Abstract: A road surface state determination device includes a tire-side device and a vehicle-body-side system. The tire-side device is attached to a back surface of a tread of each of a plurality of tires included in a vehicle. The vehicle-body-side system is included in a body of the vehicle. The tire-side device outputs a detection signal corresponding to a magnitude of vibration applied to the tire. The tire-side device generates road surface data indicative of a road surface state appearing in a waveform of the detection signal. The tire-side device transmits the road surface data. The vehicle-body-side system performs bidirectional communication with the tire-side device and receives the road surface data. The vehicle-body-side system determines the road surface state of a road surface on which the vehicle is traveling based on the road surface data.

Abstract: A tire state detection device that includes: a temperature sensor that detects a temperature in a tire air chamber; an acceleration sensor that detects acceleration associated with rotation of a tire; a pressure sensor that detects pressure in the tire air chamber; a storage unit that stores a plurality of maps for calculating a fatigue state of the tire on the basis of the detected temperature, the detected acceleration and the detected pressure; and a tire fatigue index calculation unit that calculates, by referring to each of the plurality of maps, a tire fatigue index from the detected acceleration, the detected temperature, and the detected pressure.

Abstract: A weight-on-wheel sensing system includes a movable linkage assembly. An indicator is associated with the linkage assembly. At least one biasing mechanism is operably coupled to the indicator such that a biasing force of the biasing mechanism is applied to the indicator. A position sensing mechanism coupled to the indicator to determine a position of the indicator.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for controlling the simulation of a coupled hybrid dynamic system. A physical test rig configured to drive the physical structure component of the system and to generate a test rig response as a result of applying a test rig drive signal. A processor is configured with a virtual model of a complementary system to the physical structure component. The processor receives the test rig response and generates a response of the complementary system based on a received test rig response. The system can be driven with a random input. The processor compares the test rig response with the response of the complementary system, the difference being used to form a system dynamic response model.

Abstract: Test cases for autonomous vehicles are generated automatically by using data which have been collected from vehicles participating in public road traffic. A test planning system for autonomous vehicle includes defined application cases for autonomous vehicles. The vehicles are configured to identify test cases with prediction analyzes of a reference catalog of driving situations and the defined application cases, and compare, via a comparative analyzes, the test cases and the defined application cases to compile an expanded set of test cases, wherein the expanded set of test cases are compared to the defined application cases to output a complete set of test cases. The system also includes a central database configured to query the complete set of test cases.

Abstract: A dynamometer for automobile steering wheel position adjusting device which comprising: a rack box, a fixing fixture, a supplemental fixing fixture, a first dynamometer mechanism, and a second dynamometer mechanism. The fixing fixture which comprising a base panel, four locking devices, two supporting device; the two dynamometer mechanism are both provided with a dynamometer. The fixing fixture and the first dynamometer mechanism are mounted on the base surface of the rack box, the first dynamometer mechanism is arranged in front of the fixing fixture, the supplemental fixing fixture is mounted on the right side wall of the rack box and the second dynamometer mechanism is mounted on the left side wall of the rack box. The two dynamometer mechanisms test the force required to turn adjustment handle or to pull or push the telescoping column with the neck of the steering wheel position adjusting device respectively.

Abstract: A tire performance testing apparatus capable of reproducing conditions in which tire runs on actual road having a pothole, that is, conditions in which tire hits projection after moving in the air. The tire performance testing apparatus includes a tire running surface, a projection installing surface disposed on the front side of the end of the tire running surface in the traveling direction of a vehicle traveling on the tire running surface and positioned lower than the end of the tire running surface, and a projection disposed on the projection installing surface in such a manner as to protrude upward from the projection installing surface. And the distance between the end of the tire running surface and the projection is so set that the tire of a vehicle traveling on the tire running surface hits the projection after getting airborne away from the end of the tire running surface.

Abstract: A suspension damper test apparatus is provided. The suspension damper test apparatus includes a first fixture having a force sensor, a first prying device, and a first torsion device, operatively coupled to a first end of a suspension damper. A second fixture having at least one of a displacement sensor and a speed sensor, is operatively coupled to a second end of a suspension damper. A controller is in signal communication with the force sensor and the at least one of the displacement sensor and the speed sensor. The controller is configured to record signals received from one or more of the force sensor, and the at least one of the displacement sensor and the speed sensor. The signals recorded are representative of a friction of the suspension damper while the suspension damper is actuated along a longitudinal axis of the suspension damper.

