With Dynamometer Patents (Class 73/116.05)
  • Patent number: 11760282
    Abstract: A method for detecting a special operating state of a motor vehicle which differs from a normal operating state of the motor vehicle, in which a noise emitted by the motor vehicle during operation of the motor vehicle is captured in the interior of the motor vehicle using a mobile apparatus which is separate from the motor vehicle, and the noise is compared with a plurality of reference noises provided by the mobile apparatus, the noise being assigned to a most similar reference noise of the plurality of reference noises on the basis of the comparison if a minimum similarity value is exceeded, and the special operating state being detected by the assignment which has been carried out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: VITESCO TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventor: Carsten Bruns
  • Patent number: 11733671
    Abstract: This overall control device for a testing system comprises: a plurality of resonance suppression controllers that each generate a torque current command signal for suppressing mechanical resonance between a specimen and a dynamometer upon receiving a base torque current command signal and axial torque detection signal and have different input/output characteristics; a specimen characteristic acquisition unit for acquiring the value of the moment of inertia of the specimen connected to the dynamometer; and a resonance-suppression-controller selection unit for selecting one of the plurality of resonance suppression controllers on the basis of the value of the moment of inertia acquired by the specimen characteristic acquisition unit and mounting the selected resonance suppression controller in a dynamometer control module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: MEIDENSHA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masayasu Kanke, Takao Akiyama
  • Patent number: 11215533
    Abstract: A case having a stator fixed to an inside surface of a peripheral wall portion can be inserted into a tire house of a vehicle from an outside o in an axial direction. An inside of a hollow portion of the case can receive, by insertion thereinto, a brake disc and a brake caliper of the vehicle. A rotor includes: a rotor coupling portion that can be coupled to a drive wheel coupling portion of the vehicle; a rotor frame extending outside in a radial direction at an axially outer position than the brake caliper in a state in which the rotor coupling portion is coupled to the drive wheel coupling portion; a rotor circumferential wall portion connected to a radially outside end of the rotor frame, and extending axially inside from a connecting portion with the radially outside end; and a magnet fixed to the rotor circumferential wall portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: TOYO DENKI SEIZO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Okamoto, Yuta Funaki
  • Patent number: 11204302
    Abstract: According to the present invention, an input-side dynamometer control device is provided with an inertia compensator, a resonance suppression controller 53, a set value acquisition unit 58 for acquiring set values Jset, Jtgt. The resonance suppression controller 53 is provided with: a plurality of resonance suppression control modules 541-546 that generate input-side torque current command signals Ti on the basis of an inertia compensation torque signal Tref and an input-side shaft torque detection signal T12 so as to suppress resonance; and a selector 55 that selects one of the control modules 541-546 on the basis of the set values Jset, Jtgt. The inertia compensation torque signal Tref and the input-side shaft torque detection signal T12 are inputted to one of the resonance suppression control modules selected by the selector 55, and the input-side torque current command signal generated by the selected resonance suppression control module is inputted to an inverter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: MEIDENSHA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takashi Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 11180904
    Abstract: An engine on an excavator provides power to a hydraulic pump that pumps hydraulic fluid under pressure to a hydraulic actuator. The hydraulic actuator is controlled to place a load on the engine. Engine response to the load placed on it by the hydraulic actuator is detected and logged. The logged engine response data can be accessed to identify engine response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Amy K. Jones, Kristen Dawn Cadman, Erik W. McWethy, Jaccob Bruce Eichinger
  • Patent number: 10801921
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving fuel economy in vehicles such as Class 8 trucks are provided. In some embodiments, signals indicating states of the powertrain are collected and used to generate fuel rate optimization values. Fuel rate optimization values may indicate a difference between optimum fuel flow rates and actual fuel flow rates during a vehicle drive cycle. Recorded fuel rate optimization values may be used to compare different vehicle configurations during testing, and may also be used to evaluate vehicle performance during real-world operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: PACCAR INC
    Inventors: Christopher Michael James Douglas, Michael Douglas Gerty, Mark G. Malowicki
  • Patent number: 10661812
