Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to a method for docking a robotic platform. The method may include receiving a robotic platform onto a ramp of a docking station. The docking station may include the ramp, a roller assembly, a base pad, and a roller backstop assembly. The ramp may have a first side and a second side opposing the first side. The method may further include guiding, by the roller assembly, the robotic platform as the robotic platform is being driven onto ramp such that the robotic platform continues powered travel over the ramp when the robotic platform approaches the ramp within an angle range of 0 and 15 degrees with respect to either of the first and second sides of the ramp. The method may further include receiving, by the roller backstop assembly, the robotic platform from the roller assembly and then docking the robotic platform.

Abstract: This device comprises an immobilizing device of a first portion of the shaft, the shaft extending along a first axis, and a movement device of a second portion of the shaft so as to load the shaft in bending. The moving device comprises a first cylinder, a second cylinder, and a connecting device configured to form, between the shaft and one end of the first cylinder, a first connection prohibiting a translation perpendicular to the first axis and allowing a rotation around the first axis, and to form, between the shaft and one end of the second cylinder or between the end of the first cylinder connected to the shaft and one end of the second cylinder, a second connection prohibiting a translation perpendicular to the first axis and allowing a rotation around a second axis parallel to the first axis.

Abstract: A UAV tethering system provides an environment in which to fly an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) where the tether is selected to prevent the UAV from unintentional contact with the ground or other objects within the flight area. A tether may connect the UAV to a shuttle that slides along a track. The tether may be used to provide efficient, robust and accurate positioning information. The system can be configured to detect the angle at which the tethering line extends from the shuttle, the length of the extended tethering line, and then compute the position of the UAV relative to the shuttle. Furthermore, by knowing the position of the shuttle, the absolute position of the UAV can be determined.

Abstract: A roller bearing configuration having an angle sensor includes a roller bearing. The Angle sensor an absolute encoder with a sensor ring connected in a rotationally fixed manner to one of the bearing rings of the roller bearing, and a measuring element connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the second bearing ring, wherein coils, namely at least one transmitting coil and at least one receiving coil, are situated on the sensor ring, and the transmitting coil has an axis of symmetry, which is identical to the axis of rotation and is situated in an annular metallic pot core, which has a U-shaped cross section and is concentric with the axis of rotation of the roller bearing, and a receiving coil is situated partially inside and partially outside of the pot core.

Abstract: A wheel alignment angle measuring apparatus according to the present invention computes variation energy sums EA? and EB? and a reference wheel referencing alignment angle (a toe angle TBR) based on an anteroposterior force variation rate dFx and a lateral force variation rate dFy generated in a reference wheel (RL). Furthermore, the alignment angle measuring apparatus computes a non-reference wheel referencing alignment angle (a toe angle TNBR) of a non-reference wheel (FL), and then computes a toe angle TNBA to be specified for the non-reference wheel, based on the toe angle TNBR and a difference between a toe angle TBR and the toe angle TI.

Abstract: The invention makes it possible to measure a lateral displacement amount of a vehicle accurately in a short time on a bench testing machine without damaging a vehicle body and tires. Respective rollers 1F, 1R on which respective wheels WF, WR of the vehicle A are placed respectively are made movable in a lateral direction. In a state in which the respective wheels WF, WR are rotating at a predetermined speed, lateral forces (cornering forces) acting on the respective rollers 1F, 1R are detected by respective detectors 3. Then, a yaw angle speed when the vehicle A is brought into a state of steady circular turning is calculated based on the lateral forces acting on the respective rollers 1F, 1R and the lateral displacement amount is calculated from the yaw angle speed.

Abstract: A method for measuring side run-out of a wheel by turning the wheel mounted on a roller supported rotatably. It is judged whether or not the difference between the side run-out of a wheel at the start point onf one turn and the end point of one turn falls within a specified range or not. If it falls within the specified range, the difference between the maximum and minimum values of the side run-out during rotation is defined as the side run-out of the wheel. Even if the wheel is displaced during measurement to cause variation in the measurement value of the side run-out, the varied measurement value can be removed and highly accurate side run-out and side run-out width can be obtained.