Abstract: Shooting rests and associated methods of manufacture and use. A rear support of a shooting rest includes a stop configured to inhibit rearward movement of a firearm when the firearm is supported on the rest and fired. The stop supports a recoil pad for cushioning recoil of the firearm.

Abstract: A method for characterizing a stiction condition in a manual steering gear includes transmitting a steering input control signal to a rotary actuator, and rotating a steering shaft with constant acceleration, via the rotary actuator, in response to the steering input control signal. A steering output torque is determined while rotating the steering shaft with the constant acceleration, receiving the steering output torque via the controller, and executing a control action when a rate of the received steering output torque exceeds a threshold rate indicative of the stiction condition. A system includes a rotary actuator, a manual steering gear having a steering shaft connected to the rotary actuator, a torque transducer for measuring a steering output torque imparted to the steering shaft by the actuator, and a controller programmed as set forth above.

Abstract: A blunt impact test apparatus includes an apparatus frame having track rails for positioning proximate the test structure; a track angle positioning mechanism engaging the track rails to control a slope of the track rails; and an impact cart adapted to roll on the track rails.

Abstract: A shim stack testing apparatus and method of determining a stiffness of the shim stick may be employed to assemble a shim stack kit. The apparatus includes a testing jig that receives either a compression or rebound shim stack. The testing jig may be used with a variety of testing machines capable of determining force versus deflection. The test jig includes a simulated piston rod coupled to a simulated piston valve having apertures. The shim stack being tested may be coupled to the piston at a selected location and then deflected by a pre-determined amount by a loading fixture having elongated prongs. Once the pre-determined deflection is achieved, a corresponding force is identified and then an overall stiffness value for the shim stack is obtained. Tested shim stacks may be assembled into kits with each having an identified stiffness that may be compared to a baseline stiffness value.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating vibrations in a component comprising a clamp assembly for clamping the component and a vibration generator for generating vibrations in the clamped component, the clamp assembly including: a base member, a pair of fixedly-spaced clamp members and a wedge for laterally wedging part of the component between the clamp members thereby to clamp the component. The base member, or a fixed clamp member, is inclined and the wedge having an inclined wedging surface arranged to engage the inclined base member or inclined fixed clamp member. The apparatus may form part of a test rig for vibration testing components such as turbo machine blades.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for testing a device for protecting against piercing elements, such as ammunition or weapons with blades that can pierce human beings, said method including the following steps: providing a block of plastically deformable material; fitting the block with the protection device to be tested; applying the piercing elements to the protection device with a series of predetermined levels of energy and kinematics; measuring the sizes of the impacts of the piercing elements in the block of plastically deformable material, and obtaining a series of measurements of mechanical parameters resulting from the piercing elements; and converting the series of measurements using conversion data obtained by a conversion method according to the invention, so as to deduce therefrom the corresponding mechanical properties resulting from the piercing elements on a dummy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of monitoring the effectiveness of a damper system, wherein the method consists in measuring the relative movements of two strength members, in filtering the measurements in order to isolate those that relate to the lead-lag resonant frequency of the blade, in rectifying the signal, in recording the signal, in comparing the rectified signal (S) with a threshold value (SL), in determining an initial time interval (T0) as soon as the rectified signal exceeds the threshold value (SL), in calculating the integrals of the signal from T0 to T0+? and from T0 to T0+p?, in calculating the ratio R of the integrals, and in comparing the ratio R with a limit value RL, and in activating and delivering an alert signal (V1) if the ratio R is greater than or equal to the limit value RL.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to execute an optimum control of vibrations due to a driver's operation of an accelerator pedal, steering wheel and brake pedal. The operation instructions are inputted into a vibration calculating means (kinetic model) comprising a vehicle body model, suspension model and tire model. Conventional kinetic model controlled the suspension in order to suppress the vehicle body vibration. However, in the kinetic model of the present invention, the tire vibration due to a change in the engine output is first absorbed by the suspension, whereby a residual vibration which was not be absorbed yet by the suspension is transferred to the vehicle body. The operation inputs are compensated by the three feed-back loops between the outputs of the above-mentioned three portions and input of the tire portion, giving the highest priority on the vehicle body model.

Abstract: A shim stack testing apparatus and method of determining a stiffness of the shim stick may be employed to assemble a shim stack kit. The apparatus includes a testing jig that receives either a compression or rebound shim stack. The testing jig may be used with a variety of testing machines capable of determining force versus deflection. The test jig includes a simulated piston rod coupled to a simulated piston valve having apertures. The shim stack being tested may be coupled to the piston at a selected location and then deflected by a pre-determined amount by a loading fixture having elongated prongs. Once the pre-determined deflection is achieved, a corresponding force is identified and then an overall stiffness value for the shim stack is obtained. Tested shim stacks may be assembled into kits with each having an identified stiffness that may be compared to a baseline stiffness value.

