Measurement of the Coefficient of Restitution of A Golf Club
AssigneeCallaway Golf Company
InventorsMatthew J. Erickson, Steven M. Ehlers, John B. Kosmatka
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Abstract of Disclosure A method (100) and system (20) for predicting a coefficient of restitution (COR) of a golf club (30) or golf club head (36) is disclosed herein. The system (20) and method (100) are able to predict the COR in a non-destructive manner for a particular golf ball and impact speed. The system (20) and method (100) utilize a vibration sensor (24) attached to the face (34) of a golf club (30). The vibration sensor (24) is excited with an excitation device (26), and data is transmitted to an analyzer (22). A mathematical model of the golf club (30) is created allowing for the coefficient of restitution to be predicted without destroying the golf club (30).
Claims7
We claim as our invention:
- 1. A method for predicting a coefficient of restitution (COR) of a golf club, the method comprising:
- generating vibrations in a face of a golf club;
- transmitting a force of excitation and the vibrations generated in the face to an analyzer to generate frequency domain data for the golf club;
- generating a graph of frequency from the frequency domain data;
- selecting a frequency band to minimize noise;
- calculating a transfer function from the frequency band of the graph;
- and
- inputting a golf ball model for a specific golf ball and an impact speed into the transfer function in order to generate a predicted COR for the golf club at the impact speed with the specific golf ball, the golf ball model comprising a contact duration of the specific ball and a mass of the specific ball.
A system for predicting the coefficient of restitution of a golf club during impact with a golf ball, the system comprising:
- a vibration sensor having means for measuring the vibration of a face of a golf club;
- means for measuring the force of excitation with the face;
- and
- means for predicting the coefficient of restitution of the golf club from the vibration of the face, the force of excitation with the face, an effective mass of the golf club and a mass of a golf ball.
A system for predicting a coefficient of restitution (COR) of a golf club head, the system comprising:
- an accelerometer for measuring vibrations of a face of the golf club head;
- an impact device to generate vibrations in the face;
- means for transmitting a force of impact from the impact device and the vibrations measured by the accelerometer to an analyzer to generate frequency domain data for the golf club head;
- means for generating a graph of frequency versus from the frequency domain data;
- means for selecting a frequency band to minimize noise;
- means for calculating a transfer function from the frequency band of the graph;
- and
- means for predicting a COR for the golf club head at an impact speed with a golf ball.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.