Patents by Inventor Fred M. Johnson

Fred M. Johnson has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9470619
    Abstract: Intrinsically calibrated friction mensuration device has a drive unit with controllable motive member, configured to receive a controllable propulsion force, and to apply tractive force by a Class 1 lever to a weighted test piece. A force engine couples to the motive member, and applies the controllable propulsion force. The device includes a controller imposing a propulsion control signal actuating the force engine to produce the propulsion force. A force sensor joins drive unit and test piece, producing a force signal responsive to a sensed force between drive unit and test piece. The sensed force includes hydroplaning SCOF and hydroplaning DCOF. A method includes applying an increasing tractive force to a test piece at rest; measuring the tractive force; identifying the maximum tractive force applied at incipient motion; identifying the transition between the resting test piece and incipient motion; determining the hydroplaning SCOF; continuing motion; and determining the hydroplaning DCOF.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Inventor: Fred M. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20150276578
    Abstract: Intrinsically calibrated friction mensuration device has a drive unit with controllable motive member, configured to receive a controllable propulsion force, and to apply tractive force by a Class 1 lever to a weighted test piece. A force engine couples to the motive member, and applies the controllable propulsion force. The device includes a controller imposing a propulsion control signal actuating the force engine to produce the propulsion force. A force sensor joins drive unit and test piece, producing a force signal responsive to a sensed force between drive unit and test piece. The sensed force includes hydroplaning SCOF and hydroplaning DCOF. A method includes applying an increasing tractive force to a test piece at rest; measuring the tractive force; identifying the maximum tractive force applied at incipient motion; identifying the transition between the resting test piece and incipient motion; determining the hydroplaning SCOF; continuing motion; and determining the hydroplaning DCOF.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2015
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Inventor: FRED M. JOHNSON
  • Patent number: 9063051
    Abstract: Intrinsically calibrating friction mensuration device has a drive unit with controllable motive member, configured to receive a controllable propulsion force, and to apply tractive force to a test piece on a surface. A force engine couples to the motive member, and applies the controllable propulsion force. The device includes a controller imposing a propulsion control signal actuating the force engine to produce the propulsion force. A force sensor is between the drive unit and the test piece, producing a force signal responsive to a sensed force between the drive unit and the test piece. The drive unit can self-propelled or stationary. A method includes applying an increasing tractive force to a test piece at rest; measuring the tractive force; identifying the maximum tractive force applied at incipient motion; identifying the transition between the resting test piece and incipient motion; determining the SCOF; continue motion and determine the DCOF.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Inventor: Fred M. Johnson
  • Patent number: 8915117
    Abstract: Intrinsically calibrating friction mensuration device has a drive unit with controllable motive member, configured to receive a controllable propulsion force, and to apply tractive force to a test piece on a surface. A force engine couples to the motive member, and applies the controllable propulsion force. The device includes a controller imposing a propulsion control signal actuating the force engine to produce the propulsion force. A force sensor is between the drive unit and the test piece, producing a force signal responsive to a sensed force between the drive unit and the test piece. The drive unit can self-propelled or stationary. A method includes applying an increasing tractive force to a test piece at rest; measuring the tractive force; identifying the maximum tractive force applied at incipient motion; identifying the transition between the resting test piece and incipient motion; determining the SCOF; continuing motion; and determining the DCOF.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Inventor: Fred M. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20140116109
    Abstract: Intrinsically calibrating friction mensuration device has a drive unit with controllable motive member, configured to receive a controllable propulsion force, and to apply tractive force to a test piece on a surface. A force engine couples to the motive member, and applies the controllable propulsion force. The device includes a controller imposing a propulsion control signal actuating the force engine to produce the propulsion force. A force sensor is between the drive unit and the test piece, producing a force signal responsive to a sensed force between the drive unit and the test piece. The drive unit can self-propelled or stationary. A method includes applying an increasing tractive force to a test piece at rest; measuring the tractive force; identifying the maximum tractive force applied at incipient motion; identifying the transition between the resting test piece and incipient motion; determining the SCOF; continuing motion; and determining the DCOF.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2014
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Inventor: Fred M. Johnson
  • Patent number: 8695398
    Abstract: Intrinsically calibrating friction mensuration device has a drive unit with controllable motive member, configured to receive a controllable propulsion force, and to apply tractive force to a test piece on a surface. A force engine couples to the motive member, and applies the controllable propulsion force. The device includes a controller imposing a propulsion control signal actuating the force engine to produce the propulsion force. A force sensor is between the drive unit and the test piece, producing a force signal responsive to a sensed force between the drive unit and the test piece. The drive unit can self-propelled or stationary. A method includes applying an increasing tractive force to a test piece at rest; measuring the tractive force; identifying the maximum tractive force applied at incipient motion; identifying the transition between the resting test piece and incipient motion; determining the SCOF; continue motion and determine the DCOF.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Inventor: Fred M. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20140013822
    Abstract: Intrinsically calibrating friction mensuration device has a drive unit with controllable motive member, configured to receive a controllable propulsion force, and to apply tractive force to a test piece on a surface. A force engine couples to the motive member, and applies the controllable propulsion force. The device includes a controller imposing a propulsion control signal actuating the force engine to produce the propulsion force. A force sensor is between the drive unit and the test piece, producing a force signal responsive to a sensed force between the drive unit and the test piece. The drive unit can self-propelled or stationary. A method includes applying an increasing tractive force to a test piece at rest; measuring the tractive force; identifying the maximum tractive force applied at incipient motion; identifying the transition between the resting test piece and incipient motion; determining the SCOF; continue motion and determine the DCOF.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Inventor: Fred M. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20120240660
    Abstract: Intrinsically calibrating friction mensuration device has a drive unit with controllable motive member, configured to receive a controllable propulsion force, and to apply tractive force to a test piece on a surface. A force engine couples to the motive member, and applies the controllable propulsion force. The device includes a controller imposing a propulsion control signal actuating the force engine to produce the propulsion force. A force sensor is between the drive unit and the test piece, producing a force signal responsive to a sensed force between the drive unit and the test piece. The drive unit can self-propelled or stationary. A method includes applying an increasing tractive force to a test piece at rest; measuring the tractive force; identifying the maximum tractive force applied at incipient motion; identifying the transition between the resting test piece and incipient motion; determining the SCOF; continue motion and determine the DCOF.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Inventor: Fred M. Johnson