Methods and apparatus to measure mass in low gravity environments are disclosed. A disclosed example low-gravity mass-measuring apparatus includes a coupler to couple a coupling portion to an object, the coupling portion including a first inertial measurement unit (IMU), a force device to provide a force to cause a movement of a dock relative to the coupling portion, where the dock is releasably couplable to the coupling portion and includes a second IMU, and a processor to calculate a mass of the object based on movement data from the first and second IMUs and the force.

Methods and apparatus to measure mass in low gravity environments are disclosed. A disclosed example low-gravity mass-measuring apparatus includes a coupler to couple a coupling portion to an object, the coupling portion including a first inertial measurement unit (IMU), a force device to provide a force to cause a movement of a dock relative to the coupling portion, where the dock is releasably couplable to the coupling portion and includes a second IMU, and a processor to calculate a mass of the object based on movement data from the first and second IMUs and the force.

In some embodiments, systems, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to determine a weight of products on a product support structure. More specifically, the product support structure can be provided on a suspension system having one or more springs that can be monitored for compression to thereby determine a weight of products on the product support structure. In several embodiments, non-visible electromagnetic (EM) waves, can be directed at the spring and reflections of the non-visible EM waves can be received and analyzed to determine a compression of the spring.

Systems and methods that use a passive differential optical sensor to measure the level of liquid in a reservoir (e.g., a fuel tank or other storage container). More specifically, the passive differential optical liquid level sensor solves the problem of common-mode intensity variations by employing three optical fibers that will be disposed vertically in the reservoir. The system comprises a side-emitting optical fiber having one end optically coupled to an optical source, a side-receiving optical fiber optically coupled to a first optical detector, and a total internal reflection optical fiber having one end optically coupled to the other end of the side-emitting optical fiber and another end optically coupled to a second optical detector. A computer or processor is configured to perform differential processing of the detected light and then determine the liquid level based on the differential processing results.

Systems and methods that use a passive differential optical sensor to measure the level of liquid in a reservoir (e.g., a fuel tank or other storage container). More specifically, the passive differential optical liquid level sensor solves the problem of common-mode intensity variations by employing three optical fibers that will be disposed vertically in the reservoir. The system comprises a side-emitting optical fiber having one end optically coupled to an optical source, a side-receiving optical fiber optically coupled to a first optical detector, and a total internal reflection optical fiber having one end optically coupled to the other end of the side-emitting optical fiber and another end optically coupled to a second optical detector. A computer or processor is configured to perform differential processing of the detected light and then determine the liquid level based on the differential processing results.

A monitoring system includes an axle weight measurer and a state estimator. The axle weight measurer detects a surface displacement of a road from a first captured image obtained by imaging the road when a vehicle passes at a predetermined spot of a structure having the road that the vehicle passes, and calculates an axle weight of the vehicle from the surface displacement and a displacement coefficient of the road. The state estimator generates an axle weight distribution from the axle weight calculated by the axle weight measurer, and estimates a deterioration degree of the structure, using the axle weight distribution.

A monitoring system includes an axle weight measurer and a state estimator. The axle weight measurer detects a surface displacement of a road from a first captured image obtained by imaging the road when a vehicle passes at a predetermined spot of a structure having the road that the vehicle passes, and calculates an axle weight of the vehicle from the surface displacement and a displacement coefficient of the road. The state estimator generates an axle weight distribution from the axle weight calculated by the axle weight measurer, and estimates a deterioration degree of the structure, using the axle weight distribution.

The invention resides in a method or system configured to estimate the mass of material in a stockpile. The surface profile of the stockpile is obtained and a plurality of layers are defined in the stockpile. Each layer extends parallel to the surface profile. Density characteristics of the stockpile material are obtained, from database records or measurement tests. The volume of each layer is estimated. The density of each layer is estimated, according to the density characteristics of the stockpile material. Using the volume of each layer and the density of each layer the mass of the stockpile is calculated.

A method for monitoring the mass of an object (10) is provided, the method comprising the steps of: (i) applying a vibratory force to the object (10) so that the object vibrates in whole or in part, (ii) providing a sensor or sensors (14) configured to measure vibrations of the object in response to the force, (iii) measuring vibration data from the sensor(s) (14), and (iv) comparing the vibration data or a parameter derived therefrom to reference data or one or more reference parameters, so as to determine the mass of the object or an indication that the mass of the object (10) differs from that indicated by the reference data or one or more reference parameters. Preferably, the object (10) is a vehicle. The vibratory force may be provided by an integral vehicle component, for example a vehicle engine (12).

A method for monitoring the mass of an object (10) is provided, the method comprising the steps of: (i) applying a vibratory force to the object (10) so that the object vibrates in whole or in part, (ii) providing a sensor or sensors (14) configured to measure vibrations of the object in response to the force, (iii) measuring vibration data from the sensor(s) (14), and (iv) comparing the vibration data or a parameter derived therefrom to reference data or one or more reference parameters, so as to determine the mass of the object or an indication that the mass of the object (10) differs from that indicated by the reference data or one or more reference parameters. Preferably, the object (10) is a vehicle. The vibratory force may be provided by an integral vehicle component, for example a vehicle engine (12).