Abstract: An apparatus for stability testing of a wheeled assembly includes a straight fulcrum fixed relative to a horizontal surface. The straight fulcrum includes a straight edge parallel to the horizontal surface and located a first height above the horizontal surface. A first position mechanism includes a first position angle. The first position mechanism and straight edge define the first position angle as an obtuse angle and define a test area. A force mechanism vertically offset from the straight edge. The force mechanism applies a force to the wheeled assembly so when the wheeled assembly is positioned in a first position with one side of the wheeled assembly parallel to the first position angle, the force mechanism pulls the wheeled assembly in a direction toward a second position and the wheeled assembly rotates on a vertical axis. The second position includes a portion of the wheeled assembly contacting the straight edge.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for determining the static unbalance of a body (30) provided with a locating surface (31) by means of a center-of-gravity weighing scale (10), the method including measuring the position of the locating surface (31) of the body (30) with respect to its mount by means of electric displacement sensors (16), computing from the measurement signals of the displacement sensors (16) the eccentricity of the locating surface (31) of the body (30) with respect to the reference point of the scale (10) by means of an electric evaluating circuit, weighing the body (30) and recording mass and position of the center of gravity of the body (30) with respect to the reference point of the scale (10), and computing the unbalance of the body (30) from the measurement signals of the scale (10) and the eccentricity of the locating surface (31) of the body (30) with respect to the reference point of the scale (10) by means of the evaluating circuit.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a balance correcting method for scanning optical apparatus for deflection-scanning a light beam in such an arrangement that a drive motor is of an inner rotor type in which a rotary body having a drive magnet is disposed inside a stator and a rotary polygon mirror is mounted on the rotary body so as to enable deflection scanning of the light beam, wherein a mechanical part having the rotary body is arranged as separable from an electric circuit part having the stator, the mechanical part having the rotary body is separated from the electric circuit part upon balance correction, only the mechanical part is then mounted on a balance corrector, the mechanical part is rotated by a stator as a rotating device preliminarily provided in the balance corrector, and an amount of unbalance is measured and adjusted.

Abstract: A balancing device for a wheel and tire assembly has an elongate cylinder with an upper end, a lower end, an exterior surface and male threads formed on the exterior surface. A longitudinal cylinder bore extends axially through the cylinder and receives therethrough a suspension cord. The cord has a stop element at a support end extending beyond the lower end of the cylinder for supporting the cylinder. A support member has a wheel support flange and at least a first wheel hub centering section extending from the support flange. The centering section has a fixed diameter adapted to accommodate a particular diameter wheel hub opening of the wheel and tire assembly. An axial bore is formed through the support member and has female threads formed internally in the bore which correspond to the male threads of the cylinder.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for measuring static unbalance of a rotary member, involving determining the axial moment of inertia of the rotary member which is mounted pivotably in a horizontal position in a balancing system, about an axis of the balancing system, a deviation of the rotary member from its horizontal position is detected and a return force for returning the rotary member to the horizontal position is produced in response to a control parameter from a regulating circuit in dependence on the detected deviation, with regulation of the return force also being effected in dependence on the weight of the rotary member. The value of the static unbalance of the rotary member is formed from the measured return force.

Abstract: A system is provided for determining the center of gravity of a body by providing a balance arm supported from a single pivot point, then positioning the body on the balance arm and measuring the rotation of the balance arm in two orthogonal planes. A disturbance weight is then added to the system at a known position, and the angle of rotation in the two planes is again measured. Using the known weights of the body and the disturbance weight, and the known distance of the disturbance weight from the pivot, and the measured angles, the precise location of the center of gravity of the body is determined by basic statics and standard trigonometry.

Abstract: A hard static balancing machine is disclosed. A pivot pin member is mounted at the top of a stationary support member. A workpiece support assembly is pivotally mounted on the pivot pin member. A force transmitting member extends downwardly from the workpiece support assembly adjacent said stationary support member. Force rods are attached to the depending transmitting member and extend completely through the stationary support member. A load cell assembly is attached to each of the force rods for measuring workpiece displacement and for applying a restoring force to each of said force rods.

