The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 11, 1999
Filed:
Aug. 21, 1997
Ruell F Solberg, Jr, San Antonio, TX (US);
H Stanley Silvus, San Antonio, TX (US);
Southwest Research Institute, San Antonio, TX (US);
Abstract
A method for measuring the masses of objects in any gravity environment, including microgravity or zero gravity. An object is placed on or attached to a platform that is movable back and forth along a single axis of motion. An actuator is used to oscillate the platform and is controlled to provide a variable spring force. Instantaneous displacement values are obtained and used to calculate the period of oscillation. Values representing the period, the tare mass of the platform, and the spring constant are then used to calculate the mass of the object. The method may use active damping, and may be varied so that the oscillations are angular rather than linear.