Dynamometer Patents (Class 73/1.08)
  • Patent number: 7089775
    Abstract: A device and a method for calibrating a sensor, e.g., a force sensor such as a belt-force sensor, which allow reliable calibration of the sensor in a simple manner to counteract age-related distortion of measured values. The device for calibrating a sensor includes an arrangement for detecting at least one defined state of the sensor. When the sensor is in a defined state thusly detected, a corresponding adjustment of the measured value of the sensor may be implemented within the framework of the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Bernhard Mattes, Ulrike Groeger
  • Patent number: 6948387
    Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method to calibrate a clamp, such as a wire clamp, which is suitable for use with a wire-bonding machine for semiconductor devices. A contact means is arranged to be contacted by an arm of the clamping device and a sensing mechanism is positioned in operational relationship with the arm. An indexing means is adapted to change positions of the clamping device relative to the contact means incrementally as said arm maintains contact with the contact means. The sensing mechanism is capable of sensing feedback from said arm at various positions of the clamping device relative to the contact means. The apparatus is particularly suitable for measuring a clamping force and/or a clamping gap between clamping arms of the clamping device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: ASM Technology Singapore PTE LTD
    Inventors: Chong Hao Chen, Wei Liu, Ka Shing Kenny Kwan
  • Patent number: 6937143
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle passenger detecting apparatus capable of detecting an unoccupied-seat state through the use of existing signals in a vehicle and correcting an unoccupied-seat reference value with a simple configuration. In a case in which an ignition key switch and a buckle switch are in off conditions and a load detecting value, which is the sum of measurement data from load sensors in these conditions, falls below a predetermined unoccupied-seat load value, an occupied-seat reference value serving as a load measurement standard for detection of a state of a vehicle passenger is corrected using the load detection value. This eliminates the influence of vibrations stemming from engine revolutions and electrical noises and enables the reference value to be corrected using a stabler load detection value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignees: Denso Corporation, Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Koji Ohtaka
  • Patent number: 6928853
    Abstract: A transducer including a deformation body with a strain gage produces hysteresis-affected measured values based on the strain of the deformation body. Each measured value is to be corrected by the hysteresis error. For this purpose, a hysteresis model is formed from a recorded loading characteristic curve and the theory of the dipole density of the oriented elementary dipoles in the interior of the deformation body. With the aid of the hysteresis model, and the determined hysteresis-affected measured values, and in connection with the acquired loading history, a correction value is derived and used to correct the hysteresis error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Schenck Process GmbH
    Inventor: Hans Guenter Koenig
  • Patent number: 6889584
    Abstract: A wrench includes a main shaft having a working portion provided at the top thereof; a torsion member having an elastic restoring force against torsion about the axis of the main shaft; at least one operating handle disposed so as to intersect with the middle of the main shaft; and torque display means for displaying a torque produced in accordance with the degree of twist of the torsion member with respect to the reference point of the same. The main shaft is dividable into two divided bodies in the axial direction thereof, and the two divided bodies are connected to each other. The torsion member is interposed between the divided bodies, which are turnable relative to each other about the axis of the main shaft. With this wrench, a screw can be quickly sent to its seating position and is then fastened with up to a predetermined torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Kuken Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tatsuya Amami
  • Patent number: 6868710
    Abstract: A pinch grip dynamometer field testing calibration stand for a pinch or finger grip dynamometer having a base defined by a platform and a vertical post, a dynamometer holder attached to the platform, and upper and lower calibration plates slidable on the post. The dynamometer is supported by the holder with its load application point (a concave groove in the case of a mechanical dynamometer, or the concave face of a button in the case of a hydraulic dynamometer) in proximity to the post. The bottom surface of the lower calibration plate has a convex protrusion which applies a load to the dynamometer. The load is supplied by calibrated weights of known mass supported in a groove on the top surface of the lower calibration plate, and by a groove in the bottom surface of the upper calibration plate when the weight needs support for its upper portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Inventors: Theodore J. Becker, Massimo J. Becker
  • Publication number: 20040261491
    Abstract: To calibrate a tool evaluator having a first sensor, where this first sensor is operable to sense a force and transmit a first signal associated with the sensed force, a second sensor is disposed within the tool evaluator. This second sensor is operable to sense the force and transmit a second signal associated with the sensed force. In addition; the tool evaluator is controlled to apply the force to the second sensor and a calibration factor is determined in response to the first signal and the second signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Paul G. Kostenick, Arlen R. Pumphrey
  • Patent number: 6832503
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a weight-drop machine for calibrating and verifying the calibration of an occupant detection system in a vehicle. The machine comprises a lift frame that is adapted to support and lift a seat pallet toward a keeper plate to cause the pallet to engage the keeper plate so that the pallet is prevented from movement. Another weight-drop machine a weight supported for movement relative to a frame, which, in turn, is supported for movement in a direction having both a horizontal component and a vertical component of movement in a single motion. Yet another weight-drop machine comprises one or more sensors that are adapted to sense the position of a vehicle seat. Still another weight-drop machine comprises a sensor for measuring displacement of the drop weight. A towel bar lift may be provided for lifting a towel bar for operating a manual seat lock mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Marentic, John Sapielak, Roland Monk, Derek Thomas, Gary Rock, Glenn Kremer, Don Hamilton, Greg Krom, Matt Debusk, Troy Deuchler, John Nathan
  • Publication number: 20040154375
    Abstract: In order to counteract age-related distortion of measured values, the present invention proposes a device and a method for calibrating a sensor in general and a force sensor and a belt-force sensor (5), in particular, which allow reliable calibration of the sensor in a simple manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2004
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventors: Bernhard Mattes, Ulrike Groeger
  • Publication number: 20040144156
