Portable dynamometer station with vehicle-mounted lifting assembly

• US 20040211950A1
• Filed: 04/23/2003
• Published: 10/28/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/23/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Community College Foundation
• Original Assignee: David Roy Springett, Lee Paxton
• Inventors: Springett, David Roy, Paxton, Lee
• Granted Patent: US 6,886,811 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 254/334
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 3/14 the object being a workshop for servicing, for maintenance, or for carrying workmen during work lifting devices for movable platforms or cabins for workmen B66F11/04
• CPC Class Codes: B66C 11/06 running on monorails overhead railway systems B61B
• CPC Class Codes: B66C 11/18 comprising endless ropes or cables
• CPC Class Codes: B66C 7/00 Runways, tracks or trackways for trolleys or cranes

Abstract

A portable dynamometer station with a vehicle mounted lifting assembly is disclosed. It comprises (a) a vehicle, such as a bus, for transporting the dynamometer, (b) a dynamometer with associated monitoring equipment, and (c) a lifting assembly mounted in the vehicle, for transporting the dynamometer from the vehicle to the ground.

The lifting assembly includes (i) an upper support beam, (ii) a lower support beam, (iii) a moving trolley on the lower support beam, (iv) a first hydraulic cylinder for moving the lower support beam and the trolley relative to the upper support beam, (v) a second hydraulic cylinder for raising and lowering the dynamometer or other load from the moving trolley, and (vi) a series of pulleys and cables for movement of the lower support beam, the moving trolley, and the dynamometer or other load.

Claims

1. ) A portable dynamometer station, comprising:

a vehicle; and

a lifting assembly at least partially within said vehicle, said lifting assembly capable of moving a dynamometer out of said vehicle and onto the ground for substantially immediate use.

2. ) The portable dynamometer station according to claim 1, additionally comprising a dynamometer within said vehicle.

3. ) The portable dynamometer station according to claim 2, additionally comprising a processing unit for displaying results of emissions testing.

4. ) The portable dynamometer station according to claim 3, wherein said lifting assembly comprises:

an upper support beam;

a lower support beam below said upper support beam; and

a moving trolley for transporting said dynamometer, said moving trolley attached to said lower support beam.

5. ) The portable dynamometer according to claim 4, wherein said lower support beam moves relative to said upper support beam.

6. ) The portable dynamometer according to claim 5, wherein said moving trolley travels along said lower support beam.

7. ) The portable dynamometer station according to claim 6, additionally comprising a pedestal for supporting the weight of said lifting assembly and said dynamometer.

8. ) A lifting assembly, comprising:

an upper support beam;

a lower support beam below said upper support beam;

a trolley moving on said lower support beam;

a first cylinder with rod for moving said lower support beam relative to said upper support beam, and for moving said trolley relative to said lower support beam; and

a second cylinder for raising or lowering a load from said lower support beam.

9. ) The lifting assembly according to claim 8, wherein for every inch of movement by said rod, said lower support beam moves approximately two inches, and said trolley moves approximately four inches.

10. ) The lifting assembly according to claim 9, additionally comprising a second cylinder for raising a load to said lower support beam.

11. ) The lifting assembly according to claim 10, additionally comprising a beam anchor connecting said lower support beam and said upper support beam.

12. ) The lifting assembly according to claim 11, additionally comprising a beam cap on one end of said lower support beam.

13. ) The lifting assembly according to claim 12, additionally comprising a main support, supporting said upper beam.

14. ) A method of conducting emissions testing on vehicles, comprising:

providing a portable dynamometer station, said portable dynamometer station having a dynamometer;

transporting said portable dynamometer station to a place for testing, wherein said place for testing is not a permanent dynamomter station, and

conducting emission testing on vehicles at said place for testing.

15. ) A method for unloading dynamometer from a vehicle, comprising:

providing

a lifting assembly comprising

an upper support beam;

a lower support beam below said upper support beam; and

a moving trolley for unloading said dynamometer, said

moving trolley attached to said lower support beam; and

a vehicle with an opening and a dynamometer inside;

attaching said dynamometer to said moving trolley;

raising said dynamometer using said lifting assembly;

transporting said dynamometer out of said opening using said lifting assembly;

lowering said dynamometer using said lifting assembly; and

setting up said dynamometer for use.