Abstract: A load sensing device comprises a support mounted on a foundation, and a bridge connected to the support. The bridge is connected to a transducer. In order to ensure that the same transducer can be used for all sizes of supports in a particular series of supports, or for all loads to be measured, the transducer is flexibly connected to the support, and the stiffness of the connection between the bridge and the support and the stiffness of the flexible connection between the transducer and the support are both selected so that the load exerted upon the transducer always lies within a predetermined load range.

Abstract: An optical fiber soot synthesis apparatus which synthesizes around a fiber starting member forming a core of an optical fiber an optical fiber soot forming a cladding and which accurately calculates in real time the mass of the optical fiber soot when deposited so as to control the synthesis of the optical fiber soot. The optical fiber soot synthesis apparatus measures the weight of the rotating fiber starting member and optical fiber soot by a pair of soot weight detection sensors arranged at a fiber starting member support and rotational drive mechanisms divided so as to prevent the weight of the rotational drive mechanisms from having much of an effect. The computation and control apparatus performs operational processing from the measured weights and calculates the mass of only the optical fiber soot synthesized on the fiber starting member in real time. The computation and calculation apparatus refers to the calculated mass to control the synthesis of the optical fiber soot.

Abstract: A machine for mass-centering rotors consists of a pair of spaced apart headstocks, each rotatably supporting an adapter disc, and each equipped with a device for the application of machining centers in a rotor being investigated. Adjuster mechanisms on the adapter discs are removably secured to the ends of the rotor, whereby rotation of the discs causes the rotor to rotate. The headstocks are connected to a vibration sensing vibratory bridge arrangement which picks-up the vibration of the rotor as it rotates. The adjuster mechanisms shift the axis of rotation of the rotor until the unbalance thereof is zero or at a predeterminable level. Rotors of differing length are easily positioned between the headstocks which move toward and away from one another.

Abstract: The present invention provides a universal balance machine which can be utilized as a hard or soft balancing machine. Since the stiffness of the machine suspension is easy and readily changed, hard and soft balancing may be done on the same machine.

Abstract: In a method of supporting the bearing of a bearing support structure during balancing of a rotor, the bearing and the rotor journal in the bearing are permitted to rotate about the vertical, and transverse axes of the rotor journal. A spring arrangement is positioned between the bearing and vibration transducers for transferring unbalance information from the rotor being investigated to the vibration transducers. The spring arrangement allows the bearing and rotor journal to move without hindrance about the vertical, and transverse axes, such movement being caused from misalignment of the rotor journals with the axis of rotation of the rotor. Coulomb's friction is thereby eliminated for the purpose of avoiding excessively high constraining forces, spring realignment forces and frication forces.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring vibrational forces emitted by a reaction wheel assembly during rotation of its rotor includes a low mass carriage (12) supported on a large mass base (10). The carriage (12) is in the form of an octagonal frame having an opening which is adapted for receiving the reaction wheel assembly (W) supported thereon by means of a mounting ring (22). The carriage (12) is supported on the base (10) by means of air bearings (A) which support the carriage in a generally frictionless manner when supplied with compressed air from a source (50). A plurality of carriage brackets (34) and a plurality of base blocks (30) provide for physical coupling of the base (10) and carriage (12). The sensing axes of the load cells (B) are arranged generally parallel to the base (10) and connected between the base and carriage such that all of the vibrational forces emitted by the reaction wheel assembly (W) are effectively transmitted through the sensing axes of the load cells.

Abstract: In this equilibrating apparatus, the shaft 19 supporting the face-plate 20 for receiving the wheel is rotatively mounted in bearings 18 which are mounted in annular end parts 16, 17 of a tubular body 13. The median part 15 of the latter is fixed to the frame 11, 12 of the apparatus and connected to the end parts by resiliently deformable devices 25, 26 which are deformable in a direction located in a measuring plane which is an axial plane of the shaft and of the tubular body. Measuring detectors are fixed on the resiliently deformable devices 25, 26. The arrangement eliminates any parasitic force which is liable to have a disadvantageous effect on the measurement and consequently permits the use of a simple gear drive for the shaft.

Abstract: A procedure and a device are provided for determining the correlation between the unbalance of a rotor in at least one correction plane thereof and the measurement signal generated by such unbalance at one or more of the rotor supports. The vibration signals of the rotor are measured at different bearing support stiffness.

Abstract: A balancing machine and support structure usable therewith for measuring unbalance in a rotor. Each support structure of the balancing machine has a pedestal, a yoke, and springs interconnecting the yoke and pedestal. A pair of round springs are positioned between confronting surfaces of the yoke and pedestal. A pair of flat springs are connected to one of the yoke pedestal and are selectively engagable with the other of the yoke and pedestal. A connecting plate is provided to interconnect the yokes of two structures to each other when the flat springs are disengaged. The connecting plate is removed when the flat springs are engaged. As a result, the balancing machine can be used in a first configuration to measure unbalance in a rotor having a bearing prepositioned on a shaft of the rotor and can be used in a second configuration to measure unbalance in a conventional rotor not having a bearing prepositioned on a shaft.

Abstract: A wheel balancing system for measuring imbalance forces derived from rotating an unbalanced wheel employs a stable pedestal of heavy, rigid material such as concrete or steel and a balancing assembly arranged to insure that all of the imbalance forces of a rotating unbalanced wheel and tire assembly will be directed via strain gauges in predetermined planes. A wheel balancing assembly measures imbalance forces acting in a given plane at a plurality of spaced positions disposed in spaced parallel planes with respect to a plane of rotation of the wheel.

Abstract: A spindle mounting for a wheel balancing machine of the kind in which the spindle is arranged substantially horizontal and has a cantilevered end portion for receiving a wheel to be balanced. The mounting includes a housing for rotatably supporting the spindle, and flexible support means connecting that housing to a base which is securable to a frame of the balancing machine. The support means includes at least three elongate support members which extend transverse to the spindle axis and are arranged in spaced side by side relationship, and an elongate restraining member arranged substantially parallel to the spindle. The support members are connected between the housing and base to provide column supports for the housing, and the restraining member has its opposite end portions connected to the housing and base respectively to hold the housing against endwise movement relative to the base.