Abstract: A continuous vapor sensor is assembled within a partially open protective enclosure which restricts (but does not exclude) the entry of liquid and means for excluding liquid from a portion of the enclosure, such as a non-wetting attachment material. The assembly allows the use of a continuous sensor which is adversely impacted by liquid contact in locations where the assembly may be immersed. The enclosure traps a sufficient amount of vapor to maintain a minimum vapor volume when the enclosure is submerged to a significant depth below a water level. The means for excluding controls the location of the minimum vapor volume to protect the sensor.

Abstract: A new machine for laboratory testing of lubricants and tractive/braking characteristics commonly known as adhesion has been designed. It can provide measures of lubricant performance characteristics of lubricity and durability (retentivity). Furthermore, it provides a continuous description of lubricant consumption characteristics after application of fresh lubricant. The machine uses two suitably profiled and loaded wheels robing against each other with one wheel powered and the other wheel either freely rolling or braked. The axes of the two wheels can be kept aligned or misaligned by a specified angle for testing of lubricants or adhesion. For making the machine more accurate and usable a quick engagement self-aligning compound shaft and wheels have been designed. A three point alignment base with two linear slides, spline connection and drive shaft are used for setting the null condition.

Abstract: The invention relates to a test apparatus for carrying out analysis on fluids or components comprising two specimens which are movable with respect to each other by means of an oscillating driving means. Means are provided for applying a measurable load between the two specimens. The oscillating driving means further comprises a stiffness adjusting means in order to control the degree of lateral movement of the oscillating driving means. The test apparatus also comprises a force measuring means which is connected to a support which is relatively much heavier than the oscillating driving means and the specimens in order that accurate results are achieved.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring thickness and traction properties of elastohydrodynamic lubricant (EHL) films is described. The apparatus utilizes at least one ball or roller loaded against the internal diameter of a transparent ring having a larger radius than said ball or roller. A lubricant is placed between the rotating roller and ring thereby forming an EHL film where the ball and ring contact. Roller and ring rotating speeds are controlled to obtain different amounts of relative sliding motion between their surfaces. Contact between the surfaces and the resultant film are observed via the transparent ring which allows optical measurements of lubricating film thickness. Traction forces generated during contact are measured by any suitable force measuring device.

Abstract: A circuit for evaluating the output of, and for testing, a capacitive sensor, such as those useful for triggering airbags, features two switches (6, 7) for selecting among a test mode and a measurement mode. In the measurement mode, two measuring capacitances (3), formed by a center electrode (1) and a respective one of the two measuring electrodes, are connected to a capacitance bridge (5). In the test mode, one of the measuring capacitances is replaced by a reference capacitance (4), and the replaced measuring capacitance is connected to a voltage source (8).

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for testing parts and materials in a controlled environment, especially an atomic oxygen environment. The apparatus includes a housing which has sample station located in its interior to receive a test sample. A contact element contacts a surface of the test sample, and a drive reciprocates the contact element so that the surface is subjected to wear along a wear path. At least one testing fluid is introduced and removed from the interior with the locations of introduction on removal preferably being such that the testing fluid flows across the test sample. The drive may be a carriage operated through the housing sidewall by a ferromagnetic coupling, and the sample station may be a turntable rotated by a ferromagnetic coupling. A second sample station may be included so that different wear path configurations are possible.

Abstract: An electrostatically force balanced accelerometer employs electrostatic, single sided square law forcing after filtering and scaling the pickoff signal to determine a restoring force required to bring the pendulous mass (10) of the accelerometer back to its null position. A signal (44,48) proportional to the square root of the restoring force is applied to an electrostatic square law forcing circuit (50) that applies a restoring force to one side or the other of the pendulum (10). A system output signal (42) is proportional to the calculated restoring force, and thus linearly proportional to the sensed acceleration. The transfer function of the forcing circuit (50) is empirically determined by applying a series of known accelerations and measuring the balancing signal required to restore the pendulous mass (10) to its null position.

