US4106579A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Load analyzer for automotive vehicle
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1977-03-25
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Granted: 1978-08-15
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Expires: 1997-03-25
Abstract
Abstract A load analyzer is provided for use with an automotive vehicle in which sensors having relatively reciprocal elements are arranged between the load bed and the axles of the vehicle. The load bed is spring biased relative to the axles, so that loading of the vehicle forces the load bed downward, thereby altering the relative position of the elements of the sensors. Each sensor provides a signal indicative of the relative position of its elements. An indicator responds to the signal by indicating the weight present in the load bed, as derived from the magnitude of the sensor signal, which in turn is proportional to the spring constant of the springs supporting the load bed relative to the axles. The indicator is adjustable so that it may be recalibrated by placing a known weight in the vehicle load bed and adjusting the output indication to correspond to that weight.
Inventors
- 👤 Marvin F. Hayes, Sr.
- 👤 Marvin F. Hayes, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 05:41
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01G; G01G19/00; G01G19/08; G01G19/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
217 words
A load measuring system for use on an automotive vehicle in which a load bed is carried by vehicle axles in spring biased arrangement to allow relative movement therebetween comprising: a sensor having a pair of elements including primary and secondary induction coils with said primary connected to the vehicle electrical system to draw electrical power therefrom and wherein one of said sensor elements includes a ferromagnetic core mounted in reciprocal fashion relative to said secondary, whereby the position of said ferromagnetic core relative to said secondary varies the magnitude of said signal, and wherein said elements are longitudinally movable relative to each other, one of said elements being secured to said load bed and the other of said elements being secured to a vehicle axle for generating a signal indicative of relative position of said sensor elements; indicator means connected to said sensor to receive said signal to provide an indication of weight in said load bed and connected to said secondary to receive an electrical signal provided therefrom; adjustment means for altering the indication provided by said indicator means to allow recalibration of said sensor; and a voltage regulation circuit coupled to said vehicle electrical system and means for transforming direct current to alternating current coupled to said voltage regulation circuit and to said primary.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
217 words
A load measuring system for use on an automotive vehicle in which a load bed is carried by vehicle axles in spring biased arrangement to allow relative movement therebetween comprising: a sensor having a pair of elements including primary and secondary induction coils with said primary connected to the vehicle electrical system to draw electrical power therefrom and wherein one of said sensor elements includes a ferromagnetic core mounted in reciprocal fashion relative to said secondary, whereby the position of said ferromagnetic core relative to said secondary varies the magnitude of said signal, and wherein said elements are longitudinally movable relative to each other, one of said elements being secured to said load bed and the other of said elements being secured to a vehicle axle for generating a signal indicative of relative position of said sensor elements; indicator means connected to said sensor to receive said signal to provide an indication of weight in said load bed and connected to said secondary to receive an electrical signal provided therefrom; adjustment means for altering the indication provided by said indicator means to allow recalibration of said sensor; and a voltage regulation circuit coupled to said vehicle electrical system and means for transforming direct current to alternating current coupled to said voltage regulation circuit and to said primary.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
197 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 further characterized in that said voltage regulation circuit is comprised of: input leads connected to the vehicle electrical system with a first input lead coupled to vehicle ground and with a second input lead coupled to a direct current potential relative to ground; a first output lead connected to vehicle ground and a second output lead connected to said means for transforming alternating current to direct current; first transistor means having an emitter connection to said second input lead, a collector connection to said second output lead, and a base connection to the collector of a second transistor, the emitter of which is connected to vehicle ground, and the base of which is connected through a dropping resistor to the collector of a third transistor; a zener diode connected between the base of said third transistor and said second output lead to pass current to the base of said third transistor when the voltage level of said second output lead exceeds a predetermined voltage level, with the emitter of said third transistor connected to vehicle ground; and a resistor connected between said second input lead and the collector of said third transistor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
120 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 further characterized in that said means for transforming direct current to alternating current is a multivibrator circuit including a pair of transistors having their emitters coupled together and also coupled through a resistor to a direct current potential relative to vehicle ground and having their bases connected separately through separate R-Ccircuits to the collectors of each other, and the collectors of said transistors are coupled to opposing ends of a primary, the center of which is coupled to vehicle ground, and separate blocking diodes are connected from the bases of each transistor to the emitters thereof, and separate resistors are connected from the bases of each transistor to said direct current potential relative to ground.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-08-14 | 1982-02-13 | 1982-08-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-08-14 | 1986-02-13 | 1986-08-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-08-14 | 1990-02-13 | 1990-08-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |