System and methods for accurately weighing and characterizing moving vehicles
First Claim
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1. A system for weighing moving vehicles, comprising:
- a weight transducer positioned in the path of a moving vehicle providing a load signal indicative of the vehicle loading as the vehicle travels across the transducer;
a vehicle speed sensor providing second a output signal indicative of the vehicle speed as the vehicle travels across the transducer; and
a processor operable for calculating the weight of the moving vehicle by integrating substantially all of the first output signal over time as the vehicle travels over the transducer and multiplying the integration result by the vehicle speed and a calibration constant.
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Abstract
This system and method of operation weighs and characterizes a moving vehicle traveling on a roadway. The moving vehicle travels across a weight transducer and first and second switching devices. The transducer provides a first set of output signals indicative of vehicle tire loading. The switching devices provide second output signals indicative of vehicle speed and characterization. Processor means receive the first and second output signals and characterize the vehicle; calculate the vehicle speed and calculate the vehicle weight by integrating the second output signals and combining with the vehicle speed.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A system for weighing moving vehicles, comprising:
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a weight transducer positioned in the path of a moving vehicle providing a load signal indicative of the vehicle loading as the vehicle travels across the transducer; a vehicle speed sensor providing second a output signal indicative of the vehicle speed as the vehicle travels across the transducer; and a processor operable for calculating the weight of the moving vehicle by integrating substantially all of the first output signal over time as the vehicle travels over the transducer and multiplying the integration result by the vehicle speed and a calibration constant. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for weighing a moving vehicle, comprising the steps of:
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obtaining a first output signal indicative of the vehicle loading as the vehicle travels across a transducer; obtaining a second output signal indicative of the vehicle speed as the vehicle travels across the transducer; and calculating the weight of the vehicle by integrating substantially all of the first output signal over time as the vehicle travels over the transducer and multiplying the integration result by the vehicle speed and a calibration constant. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for weighing moving vehicles comprising the steps of:
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receiving output signals indicative of vehicle loading and speed as the vehicle travels across a transducer; and calculating weight of the vehicle by integrating substantially all of the vehicle loading signal over time as the vehicle travels over the transducer and multiplying the integration result by the vehicle speed and a calibration constant. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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21. A system for weighing and characterizing moving vehicles comprising:
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a weight transducer having an entrance and an exit and positioned in the path of a moving vehicle, the transducer providing first output signals indicative of the vehicle loading as the vehicle travels across the transducer; duplicate paired switches positioned before the entrance and after the exit of the transducer providing multiple sets of second output signals indicative of the vehicle speed, number and spacing of vehicle axles as the vehicles travels past the switches; a data acquisition unit coupled to the weight transducer and the switches for collecting and storing the first and second output signals, the data acquisition unit including a sample clock circuit and counters, an axle timer, a transducer timer, a watchdog timer, a FIFO buffer and stored program instructions in a first memory for starting the timers, time stamping, and storing switching events as the vehicle travels past the switches; and a processor operable for calculating the weight of the moving vehicle by integrating substantially all of the first output signal over time as the vehicle travels over the transducer and multiplying the integration result by the vehicle speed and a calibration constant.
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Specification