Method for onboard vehicle weight measurement

• US 7,572,988 B1
• Filed: 07/10/2008
• Issued: 08/11/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/10/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gregory D. Morton, Michael J. Hadden
• Original Assignee: Gregory D. Morton, Michael J. Hadden
• Inventors: Hadden, Michael J., Morton, Gregory D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gibson; Randy W
• Application Number:
  US12/171,227
• Time in Patent Office: 397 Days
• Field of Search: 177/137, 177/141, 702/174
• US Class Current: 177/137
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/10 having fluid weight-sensitive devices

Abstract

The method for onboard vehicle weight measurement is provided for a tractor and trailer and also for a truck. A pressure sensor is installed on each airbag. A computer is fitted to the truck. Two computers are fitted to the tractor and trailer, respectively. A display is mounted within the cab. A converter is mounted to the cab. An air pressure value from each airbag with sensor is collected and transmitted to the computer or computers, respectively. Weight is computed for each airbag with sensor, each axle, trailer weight, tractor weight, combined tractor and trailer weight, and truck weight, and the weights sent to the converter. Signals are converted by the converter and conveyed to the display monitor for individual display.

Claims

1. A method for onboard vehicle weight measurement, the method consisting of the steps of:

installing a pressure sensor to an each airbag of a cab and a bed of a truck;

fitting a computer to the truck;

affixing a display monitor within the cab;

mounting a converter to the cab;

collecting an air pressure value from each airbag with sensor;

transmitting the value from each airbag with sensor to the computer;

computing a weight at each airbag with sensor, an each truck axle weight, and a total truck weight;

converting each weight into a signal, respectively;

displaying each weight on the display monitor.

2. A method for onboard vehicle weight measurement, the method consisting of the steps of:

installing a pressure sensor to an each airbag of a tractor and a trailer;

fitting a first computer to the trailer, a second computer to the tractor;

affixing a display monitor within a cab of the tractor;

mounting a converter to the tractor;

collecting an air pressure value from each airbag with sensor;

transmitting each value from each sensor to the computers, the values from the trailer transmitted to the first computer, the values from the tractor transmitted to the second computer;

computing a weight for each airbag with sensor, an each trailer axle weight, an each tractor axle weight, a total trailer weight, a total tractor weight, and a combined total tractor and trailer weight;

converting each weight into a signal, respectively;

conveying each signal to the display monitor;

displaying each separate weight for each airbag of the trailer, a total weight for an each axle of the trailer, a total weight for each axle of the tractor, and a total weight for the combined tractor and trailer.