    Abstract: A display device is a device mounted on a vehicle including an engine, and an electric motor connected to a drive wheel, the display device including: a display unit capable of displaying a predetermined image indicating that the engine operates; and a display control unit configured to cause the display unit to display the predetermined image when the engine operates with fuel consumption, in which, when regeneration by the electric motor is performed and an operation request for causing the engine to operate occurs, the display control unit causes the display unit to display the predetermined image regardless of an operation state of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masanori Matsushita, Hiroshi Tagami
  • Patent number: 10605689
    Abstract: A test piece characteristic estimation method includes estimating a moment of inertia of a test piece. A first transfer function G1 from a torque current command for a dynamometer to output from a shaft torque sensor is measured by vibrationally operating the dynamometer. A second transfer function G2 from the torque current command to the output of a dynamo rotation speed sensor is measured by vibrationally operating the dynamometer. A real part and an imaginary part of a ratio obtained by dividing the second transfer function G2 by the first transfer function G1 at a prescribed measurement frequency ?k are calculated. A moment of inertia Jeg and a rotational friction Ceg are estimated by using the real part and the imaginary part of the ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: MEIDENSHA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takao Akiyama
  • Patent number: 10480441
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling a temperature of an exhaust gas at an inlet of a selective catalytic reduction system during at least certain low air density conditions. The system may detect an air density value upstream of an internal combustion engine of an engine system, such as, for example, at an inlet of a compressor. Using the detected air density, one of a plurality of relationships between an engine speed and an outputted engine power, as a function of the detected air density value, may be selected for use in determining what combination of engine speed(s) and/or engine power(s) will produce an exhaust gas that is within a target exhaust gas temperature. Using the selected relationship, at least one of the engine speed and the engine power may be adjusted to at least assist in attaining the target exhaust gas temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: John L. Hoehne, Ian W. McGiffen, Chandan Mahato, Paul Daniel Borisuk, Boopathi Singalandapuram Mahadevan
  • Patent number: 10416043
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving fuel economy in vehicles such as Class 8 trucks are provided. In some embodiments, signals indicating states of the powertrain are collected and used to generate fuel rate optimization values. Fuel rate optimization values may indicate a difference between optimum fuel flow rates and actual fuel flow rates during a vehicle drive cycle. Recorded fuel rate optimization values may be used to compare different vehicle configurations during testing, and may also be used to evaluate vehicle performance during real-world operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: PACCAR Inc
    Inventors: Christopher Michael James Douglas, Michael Douglas Gerty, Mark G. Malowicki
  • Patent number: 10195989
    Abstract: A communication system for a vehicle comprises a mechanism for sensing a motion status of a vehicle, a control device, plurality of data acquisition sensors, and one or more alerting device activation circuits. The communication system is customizable with the plurality of data acquisition sensors and one or more alerting device activation circuits based upon the needs of the vehicle. In some embodiments, the communication system is customized before it is installed within the vehicle. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the communication system is customizable after it is installed within the vehicle by turning on and/or turning off one or more of the data acquisition sensors and one or more alerting device activation circuits. The communication system is able to be implemented on a bus or other such fleet vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Vision Works IP Corporation
    Inventors: Fritz Braunberger, Beau M. Braunberger
  • Patent number: 9933332
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a dynamometer rotary table (1), which brings the dynamometer to the required position according to the test that will be conducted automatically or manually. The dynamometer rotary table (1) is mounted to the ground via a fixed plate (2). An inner table (4) is seated on the fixed plate (2), and there are lifters (5) on the inner table. The lifters (5) lift the rotary table (6), and the rotary table (6) is brought to the desired position by means of the reducer (3). The lifters (5) lower the rotary table (6) to its new position, and the lock unit (8) fixed the rotary table (6) at its new position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: FORD OTOMOTIV SANAYI ANONIM SIRKETI
    Inventors: Idris Haciomeroglu, Selcuk Celikel, Sevket Emre Oz, Fethi Semih Ozkan, Alper Tekeli, Ergun Guraslan
  • Patent number: 9870650
    Abstract: The present invention mainly intends to provide a vehicle test system and the like that can easily mutually compare actual running data and test result data obtained from a test apparatus, or pieces of test result data. The vehicle test system includes an actual running data acquisition apparatus that acquires actual running data that is data related to states inside and outside of a vehicle in running on a road; a test apparatus each of which performs a drive test or an operation test of a vehicle or a part of the vehicle in accordance with a set test condition; and a test management apparatus that reproduces a part or all of the running states indicated by the actual running data in the test apparatus. Further, the test management apparatus receives test result data that is data indicating a test result by the test apparatus, and comparably outputs the test result data and the actual running data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Horiba, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mineyuki Komada, Katsumi Uratani, Yasuyuki Sado
