To Failure Patents (Class 73/834)
  • Patent number: 11969591
    Abstract: An Example tool for implanting a pacemaker lead includes a body that includes a recess, a first electrical contact positioned within the recess, and a projection coupled to the body. In addition, the tool includes a second electrical contact positioned on the projection. The recess is configured to receive the pacemaker lead therein such that a first electrode of the pacemaker lead is to engage with the first electrical contact and a second electrode of the pacemaker lead is to engage with the second electrical contact. A rotation of the tool about a central axis of the pacemaker lead is configured to rotate the first electrical contact and the first electrode together about the central axis and to slidingly engage the second electrical contact along the second electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Texas Heart Institute
    Inventors: Maryam Nuru, Ronit Kar, Mathews Medayil John, Allison Davis Post, Skylar Jobe Buchan, Mehdi Razavi
  • Patent number: 10281413
    Abstract: Examples of nano-level evaluation of kerogen-rich reservoir rock are described. A micro-scale beam is formed from kerogen-rich reservoir rock. The beam has reservoir rock and kerogen, which has polymeric properties. A maximum dimension of the micro-scale beam is at most 1000 micrometers. A mechanical experiment that includes a tension test or a compression test is performed on the micro-scale beam. The mechanical experiment is imaged using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). A material parameter of the kerogen in the micro-scale beam is determined based on results of the mechanical experiment and images obtained responsive to the imaging. The material parameter includes a behavior of the kerogen in response to the mechanical experiment. The behavior of the kerogen can be used to determine, among other things, the energy required to break kerogen in a kerogen-rich shale to improve hydraulic fracturing efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Katherine Leigh Hull, Younane N. Abousleiman, Sebastian Csutak
  • Patent number: 10048179
    Abstract: Techniques for determining rock properties include exerting a compressive load with a test apparatus across a rock sample that includes a specified length-to-diameter ratio; measuring, with a strain gauge, a strain on the rock sample during the compressive loading; determining, based at least in part on the compressive load, a mechanical property of the rock sample; and determining, based at least in part on the measured strain and the compressive load, an elastic property of the rock sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Bitao Lai, Hui Li, Hui-Hai Liu, Yanhui Han
  • Patent number: 10048178
    Abstract: A rock specimen, including a rock body having the shape of a cylinder or a regular square prism. The rock body includes: an upper end face, a first circular groove, a first cylinder, a first circular body, a lower end face, a second circular groove, a second cylinder, and a second circular body. The first circular groove is disposed on the upper end face of the rock body and has a circle center coinciding with the center of the upper end face of the rock body. The second circular groove is disposed on the lower end face of the rock body and has a circle center coinciding with the center of the lower end face of the rock body. The outer diameter of the first circular groove is smaller than the inner diameter of the second circular groove, and the first circular groove and the second circular groove are staggered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: SICHUAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Jianfeng Liu, Heping Xie, Lu Wang, Jianliang Pei, Yu Bian, Huining Xu, Yong Xiang, Fei Wu, Hang Zou, Yangmengdi Xu
  • Patent number: 10048182
    Abstract: A rock specimen, including a rock body. The rock body includes: an upper part, an upper end face, a first circular groove, a first cylinder, a first circular body, a lower part, a lower end face, a second circular groove, a second cylinder, and a second circular body. The first circular groove is disposed on the upper end face of the rock body and has a circle center coinciding with a center of the upper end face. A method for testing pure shear of the rock specimen, includes: 1) disposing the rock specimen on a test bench of a rock mechanics testing system, allowing the end face of the second circular body to contact the test bench; and 2) operating the rock mechanics testing system, loading a pressure on the rock specimen via the end face of the first cylinder and the end face of the second circular body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: SICHUAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Jianfeng Liu, Heping Xie, Jianhui Deng, Lu Wang, Jianliang Pei, Yong Xiang, Linrui Li, Yu Bian, Huining Xu, Zhiwei Zhou
  • Patent number: 10012577
    Abstract: The present invention belongs to the technical field of rock mechanics testing equipment, and discloses a rock hollow cylinder torsional shear apparatus which includes a frame, a lifting device, a bottom seat, a confining pressure barrel, an upper seat, a force transmission shaft, a force transmission shaft holder, a torque application structure and a controller. The present invention provides a torsional shear apparatus capable of avoiding mutual interference between axial force application and torque force application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Institute of Rock and Soil Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Inventors: Hui Zhou, Jingjing Lu, Dawei Hu, Chuanqing Zhang, Yue Jiang, Lei Huang, Fanjie Yang, Yong Zhu, Yang Gao
  • Publication number: 20150122048
