Method for measuring total force in opposition to a moving vehicle
AssigneeVelocomp, LLP
InventorGlen B. Cunningham
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus is disclosed comprising a suite of sensors for measuring instant static and dynamic pressure and the speed and acceleration of a vehicle, such as a bicycle. A microprocessor receives data from the sensors and calculates power expended by the rider or other power source by finding the total of all forces impinging upon the vehicle and rider, thereafter multiplying by the speed of the ground vehicle. In some embodiments accuracy is improved by calibration techniques, user input of data, or temperature compensation of certain factors. Other data, such as wind speed, distance traveled, altitude, or surface grade may be presented to the user. In one embodiment data is stored for later analysis.
Claims7
A method of calculating the total force impinging upon a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:
- calculating an aerodynamic force upon the vehicle;
- calculating a gravity force upon the vehicle;
- calculating a forward acceleration force due to movement of the vehicle;
- and calculating a summation of said calculated forces plus a previously determined frictional force constant.
A method of calculating the power required in opposition to the total force impinging upon a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:
- calculating an aerodynamic force upon the vehicle;
- calculating a gravity force upon the vehicle;
- calculating a forward acceleration force due to movement of the vehicle;
- and calculating a summation of said calculated forces plus a previously determined frictional force constant;
- and
- multiplying said summation of calculated forces by the ground speed of said vehicle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.