  • Patent number: 9739687
    Abstract: Provided is a dynamometer system dynamo control device that can accurately reproduce a no-load state. The dynamo control device includes controllers that are designed, using a H-infinity control or a ?-design method, such that, for a generalized plant that outputs observation output and a controlled variable from external input and from control input, the response from the input until the variable is shortened. The generalized plant includes a dynamic characteristics model wherein the characteristics of a dynamometer system are identified such that the angular acceleration is output from the external input and the control input. The controlled variable is the difference between the angular acceleration calculated for an engine alone on the basis of the external input and the angular acceleration calculated by the dynamic characteristics model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Meidensha Corporation
    Inventors: Takao Akiyama, Yoshimasa Sawada, Nobuhiko Asakura
  • Patent number: 9651452
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method and a control device for controlling a powertrain test stand comprising a driving machine and a driven machine. According to the invention, a torque supplied by the driving machine is controlled, a reference variable (Mx) for controlling the torque of the driving machine in order to dampen vibrations between the driving machine and the driven machine being modified depending on a current speed (nist) of the driving machine in relation to a predefined value (Mist), the reference variable (Mx) being determined from a model of a virtual tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: KRISTL, SEIBT & CO. GESELLSCHAFT M.B.H.
    Inventors: Robert Bauer, Bernd Pressl, Martin Baschnegger, Martin Wipfler
  • Patent number: 9650049
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for an intelligent quick bed-in of an automatic transmission comprising the steps of operating the vehicle according to a predetermined protocol so that the powertrain controller can learn about powertrain variations and adapt operation of the transmission; obtaining feedback information regarding operator performance of the method and vehicle performance during the method; determining whether the bed-in method was successful by the level of run-up or tie-up, by whether the powertrain controller was allowed to adapt, or by the level of powertrain controller adaptation; and completing the bedding-in process. The method being capable of reducing the time required for a bedding-in process, while improving the reliability of the bedding-in process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignees: Hyundai America Technical Center, Inc., Hyundai Motor Company, KIA Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew Betts, BeongYeol You, Anthony Golletti, Thomas Kieffer
  • Patent number: 9592809
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hybrid brake system having a hydraulic service brake system and an electromechanical service brake system. According to the invention, a brake booster is designed as a pedal simulator, which can be used to boost power and to generate a pedal power which is counter to the direction of actuation. When the hydraulic service brake system fails, the electromechanical service brake system is used for braking and the brake booster generates a pedal power which allows or facilitates dosage of the brake actuation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Herbert Vollert, Reinhard Weiberle
  • Patent number: 9389145
    Abstract: Diesel electric hybrid powertrains and methods of operating and testing such powertrains are disclosed. Certain exemplary embodiments comprise test and certification methods in which a controller operates a diesel engine alone, an integrated motor/generator alone, or both the diesel engine and the motor/generator to provide brake torque at a common output shaft according to predetermined duty cycle criteria. Emissions are measured based upon criteria accounting for the effects of regenerative braking, engine shut off, and other operational modes unique to hybrid powertrains. Further exemplary embodiments comprise hybrid powertrain systems and methods of operating the same meeting performance and emissions requirements including respective limits on NOx, hydrocarbon, particulate matter, CO, and CO2 without reliance conventional emissions reduction devices or techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventor: Morgan MacKenzie Andreae
  • Patent number: 9151689
    Abstract: A flexible leak test apparatus and method for leak testing a variety of workpieces having various multiple configurations with at least one internal cavity and at least one aperture leading therefrom. The flexible leak test apparatus and method provide a plurality of leak test fixtures adaptable to receive the workpieces. Each leak test fixture has a bottom portion and a top portion that engage one another when the workpieces are loaded in the bottom portion of the leak test fixture. The leak test fixtures are shuttled in and out of the workstation, and a manipulator loads and unloads the workpieces into and out of the bottom portion of the leak test fixtures. The leak test fixtures seal the apertures in the workpieces so that the workpieces can be leak tested by pressurizing the internal cavity of the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Comau Inc.
