Patent ID: 6750444
Filing Date: 2004-06-15
Classification: G01P,G08G

Abstract:
An apparatus for measuring at least one of a speed and acceleration of a vehicle traveling on a vehicle path, the apparatus comprising;a first radiation source that emits radiation arranged at a first side of the vehicle path; a first reflector arranged on a second, opposite side of the vehicle path from said first radiation source that reflects radiation emitted from said first radiation source back towards the first side of the vehicle path; a first detector arranged at the first side of the vehicle path that receives the reflected radiation from said first reflector and detects a presence and absence of the reflected radiation; a second radiation source that emits radiation arranged at the first side of the vehicle path; a second reflector arranged on the second, opposite side of the vehicle path from said second radiation source that reflects radiation emitted from said second radiation source back towards the first side of the vehicle path. a second detector arranged at the first side of the vehicle path that receives the reflected radiation from said second reflector and detects a presence and absence of the reflected radiation; a controller operatively connected to said first and second detectors that calculates at least one of the speed and acceleration of the vehicle in response to said first and second detectors; and a tilt sensor that measures a tilt of the vehicle path relative to a level path, wherein said controller determines Vehicle Specific Power of the vehicle due to calculated acceleration and measured tilt; wherein each said radiation source is a modulated laser beam source.