Spring oscillation based inertia measurement device
AssigneeWECE Innovations, LLC
InventorsWilliam J. Endres, Christopher M. Endres
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
This invention relates to devices used to measure the mass moment of inertia (MOI) of physical objects. It is a compact device that is easy to use and adjustable to broaden the range of physical object sizes/MOIs that would not otherwise be measurable with a single nonadjustable device. The device protects certain components from being lost, disturbed or damaged by the user by attaching those components to the device, while still allowing the adjustability noted. Some parts, such as one or more auxiliary platters, must be fully attached and detached for the purpose of adjustment.
Claims19
An inertia measurement device that facilitates periodic angular oscillatory motion of an object comprising:
- a. a base having three or more legs;
- b. a rotor comprising a shaft, a primary platter, and a top surface that rotates about an axis;
- c. a bearing affixed to the base and intermediate the base and the shaft;
- d. a pair of primary helical springs each attached at one end to the base and at the other end to a cord, the cord communicating between each helical spring and the shaft and wrapping at least partially around a cord guide on the shaft, the cord guide being cylindrical about the axis and having a helical groove to facilitate more than 360 degrees of cord wrap without the cord overlapping itself;
- e. one or more pair of auxiliary-spring sets attached at one end to the base and connected at their other ends to a spring catch that allows connection to and disconnection from the cord, where each auxiliary-spring set of each pair of auxiliary-spring sets when connected to the cord works in parallel with the respective primary helical spring;
- and
- f. a noncontact sensor affixed to the base in a permanent way for observing angular motion of the rotor.
An inertia measurement device that facilitates periodic angular oscillatory motion of an object comprising:
- a. a base having three or more legs;
- b. a rotor comprising a shaft, a primary platter, and a top surface that rotates about an axis;
- c. a bearing affixed to the base and intermediate the base and the shaft;
- d. a pair of primary helical springs each attached at one end to the base and at the other end to a cord, the cord communicating between each helical spring and the shaft traversing around one or more pulleys intermediate each helical spring and the shaft and wrapping at least partially around a cord guide on the shaft, the cord guide being cylindrical about the axis and having a helical groove to facilitate more than 360 degrees of cord wrap without the cord overlapping itself;
- and
- e. a noncontact sensor affixed to the base in a permanent way for observing angular motion of the rotor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.