Abstract: A method for determining mechanical power dissipation in a vibratory system, assuming the system is linear time-invariant and steady-state. The method includes the steps of identifying connection points between the vibratory system and components outside the vibratory system. The acceleration is measured at each connection point in a windowed time domain and the force at each connection point is also determined for the windowed time domain. The time domain values are converted into the frequency domain values by the fast Fourier transform, and the frequency domain acceleration values are converted to velocity values. The power dissipation of the vibratory system then equals the summation of one half of the power flow into the vibratory system. Here, each power flow is one half of the real part of the product of complex-conjugated velocity times force at the connection point in the frequency domain for each time window.

Abstract: A method, system, and device for optimizing a vehicle's suspension includes: mounting at least one modified passive shock with a plurality of sensors onto a vehicle, where the shock is adjustable for a plurality of damping forces; connecting the shock to an electronic control unit being for adjusting the damping forces of the shock and reading the plurality of sensors; and running the vehicle through a plurality of test cycles where the electronic control unit reading the plurality of sensors during each test cycle and adjusting the shock to a different damping force between each test cycle, where the adjusted shock emulating the damping forces of multiple standard passive shocks.

Abstract: A sensing device has at least two remote units mounted on an attachable tape, the remote units being mounted on separate branches of the attachable tape, a controller mounted on the attachable tape, electrical connections at least between each remote unit and the controller, the electrical connections on the attachable tape, and a surface to which the tape is attached such that the branches are separated from each other. A method of manufacturing a sensing device, including providing an attachable substrate, and fabricating electronic devices on the substrate, the electronic devices including at least two remote units, a controller and electrical connections between the remote units and the controller, and arranging the electronic devices such that at least two remote units are separated from each other.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus and a method for carrying out a vibroacoustic inspection of a motor vehicle that features at least a front and a rear axle, with a test stand that is directly or indirectly connected to at least one of the two axles by means of a force flow and relative to which the motor vehicle is tied, wherein at least one vibration generator of a first type is provided along the force flow in order to generate vibrations below 50 Hz. The invention includes at least one second vibration generator of a second type, which is provided along the at least one force flow or parallel to the force flow, for generating vibrations above 30 Hz, preferably above 100 Hz, and the at least one second vibration generator is operatively connected to the motor vehicle.

Abstract: An electronically adjustable shock absorber, and a system, method, and algorithm for developing a vehicle suspension. The shock absorber has damping characteristics that can be adjusted electronically to match a desired set of damping characteristics. The test method includes closed loop control of the electronically adjustable shock to achieve user-provided damping characteristics. The characteristics can be selected from a graphical user interface to simulate different internal flow passages of a shock absorber. Some embodiments make possible the simulated testing of different hardware embodiments, without the need to make the actual shock absorbers and without the need interrupt the vehicle suspension testing for multiple shock absorber installations.

Abstract: A test fixture for testing a motor vehicle suspension, brake components and wheel components on a motor vehicle sub-frame is provided. The test fixture can include a lower frame attached to a base surface and be dimensioned for the motor vehicle sub-frame to be attached thereto. An upper frame oppositely disposed to the lower frame and dimensioned to attach to the sub-frame is also included. A shaker system is attached to the base surface and is operable to provide a predetermined vertical displacement profile to the sub-frame. A motor is attached to an axle assembly on the sub-frame and is operable to rotate a wheel component at a predetermined rate of rotation. A non-contact gap sensor is included and can be attached to the sub-frame and detect or monitor movement between a first sub-frame component and a second sub-frame component.

Abstract: A system measures an amount of wear in athletic footwear by measuring the amount of shock transmitted to a user. The measured shock is used to indicate an amount of how much cushioning has been lost by the footwear. The amount of wear is proportional to the loss of cushioning and an increase in transmitted shock to the user.

Abstract: Provided is a device for testing an isolation structure comprising an isolation layer having an upper beam, a lower beam and a top beam plate, along with an upper portion, the device comprising a plurality of upper corbels, a plurality of lower corbels, a plurality of hoisting jacks, a plurality of acceleration sensors, a plurality of displacement sensors, an acceleration collecting analyzer and a displacement collecting analyzer. A method for testing an isolation structure is also provided.