    Abstract: A pinch grip dynamometer field testing calibration stand for a pinch or finger grip dynamometer having a base defined by a platform and a vertical post, a dynamometer holder attached to the platform, and upper and lower calibration plates slidable on the post. The dynamometer is supported by the holder with its load application point (a concave groove in the case of a mechanical dynamometer, or the concave face of a button in the case of a hydraulic dynamometer) in proximity to the post. The bottom surface of the lower calibration plate has a convex protrusion which applies a load to the dynamometer. The load is supplied by calibrated weights of known mass supported in a groove on the top surface of the lower calibration plate, and by a groove in the bottom surface of the upper calibration plate when the weight needs support for its upper portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2003
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Inventors: Theodore J. Becker, Massimo J. Becker
  • Patent number: 6768226
    Abstract: A measuring circuit capable of performing a high-accuracy measurement by eliminating inductive influence from an ambient noise voltage source. An electric circuit including a signal circuit of high impedance, a wiring conductor and a meter is provided with a shielding resistance member having a significantly lower resistance than that of the signal circuit in dependence on an inter-terminal voltage of the high impedance signal circuit and a shield formed of an electrically conductive material disposed in association with the wiring conductor. A voltage distribution function of the shielding resistance member is matched equally to that of an inter-terminal voltage distribution function of the signal circuit. By measuring a line voltage through the medium of the high impedance signal circuit shielded by the shielding resistor, high accuracy measurement can be realized without undergoing adverse influences of parasitic capacitance and induction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Watanabe, Kazuo Kato
  • Patent number: 6698269
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for in-situ testing of transducers, and more particularly to the testing of piezoelectric transducers including piezoelectric accelerometers. Circuits, measurement techniques, and interpretative algorithms to enable in-situ testing of piezoelectric accelerometers are described. Accelerometers that employ a piezoelectric material to convert mechanical strains into electronic signals are reciprocal electromechanical transducers. In such transducers the electrical output impedance of the sensor is dependent upon the electrical and mechanical parameters of the sensor. The procedure described in this disclosure includes methods of measuring the transducer electrical output impedance as a function of frequency and the extraction of the electrical and mechanical transducer parameters from the measured data. The measured values of the transducer parameters may be interpreted to provide an indication of the operational status of the transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Oceana Sensor Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Isaak Baber, Mark F. Bocko, Joseph E. Pegg, William Simmons
  • Patent number: 6694796
    Abstract: An apparatus for calibrating a particulate matter continuous emission monitoring system includes: a feed unit that supplies particulate matter of a known mass flow rate; an eductor unit connected with the feed unit that receives particulate matter therefrom; a fluidizing unit connected to the eductor that supplies gas to the eductor unit, wherein the particulate matter and gas are combined into a fluidized mixture; and a probe connected to the eductor configured to extend within an industrial stack and deliver the fluidized mixture therein. Such an apparatus can provide accurate data regarding particulate matter concentration that can be compared with readings on the PM CEMS and enable a calibration curve to be generated. A tracer gas injection unit and analyzer may also be included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: B3 Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Phillip J. Juneau, Robert Baxter
  • Patent number: 6580183
    Abstract: A measuring circuit capable of performing a high-accuracy measurement by eliminating inductive influence from an ambient noise voltage source. An electric circuit including a signal circuit of high impedance, a wiring conductor and a meter is provided with a shielding resistance member having a significantly lower resistance than that of the signal circuit in dependence on an inter-terminal voltage of the high impedance signal circuit and a shield formed of an electrically conductive material disposed in association with the wiring conductor. A voltage distribution function of the shielding resistance member is matched equally to that of an inter-terminal voltage distribution function of the signal circuit. By measuring a line voltage through the medium of the high impedance signal circuit shielded by the shielding resistor, high accuracy measurement can be realized without undergoing adverse influences of parasitic capacitance and induction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Watanabe, Kazuo Kato
  • Publication number: 20020092338
    Abstract: A device for calibrating drag test drives comprises a disk drive unit, a non conductive, non magnetic disk, and a magnet placed substantially planar to the non magnetic disk wherein the disk can spin in the disk drive through a magnetic field produced by the magnet. The device also comprises a current measuring device wherein the device measures the amount of current the disk drive motor draws while spinning the disk.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2001
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Inventors: Michael V. Andersen, S. Dennis Evans, Michael J. Scoresby, Wayne A. Sumner, Charles Hudson
  • Patent number: 6415242
    Abstract: Method and system for determining aircraft weight-related data. Strain sensors are affixed to aircraft support struts to generate signals related to strut strain. Tensioning apparatus applies known tension to the struts and computing apparatus calculates a calibration matrix relating loads to the strain sensor signals. The computer calculates the weight-related data from the calibration matrix and strain sensor signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Abnaki Information Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: James Peter Weldon, Jr., Marthinus C. van Schoor
  • Publication number: 20020011092
    Abstract: A method for executing calibration without having to dismount a force sensor from a robot, and an apparatus for executing this method are provided. When a robot mounted with a calibrated force sensor begins to be operated, any tool whose position of the center of gravity and weight are immune from change is fitted, and a command for acquiring reference data is given to execute operational programs. Reference data V0 of matrices consisting of differences between strain gage outputs (S1, S2) of the force sensor in any predetermined posture and strain gage outputs in other predetermined postures differing both from that posture and from one another are calculated and stored (S3-1 to S7). When the measuring accuracy of the force sensor drops, the tool used when the reference data were acquired is mounted on the robot, and the same procedures S1 to S6 are executed, and the data V′0 corresponding to the reference data are calculated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 1999
    Publication date: January 31, 2002
    Inventors: RYUICHI HARA, KAZUNORI BAN