The invention provides a sensor assembly for force sensing, the sensor assembly comprising: a first portion having a first and a second through hole, a second portion having a third and fourth through hole, and a first pin and a second pin coupling the first portion to the second portion. At least one out of the first and the second pin comprises a magnetoelastic based sensor for outputting a signal corresponding to a stress-induced magnetic flux emanating from a magnetically polarized region of the pin. The magnetoelastic based sensor comprises at least one direction sensitive magnetic field sensor in an at least partially hollow portion of the pin, which field sensor is configured for determination of a shear force in at least one direction. The invention further provides a tow coupling comprising the sensor assembly. The invention further provides a method for detecting a load.

A ball mount for measuring tongue weight of a trailer is disclosed. The ball mount can include a ball portion having a hitch ball configured to couple with a tongue of a trailer. The ball mount can also include a hitch portion for interfacing with a hitch receiver associated with a vehicle. In addition, the ball mount can include a load measurement device associated with the ball portion to determine a magnitude of a downward force on the hitch ball. The load measurement device can include a reservoir having a fluid and a piston disposed therein, and a pressure sensor in fluid communication with the reservoir. The hitch ball can be configured to exert a force on the piston, thereby affecting a pressure of the fluid in response to the downward force on the hitch ball.

One example is test system for testing the propulsion system(s) of vehicles. The test system includes a retention fixture, a linking device, a test logic, a measurement device and a result logic. The retention fixture is for rigidly mounting first and second vehicles to the retention fixture. The linking device links propulsion systems of the first and second vehicles so that the propulsion systems operate a different rates. The test logic subjects the second vehicle's propulsion system to a propulsion test. The measurement device measures at least one parameter associated with the propulsion system of the first vehicle while the first vehicle is subjected to the propulsion test. The result logic determines if the first vehicle under test passed the propulsion test based, in part, on the at least one parameter and generates an indication if the first vehicle passed or failed the propulsion test.

One example is test system for testing the propulsion system(s) of vehicles. The test system includes a retention fixture, a linking device, a test logic, a measurement device and a result logic. The retention fixture is for rigidly mounting first and second vehicles to the retention fixture. The linking device links propulsion systems of the first and second vehicles so that the propulsion systems operate a different rates. The test logic subjects the second vehicle's propulsion system to a propulsion test. The measurement device measures at least one parameter associated with the propulsion system of the first vehicle while the first vehicle is subjected to the propulsion test. The result logic determines if the first vehicle under test passed the propulsion test based, in part, on the at least one parameter and generates an indication if the first vehicle passed or failed the propulsion test.

A method for measuring the applied load on a towing hook/or a tow bar accessory of a towing hook arrangement for a vehicle, and a towing hook arrangement for a vehicle. The towing hook arrangement comprises a towing hook and/or a tow bar accessory arranged on a tow bar, the towing hook arrangement also comprises a sensor arrangement having at least one actuator and at least one sensor, the sensor arrangement is adapted to detect an imparted vibration on the tow bar and use the detected imparted vibration to determine the applied load on the towing hook and/or the tow bar accessory.

A method for measuring the applied load on a towing hook/or a tow bar accessory of a towing hook arrangement for a vehicle, and a towing hook arrangement for a vehicle. The towing hook arrangement comprises a towing hook and/or a tow bar accessory arranged on a tow bar, the towing hook arrangement also comprises a sensor arrangement having at least one actuator and at least one sensor, the sensor arrangement is adapted to detect an imparted vibration on the tow bar and use the detected imparted vibration to determine the applied load on the towing hook and/or the tow bar accessory.

The invention provides a sensor assembly for force sensing, the sensor assembly comprising: a first portion having a first and a second through hole, a second portion having a third and fourth through hole, and a first pin and a second pin coupling the first portion to the second portion. At least one out of the first and the second pin comprises a magnetoelastic based sensor for outputting a signal corresponding to a stress-induced magnetic flux emanating from a magnetically polarized region of the pin. The magnetoelastic based sensor comprises at least one direction sensitive magnetic field sensor in an at least partially hollow portion of the pin, which field sensor is configured for determination of a shear force in at least one direction. The invention further provides a tow coupling comprising the sensor assembly. The invention further provides a method for detecting a load.

An aircraft powerplant and a method for measuring thrust are described herein. A gas turbine engine has a turbine section for extracting energy from combustion gases and has a shaft mounted to the turbine section for converting the energy into rotary motion. A load cell is coupled to an end of the shaft and positioned to rotate with the shaft. The load cell is configured for generating a measurement indicative of propeller thrust. A propeller is coupled to the load cell and is configured for converting the rotary motion from the shaft and the load cell into the propeller thrust. The propeller thrust can be measured from the load cell as the propeller rotates.

A system for total pressure measurement of a propulsive stream through a turbine engine, the system incorporates a track circumferentially mounted on a fan exhaust nozzle proximate a trailing edge. A carriage is mounted in the track and adapted for translation through a range of azimuthal angles relative to an engine centerline. A pressure measurement rake extends from the carriage and has a probe mount protruding radially inward into a fan flow duct with a plurality of pressure probes mounted to a leading edge of the probe mount.

Systems and methods for magnetoelastic hitch receiver force detection are disclosed. An example vehicle includes a chassis, a trailer hitch receiver configured to receive a trailer hitch arm along an axis, a first pin having a first magnetic field, the first pin disposed above and perpendicular to the axis, a second pin, the first pin and the second pin coupling the trailer hitch receiver to the chassis and a first sensor configured to detect changes in the first magnetic field.