    Inventor: John Graham
  • Patent number: 9134712
    Abstract: When arrangements with a repeating working cycle such as, for example, in the case of engine test benches, are being controlled, resonances which have to be damped by the control system are often excited by the test specimen (for example an internal combustion engine) in the working range of the arrangement. The invention proposes for this purpose a control concept in which a modified actual value rist—mod is determined from a current actual value rist—akt of the control system and from a predicted imminent system-delay-free actual value on the basis of the actual value of a previous working cycle, and said modified actual value rist—mod is fed to the control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: AVL List GmbH
    Inventors: Helmut Kokal, Josef Mayrhofer, Dirk Denger, Martin Schmidt, Luigi del Re
  • Patent number: 9038798
    Abstract: A shaft connection structure connects a pair of rotating shafts by a fit between a pair of spline shafts, wherein the pair of rotating shafts are provided with corresponding ones of the pair of spline shafts. The shaft connection structure includes a shaft connection assist device. The shaft connection assist device includes a centering ring and centering pins. The centering ring is arranged outside of a first one of the spline shafts and coaxially with the first spline shaft. The centering pins are provided outside of a second one of the spline shafts. The centering pins engage with an outer peripheral surface of the centering ring and bring a shaft axis of the first spline shaft and a shaft axis of the second spline shaft into a range enabling the fit therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: MEIDENSHA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Sakai, Kazutoshi Yoshida, Norihiro Maezato
  • Patent number: 8996231
    Abstract: An administrating device that administrates a plurality of units for test used for a test of a mobile object such as a vehicle or a constituting component of the mobile object comprises a recognizing part that recognizes an assembly of one or more units for test as a group for test and an assembly of one or more group for test as a device for test, and an administrating body part that conducts a predetermined batch operation command or a predetermined batch setting for a unit for test that belongs to the designated one or more groups for test and/or that conducts a predetermined batch operation command or a predetermined batch setting on a unit for test that belongs to the designated one or more device for test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Horiba, Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsumi Uratani, Koji Watanabe, Hiroshi Nakamura, Tsutomu Misogi
  • Publication number: 20140366616
    Abstract: To enable testing of a starter motor on a test beach with an electrical dynamometer as a replacement for the real combustion engine, a simulation unit (20) is provided in which a mathematical model of the combustion engine is implemented, and the simulation unit (20) determines a new load setpoint (ns, Ts) using the mathematical model from measured actual values (?i, ni, Ti) of the operation of the electrical dynamometer (3) at every scanning time point of the regulation, which new load setpoint (ns, Ts) is fed to the regulator (21).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2012
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Applicant: AVL LIST GMBH
    Inventors: Helmut Kokal, Matthias Dank, Peter Holzhammer, Ronald Prettenthaler, Martin Stockreiter
  • Patent number: 8770019
    Abstract: A test rig for dynamic test assignments on internal combustion engines is equipped with a preferably electrical drive and/or loading device which is coupled to a control device for adapting and controlling setpoint values for a speed and a torque characteristic. For a test rig of this kind, in order to enable the setpoint values determined by a speed and a torque characteristic to be optimally adapted and controlled for the respective test assignment and so that they can be reproduced on the test rig in the best possible manner, the control device can be adapted in terms of adjusting the weighting of speed control to torque control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: AVL List GmbH
    Inventors: Engelbert Grünbacher, Helmut Kokal, Martin Schmidt, Luigi Del Re, Michael Paulweber
  • Patent number: 8689618
    Abstract: Dynamometer testing of a vehicle comprising, with only a first wheel shaft connected to a dynamometer test unit, including the steps of applying a first power to the first wheel shaft, determining a representation of the first power using the dynamometer test unit, determining a second power, different from the first power, being applied to one or both of the first wheel shaft and the second wheel shaft, the second power being a virtual power represented by a virtual representation of second power, and, based on the representation of the first power determined by the dynamometer test unit and the virtual representation of the second power, determining a first speed which is a representation of the speed of the vehicle driven on a road and subjected to the first and second power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Rototest International AB
    Inventor: Christian Engström
  • Patent number: 8631693