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a test method for suspension rings used for a plastic infusion container, which comprises the four steps of a routine test, an accelerated ageing test, a thermal adaptability test, and a melt flow rate test. The present invention provides an effective means for finding possible problems or defects of the suspension ring used for a plastic infusion container on such aspects as design, material and process, provides a basis for identifying the performances of the suspension rings used for a plastic infusion container, and ensures that the suspension rings used for a plastic infusion container are only used after the performances thereof are identified, and ensures that the quality of the suspension rings used for a plastic infusion container meet industry requirements, so that the probability of occurrence of a medical accident is minimized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2012
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: Sichuan Kelun Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Maolin Deng, Hongbo Tan, ZhongQiang Zhu
  • Patent number: 8960014
    Abstract: Methods of validating edge strength of a glass sheet are provided. The glass sheet includes a first surface, a second surface opposing the first surface, a thickness defined between the first surface and the second surface, and at least one edge including an edge surface. The first surface and the second surface intersect the edge surface of the at least one edge. The methods include a step (I) of noncontactually thermally loading the glass sheet to subject at least a portion of the at least one edge to a tensile stress. The methods also include a step (II) of determining whether the at least one edge has an edge strength below a predetermined level by detecting whether a resulting strength imperfection has originated in the glass sheet due to the noncontactual thermal loading of step (I).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert Wendell Sharps, Todd Marshall Wetherill
  • Publication number: 20140352452
    Abstract: Systems and methods for materials testing are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a system for materials testing comprises a communication interface coupled to testing hardware, an electronic user interface for facilitating the input of production requirements and a specification, and a display device for displaying results of tests conducted on the testing hardware, wherein the results are based in part on the production requirements and specification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventor: Varun Jain
  • Publication number: 20140165738
    Abstract: A lead fixation and stability feedback assembly for testing stability and anchoring of a fixation tip of a distal end of an implantable lead to a tissue is disclosed. The assembly includes a first member including a first coupling arrangement configured to couple to a proximal end of an implantable lead, wherein the proximal end of the implantable lead is coupled to a distal end of the implantable lead configured to be anchored to a tissue, and a second member including a second coupling arrangement configured to couple the first member to the second member, the second coupling arrangement configured to decouple the second member from the first member when a predetermined force is applied to pull the second member away from the first member to thereby test the anchoring of the distal end of the implantable lead to the tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: PURDUE RESEARCH FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Elizabeth Mercer, Johnny Zhang, Joseph Michael Pellettiere, Jason Wenhaw Lee
  • Publication number: 20140137661
    Abstract: A method for demonstrating the strength of an absorbent product. The method can include providing a first and second absorbent product; providing, for each of the first and second products, an upper and a lower holding clamp; attaching one of the upper holding clamps to each of the first and second absorbent products; attaching one of the lower holding clamps to each of the first and second absorbent products; optionally, attaching a first predetermined weight to the lower holding clamp; wetting each of the first and second absorbent products with a wetting fluid; waiting until one of the first or second absorbent products fails in tension; optionally, (i) spray a second predetermined amount of the wetting fluid; or (ii) add a second predetermined weight to the lower holding clamp; repeating certain steps until the absorbent product fails in tension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY
    Inventors: Ann Marie WOULMS, Gregg Thoms WEAVER
  • Publication number: 20140083198
    Abstract: Methods of validating edge strength of a glass sheet are provided. The glass sheet comprises a first surface, a second surface opposing the first surface, a thickness defined between the first surface and the second surface, and at least one edge comprising an edge surface. The first surface and the second surface intersect the edge surface of the at least one edge. The methods comprise a step (I) of noncontactually thermally loading the glass sheet to subject at least a portion of the at least one edge to a tensile stress. The methods also comprise a step (II) of determining whether the at least one edge has an edge strength below a predetermined level by detecting whether a resulting strength imperfection has originated in the glass sheet due to the noncontactual thermal loading of step (I).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Inventors: Robert Wendell Sharps, Todd Marshall Wetherill
  • Patent number: 8534139
