Vehicle testing

Abstract

A vehicle testing system includes a wheel plate constructed and arranged to support a vehicle wheel. A linear electromagnetic actuator has a moving magnet mechanically coupled to the wheel plate constructed and arranged to impart a controlled substantially vertical force to the wheel plate. A spring may be mechanically coupled to the wheel plate to support at least a portion of a static mass of the vehicle.

1 . An apparatus for testing a vehicle, comprising,
 a frame separate from the vehicle to support at least a portion of a wheel of the vehicle,   a linear electromagnetic actuator at least partially contained within the frame, the linear electromagnetic actuator comprising a movable magnet and constructed and arranged to impart a controlled substantially vertical force to a vehicle wheel.   
   
   
       2 . Vehicle testing apparatus in accordance with  claim 1  and further comprising a wheel plate coupled to the linear electromagnetic actuator and constructed and arranged to support the vehicle wheel and transmit vertical forces from the moveable magnet to the supported vehicle wheel. 
   
   
       3 . Vehicle testing apparatus in accordance with  claim 2  wherein the wheel plate comprises a butter plate. 
   
   
       4 . Vehicle testing apparatus in accordance with  claim 1  and further comprising a controller coupled to the linear electromagnetic actuator and constructed and arranged to furnish signals to the linear electromagnetic actuator to control the moveable magnet motion. 
   
   
       5 . Vehicle testing apparatus in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the bandwidth of the linear electromagnetic actuator is sufficient to embrace a wheel hop frequency of the wheel. 
   
   
       6 . Vehicle testing apparatus in accordance with  claim 1  and further comprising a spring constructed and arranged to support at least a portion of the static mass of at least one vehicle wheel and the vehicle. 
   
   
       7 . Vehicle testing apparatus in accordance with  claim 6  wherein the spring is from the group comprising a coil spring, a torsional spring, a leaf spring, an air spring and an air bag. 
   
   
       8 . Vehicle testing apparatus in accordance with  claim 1  comprising a plurality of the apparatus of  claim 1  constructed and arranged to impart controlled vertical forces on a corresponding plurality of supported vehicle wheels. 
   
   
       9 . Vehicle testing apparatus in accordance with  claim 8  and further comprising a plurality of air springs constructed and arranged to provide leveling of a supported vehicle. 
   
   
       10 . A method of testing a vehicle with the apparatus of  claim 1  comprising,
 positioning a vehicle wheel mechanically coupled to the moving magnet,   and applying controlled electrical energy to the linear electromagnetic actuator to impart controlled motion to the vehicle wheel.   
   
   
       11 . Vehicle testing apparatus in accordance with  claim 6  wherein the spring comprises an air spring which surrounds the linear electromagnetic actuator. 
   
   
       12 . Vehicle testing apparatus in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the linear electromagnetic actuator includes bellows. 
   
   
       13 . Vehicle testing apparatus in accordance with  claim 1  comprising a portable one poster vehicle testing apparatus. 
   
   
       14 . Vehicle testing apparatus in accordance with  claim 4  wherein the signals are generated in response to a program representative of road simulation. 
   
   
       15 . Vehicle testing apparatus in accordance with  claim 4  wherein the signals are generated in response to a program and are representative of vehicle suspension testing. 
   
   
       16 . Vehicle testing apparatus in accordance with  claim 4  wherein the signals are generated in response to a program and are representative of driving conditions. 
   
   
       17 . Vehicle testing apparatus in accordance with  claim 4  wherein the signals being generated in response to a program and are representative of frequency sweeps.