Abstract:
A roadway segment includes a body having a length along a direction of travel, a width along a width axis, and top and bottom halves along a depth axis. The segment also includes a strain sensor array with one or more optical fiber cables embedded in the bottom half of the body. The strain sensor array includes vehicle-strain sensors configured to detect strain on the body resulting from vehicles traveling across the top surface. The segment also includes a processor that operates the plurality of vehicle-strain sensors at a resolution of not greater than one picometer (1 pm). Any segments of the optical fiber cable(s) that intersect are separated from one another depth wise by at least two-tenths of an inch (0.2 in.). Each of the sensors is separated from each other along the width axis by at least two inches (2 in.).
Abstract:
A method for determining the weight G of a vehicle (1) while the vehicle is travelling on a section (3) of road (4) uses at least one weigh-in-motion (WIM) sensor (5) that is narrower than the length of the footprint of a wheel in the direction of vehicle travel. When the vehicle (1) travels along this section (3) of road (4) both the wheel loads Fi(t) of all the wheels (2) or twin wheels i, and the speed vi(t) of the vehicle (1) during the entire passing are acquired as time functions, and during evaluation of the data for determining the weight G the speeds vi(t) and their change over time are used as weighting of the simultaneously determined wheel loads Fi(t).
Abstract:
In a load weighing method for a wheel loader, an inclined angle of a ground surface on a slope where the wheel loader is working is detected. A change in a boom angle and a change in a pressure of a boom cylinder are detected while pivoting the boom and an attachment connected to the boom when a load is placed on the attachment. Weight of the load is calculated using the inclined angle of the ground surface, the change in the boom angle, and the change in the pressure of the boom cylinder as variables of a rotational dynamic equation for the pivot of the boom.
Abstract:
A method for determining a load exerted on a tyre fitted on a vehicle during a running of said vehicle comprises the following steps: acquiring a first signal comprising a first portion representative of a radial deformation to which a first tread area portion of said tyre is subjected during passage of said first tread area portion in a contact region between said tyre and a rolling surface; measuring an amplitude of said radial deformation in said first signal portion; estimating a rotation speed and an inflation pressure of said tyre in correspondence of said radial deformation; deriving said tyre load from said amplitude, said rotation speed and said inflation pressure.
Abstract:
A wireless weighing system for determining the weight of each wheel of a vehicle and for combinations and percentages thereof. Wheel weighing pads are placed under respective wheels of the vehicle and each contains a load cell whose analog output is converted to a digital value which can be transmitted to a central control. The communications technique uses infra-red radiation and a digital protocol which allows the central control to interrogate each individual weighing pad and receive a weight response without interference. The interrogation signal of the central control comprises a series of pulse envelopes containing high intensity IR pulses of a short duration where the duration of the envelope and position in the sequence indicates an address of a respective wheel pad. As each wheel pad is interrogated, it responds with an information signal, which comprises a series of pulse groups in an envelope containing high intensity IR pulses of a short duration where the duration of a pulse group indicates the presence or absence of a data bit in the sequence.
Abstract:
The weighing device for wheel loads has a platform (3) which distributes the load over a plurality of elongated hollow elements (2) disposed parallel with and at equal distances apart from and alongside one another on a baseplate (1). The hollow elements (2) consists of springing material and their cavities (12) are filled with fluid. A connecting line links the cavities (12) to a measuring device which is calibrated in units of weight and measures the volume of fluid displaced from the cavities (12) under load. The cavities (12) in the hollow elements (2) have a split or gap-shaped cross-section, and are substantially parallel with the platform (3). The gap width in the hollow elements (2) is so dimensioned that the inside faces of the hollow elements (2) which define the gap (12) at least partially abut each other when the weighing device is overloaded, prior to the elasticity limit of the hollow elements (2) being reached. By virtue of the cross-sectionally split or gap-shaped construction of the cavities (12 ), a plastic deformation of the hollow elements (2) is easily avoided without the disposition of rod elements in the cavities.
Abstract:
A modular pavement slab comprises a body, a strain sensor array, and a sensor processor. The body includes a top surface, a bottom surface, and four side surfaces. The modular pavement slab is configured to be coupled to at least one other modular pavement slab via connectors along at least one of the side surfaces. The strain sensor array is retained within the body and is configured to detect a plurality of strains on the body resulting from vehicular traffic across the top surface of the body. The sensor processor is in communication with the strain sensor array. The sensor processor is configured to communicate input signals to the strain sensor array, receive output signals from the strain sensor array, and determine a plurality of time-varying strain values, each strain value indicating a strain experienced over time by a successive one of a plurality of regions of the body.
Abstract:
A system for pavement slab analysis based on data regarding transfer of force through a sensing volume responsive to exertion of weight on the sensing volume by passing objects including a precast pavement slab defining the sensing volume and having a top surface, a plurality of strain gauges embedded in the pavement slab within the sensing volume, and load-transferring connector(s) attaching the pavement slab to an adjacent slab. The strain gauges are distributed across an XY coordinate plane parallel to the top surface. The system also includes a processing element and computer-readable instructions for receipt of electrical signals from the strain gauges and to analysis of the electrical signals to determine one or more of the following: (A) risk of a structural defect in the pavement slab, (B) risk of a problem with underlying sub-grade beneath the pavement slab, and (C) movement of the passing objects across the top surface.