Abstract: A method of monitoring the weight distribution on a vehicle includes measuring characteristic values of axles, comparing the measured values with expected values, and when the measured values differ from the expected values, sending warning signals that the vehicle may be experiencing a problem. The method of monitoring the weight distribution on a vehicle is used to determine the weight shift of cargo on the vehicle. The present invention allows the driver to check the weight distribution on the vehicle while operating the vehicle. Characteristic values include any value of the axles that are indicative an effect of weight on the vehicle. Such characteristic values may include acceleration, deceleration, stress, strain, and, of course, weight. Detectors measure the characteristic values on axles of a vehicle and send value signals to a control which receives the value signals, performs computations based on the measured values, and compares the computations with expected values of the axles.

Abstract: A weight checking apparatus is provided to prevent items that have not been properly checked from slipping through the weight checker. A weight checker 1 includes a weight conveyor 3, a loading sensor 6, a weighing portion 5, a weighing conveyor weight change monitoring means 9a, an item weight calculation means 9b, and a controller 9. The loading sensor 6 detects the loading of an item on the weighing conveyor 3. The weighing portion 4 detects the weight of the weighing conveyor 3. The controller 9 switches between the weighing conveyor weight change monitoring process and the item weight calculation process based on a detection signal from the loading sensor 6. The weighing conveyor weight change monitoring process monitors a change in the weight value of the weighing conveyor 3. The item weight calculation process calculates the weight of the item from the weight value detected by the weighing portion 5.

Abstract: To calculate a vehicle mass based on a driving force caused by an engine, running resistance, and vehicle acceleration, influence of gradient resistance is removed. A gross driving force calculating section calculates a gross driving force F of a vehicle by deducting running resistance from a driving force of a vehicle caused by an engine. An acceleration sensor calculates a longitudinal acceleration &agr; of the vehicle. Relationship among a gross driving force F, a longitudinal acceleration &agr;, a vehicle mass M, and road gradient &THgr; can be expressed as (&agr;=F/M−g sin &THgr;). Because the change of gradient contains only a low frequency component, by processing a gross driving force F and an acceleration &agr;, using a high-pass filter with a predetermined cut-off frequency, the influence of the gradient &THgr; can be removed.

Abstract: Low and high frequency components of ship bending loads are computed from sea trial testing data, respectively based on sea statistical properties and geometry of a model ship hull and cyclic wave impact on such model ship hull. The low and high frequency bending load components are combined through an algorithm controlled program to provide a more accurate prediction of cyclic bending loads experienced during the lifetime of a ship hull.

Abstract: The present invention is a Weight Verification Device (WVD) that stamps a weight transaction record with a digital signature so that transaction data may be verified at a later time. The WVD is an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) device that is installed in a sealed digital weight indicator. When a vehicle is weighed using this digital weight indicator, a weight transaction record is stamped with a digital signature and stored in a computer. The WVD may be used to confirm that the inbound and outbound weights and the date and time are accurate, that the transaction data have not been tampered with, and that the transaction as a whole has not been modified in any way since the time the transaction record was created. The digital signature stored with the transaction data is based on a secure hash of the transaction data and a “private” key belonging to an inspector from the Weights and Measures Department or a designated representative.