    Abstract: A dynamometer may be configured to simulate the rotating inertial characteristics of a wheel-tire assembly slipping relative to a road surface and having rotating inertial characteristics different than the rotating inertial characteristics of the wheel-tire assembly being simulated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Horiba Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald Bryce Johnson, Norman Malcolm Newberger, Isaac Cohen Anselmo
  • Patent number: 8505374
    Abstract: A portable on vehicle dynamometer (12) has a rigid frame (64), a load shaft (16), and an eddy current brake (24) with a stator (56) connected to the rigid frame (64) and a rotor (54) connected to the load shaft (16). A hub coupling (18) is secured to a first end of the load shaft (16) and connected to the drive shaft. The rigid frame (64) has two outwardly extending support arms (30) for securing in outwardly extending, fixed positions. Two roller assemblies (46) are mounted to a lower end of the rigid frame (64) for multidirectional movement of the dynamometer (12). Preferably the eddy current brake (24) comprises a cylindrically-shaped rotor drum (54) extending exteriorly around the stator (56), and the stator (56) comprises a plurality of stator coils (94) extending exteriorly around the load shaft (16), spaced apart from an interior of the rotor drum (54).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Dynocom Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul N. Arseneau
  • Patent number: 8490477
    Abstract: A testing device for a torque converter having a turbine portion 2 and a stator portion 3, including a turbine shaft 4 rotatably supported by a first support portion 6, and a stator shaft 9 concentrically disposed on an outer circumferential side of the turbine shaft 4 and axially moveably and non-rotatably supported by a second support portion 8. The turbine shaft 4 has a central oil passage 4b and a splined portion 4a on the outer circumferential periphery which is engaged with a splined portion 2a of the turbine portion 2 when the turbine shaft 4 is axially downwardly moved. The stator shaft 9 has a splined portion 9d on the outer circumferential periphery which is engaged with a splined portion 3a of the stator portion 3 when the stator shaft 9 is axially downwardly moved. A spring 11 is provided, which biases the stator shaft 9 toward the torque converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Meidensha Corporation
    Inventor: Masanobu Tsuji
  • Patent number: 8448505
    Abstract: A test bench encompasses a load device and a blower device for cooling the load device. With the help of one or more temperature sensors, it is possible to identify the temperature in or on the load device and to adjust the speed of a blower motor of the blower device accordingly. For instance, provision is made for changing the blower speed in a predetermined range linearly with the temperature change in the load device. In the event that one of the temperature sensors determines that a predetermined limit value is exceeded, the blower is set to maximum speed. In response to the exceeding of a further, higher temperature limit value, the load device is turned off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Horiba Europe GmbH
    Inventors: Herbert Sennhenn, Stefan Hüttel
  • Patent number: 8434352
    Abstract: A test stand arrangement includes at least one electric motor (4) connected to a test specimen for driving and/or loading the test specimen, and a control arrangement for the or each electric motor. In order to be able to create the connection of the drive train and vehicle simulation with the real, vehicle-specific combustion and dynamic behavior of the engine, at least one model for a multi-mass flywheel is implemented in the control arrangement, from which model at least a part of the control requirement for the or each electric motor is calculated and which model contains at least the two masses of the primary and secondary side of the multi-mass flywheel and a substitute model for the or each bow spring, and an algorithm is implemented in the control arrangement that analyzes the model for a multi-mass flywheel by means of an integrated time step method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: AVL List GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias Dank, Helmut Kokal, Josef Mayrhofer, Stephen Jones, Dirk Denger, Martin Schmidt
  • Patent number: 8418542
    Abstract: A test stand assembly includes an electric machine (4) for driving and/or loading a test object (1), which is connected by a connecting shaft (2) having an adapter flange (3) to the electric machine (4). The assembly has a constant, predetermined moment of inertia, and the mass and the moment of inertia of the adapter flange (3) are selected in such a manner that the resonant frequency of the system formed of test object (1), adapter flange (3), connecting flange (2), and electric machine (4) for driving and/or loading the test object (1) lies between the idle frequency and the partial load frequency of the test object (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: AVL List GmbH
    Inventors: Josef Mayrhofer, Helmut Kokal, Stefan Dragaschnig, Joachim Schmidt, Gerald Hochmann, Dirk Denger, Martin Schmidt
  • Patent number: 8418541
