abstract: The present invention provides an enhanced system and method for compensating for load imbalances of rotating members. An imbalance compensator may have a balancing ring wirelessly controlled by a ring controller. The balancing ring may have a housing containing a plurality of actuators configured to exert force against a compensation ring within the housing. The actuators may move the compensation ring with respect to the axis of rotation of the shaft in a direction substantially opposite the direction of the imbalance. The actuators may directly contact the compensation ring, or may exert the force through the use of mechanical transfer devices that provide a selected mechanical advantage. Alternatively, a chamber containing a magnetic fluid may be used to provide a counterbalancing mass. Particles within the magnetic fluid maybe concentrated opposite the imbalance direction through the use of electromagnets or permanent magnets mounted on movable carts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Schmitt Measurement Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne A. Case, Laurence B. Penswick
  • Publication number: 20030154005
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method for measuring and adjusting the pitch and roll angle in the suspension head for magnetic readers for disk drives. The system includes a linear advancement system, a measurement system, an adjustment and heat treatment system and control algorithms TO measure, adjust and correct the roll and pitch in a suspension head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2002
    Publication date: August 14, 2003
    Applicant: ATS Automation Tooling Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Sow Long Wong, Yi Quiang Yang, Choong Wee Hong
  • Patent number: 6594555
    Abstract: A method for predicting an amount of distortion experienced by turbine components due to the replacement of an upper turbine portion, such as an upper casing, is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, a horizontal plane is defined by reference to support points for the turbine casing or shell. From this plane, the relative elevations of support points for a component being aligned is measured, as are elevations along the turbine lower casing at the same axial location as the component. From these relative elevations, vertical and/or transverse offset values are calculated using a predictive algorithm. These offset values may then be used to adjust the aligned component to compensate for the predicted amount of vertical and/or transverse displacement that occurs when the upper casing(s) is/are replaced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Daniel Leonard Steingraeber
  • Patent number: 6593854
    Abstract: A system for qualifying and monitoring bearing performance and condition in a rotary servo system. A position error signal is analyzed for signal anomalies that can signify bearing damage. A DC offset ramp is applied to the position error signal to test whether the anomaly is angular position dependent. The anomaly is associated with the corresponding command signal value and range of values to calculate the angular position and range of the apparent bearing damage. The amplitude of the anomaly is measured and associated with a relative degree of bearing damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: GSI Lumonics Corporation
    Inventor: David C. Brown
  • Patent number: 6574539
    Abstract: A misalignment detection system (12) for steering systems of an automotive vehicle (10) includes a logic device (14) coupled to a vehicle speed sensor (18) and a steering wheel angle sensor (20). The logic device is also coupled to a memory (16) that is used to store a steering wheel ratio map and a historic steering wheel angle or a wheel angle value derived from an automobile manufacturer's wheel alignment specification. The logic device (14) compares the signal from the steering wheel angle sensor (20) with the stored value of either the historic steering wheel angle or the value derived from the manufacturer's alignment specifications at a given vehicle speed to determine error. An indicator (28) may provide an indication to the vehicle operator to signal the presence of the misalignment condition of the steering system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Behrouz Ashrafi
  • Publication number: 20030055536
    Abstract: A device for aligning two machine shafts which are coupled to one another has:
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Applicant: Pruftechnik Dieter Busch AG
    Inventors: Heinrich Lysen, Dieter Busch
  • Publication number: 20030055535
    Abstract: An improved vehicle wheel alignment system having a voice audio interface. A system controller or central processing unit is configured with software to process voice audio signals received through an interconnected microphone, and to generate voice audio signals for delivery through a speaker, without the need for any preprocessing or intermediate processing by a voice command and speech processing card having a separate speech I/O processor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Applicant: Hunter Engineering Company
    Inventors: David A. Voeller, Timothy A. Strege
