Abstract: A stator angle is determined to correct a value measured by a wheel force transducer. A mounting bracket is rigidly attached to a vehicle and supports a housing within which a rotary encoder is mounted. A stator rod retainer is aligned with a rotational axis of the rotary encoder and has a through-bore extending perpendicular to the rotational axis. The stator rod retainer rotates relative to a stationary portion of the rotary encoder using at least one bearing, and the stator rod retainer supports a first end of a stator rod for substantially free movement through the through-bore. A controller determines, when the second end of the stator rod is fixedly attached to an encoder stator attached to a wheel, a stator angle of the stator rod used for adjusting at least one value associated with the wheel that is measured using the encoder stator.

Abstract: A wheel force transducer stator angle correction apparatus. The apparatus includes a stator rod retainer having a through-bore, the stator rod retainer being in mechanical communication with at least one bearing. The apparatus also includes a stator rod having a first portion rigidly attached to an encoder stator attached to a wheel and having a second portion disposed within the through-bore of the stator rod retainer. The apparatus also includes an encoder rigidly attached to a portion of a vehicle associated with the wheel, wherein the encoder is adapted to measure an angle of the stator rod and to adjust at least one value associated with a wheel speed of the wheel based on the measured angle of the stator rod.

Abstract: Electro acoustic volume measurement of a gas in a housing space may be performed using a hollow tube having a first end and a second end. A speaker is arranged to emit audio signals through the hollow tube. A first microphone of at least two microphones is located at the first end of the hollow tube, while a second microphone is located a defined distance from the first microphone within the hollow tube. A voltage-controlled oscillator controls the frequency of the audio signals to a resonance frequency where signals of the first microphone and the second microphone are 90 degrees out of phase while the first end of the hollow tube is located within the housing. The resonance frequency indicates a volume of the gas. The resonance frequency may be temperature-adjusted, or the volume may be temperature-adjusted.

Abstract: An ideal multi-axis transducer will respond properly to forces and moments that are applied in intermediate directions. The transducer calibration apparatus described herein can detect transducers that have incorrect off-axes response. One calibration apparatus includes a base, a pair of end stanchions fixed on the base, force actuators mounted between the base, the pair of end stanchions, and a transducer holder, the force actuators arranged to exert forces and moments on a transducer mounted in the transducer holder, and force reaction sensors fixed between the base, the pair of end stanchions, and the transducer holder for measuring forces and moments experienced by the transducer holder.

Abstract: An apparatus can be assembled between a pump and a motor driving the pump for a measuring torque and speed. The apparatus can include a housing having a motor attachment port and a pump attachment port. A primary coil is supported by the housing. A shaft has a first outer end and second outer end and an inner portion located within the housing. The first and second outer ends are connectible to a motor and a pump to suspend the shaft between the motor and the pump only by the outer ends of the shaft. A strain gauge transducer component is operably associated with the shaft. A secondary induction coil is mounted on the shaft and is located sheathed within the primary coil for providing power to the strain gauge transducer component. A wireless output of readings from the strain gauge transducer component is provided.

Abstract: An apparatus can be assembled between a pump and a motor driving the pump for a measuring torque and speed. The apparatus can include a housing having a motor attachment port and a pump attachment port. A primary coil is supported by the housing. A shaft has a first outer end and second outer end and an inner portion located within the housing. The first and second outer ends are connectible to a motor and a pump to suspend the shaft between the motor and the pump only by the outer ends of the shaft. A strain gauge transducer component is operably associated with the shaft. A secondary induction coil is mounted on the shaft and is located sheathed within the primary coil for providing power to the strain gauge transducer component. A wireless output of readings from the strain gauge transducer component is provided.

Abstract: A wheel load measurement system mountable upon a wheel rim. The system includes a sensor body with an inboard ring connectable to the wheel rim, an outboard ring axially-spaced from the inboard ring and connectable to a hub adapter and a plurality of beams extending between the inboard ring and the outboard ring. A plurality of sensors, each fixed to an external surface of one of the beams, provides a signal indicating at least one of three principal forces and three principal moments experienced by the sensor body. In dual wheel mounts, an inboard and an outboard sensor body are coupled to a common hub adapter. The sensors of the inboard sensor body provide measurements for the inboard wheel, while the sensors of the outboard sensor body provide measurements for the outboard wheel.

Abstract: A load transducer for measuring vertical and fore/aft forces on a rotatable vehicle wheel includes a rim adapter attachable to a wheel rim and a hub adapter attachable to a wheel hub. The rim adapter and the hub adapter are connected in a force transmission path. A plurality of beams extend between inner and outer ends of the hub adapter. At least one sensor is mounted on each beam for measuring force exerted on each beam. The sensor may be mounted on the inner and outer surfaces of each beam as well as on the opposed side walls of each beam. The sensors are interconnected in a bridge configuration for generating outputs corresponding to vertical force and fore/aft force exerted upon the wheel. The hub adapter may be formed as a unitary hub adapter and interior load transducer when constructed as a one-piece unitary body. Alternately, the hub adapter may be separate from an interior transducer body and coupled thereto for mounting on different wheel lug bolt configurations and wheel rim/hub dimensions.

Abstract: The load transducer for measuring forces and/or moments on a rotatable member. In one embodiment, the transducer includes an inner ring member attachable to a wheel hub and an outer ring member attachable to a wheel rim. At least one and, preferably, a plurality of beams unitarily extend between the inner and outer ring members and are circumferentially spaced apart. Each beam is formed of a stem and a perpendicular crossleg. Wells are formed in the exterior surfaces of the stem and the crossleg for mounting a strain gage in a force or moment measurement orientation. Additional strain gages may be mounted on the exterior sidewalls of each stem. The strain gages are inter-connected in a bridge configuration for measuring forces and moments exerted on the wheel. Bores formed in the stem and the crossleg provide a passage for the conductors from each strain gage to an electrical connector mounted between the inner and outer ring members.

Abstract: A slip ring amplifier has a rotor fixedly mountable on a rotatable tubular member and carrying an amplifier mounted in a recess connected to a sensor fixedly mountable on the rotatable member. A stationarily mounted stator is coupled to the rotor by bearings. A slip ring brush block with leaf contacts is mounted in a cavity between the rotor and the stator. End caps are mounted on opposite ends of the rotor and the stator and fixed to one of the rotor and stator. Labyrinth seals are disposed between each end cap and the stator. In one embodiment, an electrolytic fluid fills the cavity between the rotor and stator and surrounds the brush block and leaf contacts. In another embodiment, a dielectric coating is provided on the leaf contacts. Conductors extend from the leaf contacts through the stator to a connector fixedly mounted on the stator.

Abstract: A slip ring includes a rotor and a stator. Stator contacts are connected to a data acquisition unit. The rotor contacts are connected to an amplifier circuit mounted in a housing connected to and rotatable with a rotating member. A sensor mounted on the rotating member to which the rotor is also fixedly mounted generates an electrical output signal corresponding to a sensed operating parameter of the rotating member. The sensor output signal is amplified by the amplifier in the housing before being transmitted through the slip ring to the data acquisition unit. Vibration isolation is provided when required for the slip ring and the circuit board in the housing carrying the amplifier to dampen vibrations generated by the rotating member. Resilient pads are mounted on the circuit board and engage the housing attached to the rotor.