METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING THE MASS OF A BODY
First Claim
1. ). A method for determining the mass of a body, the method comprising:
- applying and measuring a first motive force to the body to move the body in a first state of motion;
measuring a first acceleration of the body when in the first state of motion;
applying and measuring a second motive force to the body to move the body in a second state of motion;
measuring a second acceleration of the body when in the second state of motion; and
calculating the mass of the body from the measured first and second motive forces and the measured first and second accelerations.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for determining the mass of a body is described. The method comprises the application and measurement of a first motive force to the body to move the body in a first state of motion. The acceleration of the body is also measured at this time. This methodology is repeated for a second state of motion. The measured motive forces and accelerations are then used to calculate the mass, and hence the weight of the body. An accelerometer may be employed to measure the accelerations. The methods may be adapted so as to correct for the angle θ of the ground across which the body is moved and or the tilt angle α of the accelerometer relative to the ground. The methods may employ a novel surface angle measuring device that does not require contact with the ground and which does not require the body to be stationary.
26 Citations
39 Claims
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1. ). A method for determining the mass of a body, the method comprising:
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applying and measuring a first motive force to the body to move the body in a first state of motion; measuring a first acceleration of the body when in the first state of motion; applying and measuring a second motive force to the body to move the body in a second state of motion; measuring a second acceleration of the body when in the second state of motion; and calculating the mass of the body from the measured first and second motive forces and the measured first and second accelerations. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21)
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20. ) A method of calculating the fuel requirements for an aircraft journey the method comprising the determination of the mass of the aircraft in accordance with the method as defined by 18.
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22. ) An inertial mass system for determining the mass of a body, the inertial mass system comprising an accelerometer for measuring the acceleration of the body and a processor configured to calculate the mass of the body based on:
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a measured value of a first motive force applied to the body to move the body in a first state of motion; a measured value of a first acceleration of the body when in the first state of motion; a measured value of a second motive force applied to the body to move the body in a second state of motion; and a measured value of a second acceleration of the body when in the second state of motion. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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Specification