Abstract: A configuration for sealing off a duct gap between a housing wall and a shaft includes a sealing ring surrounding the shaft to be set into rotation relative to the housing wall. The sealing ring is sealed off with respect to the housing wall and the shaft. The sealing ring is displaceable relative to the housing wall and is incapable of being set into rotation by the shaft. At least one spring element is to be placed under a mechanical strain by a torque exerted upon the sealing ring by the rotation of the shaft. The strain is determined and a report is issued, if the strain deviates substantially from a predeterminable normal value.

Abstract: Method for determining the extent to which noise occurs in a rotating roller bearing of a specific type lubricated with a specific lubricant, whereby an amount of the lubricant to be examined is applied to a roller bearing of the type mentioned, the inner race of the roller bearing is rotated for some time by means of a rotatable rod inserted in the inner race of the roller bearing until it interacts with it, and the vibrations occurring in the bearing are recorded by means of a vibration recorder which is in contact with the immobile outer race of the bearing, and a peak value is determined, following which these steps of the test cycle are repeated several times with new amounts of the same lubricant, characterized by the fact that a single roller bearing of the type specified is used in which every time, at the start of the steps of the test cycle, an amount of the lubricant to be tested is applied under pressure, whereby the amount of lubricant in the roller bearing which has been examined in a previous c

Abstract: A machine for testing a centrifugal load of a bearing including an outer race member, comprising a supporting frame including a sun ring, and a rotational main shaft. The rotational main shaft includes mounting portions for mounting the bearing to be tested. The mounting portions includes a mounting shaft for mounting the bearing to be tested and a supporting bracket for supporting the mounting shaft. The mounting shaft is arranged in the supporting bracket in parallel with the rotational main shaft in such a manner that a part of an outer peripheral surface of the outer race member is projected radially outwardly from the supporting bracket. The mounting shaft is journaled to a supporting bracket with a displacing margin in a radially outward direction to the rotational main shaft. An inner peripheral surface of the sun ring is used as a track to be rolled with the outer race members of the respective bearings to be tested.

Abstract: An improved lubricating system for lubrication of equipment bearings comprising: an air supply subsystem, an oil supply subsystem and an oil mist generation subsystem. The oil mist generation subsystem is connected to the air supply and oil supply subsystems for combining air and oil therefrom into an oil mist for distribution to the equipment bearings. A computerized controller is connected to the air supply, oil supply and oil mist genrating subsystem for controlling and monitoring the operating conditions of the system.

Abstract: Test apparatus comprises a wheel means including a hub and wheel web rotatably mounted on wheel bearings set in the wheel hub and mounted on a non-rotatable axle mechanism. The wheel means is rotatable by motor means. A load application mechanism including hydraulic load cylinders and load sensors effects selective imposition of radial, axial and moment loading upon the wheel web, wheel hub and wheel bearings so that the bearings experience operting conditions during rotation and at rest. Acoustic sensing means enable determination of the onset of bearing failure. Operation of test apparatus is preferably controlled by a computer.

Abstract: An instrument for testing the lubricating ability of a lubricating oil has a base member having a contact surface to be submerged in the oil, a vibration member having a friction portion pressed against the contact surface, a driving device having a driving element such as a driving piezoelectric element for vibrating the vibration member, a vibration pickup such as a sensing piezoelectric element for sensing a vibration produced by the friction between the friction portion and the contact surface with the interposition of the lubricating oil, an amplifier for amplifying the output of the pickup, a high-pass filter for filtering the output of the amplifier, and a voltmeter for receiving the output of the filter.

Abstract: Method for examining the sliding friction between exposed surfaces of different combinations of materials, characterized by the fact that a first test piece of a first type of material and a second test piece of a second type of material are moved against one another over a certain distance and under a certain load while a lubricant is applied between the exposed surfaces, whereby the required energy is measured and this step is subsequently repeated a number of times at various bulk temperatures of the lubricant, following which the measured energy consumption is plotted on a graph as a function of the bulk temperature of the lubricant.

