Patent ID: 8881607

Claim:
A miniature dynamometer comprising: a base having a top and a bottom; a securing mechanism having a top and a bottom wherein the bottom of the securing mechanism is secured to the top of the base and wherein the top of the securing mechanism is capable of supporting and securing a miniature vehicle having a mass and having rotating wheels and an engine; a generally cylindrical rotating apparatus having a first end, a second end and a mass wherein the generally cylindrical rotating apparatus is secured on each end by a separate shaft wherein each shaft is connected to a support motor and wherein each support motor is secured to a brace which is secured to the top of the base and wherein the wheels of the miniature vehicle contact and move in unison with the generally cylindrical rotating apparatus and wherein the energy required to accelerate the mass of the cylindrical rotating apparatus at an angular velocity is approximately the same as the energy required to accelerate the mass of the vehicle on a flat level surface at a linear velocity; a computer circuit having a power source wherein the computer circuit is electrically connected to and capable of measuring revolutions of said generally cylindrical rotating apparatus to determine angular acceleration produced by said wheels of the miniature vehicle driving the cylindrical rotating apparatus; wherein the miniature vehicle is supported by the securing mechanism in a position so as to force the rotating wheels of the miniature vehicle to engage the generally cylindrical rotating apparatus; a power source electrically connected to the engine of the miniature vehicle or the shaft of the support motors of the generally cylindrical rotating apparatus wherein the power source powers the miniature vehicle or the support motors of the generally cylindrical rotating apparatus; and wherein the computer circuit controls and measures the electrical power to the engine of the miniature vehicle and the support motors of the generally cylindrical rotating apparatus while the wheels of the miniature vehicle are rotating on the generally cylindrical rotating apparatus and wherein the computer circuit determines and measures the power required to drive the generally cylindrical rotating apparatus and supporting motor shafts.