    Abstract: A binding force testing device for testing the binding force of a hinge, includes a control chassis for controlling the binding force testing device; a platform mounted on the control chassis; a support mounted on the control chassis above the platform; a first driving device mounted on the support; a main holder mounted on the first driving device facing the platform; and a second driving device mounted on the support and connected to the first driving device. The first driving device drives the main holder to move relative to the platform in a first direction; the second driving device drives the first driving device to move relative to the platform in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Teng-Tsung Huang, Yong-Bing Hu, Gong-Shui Cheng, Zhan Shang, Zhang-Sheng Yan
  • Patent number: 8534136
    Abstract: Systems and methods for performing pin-pull testing of a printed circuit board (PCB) are presented. The pin-pull testing generally involves the use of a standard tensile tester that is useful for performing other tests aside from pin-pull testing. In this regard, a non-specific pin may be used in conjunction with the tensile tester without the need to purchase or manufacture pins specially adapted for use with a specially designed tensile tester. Additionally, the pin-pull testing may include application of heat to the pin by way of an external heat supply such that the need of a heater integrated into the testing device to heat a pin during the testing may be eliminated. As such, a common heating element (e.g., a standard soldering iron) may be employed by applying heat to a pin directly with the external heat supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Flextronics AP, LLC.
    Inventors: Dongji Xie, Miao Cai, Boyi Wu
  • Publication number: 20130205912
    Abstract: A method of bending a long member includes applying a tensile force to the long member to draw out the long member in a lengthwise direction thereof, measuring a displacement of the long member after commencement of the application of the initial tensile force, and bending the long member by applying a correction tensile force and a bending pressure for bending the long member into a curved shape in the lengthwise direction simultaneously to the long member upon the displacement exceeding a predetermined tensile fracture threshold value within a predetermined period of time or after a lapse of the predetermined period of time without the displacement exceeding the tensile fracture threshold value. The correction tensile force is smaller than the tensile force at the time the displacement exceeds the tensile fracture threshold value or the tensile force at the lapse of the predetermined period of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: SHIROKI CORPORATION
    Inventor: SHIROKI CORPORATION
  • Publication number: 20130192384
    Abstract: The invention pertains to a method and apparatus for testing the tensile strength of a material, particularly an electrically nonconductive material, at a temperature above ambient temperature. The test method is useful for determining the potential suitability of a material for use as a development medium in a thermal development process for preparing relief printing forms. One embodiment of the method includes mounting the strip between upper and lower chucks of a tensile test machine; positioning a means for generating a hot air stream adjacent the strip so that the stream does not impinge the strip; heating the hot air stream to a predetermined temperature above ambient temperature; repositioning the hot air stream so that the stream impinges the strip; and starting the tensile testing when the hot air stream at the predetermined temperature begins heating the strip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: E I DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY
    Inventors: HAO CHANG, George J. Broda, III, Clifford K. Deakyne, Stacy M. Hamlet
  • Publication number: 20130061683
    Abstract: Systems and methods for performing structural tests on wind turbine blades are disclosed herein. A system in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a test stand positioned to carry a test article that includes at least a portion of a wind turbine blade. The system can further include first and second reaction anchors movably positioned relative to the test stand. A first generally horizontal force link is attached to the first reaction anchor and coupleable to the test article to apply a first horizontal load to the test article. A second generally horizontal force link is attached to the second reaction anchor and is coupleable to the test article to apply a second horizontal load to the test article. The test stand can be positioned to apply a test stand force to the test article equal and opposite to the sum of the first and second horizontal loads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: Modulr Wind Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Myles L. Baker, Cory P. Arendt, Bernard G. Madrid, Sheldon Vilhauer
  • Patent number: 8393226
    Abstract: An inclusion rating method includes carrying out a tensile test on a test specimen, which is made of a metallic material and charged with a hydrogen, to cause a fracture originating from a nonmetallic inclusion affected by the hydrogen in the test specimen, identifying a type of the nonmetallic inclusion, measuring a size of the nonmetallic inclusion, and evaluating a cleanliness of the metallic material by obtaining a distribution function of the size of the nonmetallic inclusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignees: NSK Ltd., Kyushu University, National University Corporation
    Inventors: Shinji Fujita, Yukitaka Murakami
  • Patent number: 8302487