Abstract: A leak detector apparatus for a pressurized cylinder having a cylinder of a radius (r) with a slidable piston in the cylinder with a gas filled chamber positioned between a cylinder end and the piston face. The length (L) of the chamber is calculated according to load changes on the piston where the volume (Vc) of the chamber changes. The pressure and temperature of the chamber are measured as well as the length. These values are inputted to a processor to solve the ideal gas law equation PV=nRT where a change in n for a change in length indicates a leak.

Abstract: An apparatus for counting and storing a number of rounds fired from a gun includes a microcomputer; a non-volatile memory connected to the microcomputer; and at least one piezoelectric transducer connected to the microcomputer and mounted on the gun, the at least one piezoelectric transducer comprising a power source that generates power during operation of the gun. The piezoelectric transducer may also sense the firing of the gun.

Abstract: Provided is a shock absorbing facility monitoring system and a shock absorbing facility monitoring apparatus for vehicles, where when a vehicle collides with a shock absorbing facility, the situation before and after the collision is photographed, and the photographed signals are transmitted to a main control center in a wireless transmission method. The shock absorbing facility monitoring system for vehicles comprises: shock absorbing facility monitoring apparatuses installed within a certain distance from the shock absorbing facility; an information communication network for transmitting the vehicle approach signal and the video signal transmitted from the plurality of shock absorbing facility monitoring apparatuses to a remote site; and a central control apparatus installed at a main control center.

Abstract: A series arranged air compressors system includes a first air compressor and a second air compressor pneumatically connected in series in an open, closed or partially closed state of operation. The output of the second air compressor is used as a source of compressed air for an air suspension system of a motor vehicle and/or to pressurize air inflatable articles. Flow of compressed air is selectively controlled by an electronic control circuit via at least one air flow control block, and the system may further include one or more air reservoirs.

Abstract: A system measures an amount of wear in athletic footwear by measuring the amount of shock transmitted to a user. The measured shock is used to indicate an amount of how much cushioning has been lost by the footwear. The amount of wear is proportional to the loss of cushioning and an increase in transmitted shock to the user.

Abstract: Disclosed is a level control system in which the operational readiness of the compressor (2) is tested by connecting the pressure sensor (10) to the output (6) of the compressor (2) via a compressed-air sensor line (8). All other compressed-air lines that are connected to the output (6) of the compressor (2) are locked by shutting directional control valves (201 to 20d and 30). The compressor (2) is then switched on and it is tested how rapidly the pressure increases on the pressure sensor (10). If the increase per interval exceeds a defined threshold value, the compressor is operationally ready.

Abstract: A data storage device is provided that is suitable for use under the environment where mechanical shock is frequently applied. The data storage device includes plural storage units as closed structures each of which houses a storage medium therein, the storage medium being capable of moving relative to a head for access, an external force detection portion for outputting signals corresponding to external forces applied to the storage units in plural directions, and a controller for controlling the storage units. The storage units are arranged in such a manner that the storage units are different from one another in a direction of relative movement between the storage medium and the head, and the controller selectively makes one or more of the storage units perform an access operation in accordance with the signal outputted from the external force detection portion.

Abstract: By bringing a golf ball into collision with a collisional plate and measuring a coefficient of dynamic friction at this collision, contact force at the time of collision between an actual golf club and the golf ball is analyzed and spin rate of the golf ball is estimated. This invention provides a method for measuring a coefficient of dynamic friction between a golf ball and a collisional plate when the golf ball collides with the collisional plate disposed aslant at a predetermined angle with respect to a flying direction of the golf ball. The method includes concurrently obtaining a time function Fn(t) of contact force in the direction perpendicular to the collisional plate, and a time function Ft(t) of contact force in the direction parallel with the collisional plate; and determining as a coefficient of dynamic friction, a maximum value of a time function M(t) of ratio between Fn(t) and Ft(t) represented by M(t)=Ft(t)/Fn(t).

Abstract: A method and system for evaluating and tuning damper system includes at least one test rig on which one or more physical damper system are mounted. A full vehicle model and a road description are used with the test rig to test and evaluate or tune the damper system as would be conducted on a real test track. The full vehicle model is modified to remove the characteristics of the damper system under test. The remainder of the full vehicle model produces output signals in the form of displacements or loads that are transmitted as inputs to the test rig to apply those signals. The test rig measures output signals in the form of complementary displacements or loads that will become inputs to the vehicle model in place of the removed model of the damper system under test. In this manner, the physical damper system under test is inserted into a real time model of the full vehicle, road and driver.

