Apparatus for weighing and identifying characteristics of a moving vehicle
- Clinton, TN
- Oak Ridge, TN
- Knoxville, TN
Apparatus for weighing a vehicle in motion is provided by employing a plurality of elongated fiber-optic sensors defined by an optical fiber embedded in an encasement of elastomeric material and disposed parallel to each other on the roadway in the path of moving vehicles. Each fiber-optic sensor is provided with contact grid means which can be selectively altered to provide the fiber-optic sensors with sensitivities to vehicular weight different from each other for weighing vehicles in an extended weight range. Switch means are used in conjunction with the fiber-optic sensors to provide signals indicative of the speed of the moving vehicle, the number of axles on the vehicle, weight distribution, tire position, and the wheelbase of the vehicle. The use of a generally N-shaped configuration of switch means also provides a determination of the number of tires on each axle and the tire footprint. When switch means in this configuration are formed of optical fibers, the extent of light transmission through the fibers during contact with the tires of the vehicle is indicative of the vehicle weight.
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-84OR21400
- Assignee:
- Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Inc. (Oak Ridge, TN)
- Patent Number(s):
- US 5260520
- OSTI ID:
- 869004
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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weighing
identifying
characteristics
moving
vehicle
motion
provided
employing
plurality
elongated
fiber-optic
sensors
defined
optical
fiber
embedded
encasement
elastomeric
material
disposed
parallel
roadway
path
vehicles
sensor
contact
grid
means
selectively
altered
provide
sensitivities
vehicular
weight
extended
range
switch
conjunction
signals
indicative
speed
axles
distribution
tire
position
wheelbase
n-shaped
configuration
provides
determination
tires
axle
footprint
formed
fibers
extent
light
transmission
signals indicative
light transmission
disposed parallel
optical fibers
optical fiber
elastomeric material
optic sensor
provide signals
identifying characteristics
fiber-optic sensors
optic sensors
fiber-optic sensor
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