  • Publication number: 20030040843
    Abstract: The present computer card for electro-pneumatic calibrators with system management corresponds the an equipment for calibrating vehicle tires, automatically, made up by electronic, electric and mechanical components commanded by computer programs, of simple handling, fast and extremely safe, which can be remotely monitored and switched on by the insertion of coins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2001
    Publication date: February 27, 2003
    Inventor: Jose Edmans Forti
  • Publication number: 20030028288
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for aligning a position sensor in a vehicle with steerable wheels comprising obtaining an absolute position value responsive to a position signal from a handwheel position sensor, obtaining a relative position value responsive to an encoder signal count from a position encoder, and obtaining an index position value responsive to an index position signal. The method further includes receiving an alignment enable signal and determining a correction factor responsive to the relative position value and the index position value. The method for aligning a position sensor is responsive to at least one of the absolute position value, the relative position value, and the index position value under conditions determined from the status of the alignment enable signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventors: Scott M. Wendling, Steven Donald Klein, Reeny Sebastian, Scott E. Weiss
  • Patent number: 6498959
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling a mechanism for positioning video cameras for use in measuring vehicle wheel alignment includes optical targets for mounting to the wheels of a vehicle, at least one video camera for viewing said optical targets and producing at least one image thereof, a computer system for measuring said at least one image and for using said measurements to compute vehicle wheel alignment information, a positioning system for positioning said at least one video camera such that said optical targets are visible to said at least one video camera and such that said at least one video camera can produce said at least one image of said targets, and a controller for controlling said positioning system such that a user of said apparatus can cause said at least one video camera to be positioned in at least one desired position and such that said user can further cause said controller to remember said at least one desired position so that any user can, at a later time, cause said controller to
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Assignee: Hunter Engineering Company
    Inventors: Daniel B. January, Nicholas J. Colarelli, III
  • Publication number: 20020193910
    Abstract: A vehicle service system wherein a computer is configured for active wireless communication over a wireless micro-network with any of a variety of similarly configured external components and devices brought into proximity with the computer, including, but not limited to, sensors, input and output devices, mobile computers, onboard vehicle computers, and other vehicle service equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2001
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Applicant: Hunter Engineering Company
    Inventors: Timothy A. Strege, David A. Voeller
  • Publication number: 20020177930
    Abstract: A method and system are provided for generating vehicle alignment reports. Preferred aspects of the present invention comprise receiving at a computer a plurality of alignment characteristics in an electronic format directly from a vehicle alignment auditing machine, receiving at the computer alignment session information, and outputting the alignment characteristics and alignment session information via computer network to a central alignment data repository remote from the computer. An additional aspect of the present invention comprises downloading historical vehicle alignment characteristics, historical alignment session information and predefined alignment specification information via computer network from the central alignment data repository and generating at least one historical alignment report based on the downloaded data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Publication date: November 28, 2002
    Inventors: Michael Stephens Martin, Taesha Diggs Beasley
  • Patent number: 6466845
    Abstract: A method for tracking critical wheel alignment variables begins by assembling a plurality of vehicles and performing a wheel alignment on each of these vehicles. To insure that wheel alignment is being performed properly, approximately two percent the vehicles are audited after production to verify correct wheel alignment. A plurality of significant wheel alignment characteristics for the audited vehicles are automatically collected and transferred to a database. These characteristics are then plotted and reviewed on a weekly basis to identify any negative trends. If a negative trend is identified, then a corrective action to correct this negative trend is implemented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Brian T. Keener, Harry N Kiafoulis
  • Publication number: 20020120365
