Method and system for monitoring the mass of an object
First Claim
1. A method for monitoring a mass of an object, the method comprising the steps of:
- (i) applying a vibratory force to the object, so that the object vibrates in whole or in part,(ii) providing a sensor or sensors configured to measure vibrations of the object in response to the force,(iii) measuring vibration data from the sensor or sensors, and(iv) comparing a parameter derived from the vibration data to reference data or one or more reference parameters, so as to determine the mass of the object or an indication that the mass of the object differs from that indicated by the reference data or one or more reference parameters, wherein the parameter derived from the vibration data is a distribution value obtained by applying a distribution function to the vibration data and wherein the distribution value is a measure of a spatial distribution of the vibration data of the object.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for monitoring the mass of an object may include (i) applying a vibratory force to the object so that the object vibrates in whole or in part, (ii) providing a sensor or sensors configured to measure vibrations of the object in response to the force, (iii) measuring vibration data from the sensor or sensors, and (iv) comparing the vibration data or a parameter derived therefrom to reference data or one or more reference parameters, so as to determine the mass of the object or an indication that the mass of the object differs from that indicated by the reference data or one or more reference parameters. The object may, but need not necessarily, be a vehicle. The vibratory force may be provided by an integral vehicle component, for example a vehicle engine.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method for monitoring a mass of an object, the method comprising the steps of:
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(i) applying a vibratory force to the object, so that the object vibrates in whole or in part, (ii) providing a sensor or sensors configured to measure vibrations of the object in response to the force, (iii) measuring vibration data from the sensor or sensors, and (iv) comparing a parameter derived from the vibration data to reference data or one or more reference parameters, so as to determine the mass of the object or an indication that the mass of the object differs from that indicated by the reference data or one or more reference parameters, wherein the parameter derived from the vibration data is a distribution value obtained by applying a distribution function to the vibration data and wherein the distribution value is a measure of a spatial distribution of the vibration data of the object. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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- 16. A system for monitoring a mass of an object, the system comprising a source of vibrations for applying a vibratory force to said object in whole or in part, a sensor or sensors configured to measure vibration data of the object in response to the force, and a processor configured to compare a parameter derived from the vibration data to reference data or one or more reference parameters, so as to determine the mass of the object or an indication that the mass of the object differs from that indicated by the one or more reference parameters, wherein the parameter derived from the vibration data is a distribution value obtained by applying a distribution function to the vibration data and wherein the distribution value is a measure of a spatial distribution of the vibration data of the object.
Specification