Abstract: A process and a device (1-8, 10-13) for balancing a rotating body (9) by the addition of balancing weights, start the body (9) rotating and measure the unbalance. The inertia of the body and the balancing weights to be emplaced in each weight plane at a corresponding predetermined diameter is evaluated. The rotating body (9) is stopped and blocked in a position corresponding to the emplacement of a weight in a first weight plane and in a first predetermined radial direction. Used in the balancing of vehicle wheels.

Abstract: A device for inspecting the geometry of a vehicle, in which the appearance of an element fixed to a wheel rim of the vehicle is caused to vary as a function of the angle of view at which it is seen, without thereby producing a perspective image of this element. The variation of appearance is caused by moire gratings. The device is useful for the geometric inspection of wheeled vehicles.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel balancer, comprising a support frame (1), a rotatable drive head (3) adapted removably to receive a wheel to be balanced, and a protective member enclosing the mounted wheel so as to prevent undesirable projection of particles outwardly and to protect the operator during rotation of the wheel. The protective member is in two parts comprising a first cover (6) fixed relative to the support frame (1) and a second cover (7) swingably retractable about a substantially horizontal axis (8) of rotation, so as to reduce the mass that must be displaced and to permit manual opening and closing of the protective member without mechanical assistance and without a counterweight and to reduce the floor space of the balancer.

Abstract: A rotatable drive spindle for quick mounting comprises a hollow shaft (10) mounted rotatably in two bearings (3a, 3b) and a control rod (9) passing through the hollow shaft (10) and displaceable between a locking position and an unlocking position. A prestressed resilient spring is provided continuously to urge the control rod (9) toward the first locking position and a pneumatic jack (6) is provided to act against the spring (19) and press the control rod (9) toward the unlocking position. This jack (6) is mounted relative to the hollow drive shaft (10) and to the control rod (9) with an arrangement analogous to that of a hub puller, which is to say in a manner such that pulling on a configuration (11) secured to the hollow drive shaft (10) presses on the control rod (9) but does not exert any force on the bearings (3a, 3b).

Abstract: The geometric inspection of wheeled vehicles is carried out by at least two casings facing each other and each comprising at least one light source and at least one optical receiver located behind a device for defining an image. The image-defining device is sensitive to radiation from the light source of the other opposite casing. The light source (12) of a first casing defines with the optical receiver (13) of a second opposite casing a first active spatial zone (A). The light source (8) of that second casing defines with the optical receiver (14) of the first casing a second active spatial zone (B). The two active spatial zones (A, B) are separated by a space (C) of predetermined width (d) to permit simultaneous operation of the two casings without mutual interference.

Abstract: Apparatus for geometric measurement, particularly for a vehicle with steered wheels or wheels that are only slightly steered or are not steered, of the type comprising two first measuring casings and two second measuring casings from each of which second casings extends a longitudinal arm carrying at its end an angular measuring device. The two first casings (6, 7) are fixed on the steered wheels (2, 3) and the two second casings (8, 10, 12; 9, 11, 13) are secured on the unsteered or only slightly steered wheels (4, 5), so as to avoid any substantial deviation of the arms (10, 11) during geometric measurement of the vehicle. The first casings (6, 7) are each substantially internal to an imaginary geometrical cylinder (C.sub.6 or C.sub.7) with an axis (A.sub.6 or A.sub.7) corresponding to the axis of rotation of the steered wheel (2 or 3) and of a diameter corresponding to the diameter of the rim of the wheel (2, 3).

Abstract: Data acquisition and processing equipment permits simultaneous testing of a plurality of automotive vehicles located at different test stations of a technical test center. The equipment comprises remote control boxes each having an electronic identity, a display console enabling operators to assign each control box to one vehicle, a CRT screen for displaying test data as well as a menu of test operations, remote control receivers for the signal transmitted by the control boxes, a computerized central unit connected to the display console, to the different test stations, to the display screen and to the remote control receivers.

Abstract: The alignment of the front and rear wheel systems of automotive vehicles as well as the dynamic setback and static setback are measured by means of an angular displacement pickup supported by a horizontal arm at the level of each front wheel and connected by a reference straight line to the opposite pickup. A light beam produced by an emitter carried by each arm is reflected from a mirror carried by the rear wheel and impinges on a photosensitive cell. Wheel alignment and setback angles are obtained from the angle values determined by the pickups and corresponding to direction-changing movements of the front wheel system which is turned successively from left to right and from right to left.

Abstract: The nose unit is formed by a hollow body of revolution having an annular flange and attached to a rotatable spindle. A series of crank-plates provided with studs for securing the rim of a vehicle wheel can be pivotally mounted on the annular flange. The crank-plates can then be positioned correctly by means of guiding grooves formed in a disk which is rotatably fitted within the annular flange. A cup acted upon by a spring is housed within the interior of the hollow body and cooperates with a cone for centering a wheel rim having a central bore. Vehicle wheels having rims of the central bore type or of the closed type can be balanced without any need for preliminary disassembly of the disk or of the cup, the centering cone being introduced either on the front side or on the rear side of the rim.

Abstract: This method of measuring the power of an automotive vehicle engine on a roller-type testing bench comprises selecting the vehicle velocity and/or the engine speed whereat it is desired to make the measurement; increasing the engine speed during a first acceleration phase up to the selected value, measuring at this value the power available at the wheels, accelerating the engine slightly above the selected value, then disconnecting the drive and engaging the neutral; and allowing the rollers to slow down while they drive the engine transmission by inertia in order to measure, during this second deceleration phase, the power lost in the transmission.

Abstract: A laser beam emitter is placed at the level of each front wheel and a first laser beam is projected transversely in front of the vehicle onto a first receiver placed in front of the other front wheel. A second laser beam emerging from the same emitter is projected onto a reflecting mirror placed at the level of the corresponding rear wheel and the reflected laser beam is transmitted to a second receiver. The different distances read on the receivers are transmitted to the memory of an electronic computer which automatically determines the values of the angles of toe-in and toe-out of the front or rear wheels as well as the set-back or relative axial displacement between the front wheels.