    Abstract: An elongated assembly, such as a belt or a sling, having a first end and a second end. The first and second ends are configured to accept a tensile load applied thereto. The elongated assembly comprises a first folded region audibly/visibly ruptureable at a first threshold loading condition and a second folded region audibly/visibly ruptureable at a second threshold loading condition, the first threshold loading condition being lower than the second threshold loading condition, to provide a physical indication in stages for a progressively increasing overload condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Samuel Manu-Tech Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Henry Groeneveld, Timothy Eric Peterson, Michael Stanley Chyzowski
  • Publication number: 20110239775
    Abstract: Systems and methods for performing pin-pull testing of a printed circuit board (PCB) are presented. The pin-pull testing generally involves the use of a standard tensile tester that is useful for performing other tests aside from pin-pull testing. In this regard, a non-specific pin may be used in conjunction with the tensile tester without the need to purchase or manufacture pins specially adapted for use with a specially designed tensile tester. Additionally, the pin-pull testing may include application of heat to the pin by way of an external heat supply such that the need of a heater integrated into the testing device to heat a pin during the testing may be eliminated. As such, a common heating element (e.g., a standard soldering iron) may be employed by applying heat to a pin directly with the external heat supply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: FLEXTRONICS AP, LLC
    Inventors: Dongji Xie, MIAO CAI, Boyi Wu
  • Publication number: 20110214509
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for evaluating the fatigue life of a polymer composition, including the following steps: i) providing a polymer composition; ii) manufacturing a plurality of axisymmetric test tubes cut from said composition; iii) subjecting said test tubes to a uniaxial traction fatigue test including a plurality of loading and unloading cycles for the test tube, the geometry of the test tube making it possible to subject the material to triaxial stresses, in the area of the test tube cut, simulating the stress conditions for the pressure sheath of a flexible pipe, particularly for off-shore use; and iv) predetermining the number of cycles until the rupture of said polymer composition. The invention is related to the use of said polymer composition selected through the predetermining method for manufacturing pipes or conduits to convey a pressurized and/or corrosive fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Inventors: Gilles Hochstetter, Lionel Hugon, Frédéric Demanze, Stéphanie Pignoc-Chicheportiche
  • Patent number: 7739917
    Abstract: A method of testing a tubular member and selecting tubular members for suitability for expansion by subjecting a representative sample the tubular member to axial loading, stretching at least a portion of the tubular member through elastic deformation, plastic yield and to ultimate yield, and based upon changes in length and area calculating an expandability coefficient indicative of expandability of the tubular members and selecting tubular members with relatively high coefficients indicative of good expandability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Enventure Global Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Shuster, Lev Ring
  • Patent number: 7707895
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for examining the resistance of a connection between two bodies, whereby one of the bodies only has a small mass. A correspondingly directed force is exerted upon the connection until disconnection thereof. The force used is the centrifugal force which acts at a distance from a rotational axis in a concentric manner about said rotated connection. Said method is particularly advantageous if the body having a small mass is a coating which is applied to the other body. In order to obtain a sufficiently high centrifugal force, an examining stamp is applied to the body having the small mass and/or the coating on the side oriented away from the connection. The adhesion between the body and/or the coating and the examining stamp is greater than between both of the bodies and/or the coating and the other body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: BAM Bundesanstalt fur Material-Forschung und-Prufung
    Inventors: Uwe Beck, Georg Reiners, Christian Berndt, Sylke Grune, Rüdiger Uhlendorf
  • Publication number: 20080302190
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for examining the resistance of a connection between two bodies, whereby one of the bodies only has a small mass. A correspondingly directed force is exerted upon the connection until disconnection thereof. The force used is the centrifugal force which acts at a distance from a rotational axis in a concentric manner about said rotated connection. Said method is particularly advantageous if the body having a small mass is a coating which is applied to the other body. In order to obtain a sufficiently high centrifugal force, an examining stamp is applied to the body having the small mass and/or the coating on the side oriented away from the connection. The adhesion between the body and/or the coating and the examining stamp is greater than between both of the bodies and/or the coating and the other body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2005
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Applicant: Bam Bundesanstalt Fur Material-Forschung Und-Prufung
    Inventors: Uwe Beck, Georg Reiners, Christian Bernt, Sylke Grune, Rudiger Uhlendorf