Abstract: A unitary adaptor plate for determining static unbalance in a body. The plate includes an outer body, a middle body, and an inner body, and each of the inner and outer bodies is connected to the middle body by means of opposed torsion elements to provide a structure that defines a gimbal system capable of rotation about two mutually perpendicular axes of rotation defining two degrees of freedom of the adaptor plate. Deflection sensors sense the inclination of the adaptor plate caused by unbalance in a body placed on the adaptor plate, and force transducers operate to restore the plate to a horizontal position and provide an output indicative of the unbalance of the body.

Abstract: A propeller 12 is supported by means of a propeller accommodation 10 comprising a fixing flange on a tubular hollow bending spring 16. A tubular transmitting member 24 coaxial to the hollow bending spring 16, is affixed to the propeller accommodation 10. The position of the transmitting member 24 is detected in two coordinates by sensors 26 and displayed as a light spot by a vector display instrument. This results in calibratable unbalance display. An axial plunger 32 mounted on the hub 14 of the propeller 12 for the blade adjustment extends into the tubular transmitting member 24 and does not obstruct the mounting of the propeller 12 on the propeller accommodation 10.

Abstract: A vertical static balancer incorporating novel methods for workpiece support and pivoting, restoring force spring placement, and means for transmission of motion and force therebetween. A single-element flexure pivot provides workpiece support while permitting near frictionless tilting movement around a vertical axis. Restoring force springs, separate from the pivoting function, are interchangeable to readily alter machine capacity. A rigid tubular member transmits unbalance effects from the workpiece to springs and displacement transducers attached thereto. Simplified electrical circuitry enables data to be transmitted from panel controls to a digital computer by means of a single conductor.

Abstract: A control device for anesthetic vaporizers disclosed herein ensures that the operator is able to select a desired anesthetic with certainty, and to assure that other anesthetic vaporizer apparatus also in use is in an "off" condition when one anesthetic has been selected. The apparatus also includes a setting at which all of a plurality of associated anesthetic vaporizers are safely "off". The invention comprises a rotatable rod adapted for mounting on an assembly of anesthetic vaporizer tanks, the rod having a plurality of C-collars thereon, the opening in each C-collar adapted to receive a flat spiral wing projecting from the on/off control on an anesthetic vaporizer. The C-collars also permit a setting at which it is impossible to open any of the associated anesthetic vaporizers. The control mechanism includes visual indicia as well as an audible indicator when a correct setting has been selected by the operator.

Abstract: A device for measuring the imbalance of a disc-like object has at least three load sensors having cantilevers for supporting the object at their corresponding measuring points selected, with a same angular distance therebetween, on a measuring circle which is concentric with a circular through-hole of the object. Each of the caltilevers is extended tangential to the measuring circle and directed perpendicular to the line of sight in the same sense when viewed from the center of the through-hole. A positioning device positions the center of the through-hole in the object relative to the load sensors, and a calculator device for calculating the imbalance of the object using the data supplied from the plural load sensors.

Abstract: A self-leveling instrument mount comprises an instrument table pivotally mounted above a stationary frame on first, second and third vertical support arms. The first support arm is a fixed length member connected to the frame through a ball and socket joint. The second and third support arms are formed of screws extending between the table and frame having effective lengths that are controlled, respectively, by first and second servo motors in response to a pendulum switch to maintain the table parallel to a horizontal reference plane. The pendulum is magnetically damped during operation of the servo motors for stabilization. A mercury switch on the table disables the servo motors when the tilt of the table is too large to be leveled by the support screws.

Abstract: A liquid wheel balancer including a spherical bubble level mounted on a disc held on the rim of a wheel by telescoping, adjustable arms radiating from the disc. This assembly, and the tire and wheel are floated horizontally in a tub of water or other liquid whereupon by the proper placement of balancing weights and observation of the bubble level the wheel may be balanced.