    Abstract: A dynamometer includes a roller that is rotabably mounted upon a shaft with the shaft being rotatably mounted upon a support that carries the weight of the roller, the dynamometer also having a shear beam load cell disposed within the roller with a first end secured adjacent to an inner surface of the roller and a second end attached to the shaft to provide the sole structural connection between the roller and the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Inventor: William E. Kirkpatrick
  • Patent number: 8387449
    Abstract: A method and a device for performing tests on an internal combustion engine or a structure which is associated with the engine by measuring output parameter values on at least one output shaft (3LF, 3RF) which is connected to the engine, is distinguished by producing a representation of variations in said output parameter values during operation of the engine, and evaluating the representation for determining an operating parameter value for the engine or the structure. The invention also concerns a dynamometer testing rig.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Inventors: Christian Engström, Jonny Färnlund
  • Patent number: 8371178
    Abstract: A turbopump for a rocket engine includes a rotor shaft with a turbine connected to drive the rotor and a centrifugal impeller connected to be driven by the rotor. An electromagnetic powered motor is formed as part of the turbopump and is powered to drive the rotor at a low speed in order to test for an amount of torque required to drive the rotor at the low speed. A load cell is connected to the motor that rotates the rotor shaft. From the use of a load cell the amount of torque required to rotate the rotor can be determined and compared to a known value in order to determine if the turbopump is damaged and requires repairs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Florida Turbine Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew P Wall
  • Publication number: 20120285228
    Abstract: A test rig for dynamic test assignments on internal combustion engines is equipped with a preferably electrical drive and/or loading device which is coupled to a control device for adapting and controlling setpoint values for a speed and a torque characteristic. For a test rig of this kind, in order to enable the setpoint values determined by a speed and a torque characteristic to be optimally adapted and controlled for the respective test assignment and so that they can be reproduced on the test rig in the best possible manner, the control device can be adapted in terms of adjusting the weighting of speed control to torque control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Inventors: Engelbert Grünbacher, Helmut Kokal, Martin Schmidt, Luigi Del Re, Michael Paulweber
  • Patent number: 8186206
    Abstract: A powertrain test installation is disclosed that includes a polymer base, which is supported on a concrete slab, for example. A dynamometer is mounted on the polymer base. A frame is mounted to the polymer base and is configured to support a powertrain component to be coupled to the dynamometer. The powertrain test system is installed, for example, by providing a floor, which is a concrete slab, for example. The floor is cut to provide a gap between a support floor and an adjacent floor that is arranged about the support floor. A polymer base is arranged on the support floor interiorly of the gap so that the polymer base is isolated from the adjacent floor. A dynamometer is secured to the polymer base. A frame is secured to the polymer base and is configured to support a powertrain test component, such as an electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: AVL North America Inc.
    Inventor: Ken Barnes
  • Publication number: 20120103079
    Abstract: A test bench encompasses a load device and a blower device for cooling the load device. With the help of one or more temperature sensors, it is possible to identify the temperature in or on the load device and to adjust the speed of a blower motor of the blower device accordingly. For instance, provision is made for changing the blower speed in a predetermined range linearly with the temperature change in the load device. In the event that one of the temperature sensors determines that a predetermined limit value is exceeded, the blower is set to maximum speed. In response to the exceeding of a further, higher temperature limit value, the load device is turned off.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventors: Herbert Sennhenn, Stefan Hüttel
  • Publication number: 20110252877
    Abstract: A powertrain test installation is disclosed that includes a polymer base, which is supported on a concrete slab, for example. A dynamometer is mounted on the polymer base. A frame is mounted to the polymer base and is configured to support a powertrain component to be coupled to the dynamometer. The powertrain test system is installed, for example, by providing a floor, which is a concrete slab, for example. The floor is cut to provide a gap between a support floor and an adjacent floor that is arranged about the support floor. A polymer base is arranged on the support floor interiorly of the gap so that the polymer base is isolated from the adjacent floor. A dynamometer is secured to the polymer base. A frame is secured to the polymer base and is configured to support a powertrain test component, such as an electric motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Inventor: Ken Barnes
