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US 12,281,955 B2Granted
Method for measuring mass distribution within objects using moment-of-inertia
AssigneeOwlfly LLC
InventorChris Alice Kratzer
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A metrological technique in which the internal mass-density distribution of an object is obtained by measuring the object's inertia. The object is rotated about at least one arbitrary axis while dynamic properties are measured. Moment of inertia is derived from the torque and angular acceleration of the object, which can be used to calculate and estimate the internal mass-density distribution of the object.
Claims20
A method of measuring a distribution of mass or distribution of density of an object, comprising:
- a. providing an apparatus, the apparatus including:
- a frame;
- a motor connected to the frame;
- a clamp rotatably connected to the motor;
- an angular position sensor or angular velocity sensor connected to the motor and rotation of the motor causes a rotation of the angular position sensor or angular velocity sensor;
- and
- a hardware-embedded processor electrically connected to the angular position sensor or angular velocity sensor and to the motor;
- b. clamping the object to the apparatus via at least one clamp;
- c. calculating a reference density of the object using Equation 2,
- Equation 2 is as follows:
- ρ
- ref
- =
- m
- L
- ,
- with ρref representing a reference density of the object, m representing a mass of the object and L representing a volume of the object;
- d. selecting an axis of rotation;
- e. calculating, via the processor, a reference moment of inertia (MOI) using Equation 1,
- Equation 1 is as follows:
- MOIref=ρref*Σ(Li*ri2), with MOIref representing a reference MOI of the object, Σ representing a sum, ρref representing the reference density of the object, L representing the volume of the object, r representing a radius perpendicular to the axis of rotation, and i representing an arbitrary number of iterations from the axis of rotation to an outermost surface of the object;
- and
- f. rotating, via the motor of the apparatus, the object about the axis of rotation.
20 more elements
An apparatus for measuring a distribution of mass or density of an object, the apparatus comprising:
- a frame including:
- a top portion;
- a base portion spaced from the top portion in a first direction;
- and
- a connecting portion connecting the base portion to the top portion;
- a motor connected to the base portion;
- an output shaft extending upwardly from the motor;
- a first clamp rotatably connected to an upper end of the output shaft;
- a second clamp rotatably connected to the top portion and movable relative to the top portion in the first direction;
- and
- an angular position sensor or angular velocity sensor rotatably connected to the motor by a connector.
8 more elements
An apparatus for measuring a distribution of mass or density of an object, the apparatus comprising:
- a frame including:
- a top portion;
- a base portion;
- and
- a connecting portion connecting the base portion to the top portion;
- a motor connected to the base portion;
- a first clamp rotatably connected to the motor;
- a second clamp rotatably connected to the top portion;
- and
- an angular position sensor or angular velocity sensor rotatably connected to the motor by a connector;
- a hardware-embedded processor electrically connected to the angular position sensor or angular velocity sensor and to the motor;
- and
- a display device,
- wherein the processor is configured to:
- control the motor to rotate the first clamp, to cause the object to rotate about a one axis at a time among a plurality of different rotation of axes;
- calculate a reference density of the object using Equation 2,
- Equation 2 is as follows:
- ρ
- ref
- =
- m
- L
- ,
- with ρref representing a reference density of the object, m representing a mass of the object and L representing a volume of the object;
- calculate a reference moment of inertia (MOI) using Equation 1,
- Equation 1 is as follows:
- MOIref=ρref*Σ(Li*ri2), with MOIref representing a reference MOI of the object, Σ representing a sum, ρref representing the reference density of the object, L representing the volume of the object, r representing a radius perpendicular to the axis of rotation, and i representing an arbitrary number of iterations from the axis of rotation to an outermost surface of the object.
24 more elements
An apparatus for measuring a distribution of mass or density of an object, the apparatus comprising:
- a base, an inner shell and outer shell;
- wherein the outer shell can move relative to both the inner shell and the base;
- wherein the inner shell can move relative to both the outer shell and the base;
- a base including a track;
- bearings attached to the outer shell and being movable with respect to the track, the bearings permitting the outer shell to move with respect to the base;
- a fixture connected to the inner shell via a fitting and a bearing, the fixture being configured to fix the object to the apparatus;
- and
- a first motor including a first shaft and configured to drive the fixture to cause the object, the outer shell, and the inner shell to rotate.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.