  • Patent number: 7260509
    Abstract: A method provides early estimation of product life using accelerated stress testing data. In an embodiment, data measured from a product operating in a first, high-stress environment is used to predict how long the product will operate in a second, normal operating environment before failure using a quadratic acceleration model. An additional feature of the present invention provides a quantified indication of how much the product has improved from a redesign.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Cingular Wireless II, LLC
    Inventors: Michael K. Brand, Harry W. McLean
  • Patent number: 6952959
    Abstract: This invention provides a method of designing a suitable heat seal width which is more resistant to unsealing than conventional heat-sealing, which involves the steps of; (1) heat-sealing a test piece of a sheet to be heat-sealed at a temperature lower than the fusion temperature of a heat seal portion of the sheet, (2) heat-sealing another test piece of the sheet at a temperature at or higher than the fusion temperature, (3) pulling to peel a heat-sealed portion of each test piece, and measuring the pull strength variation with peel length, (4) calculating the peel energy in various peel length as of the test piece heat-sealed at a temperature lower than the fusion temperature of the heat seal portion of the sheet by integrating the pull strength variation, (5) calculating the peel energy of the test piece heat-sealed at the temperature at or higher than the fusion temperature by integrating the pull strength variation up to rupture at a heat-sealed portion, and (6) setting the heat seal width at a peel leng
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Inventor: Kazuo Hishinuma
  • Patent number: 6895380
    Abstract: An interactive voice actuated control system for a testing machine such as a tensile testing machine is described. Voice commands are passed through a user-command predictor and integrated with a graphical user interface control panel to allow hands-free operation. The user-command predictor learns operator command patterns on-line and predicts the most likely next action. It assists less experienced operators by recommending the next command, and it adds robustness to the voice command interpreter by verbally asking the operator to repeat unlikely commanded actions. The voice actuated control system applies to industrial machines whose normal operation is characterized by a nonrandom series of commands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Electro Standards Laboratories
    Inventor: Raymond Sepe, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6802214
    Abstract: A unit for evaluating various properties of a paper envelope. The unit is capable of examining an envelope and determining key features of the envelope, such as the amount of front seal adhesive present, the tear strength of the side seams and the presence of properly printed graphics. The unit comprises a) a housing having either a touch screen video display unit or another source of data entry; b) a front seal control portion that contains linear encoders to determine the amount of adhesive on the seal; c) a side strength control portion that contains blades used to measure the force needed to burst the sides of the envelope: and d) a print design quality feature that is utilized to confirm the quality and location of any printing on the envelope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: National Starch and Chemical Investment Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Kebart, Jeffrey Reed, George Pesansky, Preston Burton
  • Patent number: 6561019
    Abstract: In a fiber splicing device, an adjustment apparatus for moving a first fiber-section perpendicular to its end face is designed such that it is composed of at least one piezo-actuator and a drive. After the splicing of the two fiber ends, the piezo-actuator is charged to a preset electrical voltage and the electrical voltage at the piezo-actuator is subsequently measured while the first carriage is moved away perpendicular to the fiber end face and is compared to the preset values. As a result thereof, the tensile stress acting on the fiber can be identified dependent on the movement of the first carriage, so that the drive can be arrested after a preset tensile testing stress has been reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Rainer Kossat, Dirk Muessig
  • Publication number: 20030037595
    Abstract: A device for determining the adequacy of a sealant between construction elements is attached to a source of compressed air whose pressure is controlled by a regulator. The device includes a cylinder containing at least one piston, the piston containing an air chamber and a plunger, the air chamber being in communication with a pressure gauge. The device also includes an armature having a first and a second end, the first end being attached to the cylinder, the second end having a flow valve and an air fitting in communication with the air source, the handle containing tubing as a means to conduct air from the compressed air source, the tubing being interrupted with a bleed valve. The device also includes a moveable tip such that the tip moves in the direction parallel to the axis of the cylinder, said tip comprising a wheel, a wheel bracket and a plunger shaft, the plunger shaft being attached to the plunger within the piston.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2002
    Publication date: February 27, 2003
    Inventor: Daniel N. Huff
  • Patent number: 6250135