Abstract: A device for measuring the effective viscosity of a lubricant in which a motor rotates one element of a bearing with respect to the other, the lubricant being supplied to the bearing. The bearing is part of a sensor that outputs a signal corresponding to the percentage of contact time between the elements of the bearing. A speed regulator for the motor is responsive to the output of the sensor to maintain the speed of relative movement so that no roughness contacts occur in the bearing, at which time the motor speed is a measure of viscosity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the load bearing capacity of engine oils under determined temperatures and shear rates. An eccentrically rotating cylindrical shaft (rotor) is used in a cylindrical journal bearing (stator) so arranged that the stator can be displaced from the center of rotation by a known amount. Measurements are made of minimum gap between the rotor and stator and of the force required to maintain the eccentrically rotating loaded shaft at a position such that the oil in the gap between rotor and stator achieves a shear rate between 1.times.10.sup.5 and 1.times.10.sup.7 s.sup.-1, typically 1.times.10.sup.6 s.sup.-1.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for determining the fracture resistance of thin wall hollow articles when ironed, the method including the step of providing a drawing die and punch or a mandrel having a portion thereof tapered in a continuous, linear manner. The taper is such that it provides a continuous decrease in punch-to-die clearance when the two are moved together, and thus a continuous range of ironing reductions along the side wall of an article located between the punch and die. The taper of the punch begins adjacent the forward end thereof and is sized to effect conventional thinning of the side wall of the article at the onset of ironing. The final diameter of the taper of the punch, however, is such that fracturing of the side wall is assured in the ironing process.

Abstract: Apparatus for the measurement of surface friction of surfaces, in particular of surfaces designed for traffic, such as road surfaces, floor coverings, and similar surfaces. The apparatus includes a supporting assembly that can be positioned on the surface to be measured, and the supporting assembly supports a shaft of a rotor that is rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the surface and carries at least one contact member. A measuring device is provided for the measurement of the torsional resistance to rotation of the rotor as a result of contact between the contact member and the surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for measuring the variation of a capacitive impedance, the dielectric of which consists of a lubricant, provided with an oscillator that supplies a signal having a predetermined frequency to the capacitive impedance by way of a bias impedance.The device according to the invention is characterized by a current measuring means delivering a signal depending on the current passing through the capacitive impedance to a converter the output of which delivers a direct current voltage signal coinciding with the instantaneous value of the capacitive impedance.

Abstract: In an apparatus for testing lubricating or material properties, two clamping assemblies are pressed together. Each clamping assembly has a clamping surface facing the clamping surface on the other assembly. The first clamping surface has two annular roller paths with the axes of the paths spaced apart. The second clamping surface has one annular roller path intersecting the roller paths on the first clamping surface. Four balls roll in the roller path of the second clamping surface with two of the balls rolling in one of the roller paths of the first clamping surface and the other two balls rolling in the other roller path of the first clamping surface. The clamping assembly with the second clamping surface oscillates back and forth relative to the clamping assembly with the first clamping surface. The pulling force developed by the movement of the balls is measured as an indication of the properties of a lubricant filled into the roller paths or of the materials of the balls and the roller paths.

Abstract: Method of testing the lubricating properties of the lubricating means consisting in that in a test master rubbing pair, operating at a definite temperature and with definite unit pressures, or at a definite temperature and with a definite rubbing speed, at the presence of the lubricating means being tested, either the slip rates are gradually decreased in a linear way, or the unit pressures are gradually increased also in a linear way and, at the same time, parameters characterizing these properties are recorded. The rubbing speed is gradually decreased down to a minimum limit value, or the unit pressures are gradually increased to a definite maximum limit value corresponding to a condition, when the electric resistance and the friction force attain the values characteristic for the dry friction.In the device according to the invention the rotary test piece (1) is mounted on a shaft of an electric motor (2).

Abstract: A method for deconditioning an engine used in evaluating the fuel economy derived from lubricating oils wherein a deconditioning oil is added to the engine after removal of the test lubricating oil, the deconditioning oil comprising a lubricating oil composition containing a selected overbased metal salt or a selected neutral metal salt, the salt being selected from the group consisting of alkali metal or alkaline earth metal sulfonates, phenates, phosphonates and thiophosphonates.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for indicating the lubricating quality of a lubricating oil for a machine. The device comprises a frame and a rotatable shaft having a journal for rotation with the shaft. A housing having an internal cavity is mounted to receive the rotatable shaft with the journal disposed within the internal cavity of the housing. A journal-engaging member is mounted in the internal cavity for engaging the journal to establish a normal force between the journal-engaging member and the journal. An oil outlet and an oil inlet communicates with the internal cavity in the housing. The oil inlet and oil outlet are connected to a machine for circulating lubricating oil between the housing and the machine whereby the lubricating oil is directed between the journal and the journal-engaging member. An electric motor drives the rotatable shaft relative to the housing.

