GB381394A - Improvements in or relating to machines for testing the relative adjustment of the brakes of an automobile and/or for taking dynamometer measurements of power transmitted through the road-wheels of an automobile - Google Patents

Abstract

381,394. Dynamometers ; systems for testing motor vehicles. BLAND, J. P., 41, Western Gardens, Ealing, London. Dec. 2, 1931, No. 33447. [Class 106 (ii).] Comprises endless false tracks one for each road wheel mounted in a supporting cradle which has freedom of movement relatively to the frame in the direction of the length of the vehicle. The frame comprises four longitudinal members 1 braced together by transverse members 2, 3. The latter are spaced apart and supported over them are transverse members 4 on uprights 5. The centre uprights are higher than the others and carry a sheave 6 over which is passed a rope for hauling the vehicle on to the frame over the ramps 7. The rear wheels 8 are supported on rollers 9, 10 mounted in a cradle 11 connected to the frame by vertical leaf springs 12. The front wheels 13 are supported on rollers 14, 15 upon a cradle 16 supported by springs 12 in a trolley 17 provided with rollers 18 running on the members 1. The distance between the trolleys may be adjusted to accommodate vehicles of different wheel track length by screws 20 operated through shafts and bevel gear 22, 23, 24 from a hand-wheel 21. Removable lashing posts 240 mounted in sockets serve to secure the vehicle. The shafts of the track rollers 10, 14 are connected by flexible couplings 28, 25 to belt pulleys 30, 27. An endless driving belt 31 passing over end pulleys 32 passes also over the belt pulleys 30, 27 and around guidepulleys 33 the arrangement allowing movement of the front trolleys 17 without affecting the length of the belt transmission. The distance apart of each pair of track drums may be adjusted by screws 34 to accommodate road wheels of different sizes. Each drum is made in sections in the axial direction, the main section 37 being permanently keyed to the drum spindle: Other sections 38 are freely revoluble thereon and arranged to be engaged therewith according to the size and weight of the vehicle by means of a key or keys slidable along the spindle. A torque indicator of the pressure gauge type is provided for each cradle and all are mounted on a common indicating board. Each indicator is actuated by a ram 41 arranged between the cradle and a transverse frame member 42. The ram comprises two opposed plungers separated by a pair of flexible members forming the ends of a short cylinder filled with glycerine and connected by a pipe to the pressure gauge. To enable dynamometer measurements to be made the rollers 10 are provided with brake drums 48. Two scales on the gauge co-operate with the single pointer one giving the braking effort obtained by running the vehicle up to speed and then applying the brakes, the other giving tractive force. With six-wheeled vehicles, the set of false tracks for the rear wheels are duplicated.