Abstract: Square bales are produced by a baler having a pressing passage from which emerges a succession of the bales that travel rearward from the press passage over an output chute and fall off a rear edge of the chute from the baler. The bales are weighed by continuously monitoring the downward force with which the bales bear on the chute rear edge, continuously calculating an average of the monitored force, establishing as an individual bale weight the calculated average each time it peaks before a bale drops from the chute rear edge, and storing the individual bale weights.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for recursively estimating vehicle mass and/or aerodynamic coefficient of a moving vehicle. The vehicle speed and push force data are collected and a segment of qualified data is then selected from the collected data. Newton's second law is integrated to express vehicle mass and/or aerodynamic coefficient in terms of vehicle push force and vehicle speed. This expression is then used in a recursive analysis of the qualified data segment to determine an estimated vehicle mass and/or aerodynamic coefficient.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for recursively estimating vehicle mass and/or aerodynamic coefficient of a moving vehicle. The vehicle speed and push force data are collected and a segment of qualified data is then selected from the collected data. Newton's second law is integrated to express vehicle mass and/or aerodynamic coefficient in terms of vehicle push force and vehicle speed. This expression is then used in a recursive analysis of the qualified data segment to determine an estimated vehicle mass and/or aerodynamic coefficient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a device for weighing moving objects wherein at least two measurements are carried out with respect to each object by means of separate weighing machines (1, 2), whereupon an average value is computed by a calculating unit (5) as the result of the weighing operation. The invention is intended for weighing mobile objects, such as vehicles (10) designed for road or rail-bound traffic, or for in-line weighing operations to weigh products on a conveyor belt.

Abstract: An onboard system for use in measuring, computing and displaying the weight and center-of-gravity for aircraft, while keeping aircraft movement to a minimum. Pressure sensors are mounted in relation to each of the landing gear struts. An onboard pump and reservoirs are attached to each of the landing gear struts and are activated by a computer/controller, while landing gear strut pressures are monitored in the determination of strut stiction. The computer/controller calculates the stiction of each landing gear strut and compensates for the pressure distortions caused by landing gear strut stiction. Additional features include reducing strut stiction, measuring landing gear strut fluid levels, monitoring landing gear strut health, weight adjustments for external ice and de-icing fluids, weight adjustments for wind, monitoring aircraft landing gear strut movement.

Abstract: A weight measuring apparatus comprising a plurality of load sensors, together with an input network, a multiplexer, a reference, an analog to digital converter, and a processor, wherein the input network includes an analog summing network and direct sensor connections to the multiplexer. The multiplexer is arranged to permit measurement of the sum signal, a reference signal, and each direct load sensor signal in a prescribed sequence. The multiplexed signals are converted to digital and processed to derive a weight estimate based on the multiplexed measurements and a system error model. The prescribed measurement sequence permits measurement of the sum signal more frequently than each of the direct signals. A method is described for deriving correction factors for the error model comprising the placing of calibration weights primarily on each weight sensor and solving the system of simultaneous equations for the resulting correction factors.

Abstract: An indirect suspended load weight measuring system that is suitable for use with an excavator that has a moving load bucket rotating about a swing axis. The load bucket has a load therein, and the excavator has a swing drive motor for rotating the bucket, and a hoist rope for supporting the load bucket. The system comprises a torque determination circuit for determining a torque of the swing drive motor and for outputing a motor torque signal having a parameter representative of an instantaneous motor torque. A radius sensing circuit senses a radius of the load bucket with respect to the swing axis and provides a radius signal. A speed sensing circuit determines an angular speed of the load bucket with respect to the swing axis and provides an angular speed signal. A computation circuit responsive to the instantaneous torque signal, the radius signal and the angular speed signal, computes a weight of the moving load.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring the die attach material adhesive weight in an in-line manner is disclosed. The method and apparatus utilize two weight platforms at pre-dispense and post-dispense positions of an assembly line carrying lead frames. The two platforms weigh the lead frames to obtain pre-dispense and post-dispense weight measurements. These measurements are used by a logic circuit to calculate the weight of the adhesive. The logic circuit upon detection of an inappropriate adhesive weight can sound an alarm, stop the assembly line or automatically adjust a dispenser to administer the appropriate amount of adhesive.

Abstract: In order to increase safety of lift trucks, a weight indication for the driver is provided so that the driver may know how heavy a load he is handling,. This weight indication is obtained by measuring the current to the motor of the hydraulic pump. In order to eliminate the risk that monetary variations may result in faulty measurements preferably a mean value of current is taken for a certain time or the value of the measured current is added during a fixed time interval. Obtained values are then multiplied by a conversion factor so that the weight in, for instance, kilograms is obtained and delivered to a suitable display device. Obtained values also may be used to provide a warning by sound or light should the load exceed the maximum allowed.