Abstract: Apparatus for determining the properties of lubricants which is of comparatively simplified construction and is capable of analyzing the properties of a lubricant in a relatively short period of time with a relatively small quantity of lubricant in a highly accurate manner. The apparatus comprises an axial cylindrical roller bearing supported on the frame of the apparatus by a hydrostatic cushion. The apparatus includes a disc member which supports the housing disc of the axial cylindrical roller bearing which is engaged by a leaf spring equipped with a resistant strain gauge for measuring the moment of friction. A bell-shaped top lies on the spindle disc of the axial cylindrical roller bearing and is rotated by motor with an infinitely variable drive to which a tachometer is connected by a distance gauge arranged between the disc member and the bell-shaped top which measures a change in the distance of the contact surface of the axial cylindrical roller bearings and consequently the lubricant film thickness.

Abstract: A testing device for determining the lubrication properties of hydraulic ids under elevated pressures and temperatures comprises a pressure-tight housing defining a central cavity including a continuous passageway for the fluid, a chuck assembly located within the cavity which holds a plurality of test balls in fixed position, a rotatable support structure securing an upper ball in centrally disposed contact with the test balls, and a screw-threaded adjustment adapted to move the chuck assembly to apply pressure between the test balls and the upper ball. The present testing device is of simple and inexpensive construction and reduced size, and provides data respecting the test fluids which accurately reflects actual working conditions.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for indicating the lubricating quality of a lubricating oil for a machine. The device comprises a frame rotatably mounting a shaft. The rotatable shaft has a journal for rotation with the shaft. A housing having an internal cavity is rottably mounted on the rotatable shaft with the journal disposed within the internal cavity of the housing. A journal-engaging member is mounted in the internal cavity for engaging the journal to establish a normal force between the journal-engaging member and the journal. An oil outlet and an oil inlet communicate with the internal cavity in the housing. The oil inlet and oil outlet are connected to a machine for circulating lubricating oil between the housing and the machine whereby the lubricating oil is directed between the journal and the journal-engaging member.

Abstract: Apparatus suitable for the assessment of lubricants for the slides of machine tools, comprises a fixed slide carrier block, a moving slide block, and a drive block moving parallel to the slides at constant speed, under the action of a motor. The drive block carries a bracket with a lever which makes it possible to load the moving slide block and has a compressible elastic element to push the moving slide block. A comparator dial and an electric displacement sensor are connected to a recorder, so as to display and record the relative movements of the fixed and moving slide blocks.

Abstract: A device for testing the lubrication of an internal combustion engine has a potentiometer circuit connected between two electrodes one in contact with the crankshaft and the other in contact with the crank case, a first voltage detector of the averaging type connected directly across the potentiometer and at least one further voltage detector of the averaging type connected to a threshold discriminator which is also connected across the potentiometer; a third averaging voltage detector may be connected to a further threshold discriminator connected across the potentiometer, this latter having a threshold set at a value different from that of the first mentioned discriminator: alternatively the first mentioned discriminator may be one having two thresholds to each of which it can be switched at will.

Abstract: Apparatus for designing and determining parameters for supporting hydrodynamically lubricated bearing journals, wherein a device for applying a load to a shaft is associated with a shaft mounted on bushings carried by ball joints, the shaft and bushings being electrically insulated from the remainder of the apparatus, and detecting devices being also provided which are responsive at determined locations to changes in parameters, such as supporting pressure, temperature, separation between shafts and bushings, and the like.

Abstract: The bearing and elastohydrodynamic lubrication film test method and apparatus provides measurements related to acoustic resonance frequencies of the ball - raceway - lubricant system of a ball bearing, which frequencies are found to be related to bearing ball, race, and lubricant behavior, the measurements being made while the bearing is actually operating in its normal environment such as for example in a production gyroscopic instrument assembly.

Abstract: A machine for testing bearing grease in which a shaft is supported in two bearings the outer race of each of which is set in a housing for the grease to be tested and breaking means for the shaft which will cause the bearings to heat.