    Abstract: Apparatus for detecting a defect during the formation of a container end having a stay-on-tab secured thereto, particularly when the defect is associated with a mis-located tab, in which a portion of the apparatus will be moved by the defect which movement is sensed and a signal is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Coors Brewing Company
    Inventors: Rick W. Nelson, Forrest Curtis, Harley S. Crabtree, Craig L. Roberts
  • Patent number: 6119527
    Abstract: A method, technique, and apparatus proof test an optical fiber interconnect by applying an ends off-set stress on the optical fiber until the optical fiber fails or breaks, either immediately (short-term strength), or as a result of the delayed-fracture/"static-fatigue" phenomenon for the given off-set, and, hence, for the given stress (long-term strength), imposed for the measured period of time. If, for instance, the short-term strength is addressed, the off-set is measured at the time of the failure, and the corresponding critical strain of the optical fiber is then predicted. In predicting the critical strain, the method and apparatus iteratively determine the total strain, including non-linear components thereof, for an optical fiber interconnect experiencing the measured ends off-set. The analytical model/method includes the steps of iteratively processing characteristic parameters associated with the optical fiber, and determining the non-linear strain associated with the optical fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Ephraim Suhir
  • Patent number: 6050140
    Abstract: An adhesion tester includes a dolly to be adhered to a coating to be tested; the dolly including at least a portion of a spherical surface; a frame having a hollow portion in a region thereof, in which region the dolly fits; a hydraulic piston within the frame; and a quick connect coupler for connecting the hydraulic piston to the dolly; the coupler including a plurality of ball bearings aligned so as to engage with a lower half of the spherical surface of the dolly so as to connect the dolly with the coupler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: Defelsko Corporation
    Inventor: Frank J. Koch
  • Patent number: 5798464
    Abstract: An extraction force tester which measures the force necessary to remove header pins from the sockets of a cable connector in a steady straight line motion, the extraction force tester includes: a base, a tensile force gauge slidably mounted to the base and a pin assembly slidably mounted in relation to the base such that the pin assembly may slide independently of the tensile force gauge. The pin assembly has a specified number of pins, e.g., twelve, for engaging the sockets of a connector. The extraction force tester further excludes a coupler for coupling the pin assembly to the tensile force gauge such that the force gauge may push the pin assembly in a first direction, to allow the pins of the pin assembly to engage the sockets of the connector, and pull the pin assembly in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, to disengage the pins from the sockets, thereby allowing the force gauge to measure the extraction force necessary to disengage the pins from the sockets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Assignee: Micron Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Craig L. Boe
  • Patent number: 5507189
    Abstract: Apparatus and a method for evaluating the plane strain stretch formability for thin steel sheets used in automotive bodies to provide easy evaluation of the plane strain stretch formability. The apparatus includes: a lower die and an upper die with a lock bead installed thereon. A rectangularly shaped test specimen is inserted between the upper and lower dies and, and is clamped by means of the lock bead along the circumferential edge of the test specimen, so that the material of the test specimen can be moved into the upper die. A punch is elevated to apply a stretch forming force on the test specimen, and then, the plane strain stretch formability is evaluated based on the fracture limit punch height at the instant of the fracture. The punch has a saddle-like, semi-cylindrical shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1996
    Assignees: Pohang Iron & Steel Co., Ltd., Research Institute of Industrial Science & Technology
    Inventors: Young S. Kim, Jeong C. Kim, Won J. Choi, Rae W. Chang, Ki S. Kim, Moon H. Yu
  • Patent number: 5421206
    Abstract: In a method and apparatus for the mechanical strength testing of components with respect to a strength criterion an acoustic pulse in the form of an acoustic shockwave is introduced into a component to be tested such that the shockwave is reflected acoustically with a polarity reversal at a reflection location before passing though a region of the component to be tested, thereby subjecting that region to tensile stress. The amplitude of the shockwave is selected such that the component is destroyed if it does not meet the strength criterion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1995
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Arnim Rohwedder
  • Patent number: 5394754
    Abstract: A test apparatus for testing hem flanges that join automotive body panels is provided. This testing apparatus operates by engaging a hook member with a first body panel such that the first body panel is maintained in a held relationship with respect to the hook member. A ram member then extends from the testing apparatus and engages with and loads a second automotive body panel member. As a result, a tensile load is applied to the hem flange, permitting the hem flange to be analyzed for defective construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Assignee: The Budd Company
    Inventor: James M. Herring, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5386731