  • Patent number: 8037743
    Abstract: A chassis dynamometer for a vehicle has a motor having a rotor, rollers configured to be operably connected to wheels of the vehicle, a flange portion extending inward in a radial direction from each of the rollers, and a rotor bracket for supporting the rotor of the motor. The flange portion and the rotor bracket are connected via a torque meter capable of measuring at least an outer peripheral tangential force of the roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignees: A & D Company, Limited, Toyo Electric Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuo Ichige, Hidenori Nagai, Mieko Nagai, legal representative, Yoshihiro Okamoto
  • Patent number: 8006548
    Abstract: It is a challenge to make it possible to produce a resonance suppression effect, and perform a stable control even in a case where a spring rigidity of a shaft significantly varies. The challenge is achieved as follows. In an engine bench system in which an engine 1 to be tested and a dynamometer 2 are coupled together by a coupling shaft 3, and a shaft torque control of the dynamometer is performed, a controller 5 includes: an integral element having an integral coefficient KI for a deviation (T12r?T12) between a shaft torque command T12r and a measured shaft torque T12; a differential element having a differential coefficient KD for the measured shaft torque T12; and a proportional element KP for the measured shaft torque T12. The controller 5 obtains a torque control signal T2 by subtracting the differential element and the proportional element from the integral element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Meidensha Corporation
    Inventors: Takao Akiyama, Yoshimasa Sawada, Masayasu Kanke
  • Patent number: 8001835
    Abstract: A method and a device for dynamometer testing of a motor vehicle, having a front end and a rear end and a right side and a left side, as seen in a driving direction, and/or vehicle components, by measuring torque and rotational speed on drive shafts of the vehicle. A braking torque is applied to each one of the shafts by individual hydraulic dynamometer test units by throttling hydraulic fluid flows. The braking torque is adjustable for each individual one of the drive shafts such that a resulting individual rotational speed for that shaft corresponds to a virtual vehicle speed when driving the motor vehicle on a road, compensated with a slip value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Inventor: Christian Engström
  • Publication number: 20110093145
    Abstract: In a method for determining the torque of an internal combustion engine of a motor-vehicle hybrid drive device which further includes a secondary electric motor coupled to the internal combustion engine, the torque of the internal combustion engine is determined at least one operating point by comparison to the known torque of the secondary motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Inventors: Bernd Doerr, Roland Schleser, Holger Niemann, Daniel Damm, Andreas Heyl
  • Patent number: 7926337
    Abstract: A vehicle locking device locking a vehicle on a chassis dynamometer, equipped with rollers allowing driving wheels of the vehicle placed thereon, while keeping the driving wheels thereof placed on the rollers, was configured so as to detect angles of traction, to determine traction forces optimum for hauling the vehicle based on the detected angles, and to control the vehicle locking device based on thus-determined traction forces so as to take up a belt, aiming at readily and stably locking a test vehicle under optimum traction forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignees: Ono Sokki Co., Ltd., Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Isamu Inoue, Atsushi Shibata, Naoki Umeda, Shuichi Tsukatsune, Haruhiko Tateno, Takahiro Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 7926336
    Abstract: A dynamometer comprises a frame, an inertial flywheel, and a starter motor. The inertial flywheel is supported by the frame and the starter motor is movably mounted to the frame so as to be selectively engageable with the inertial flywheel. Means is provided for coupling an engine to be tested to the apparatus. The flywheel is brought up to speed by means of the starter motor and then coupled to the engine, which has been separately brought up to speed, via a clutch. The flywheel is supported by the frame in pressurized oil sleeve bearings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Inventors: Louis P. Vickio, Jr., Louis P. Vickio, Sr., Edward A. Vickio
  • Patent number: 7921712
    Abstract: A dynamometer-based test apparatus that includes a driving dynamometer which is rotatable between first and second positions thus allowing attachment to either a vehicle transmission from a vehicle having a transverse engine/transmission configuration or directly to a vehicle propeller shaft and a first vertically adjustable absorption dynamometer attachable to a first output drive shaft from a vehicle differential and a second vertically adjustable absorption dynamometer attachable to a second output drive shaft from a vehicle differential. A hand held rotating device such as a drill is attached to a gear and used to rotate the platform supporting the drive dynamometer and is attached to different jack screws to move that platform linearly, a base beneath the platform linearly and the absorption dynamometers vertically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dean M. Rindler, Steven Bray