Abstract: A self-leveling instrument mount comprises an instrument table pivotally mounted above a stationary frame on first, second and third vertical support arms. The first support arm is a fixed length member connected to the frame through a ball and socket joint. The second and third support arms are formed of screws extending between the table and frame having effective lengths that are controlled, respectively, by first and second servo motors in response to a pendulum switch to maintain the table parallel to a horizontal reference plane. The pendulum is magnetically damped during operation of the servo motors for stabilization. A mercury switch on the table disables the servo motors when the tilt of the table is too large to be leveled by the support screws.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the imbalance of a bowling ball includes a base, a first gimbal rotatably mounted on the base and a second gimbal rotatably mounted on the first. A ball is supported by the second gimbal and spun while having the same orientation it has when in flight. The ball acts as the rotor of a gyroscope and any imbalance causes precession in the form of rotation of the first gimbal. Indicators carried by the first gimbal and the base aid in observing the direction and rate of precession.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in machining and statically balancing a large and heavy workpiece such as the runner of a hydraulic turbine. The apparatus includes a vertical center support column on the upper end of which is mounted a rotatable turntable. The workpiece which is to be machined and statically balanced is suitably clamped to and rotates with the turntable, the workpiece extending radially beyond the turntable so that as the turntable is rotated the workpiece is moved past a machining tool which is suitably supported along the path of rotary movement of the workpiece. The turntable is detachably secured to a composite member which comprises a bearing, such as a roller bearing, integral with a gear, such as an internal ring gear, the composite member being in underlying relation to the turntable.

Abstract: A balancing system for balancing an object mounted thereon in a predetermined plane. The balancing system includes a laser mechanism for producing a coherent first beam of visible electromagnetic radiation in a substantially vertical direction line. A beam splitting member inclinable with respect to the vertical direction line upon imbalance of an object mounted on the balancing system intercepts the first beam of coherent light emitted from the laser. The beam splitting member is adapted to pass the first beam of light external to the balancing system and to reflect a portion of the first beam of light into a second coherent beam of light due to reflected passage within the beam splitting member when the member is inclined with respect to the vertical direction. The first and second beams of light intercept a target area remote from the balancing system and provide a pair of displaced visible light points determining the unbalance of the object mounted on the balancing system.

Abstract: A static vehicle wheel balancer has a base which is supported on the floor and which mounts a vertical post. A wheel balance head is provided for receiving and centering a tire and wheel assembly to be balanced and has a level for indicating unbalance. A universal pivot between the balance head and the post is provided wherein the pivot point of the balance head is maintained coincident with the post axis, even when the post axis is inclined from the vertical. In one embodiment, the pivot assembly is formed by an upwardly facing spherical anvil surface that supports three equal diameter balls. The balancing head mounts a single pivot ball that is supported by the three support balls. Resilient means are provided for cushioning the pivot ball. In another embodiment of the invention, the universal pivot action is obtained by the use of a Hooke universal joint. Another embodiment embodies a universal joint of the Hooke type wherein the spider arms are made in the form of flexible blades.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining static imbalance of a test body with a receiving plate mounted gimbal-fashion in antifriction bearings with data receivers connected to the receiving plate whereby the receiving plate is supported radially, i.e., in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the gimbal axes, by antifriction bearings and axially, i.e., in the plane, by axially rigid torsion rods.

Abstract: Apparatus for determining the amount and location of imbalance in an article which is to be balanced about its axis includes a table for receiving the article and for positioning its axis. The table is supported upon a base for substantially free tilting movement generally about a point on a vertically extending axis defined by the base. A number of proximity transducers for sensing the orientation of the table relative to the base are provided. A pair of force coils positioned in quadrature about the axis between the base and the table are responsive to the proximity transducers to apply forces between the table and the base to bring the table and the article which rests thereon into a substantially neutral orientation with respect to the base. The method of the present invention comprises the steps of placing the article on the table with the article axis at a predetermined position thereon.

