Abstract: An apparatus and method for use with a vehicle wheel balancing system (100) to obtain non-contact measurements of dimensions on a wheel assembly (200) secured on a spindle shaft (104), together with identification of, and distances to, operator-selected locations on various surfaces of a wheel assembly 200.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for use with a vehicle wheel balancing system (100) to obtain non-contact measurements of dimensions on a wheel assembly (200) secured on a spindle shaft (104), together with identification of, and distances to, operator-selected locations on various surfaces of a wheel assembly 200.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for carrying out auto-calibration of one or more piezoelectric elements in a force transducer assembly of a vehicle wheel balancing system. Output electrical signals from the piezoelectric transducers in response to application of a known imbalance force are measured and recorded. Subsequently, during an auto-calibration procedure, a known input signal is selectively applied to at least one piezoelectric element in the force transducer assembly, and at least one output electrical signal is received from the force transducer assembly. The obtained auto-calibration output signals are evaluated with respect to the output signals obtained from a previous auto-calibration, and compensation values are derived there from for application to subsequent output signals obtained during imbalance measurements.

Abstract: A method and system for a wheel assembly service system are provided. The system includes a rotatable spindle configured to receive a wheel assembly wherein the wheel assembly includes at least a rim and a tire. The system further includes a load device configured to apply a load to the tire during a rotation of the wheel assembly on the spindle, and a controller configured to determine a first force variation vector of the wheel assembly, prompt a user to rotate the tire with respect to the rim, determine a second force variation vector of the wheel assembly with the tire rotated with respect to the rim, and determine a force variation of at least one of the tire and the wheel using the first and second force variation vectors. The system also outputs at least one of the determined force variation vector values.

Abstract: A method and system for a wheel assembly service system are provided. The system includes a rotatable spindle configured to receive a wheel assembly wherein the wheel assembly includes at least a rim and a tire. The system further includes a load device configured to apply a load to the tire during a rotation of the wheel assembly on the spindle, and a controller configured to determine a first force variation vector of the wheel assembly, prompt a user to rotate the tire with respect to the rim, determine a second force variation vector of the wheel assembly with the tire rotated with respect to the rim, and determine a force variation of at least one of the tire and the wheel using the first and second force variation vectors. The system also outputs at least one of the determined force variation vector values.

Abstract: A method and system for a wheel assembly service system are provided. The system includes a rotatable spindle configured to receive a wheel assembly wherein the wheel assembly includes at least a rim and a tire. The system further includes a load device configured to apply a load to the tire during a rotation of the wheel assembly on the spindle, and a controller configured to determine a first force variation vector of the wheel assembly, initiating rotation of the tire with respect to the rim, determine a second force variation vector of the wheel assembly with the tire rotated with respect to the rim, and determine a force variation of at least one of the tire and the wheel using the first and second force variation vectors. The system also outputs at least one of the determined force variation vector values.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for carrying out auto-calibration of one or more piezoelectric elements in a force transducer assembly of a vehicle wheel balancing system. Output electrical signals from the piezoelectric transducers in response to application of a known imbalance force are measured and recorded. Subsequently, during an auto-calibration procedure, a known input signal is selectively applied to at least one piezoelectric element in the force transducer assembly, and at least one output electrical signal is received from the force transducer assembly. The obtained auto-calibration output signals are evaluated with respect to the output signals obtained from a previous auto-calibration, and compensation values are derived there from for application to subsequent output signals obtained during imbalance measurements.

Abstract: A method and system for a wheel assembly service system are provided. The system includes a rotatable spindle configured to receive a wheel assembly wherein the wheel assembly includes at least a rim and a tire. The system further includes a load device configured to apply a load to the tire during a rotation of the wheel assembly on the spindle, and a controller configured to determine a first force variation vector of the wheel assembly, initiating rotation of the tire with respect to the rim, determine a second force variation vector of the wheel assembly with the tire rotated with respect to the rim, and determine a force variation of at least one of the tire and the wheel using the first and second force variation vectors. The system also outputs at least one of the determined force variation vector values.

Abstract: A method for measuring imbalance forces in a rotating body, and for determining if an application of imbalance correction weights is required to compensate for the measured imbalance forces.

Abstract: A method for determining weight display thresholds for static and dynamic imbalances and correction weights on a rotating body such as a vehicle wheel assembly, which vary with parameters of the rotating body, wheel and/or tire, and for displaying measured imbalances in relation to determined imbalance thresholds.

Abstract: A method for providing a centering check for a rotating body mounted on a wheel balancer which is based on measuring at least one imbalance parameter or tire runout of the rotating body. The rotating body is mounted on a spindle of the wheel balancer and an imbalance parameter or tire runout measurement taken. The mounting of the rotating body on the spindle is then altered, and a second measurement of the imbalance parameter or tire runout is taken. A processor in the wheel balancer utilizes the first and second measurements together with a threshold to provide an indication of off-center mounting of the rotating body one the spindle.

Abstract: A method for providing a centering check for a rotating body mounted on a wheel balancer based on measuring at least one imbalance parameter and for determining weight display thresholds for static and dynamic imbalance correction weights which vary with parameters of the wheel and/or tire. The rotating body is mounted on a spindle of the wheel balancer and an imbalance parameter or runout measurement taken. The mounting of the rotating body on the spindle is then altered, and a second measurement of the imbalance parameter or runout is taken. A processor in the wheel balancer determines if the difference between the first and second measurements exceeds a predetermined threshold value, indicative of off-center mounting of the rotating body one the spindle. Upon centered mounting of the rotating body, imbalance measurements are acquired, and required correction weights are displayed to an operator if they exceed an identified imbalance threshold level.

Abstract: A method for providing a centering check for a rotating body mounted on a wheel balancer based on measuring at least one imbalance parameter and for determining weight display thresholds for static and dynamic imbalance correction weights which vary with parameters of the wheel and/or tire. The rotating body is mounted on a spindle of the wheel balancer and an imbalance parameter or runout measurement taken. The mounting of the rotating body on the spindle is then altered, and a second measurement of the imbalance parameter or runout is taken. A processor in the wheel balancer determines if the difference between the first and second measurements exceeds a predetermined threshold value, indicative of off-center mounting of the rotating body one the spindle. Upon centered mounting of the rotating body, imbalance measurements are acquired, and required correction weights are displayed to an operator if they exceed an identified imbalance threshold level.

Abstract: A improved vehicle wheel balancer for a wheel assembly including an adjustable wheel data acquisition arm configured to transition from at least a first operating position adapted for use with vehicle wheels having a first range of inner diameters, to at least a second operating position adapted for use with vehicle wheels having a second range of inner diameters which differ, at least in-part, from the first range of inner diameters.

Abstract: An oil burner primary control in an interrupted ignition burner control system includes a miniature coupling transformer for controlling operation of the igniter. The gate circuit of a flame responsive switch is effective, in the absence of a burner flame, to generate a plurality of gating pulses at a frequency substantially greater than line frequency. The flame responsive switch is cyclically gated on by the pulses for energizing a safety switch resistance heater. The primary winding of the coupling transformer is connected in the gate circuit of the flame responsive switch and is responsive to the gating pulses to induce voltage pulses in its secondary winding which is connected in the gate circuit of an ignition switch controlling the igniter. At least one of the pulses occurs sufficiently early in each half cycle of the sine wave alternating current appearing at the ignition switch so that the ignition switch conducts during essentially all of the sine wave, as long as there is no burner flame.