Abstract: A system simulates conditions in a vehicle enclosure during a tripped rollover by manipulating an indestructible test article modeling the vehicle. A movable test platform upholding the test article in an unsecured manner is driven by an accurately repeatably programmable propulsion source in a horizontal test-initiation direction. The initiation of motion causes the test platform to tilt downwardly in a rollover direction opposed to the test-initiation direction. A height-adjustable trip block on the test platform is brought to bear against a lower portion of the test article, imparting to the test article rotational motion about a horizontal tipping axis oriented normal to each of the test-initiation direction and the rollover direction. The rotational motion inclines the test article upwardly from the test platform in the rollover direction and ejects the test article from the test platform for capture on an accompanying landing platform.

Abstract: The invention presents a sled device for testing the rollover threshold of a vehicle. The sled has a carriage that is mounted on a track. The carriage can slide upon the track from a first track location. The carriage is configured so that an actual vehicle may be placed on the carriage. When a vehicle is on the carriage, the vehicle is positioned with one side of the vehicle positioned toward the first tract location and the second side of the vehicle positioned toward the second track location. The carriage is propelled from the first tract location to the second track location by an accelerator. As the carriage nears the second track location, a decelerator slows and arrests the movement of the carriage, thereby simulating an impulse potentially sufficient to cause the vehicle to roll.

Abstract: The invention presents a sled device for testing the rollover threshold of a vehicle. The sled has a carriage that is mounted on a track. The carriage can slide upon the track from a first track location. The carriage is configured so that an actual vehicle may be placed on the carriage. When a vehicle is on the carriage, the vehicle is positioned with one side of the vehicle positioned toward the first tract location and the second side of the vehicle positioned toward the second track location. The carriage is propelled from the first tract location to the second track location by an accelerator. As the carriage nears the second track location, a decelerator slows and arrests the movement of the carriage, thereby simulating an impulse potentially sufficient to cause the vehicle to roll.

Abstract: An apparatus for dynamic testing by rapidly accelerating a test specimen includes a sled carriage slidably mounted on first and second elevated horizontal tracks attached to a fixed foundation for free movement of the sled carriage along the tracks from a first to a second track location; the sled carriage having an essentially horizontal mounting plate terminating in a leading edge at one end and a trailing edge at an opposite end; and impact block mounted to the bottom surface of the mounting place intermediate the leading and trailing edges; a pressure differential firing component having a moveable thrust surface for striking the impact block; the pressure differential firing component attached to the foundation between the tracks so at least a portion of the bottom surface of the mounting plate of the sled carriage between the leading edge and the impact block can override at least a portion of a firing chamber component of the pressure differential firing component; a high pressure compressed gas storag

Abstract: Apparatus for simulating a side impact vehicle crash comprises a test dolly assembly slidably mounted for longitudinal movement on a slidably mounted sled carriage accelerated by a pressure differential firing means. The test dolly assembly is essentially stationary on a track fixedly mounted on the sled carriage assembly until a ram on the sled carriage assembly strikes an impact block on the test dolly assembly.