Modular dynamometer can

#The present invention relates generally to dynamometers for simulating the inertia and road load forces encountered by motor vehicles under anticipated driving conditions and, more particularly, to a modular dynamometer can provided to facilitate the installation of a dynamometer in a pit formed in the cement floor of a service bay.

#Dynamometers are often used in testing motor vehicles such as automobiles, trucks, motorcycles, and the like for which off-road operation is desired. Because the test vehicles are not moving over a road bed, the dynamometer must simulate certain forces normally associated with actual vehicle operation. These parameters include forces associated with inertial forces (related to the mass or weight of the vehicle) and road load forces (related to the velocity of the vehicle). The vehicle engine (or its braking system) must overcome inertial forces in order to accelerate or decelerate the vehicle. In addition, the engine must overcome breakaway frictional and rolling frictional forces (i.e., friction between the road and tires) as well as wind forces (i.e., drag forces caused by air passing over the vehicle). These latter forces are commonly referred to as road load forces.

#The purpose of the dynamometer is to impose those forces on the vehicle which the vehicle would incur during actual operation on a road. Such dynamometers include a roll (or a pair of rolls) for engaging the driven wheel (e.g., motorcycle) or wheels (e.g., automobile) of the vehicle being tested. The roll or rolls are supported by a shaft journaled in bearings mounted on a frame. A typical dynamometer weighs about 1,800 pounds.

#The invention is best understood from the following detailed description when read in connection with the accompanying drawing. It is emphasized that, according to common practice, the various features of the drawing are not to scale. On the contrary, the dimensions of the various features are arbitrarily expanded or reduced for clarity. Included in the drawing are the following figures:

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one module, the main can form, used to construct the dynamometer can according to the present invention;

#FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the second module, the motor end, used to construct the dynamometer can according to the present invention;

#Referring now to the drawing, in which like reference numbers refer to like elements throughout the various figures that comprise the drawing, the dynamometer can 10 of the present invention has a rectangular shape formed from two, separate modules. The first module 20 comprises a main can form; the second module 60 comprises a motor end. Modules 20, 60 engage (i.e., are bolted together) to complete can 10. Two, separate motor end modules 60 are provided which differ in size only: deep and shallow versions.

#Turning first to main can form module 20, illustrated in FIG. 1, that first module is formed from four, separate components. A first side wall 22, a second side wall 26, a floor 24, and an end wall 28 are attached (i.e., bolted) together to assemble main can form module 20. Each side wall 22, 26 is bent near its bottom to form a horizontal ledge 32 and 36, respectively, located adjacent floor 24. A plurality of anchor holes 30 (typically three or four) are provided in ledges 32, 36 to accommodate projections on the dynamometer, enabling the dynamometer to be affixed directly to the concrete underlying can 10. Each side wall 22, 26 is bent near its top to form a lip 42 and 46, respectively, having a plurality of holes 44 (five are shown). Holes 44 receive bolts 50 used to anchor can 10 to the surrounding cement.

#End wall 28 extends below floor 24 to accommodate a pair of fork slots 38 adapted to receive the prongs of a fork lift to facilitate transportation of main can form module 20, fully assembled can 10, or both. Three angles 124, 124, 122 are tacked one each respectively to first side wall 22, second side wall 26, and floor 24 of main can form module 20 and are used to bolt end wall 28 to first side wall 22, second side wall 26, and floor 24. The angles are preferably tacked by welding them to main can form module 20 to facilitate both shipping to (i.e., the angles are not loose) and assembly at the service bay site.