    Abstract: A wheel alignment technique that employs 2 or 4 wheelless support stands (lower pieces) which cooperate with a corresponding pair of turntables to fully support the vehicle in place of its wheels and to facilitate easier access to the vehicle alignment adjustments for purposes of completing vehicle wheel alignment procedures. The stands incorporate a specially designed face lip that allows for a wheel sensor to be mounted therein. When properly mounted, the computer sensor transmits alignment specification data to an external computer, which will provide immediate alignment angle measurements. Computer sensors can transmit via wire or wireless.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2001
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Inventor: Charles Bokar
  • Patent number: 6435027
    Abstract: A wheel balancer is provided that includes a shaft adapted for receiving a wheel/tire assembly, the shaft having a longitudinal axis and being rotatable about the axis so as to rotate a wheel/tire assembly removably mounted thereon, a sensor assembly for measuring rotation of the shaft about its longitudinal axis, a vibration sensor assembly for measuring vibration of the wheel/tire assembly as the wheel/tire assembly is rotated, a motor operably connected to the shaft for rotating the shaft about its longitudinal axis, a load roller for applying a generally radial force to the wheel/tire assembly during rotation of the wheel/tire assembly and a sensor for measuring the lateral force between the load roller and the wheel/tire assembly. A control circuit is also included that is responsive to the measured vibration of the wheel/tire assembly to determine wheel imbalance, and responsive to the measurement of lateral force to provide information relating to the measured lateral force to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Hunter Engineering Company
    Inventors: Nicholas J. Colarelli, III, Michael W. Douglas, Paul Daniel Parker
  • Patent number: 6422074
    Abstract: A wheel balancer is provided that includes a shaft adapted for receiving a wheel/tire assembly, the shaft having a longitudinal axis and being rotatable about the axis so as to rotate a wheel/tire assembly removably mounted thereon, a sensor assembly for measuring the rotation of the shaft about its longitudinal axis, a vibration sensor assembly for measuring vibration of the wheel/tire assembly as the wheel/tire assembly is rotated, a motor operatively connected to the shaft for rotating the shaft about its longitudinal axis, a load roller for applying a force greater than 150, pounds in a generally radial direction to the wheel/tire assembly during rotation of the wheel/tire assembly and a control circuit responsive to measurements from the vibration sensor assembly to determine imbalance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Hunter Engineering Company
    Inventors: Nicholas J. Colarelli, III, Michael W. Douglas, Paul Daniel Parker
  • Publication number: 20020095242
    Abstract: Determining adjustments for rotating blades includes measuring a plurality of vibration values corresponding to vibrations caused by the blades, providing coefficient of vibration data that corresponds to effects on vibration caused by adjustments to the blades, applying the coefficient of vibration data to the vibration values, and solving for possible values for the adjustments that may be applied to the blades, wherein the possible values for the adjustments are constrained to be greater than a first predetermined value or zero. The adjustments may include at least one of hub weights, blade tabs, PCR adjustments, and blade tip weight adjustments. Measuring vibrations may include obtaining signals from a plurality of accelerometers. Determining adjustments may also include performing an FFT on the vibration data, where the data indicating effects on vibration is provided in the frequency domain. Applying the data to the vibration values may be performed in the frequency domain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2001
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Applicant: Simmonds Precision Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric Robert Bechhoefer
  • Patent number: 6415206
    Abstract: A method for determining a minimal set of adjustments for the blades of a rotor supported by a supporting structure for reducing rotation-induced vibration in the supporting structure at at least one harmonic rotation order and/or for reducing track deviation while maintaining structure vibration over at least one harmonic order within an acceptable limit. In one embodiment, a relationship is established by which vibration of the supporting structure may be calculated at harmonic orders of rotor rotation from Fourier coefficients of adjustment, Fourier coefficients of unit vibration influence and Fourier coefficients of vibration measurements. Thereafter, a value is determined for each selected Fourier coefficient of adjustment that provides a desired virtual reduction of vibration of the supporting structure at the harmonic order of the selected Fourier coefficient of adjustment using the vibration relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Simmonds Precision Products, Inc.
