Dynamic Load Sensor for Microgravity
AssigneeAurora Flight Sciences Corporation
InventorsChristopher Krebs, Jeffrey Chambers, Roedolph A. Opperman, David Fair
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Abstract
Disclosed herein is a dynamic load sensor system for use in microgravity environments. The dynamic load sensor system may include a first sensor pad unit, a second sensor pad unit, processing unit, and an operator interface module. Each of the first sensor pad unit and the second sensor pad unit may include a sensor base plate, a top plate, and a plurality of load cells positioned therebetween. The processing unit may include a processor operatively coupled with an internal memory device, while the operator interface module includes a display device and a plurality of operator input devices.
Claims22
A dynamic load sensor system for use in microgravity environments, the dynamic load sensor system comprising:
- a first sensor pad unit and a second sensor pad unit, wherein each of the first sensor pad unit and the second sensor pad unit comprises a sensor base plate, a top plate, and a plurality of load cells positioned between the sensor base plate and the top plate;
- a processing unit having a processor operatively coupled with an internal memory device;
- and
- an operator interface module having a display device and a plurality of operator input devices.
A method for performing load sensor calibration of a sensor pad unit in a dynamic load sensor system, the sensor pad unit having a plurality of load cells positioned between a sensor base plate and a top plate, the method comprising:
- determining a first calibration coefficient for a first load cell having a first rotation angle, and a second calibration coefficient for a second load cell having a second rotation angle;
- converting a first local load cell voltage from the first load cell to a first local reaction force using the first calibration coefficient, and a second local load cell voltage from the second load cell to a second local reaction force using the second calibration coefficient;
- determining a first rotation matrix for the first load cell as a function of the first rotation angle, and a second rotation matrix for the second load cell as a function of the second rotation angle;
- transforming the first local reaction force from a local coordinate to a global coordinate as a function of the first rotation matrix to yield a first global reaction force, and the second local reaction force from a local coordinate to a global coordinate as a function of the second rotation matrix to yield a second global reaction force;
- determining a summation matrix to sum the first global reaction force and the second global reaction force;
- and
- summing the first global reaction force and the second global reaction force using the summation matrix to provide global reaction forces and moments for the sensor pad unit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.