Abstract: A device for measuring the magnitude and direction of unbalanced moments about each of two mutually perpendicular axes resulting from the displacement of the center of gravity of an object being measured, such as a tire, from the third mutually perpendicular axis. The moment sensing portion consists of two pairs of strain gage-equipped beams, one pair coincident with each of the two axes, with the intersection of the three axes corresponding with the design center of gravity of the object being measured. The sensing head is mounted on a spherical air bearing whose center of curvature corresponds with the intersection point of the three axes, so that unbalanced moments tend to cause pivotal movement about the associated axis, as permitted by yieldable flexing of the beams, while the weight of the object being measured is exerted parallel to the third axis and against the air bearing, so that such force is bypassed around the moment sensing portion to avoid damaging or influencing the sensing structure.

Abstract: A static vehicle wheel balancer has a base which is supported on the floor and which mounts a vertical post. A wheel balance head is provided for receiving and centering a tire and wheel assembly to be balanced and has a level for indicating unbalance. A universal pivot between the balance head and the post is provided wherein the pivot point of the balance head is maintained coincident with the post axis, even when the post axis is inclined from the vertical. In one embodiment, the pivot assembly is formed by an upwardly facing spherical anvil surface that supports three equal diameter balls. The balancing head mounts a single pivot ball that is supported by the three support balls. Resilient means are provided for cushioning the pivot ball. In another embodiment of the invention, the universal pivot action is obtained by the use of a Hooke universal joint. Another embodiment embodies a universal joint of the Hooke type wherein the spider arms are made in the form of flexible blades.

Abstract: A pivot head for a bubble balancer has a socket which receives a spherical support member, the socket having a concave top wall which rests on the spherical member and a circular side wall in close proximity to the equator of the spherical member.

Abstract: A portable bubble balancer incorporates a wheel support and pivot assembly which is spring biased in an upward direction into an interlocked position with the base of the balancer to prevent pivoting of the wheel support in the absence of a wheel thereon.

Abstract: A static vehicle wheel balancing head has a base mounting an upright post terminating in a concave spherical anvil surface that supports three support balls. The balancing head has the usual means for mounting a wheel and has a single socket mounted pivot ball that is supported by the three support balls. The pivot ball is preloaded by a Belleville washer assembly and the preload is adjustable by a threaded plug. Opposed faces on the post and the balancing head are normally spaced by a small distance. Under shock loads, the pivot ball on the balancing head is forced up into its socket, compressing the Belleville washers. This brings the opposed faces into engagement and protects the pivot ball assembly.

Abstract: A static wheel balancer is provided having a universally tiltable balancing head that is small enough to fit in the glove compartment of an automobile.

Abstract: A device for locating mass centers, checking rotational axes and correcting for imbalance in work pieces, which includes a first and a second set of knife edge supports transversely disposed with respect to each other and having a first member received and balanced on one set of knife edge supports, for establishing a first coordinate axis, a second member received and balanced on the second set of knife edge supports, which are provided between the two members, and establish a second coordinate axis, and means for separately sensing and relaying imbalance data with respect to the two coordinate axes and as regards a workpiece received and supported on the two members in combination.

Abstract: Apparatus for determining the amount and location of imbalance in an article which is to be balanced about its axis includes a table for receiving the article and for positioning its axis. The table is supported upon a base for substantially free tilting movement generally about a point on a vertically extending axis defined by the base. A number of proximity transducers for sensing the orientation of the table relative to the base are provided. A pair of force coils positioned in quadrature about the axis between the base and the table are responsive to the proximity transducers to apply forces between the table and the base to bring the table and the article which rests thereon into a substantially neutral orientation with respect to the base. The method of the present invention comprises the steps of placing the article on the table with the article axis at a predetermined position thereon.