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the tensile strength of aggregate material comprising a device in which a layer of dust is applied to a metal electrode, and an electric field is applied in such a way as to induce a charge (negative or positive) on the outer surface of the dust layer. The electric field is then increased until particles break away from the upper surface as a result of the electrostatic force acting on the induced charge. From the balance of forces between the electrostatic (which is easily calculated from the configuration and applied voltage) and the cohesive attraction between the particles, the tensile force of the dust layer is determined. The breakaway point may be observed directly, or it may be detected by a photoelectric device designed to respond to light scattered by the particles as they are lofted from the surface. Alternatively, the breakaway point may be detected by sensing an electric current concomitant with the ejection of surface charge residing in the lofted particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1995
    Assignee: Southern Research Institute
    Inventors: Duane H. Pontius, Todd R. Snyder
  • Patent number: 5379647
    Abstract: A system for testing and measuring hole elongation or deformation in a test article. The system includes a frame, a bearing member, and a referencing arm. The frame has a receiving area adapted to receive a portion of a test article. The bearing member is positionable into a hole of the test article. The referencing arm is movably connected to the frame and is adapted to signal the location of a portion of the test article relative to the bearing member. A distance measuring device is wholely supported on the frame and arm to allow the test article to be tested to catastrophic failure without risk of damaging the measuring device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1995
    Assignee: Avco Corporation
    Inventor: Glen R. Sherwin
  • Patent number: 5193398
    Abstract: The invention relates to a measuring method to determine elongation after fracture on a tensile testpiece in a computer controlled tensile test. To meet the requirements of the tensile test to DIN EN 10002/1, the measuring grid known from DIN EN 10002/1 is applied to the tensile testpiece. The measuring grid is scanned with a line sensing camera. In the tensile test the elongation of the testpiece is determined when the tensile force has exceeded its maximum and drops to zero. That place for which the computer with the CCD camera detects the greatest distance between adjacent grid lines is utilized to calculate the elongation after fracture to DIN EN 10002/1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1993
    Assignee: Thyssen Stahl Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Jurgen Harder, Gunter Robiller, deceased, Hans-Martin Sonne
  • Patent number: 5094111
    Abstract: A method for determining the elongation before rupture of a syntactic material. The syntactic material consists of hollow microspheres in a polymer matrix material and may be used as insulation for deep water sub-sea flowlines, an application which requires that the material must be able to withstand a large tensile elongation without rupture. Elongation tests are performed in which various factors such as type of matrix and kind, size and bonding of microspheres are varied in order to determine the syntactic material providing maximum elongation without breaking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1992
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Michael H. Collins, Alan R. Lyle
  • Patent number: 5005424
    Abstract: Testing machine for the mechanical testing of material samples comprising a first and a second force engagement device, a first and a second sample engagement device, a first force measuring device which is positioned between the first sample engagement device on the one hand and the force by-pass device together with the first force engagement device on the other hand, an actuator to create the force to be applied, a force by-pass device which is connected to the first force engagement device and which tranfers an applied prestress force acting on one of the force engagement devices to the other while by-passing the sample positioned between the two sample engagement devices, whereby the force by-pass device is stiff, the second sample engagement device is, by way of a length adjustment device, slidably mounted in the direction of the application of force relative to the end of the force by-pass device which is not connected to a force engagement device and whereby the length adjustment device is connected t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1991
    Assignee: Bundesanstalt fur Materialforschung und -prufung (BAM)
    Inventor: Winfried Markowski
  • Patent number: 4864866
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a low in weight, portable, mechanical property testing machine is provided in which no special testing machine foundation is required, and a standard power supply may be used. The applied load to test the specimen is applied by the action of a rod making a single stroke within a cylinder containing hydraulic fluid. The inside diameter of the cylinder is significantly greater than the diameter of the rod. The hydraulic fluid transmitted from the cylinder is substantially ripple free and applies an even load to the specimen being tested through a second fluid cylinder and piston acting therein. The use of valves, as used in the prior art may thus be avoided, thus achieving simplicity of operation. To absorb the shock created by the specimen breaking, a dash pot is provided out board of the second piston as a shock absorber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1989