Abstract: An impulse event separating method, and an apparatus to perform the method, the method including dividing an input signal into frame units and dividing each frame into a plurality of frequency sub-bands; obtaining a power variation and phase variation of the signal of each of the frequency sub-bands, and detecting a plurality of local onsets using the power variation and the phase variation; obtaining a global onset from the local onsets and triggering a plurality of event components using the local onsets and the global onset; tracking and combining the event components in each of the frequency sub-bands to form events; and determining whether the events comprise an impulse event with reference to an impulse event property.

Abstract: A system and method of sensing a load on a vehicle that includes a plurality of wheel-engaging members is disclosed. The vehicle body is supported on the plurality of wheel-engaging members and receives a cargo having a cargo weight. The method includes providing a non-fluid spring having an unloaded length and a spring rate, the non-fluid springs are supported between the vehicle body and one of the wheel-engaging members and being deflected to a loaded length under the cargo weight of the cargo. The method continues with determining the loaded length of the non-fluid springs. The method also includes determining an approximate value of the cargo weight based at least partially upon the spring rate and the loaded length of the non-fluid spring.

Abstract: A leak detector apparatus for a pressurized cylinder having a cylinder of a radius (r) with a slidable piston in the cylinder with a gas filled chamber positioned between a cylinder end and the piston face. The length (L) of the chamber is calculated according to load changes on the piston where the volume (Vc) of the chamber changes. The pressure and temperature of the chamber are measured as well as the length. These values are inputted to a processor to solve the ideal gas law equation PV=nRT where a change in n for a change in length indicates a leak.

Abstract: A shock assembly includes a first tube having a cylindrical wail with an inner surface and an outer surface. A second tube is received within the first tube and includes a cylindrical wall having an inner surface and an outer surface. A piston assembly is received within the second tube and includes a piston rod and a piston that is selectively movable relative to the first tube and the second tube. A height-sensing device is disposed within the first tube between the inner surface of the first tube and the outer surface of the second lube.

Abstract: The present invention is a method with a 3-dimensional measuring apparatus for determining vehicle suspension parameters, which include roll center, scrub radius, etc. The apparatus measures the upper and lower control arm pivot locations, which include coordinate planes X, Y, and Z, where X is longitudinal distance from front axle centerline, Y is height above ground, and Z is distance from vehicle centerline. Suspension measurements are provided by at least one lower support (23a), at least one vertical member (24a), at least one horizontal arm (26a), and at least one indicator support (22) located at a ground plane in proximity to a tire's tread. Indicator (BC?) on indicator support (22) indicates at least one lower steering pivot location determined by horizontal arm (26a). Wheel pivot locator (21) connected to indicator support (22) locates kingpin trail (C?) and provides a way for measuring the scrub radius between kingpin trail (C?) and tire centerline (E).

Abstract: A ball joint for a motor vehicle includes a housing (6) having a cavity (5), and with a ball pivot (1), which has a pin (2) and a joint ball (3) and which, with its joint ball (3), is mounted in the cavity (5) of the housing (6) in a manner that permits it to rotate and pivot. The journal (2) extends through an opening (7) provided in the housing and out therefrom. The inventive ball joint also comprises sealing bellows (11), which are placed between the housing (6) and the journal (2). A multipart measuring arrangement is provided having at least one signal transmitter (17, 18) and at least one sensor (20, 21, 22). The measuring arrangement is placed between the pin-side end of the joint ball (3) and the pin-side end of the sealing bellows (11).

Abstract: A suspension testing or demonstrating apparatus includes a first section of track having a first undulation that displaces a wheel of the vehicle by a first predetermined amount when the wheel traverses at least a portion of the first undulation. A second section of track is positioned proximate to the first section of track such that the wheel traverses the second section of track after traversing the first section of track. The second section of track includes a second undulation that displaces the wheel of the vehicle by a second predetermined amount when the wheel traverses at least a portion of the second undulation.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and medium for detecting an impact sound and an apparatus, method, and medium for discriminating the impact sound using the same. The impact sound detecting apparatus includes: an onset detector separating an input signal of a frame unit into a low frequency signal and a high frequency signal, measuring powers of the separated signals, and detecting onsets by detecting changes in the measured powers; an event buffer buffering the powers measured by the onset detector and spectral data of the input signal; and an impact sound verifier determining whether each of the detected onsets is an impulse onset, and if each of the detected onsets is the impulse onset, detecting events starting from the impulse onsets by checking the powers stored in the event buffer and determining each of the detected events to be an impulse event if each of the detected onsets satisfies a predetermined condition.