    Inventor: C. Samuel Ventres
  • Patent number: 6405591
    Abstract: A wheel balancer is provided that includes a shaft adapted for receiving a wheel/tire assembly, the shaft having a longitudinal axis and being rotatable about the axis so as to rotate a wheel/tire assembly removably mounted thereon, a rotation sensor assembly for measuring rotation of the shaft about its longitudinal axis, a vibration sensor assembly operatively connected to the shaft for measuring vibration resulting from imbalance in the wheel/tire assembly, a motor operably connected to the shaft for rotating the shaft about its longitudinal axis, a load roller for applying force to the wheel/tire assembly during rotation thereof. A control circuit is also included for controlling the force applied by the load roller to the wheel/tire assembly during rotation. The control circuit causes the load roller to vary the force applied by the load roller to the wheel/tire assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Hunter Engineering Company
    Inventors: Nicholas J. Colarelli, III, Michael W. Douglas, Paul Daniel Parker
  • Patent number: 6397164
    Abstract: A device for determining the wheel and/or axle geometry of motor vehicles in an inspection room using an optical measuring device having at least two image pick-up devices, which, from at least two different perspectives, record images from a marking device (or optical target), inclusive of at least one wheel feature arranged on each wheel, and including an evaluation device. The marking device further includes an automobile body feature and a reference feature arrangement, including at least three reference features for use in obtaining geometrical wheel and axle data. The inspection room is defined between the reference feature arrangement and the driving surface plane. The position of the reference features in the inspection room is known or stored in the evaluation device. The marking device is detected while the motor vehicle is being driven past.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Guenter Nobis, Volker Uffenkamp
  • Patent number: 6374159
    Abstract: A wheel angle of a wheel is adjusted in accordance with the characteristics of tire of the wheel such that a steering characteristics of the vehicle is substantially neutral steer. The wheel angle of a reference wheel of the vehicle (for example, a rear wheel) is adjusted. Next, the reference wheel and a non-reference wheel (for example, a front wheel) are rotated on the tire driving surface of an endless track on which are formed a plurality of plate-like protrusions of a predetermined height. The longitudinal and lateral forces generated in the tire are then measured. On the basis of the wave forms of the rate of change measured in the longitudinal force, a predetermined period is determined from the time when the tire is deformed as the wheel passes over the upward step of the protrusion until the tire is deformed as the wheel passes over the downward step of the protrusion, and data of the lateral force measured within the predetermined period is extracted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventors: Yutaka Naruse, Yozo Hattori
  • Patent number: 6341419
    Abstract: A plurality of rotors are individually measured for determining relative eccentricity between forward and aft annular mounting ends thereof. The measured rotor eccentricities are stacked analytically to minimize eccentricity from a centerline axis. The rotors are then assembled axially end-to-end to correspond with the stacked measured eccentricities thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James M. Forrester, Richard A. Wesling
  • Patent number: 6298284
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for determining the alignment positions and orientations of vehicle wheels includes optical targets mounted on the wheels. A pair of cameras or other image sensing devices on each side of the vehicle are used to obtain images of the various optical targets and a computer is responsive to the images of the targets to determine values of wheel alignment parameters of the vehicle. The surface on which the wheels are disposed may be an automotive lift or a stationary runway. One camera on each side is directed at the target on the corresponding front wheel and the other camera on each side is directed at the target on the corresponding rear wheel. When used with a rack, the major axis of the field of view of each camera is disposed vertically. When used with a stationary runway, the major axis of the field of view of each camera is disposed horizontally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Hunter Engineering Company
    Inventors: Leigh R. Burns, Jr., Timothy A. Strege, Michael T. Stieff, Daniel B. January, Nicholas J. Colarelli, III
  • Patent number: 6293147
    Abstract: A wheel balancing system for the reduction of vehicle wheel and pneumatic tire assembly vibrations with the capacity to determine and selectively adjust the pneumatic tire's pressure simultaneously with wheel balancing. The balancing system includes a drive for rotating the tire and wheel assembly; a sensing system for the selective determination of vibration causation and correction information; a pneumatic system for the adjustment of the pneumatic tire's pressure; a control system for instituting the determined vibration corrections and pressure adjustments; as well as a communication system for receiving, transmitting and presenting data or instructions. The sensing system is responsive to the wheel balancing systems operational status, the wheel and tire assembly's operational status, wireless or network communications and input from the user. The control system includes automatic provisions for safety, convenience, time efficiency, balancing and pressure adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Hunter Engineering Company
    Inventors: Paul Daniel Parker, Nicholas J. Colarelli, III, Michael W. Douglas