    Inventors: Raymond D. Hardy, Joe E. Greenslade
  • Patent number: 4825702
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of testing yarn comprising periodically feeding a length of yarn by means of a fluid stream along a pathway so that it extends between a pair of spaced clamps, clamping the length of yarn towards the ends thereof by means of the clamps and causing one or both clamps to move relative to the other progressively to tension the yarn until breakage. Tension and elongation of the yarn is measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1989
    Assignee: South African Inventions Development Corporation
    Inventor: Jaromir Cizek
  • Patent number: 4821579
    Abstract: In a test sample clamping apparatus for testing machines, having a clamping head or chuck and a force sensor (2) arranged on the chuck, testing forces are measured with a force sensor and displacements or test sample deformations are measured simultaneously with a light deflection. Thus, rapid test procedures such as fast tensile rupture tests are made possible. The clamping head or chuck includes a base plate (3), one side of which receives or holds clamping elements (15) and the other side of which clamps down the force sensor (2) against a support. A mirror surface (8, 8') is arranged on the base plate (3) or on other appropriate surfaces of the clamping head so as to reflect a ligth beam (10) emitted by a light source (9) onto a position detector (11). In order to measure a deformation caused displacement of the clamping head and correspondingly of the test sample (4), an electronic evaluating circuit (12) evaluates the position dependent output signal of the detector (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1989
    Assignee: Carl Schenck AG
    Inventors: Peter Gernhart, Gerhart Hintz, Guenter Keller, Andreas Pohl
  • Patent number: 4763521
    Abstract: A fixture is provided for testing thin sheet metal specimens to evaluate hot-cracking sensitivity for determining metal weldability on a heat-to-heat basis or through varying welding parameters. A test specimen is stressed in a first direction with a load selectively adjustable over a wide range and then a weldment is passed along over the specimen in a direction transverse to the direction of strain to evaluate the hot-cracking characteristics of the sheet metal which are indicative of the weldability of the metal. The fixture provides evaluations of hot-cracking sensitivity for determining metal weldability in a highly reproducible manner with minimum human error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1988
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Gene M. Goodwin, Joseph D. Hudson
  • Patent number: 4716767
    Abstract: A boiler tube rupture testing apparatus and method in which two segments are inserted into a tube section which sections together form a disc having a outer diameter slightly less than the inner diameter of the tube section. A creep rupture machine is connected to the individual segments for exerting to oppositely directed forces on the segments, respectively. The forces can be selected to simulate the hoop stress applied to the tube section due to internal pressure and can be maintained on the tube section until rupture occurs which will lead to as accurate estimation of the life of the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1988
    Assignee: Foster Wheeler Energy Corporation
    Inventor: Myron Krawchuk
  • Patent number: 4706387
    Abstract: A device to determine the operable failure mode of mechanically fastened lightweight composite joints by measuring the hole elongation of a bolted joint is disclosed. The double-lap joint test apparatus 10 comprises a stud 20, a test specimen 30 having a hole, two load transfer plates 31, and linear displacement measuring instruments 27. The test specimen 30 having a hole is sandwiched between two load transfer plates 31 and clamped together with the stud 20. Spacer washers 22 are placed between the test specimen 30 and each load transfer plate 31 to provide a known, controllable area for the determination of clamping forces around the hole of the test specimen 30 attributable to bolt torque. The spacer washers 22 also provide a gap for the mounting of reference angles 23 on each side of the test specimen 30. Under tensile loading, elongation of the hole of test specimen 30 causes the stud 20 to move away from the reference angles 23.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1987
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventor: Gregory R. Wichorek
  • Patent number: 4662227
    Abstract: A testing apparatus for measuring the pull-out resistance of fasteners. The apparatus includes a disc rotatably supported by a base. The disc has a bearing surface with a uniform radius. A flexible strap is fixed to the disc so that the strap is carried by the bearing surface as the disc rotates. A torque wrench is used to rotate the disc. The length of the constant radius and the flexible nature of the strap create a constant moment arm, making the torque measured by the wrench directly convertible to pull-out load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1987
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Francis C. Peterson
  • Patent number: 4637260
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for testing easy-open can ends. The apparatus orients the ends, opens the ends, tests the ends to assure that opening has occurred and separates defective ends which have not successfully opened from acceptable ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1987
    Assignee: Reynolds Metals Company
    Inventors: Edward C. Gilliam, John M. Jackson, Billy J. Lamie