  • Publication number: 20110000291
    Abstract: A test stand arrangement comprises an electric machine (4) for driving and/or loading a test object (1) which is connected by means of a connecting shaft (2) having an adapter flange (3) to the electric machine (4). To be able to establish the connection of the drivetrain and vehicle simulation with the real vehicle-specific combustion and transient behavior of the engine, the arrangement consisting of connecting shaft (2) and drive and load machine (4) has a constant, predetermined moment of inertia, and the mass and the moment of inertia of the adapter flange (3) are selected in such a manner that the resonant frequency of the system consisting of test object (1), adapter flange (3), connecting flange (2), and electric machine (4) for driving and/or loading the test object (1) lies between the idle frequency and the partial load frequency of the test object (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Inventors: Josef Mayrhofer, Helmut Kokal, Stefan Dragaschnig, Joachim Schmidt, Gerald Hochmann, Dirk Denger, Martin Schmidt
  • Patent number: 7849734
    Abstract: Test equipment of engine motoring for automatically conducting an engine test includes a conveying mechanism that carries in and carries out an engine to and from a test position, a fixing mechanism that fixes the engine carried in to the test position, a coupling mechanism that directly couples an electrical motor to the engine and can detect drive torque, an encoder that generates a pulse signal as an operating standard in synchronism with rotation of the electrical motor, a plurality of detection units driven to reciprocate so as to be connected to and disconnected from or approach and separate from the engine positioned at the test position and detect a plurality of operating state quantities, a control unit for various driving controls, and a judging unit for judging whether the engine is normal by comparing information obtained by the plurality of detection units with standard information obtained in advance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Hirata Corporation
    Inventors: Hitoshi Moritani, Masahide Maeda, Yoshio Kikukawa, Ryosei Sekiguchi, Tomoya Umeda
  • Publication number: 20100251811
    Abstract: It is a challenge to make it possible to produce a resonance suppression effect, and perform a stable control even in a case where a spring rigidity of a shaft significantly varies. The challenge is achieved as follows. In an engine bench system in which an engine 1 to be tested and a dynamometer 2 are coupled together by a coupling shaft 3, and a shaft torque control of the dynamometer is performed, a controller 5 includes: an integral element having an integral coefficient KI for a deviation (T12r?T12) between a shaft torque command T12r and a measured shaft torque T12; a differential element having a differential coefficient KD for the measured shaft torque T12; and a proportional element KP for the measured shaft torque T12. The controller 5 obtains a torque control signal T2 by subtracting the differential element and the proportional element from the integral element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2008
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Inventors: Takao Akiyama, Yoshimasa Sawada, Masayasu Kanke
  • Patent number: 7743650
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for dynamometer testing of motor vehicles. The system includes a cooling device for cooling a braking device and/or a power-generating arrangement, such as the engine of a car. The system is arranged to, using the braking device, absorb power applied thereto by the power-generating arrangement. The cooling device includes a fan arrangement for producing an air stream, the air stream being intended to be directed towards the braking device and/or the power-generating arrangement and/or a heat exchanger for providing a cooling effect. The fan arrangement includes two substantially axially aligned fans, and the cooling device is arranged to rotate the fans in opposite directions relative to each other. The present invention also relates to a method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Inventor: Nils G Engström
  • Patent number: 7726183
    Abstract: In order to make it possible to also mount an original exhaust system (10) substantially leading away from the internal combustion engine (2) below the output axle (7) parallel to the extension thereof in a test rig for internal combustion engines (2), the driving engine or load generator (4) is mounted in a suspended manner at a certain vertical distance from the pedestal (1) on a support arrangement (6) mounted thereon, with the input axle (8) being substantially aligned with the output axle (7) of the internal combustion engine (2) that is to be tested, whereby the space from below the interference contour (9) of the driving engine or load generator (4) to the pedestal remains free for the passage of the exhaust system (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: AVL List GmbH
    Inventors: Hans Erlach, Peter M. Ziegler, Roland Rathner, Helmut Schneiderbeck, Harald Nonn, Martin Schmidt, Michael Paulweber