Center of gravity and moments of inertia measurement device

Abstract

A device for calculating the center of gravity (CG) and moments of inertia of a vehicle. The vehicle is driven onto the device and the height of its center of gravity is determined by hanging weights on the device to displace the vehicle's CG from its position without the weights; the height of the CG is then calculated by a simple mathematical formula. The pitch moment of inertia is calculated by aligning its axis perpendicular to the axis of the pivots and allowing the vehicle to swing, then calculating the moment of inertia by another mathematical formula. The roll moment of inertia is calculated by rotating the vehicle 90 degrees, letting it swing, and then using a slighly different formula. The yaw moment of inertia is calculated by lowering the device to the ground and causing the vehicle to oscillate about a pivot point, then calculating the yaw moment of inertia by means of another mathematical formula.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.