Abstract: The invention makes it possible to measure a lateral displacement amount of a vehicle accurately in a short time on a bench testing machine without damaging a vehicle body and tires.

Abstract: An apparatus for effecting measurements on the geometry of the suspensions of a motor vehicle, to be applied to a vehicle lift, characterised by comprising on at least one runway (4), in a position corresponding with at least one wheel (12, 4 0), a pair of rollers (20, 22; 50, 52) which substantially do not project from the runway surface when at rest, but can be raised to adhere to said wheel (12, 40) on opposite sides of the region of contact with said runway, said pair of rollers (20, 22; 50, 52) being associated with means (26, 36; 42, 68) for causing them to translate, when raised, along the corresponding runway (4).

Abstract: A system for measuring caster trail of a wheel. The system comprises position sensing devices for sensing positional signals of the wheel and a data processing system configured to couple to the position sensing devices. The data processing system receives signals from the position sensing devices and determines spatial characteristics of a steering axis of the wheel, a reference plane and the center of a wheel. The system then determines the caster trail based on the spatial characteristics.

Abstract: A wheel alignment adjusting device is provided in which loading portions, on which wheels of a vehicle are loaded, can be positioned with high accuracy. Front and rear tire driving devices 118 at a vehicle transverse direction left side are fixed to a loading stand 18. Front and rear tire driving devices 118 at a vehicle transverse direction right side are mounted to a first sliding base 34R. The first sliding base 34R is movable in a vehicle transverse direction with respect to the loading stand 18. When a vehicle transverse direction distance between the tire driving devices 118 is to be changed in accordance with a tread base of the vehicle, the first sliding base 34R is moved. Only the tire driving devices 118 at one vehicle transverse direction side are moved, rather than the tire driving devices 118 at both vehicle transverse direction sides. Thus, a structure of the wheel alignment adjusting device is simplified because a number of driving devices for moving the tire driving devices 118 is reduced.

Abstract: A vehicle service system configured to measure and utilize lateral force information associated with a set of vehicle wheels to provide an operator with a suggested placement for the individual vehicle wheels about the vehicle, such that the effects on the vehicle handling caused by the lateral forces are minimized.

Abstract: A vehicle service system configured to measure and utilize lateral force information associated with a set of vehicle wheels to provide an operator with a suggested placement for the individual vehicle wheels about the vehicle, such that the effects on the vehicle handling caused by the lateral forces are minimized.

Abstract: A method for measuring side run-out of a wheel by turning the wheel mounted on a roller supported rotatably. It is judged whether or not the difference between the side run-out of a wheel at the start point onf one turn and the end point of one turn falls within a specified range or not. If it falls within the specified range, the difference between the maximum and minimum values of the side run-out during rotation is defined as the side run-out of the wheel. Even if the wheel is displaced during measurement to cause variation in the measurement value of the side run-out, the varied measurement value can be removed and highly accurate side run-out and side run-out width can be obtained.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel support device for use in a wheel alignment assembly including a floating plate assembly movably supported relative to the base upon which a vehicle is positioned. The floating plate assembly includes a pair of rollers disposed in a fixed non-parallel orientation with respect to each other. The floating plate assembly is movably positioned such that a vehicle wheel may be located between the pair of rollers to isolate the vehicle wheel from the base so as to stabilize all forces acting thereon and wherein the rollers rotate the wheel so that various wheel alignment parameters may be measured.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel position measurement device is provided. The device includes a frame adapted for mounting on a base body. Mounted on the frame, is a pair of rollers configured for supporting a wheel of the vehicle during a measurement procedure. Also included are roller bodies for enabling the frame to roll along the base body. Finally, a motion limiting device is included for limiting a range of movement of the frame on the base.