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Inertial dynamometer system and method for measuring and indicating gross horsepower

  • US 4,603,582 A
  • Filed: 04/16/1984
  • Issued: 08/05/1986
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/16/1984
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. Apparatus, for use in a vehicle having a prime mover, a mass and a direction of motion, for providing instantaneous indication of the gross horsepower output of the prime mover comprising:

  • (a) means for generating a signal with a value continuously proportional to the instantaneous inertial acceleration of the vehicle, said means having a sensitive axis adjustable to be parallel to the direction of motion of said vehicle;

    (b) means for generating a signal with a value continuously proportional to the instantaneous velocity of the vehicle and further comprising means for adjusting said generating means to account for the drive ratio of said vehicle;

    (c) means for providing a signal with a value continuously proproportional to the aerodynamic drag of the vehicle and further comprising means for adjusting said means to calibrate said means to accurately represent the aerodynamic characteristics of the vehicle;

    (d) means for providing a signal with a value continuously proportional to the friction drag of the vehicle and further comprising means to calibrate said means to accurately represent the frictional drag characteristics of the vehicle;

    (e) means for providing a signal with a value continuously proportional to the viscous drag of the vehicle and further comprising means to calibrate said means to accurately reflect the viscous drag characteristics of the vehicle;

    (f) means for providing a signal proportional to the mass of the vehicle multiplied by the acceleration of the vehicle;

    (g) means for accepting said signals and providing a signal having a value proportional to said gross horsepower;

    (h) means for accepting a signal having a value proportional to an operating parameter of said vehicle and providing a visual indication of the value of said signs.

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