Abstract: An enlargement button that instruct enlargement of first to fourth buttons to is displayed on a display. The first to fourth buttons to are used to instruct the operation of a control device to be controlled by an electronic control unit to which a trouble diagnosing device is connected. When the enlargement button is manipulated, the first to fourth buttons to are enlarged in the display respectively in corners sections created by dividing the display screen substantially equally into four. With this arrangement, the operator no longer needs to monitor the first to the fourth button by eyes for manipulating these buttons, thereby improving the operability.

Abstract: A method of vehicle suspension testing includes conducting actual road testing of a vehicle including collecting data, and generating a drive file from the collected data for road test simulation. A vehicle suspension parameter is changed to result in a changed vehicle. Initial simulated road testing of the changed vehicle is conducted using the drive file, and results from the simulated and actual road testing are compared using acceptability criteria to determine whether to conduct further actual road testing of the changed vehicle before conducting further simulated road testing of the changed vehicle in response to the changed suspension parameter. Further simulated road testing of the changed vehicle is conducted if the acceptability criteria are met. Otherwise, further actual road testing of the changed vehicle is first conducted to develop a new drive file for use with additional simulated road testing of the changed vehicle.

Abstract: A method of testing a vibration damper mounted between a body and a wheel in a motor vehicle includes the steps of storing a parameter which corresponds to the damping force of a new vibration damper in a memory unit, wherein the parameter is the cushioning work of a tire relative to a defined excitation of a new vibration damper; subjecting the wheel to reciprocating excitation which causes the vibration damper to generate a damping force; determining the cushioning work of the tire based on the damping force during the reciprocating excitation; comparing the cushioning work of the tire during the reciprocating excitation with the parameter stored in the memory unit; and determining that the damper is defective when the cushioning work during the reciprocating excitation differs from the stored parameter by more than a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A pneumatic device selection system has a computer, first through sixth databases connected to the computer and storing data of at least pneumatic devices, a coordinate input unit and a keyboard connected to the computer, for entering input data based on an input action of an operator into the computer, and a display unit connected to the computer, for displaying information from the computer. The pneumatic device selection system functionally has a first selection processor for selecting a cylinder operating system based on input data from the coordinate input unit or the like, and a second selection processor for selecting a shock absorber based on input data from the coordinate input unit or the like and/or a selection result from the first selection processor.

Abstract: The output level of vibration of a portion below the spring of a vehicle detected by a sensor, and its frequency is converted to obtain the frequency spectrum of the vibration level. Next, an operation is carried out on at least two vibration levels, at different frequency bands. The computed value is compared with a master curve showing the frequency spectrum of vibration level stored in vibration level storage to estimate the condition of a road surface so as to estimate the running state of the vehicle. Further, the running state of each tire including air pressure is detected from the vibration level of the portion below the spring to estimate the running state of the vehicle. Thereby, a multi-function sensing system is constructed for estimating the condition of a road surface or the running state of the tire with one sensor.

Abstract: A control system is operable to selectably activate shock damping devices associated with a bicycle so as to eliminate bobbing encountered under extreme pedaling conditions. The system includes a crank axle torque detector which operates to detect a level of torque applied to a crank axle and provide a control signal corresponding to the level of torque. A shock damping device is coupled to the frame of the cycle, and functions to absorb and dampen mechanical shocks communicated to the frame. The shock damping device includes an activator for controlling its damping function. The activator is operable to receive the control signal from the crank axle torque detector and control the shock damping device in response thereto. The control signal may be an electrical or a mechanical signal.

Abstract: A shock dynameter provides for testing, measurement, and quantification of suspension shock absorbers, also known as suspension dampers, particularly as fitted to small and scale vehicles. The shock dynamometer provides a reliable, convenient, economical, and compact method and device for testing suspension shock absorbers.

Abstract: A method detects leakages in a motor vehicle air spring system which includes a plurality of air springs and has a level control arrangement. The level control arrangement includes: an electronic control apparatus; a plurality of elevation determination sensors associated with corresponding ones of the air springs; a pressure sensor; a plurality of air spring valves corresponding to respective ones of the air springs and a compressor. The elevation determination sensors and the pressure sensor are connected to the control apparatus for supplying signals thereto. The control apparatus functions to process the signals for controlling the air spring valves and the compressor for controlling the motor vehicle upwardly or downwardly in elevation.