Abstract: A thermal-mechanical testing apparatus for use with an electrically conductive specimen testing system. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a first compression anvil assembly, a mounting frame coupled to the first compression anvil assembly, and a second compression anvil assembly positioned opposite the first compression anvil assembly and the mounting frame. The first compression anvil assembly includes a mounting plate, a first compression anvil coupled to the mounting plate, and a heating current ground system coupled to the mounting plate. The mounting frame includes a set of conductive end plates, a set of insulating connectors connecting the conductive end plates, and a plurality of mounting components coupled to the insulating connectors. The mounting components are also coupled to the mounting plate.

Abstract: A thermal-mechanical testing apparatus for use with an electrically conductive specimen testing system. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a first compression anvil assembly, a mounting frame coupled to the first compression anvil assembly, and a second compression anvil assembly positioned opposite the first compression anvil assembly and the mounting frame. The first compression anvil assembly includes a mounting plate, a first compression anvil coupled to the mounting plate, and a heating current ground system coupled to the mounting plate. The mounting frame includes a set of conductive end plates, a set of insulating connectors connecting the conductive end plates, and a plurality of mounting components coupled to the insulating connectors. The mounting components are also coupled to the mounting plate.

Abstract: A jack assembly, for use in a materials testing system, utilizes both a cam and a resilient push block. The cam, having an progressive eccentric, is situated between the push block and a jaw housing and located partially within a corresponding shallow channel in each such that both channels effectively straddle the cam. The channels accommodate axial rotation of the cam. The push block is formed of a material with an appropriate modulus of elasticity such that bending moments, particularly at ends of the push block and resulting from axial rotation of the eccentric to its top dead-center position, cause the channel in the push block to elastically deform and increasingly and sufficiently deflect against and around the eccentric, thus increasingly pinching the eccentric and securely locking the cam, push block and specimen grip in their proper positions.

Abstract: A specimen grip assembly which can be used with a relatively light-weight jaw in a materials testing system. The specimen grip assembly illustratively contains a grip shell and a pair of wedge-shaped specimen grips. The shell has a truncated, frusto-pyramidal exterior shape with two outwardly facing inclined surfaces, both inclined at an angle and which matingly abut and slide against complementary inclined interior surfaces of the jaw. The grips are oriented in a recess within the shell such that inclined surfaces of the grips abut against interior complementary surfaces of the shell. The shell, containing the grips and specimen, is suitably positioned within the jaw, with the shell and grips then jacked into a fixed position. The shell substantially eliminates any noticeable compliance from the specimen grips that might otherwise arise from tensile and/or compressive forces applied to the jaw and specimen grip assemblies during a test program.

Abstract: A jack assembly, for use in a materials testing system, utilizes both a cam and a resilient push block. The cam, having an progressive eccentric, is situated between the push block and a jaw housing and located partially within a corresponding shallow channel in each such that both channels effectively straddle the cam. The channels accommodate axial rotation of the cam. The push block is formed of a material with an appropriate modulus of elasticity such that bending moments, particularly at ends of the push block and resulting from axial rotation of the eccentric to its top dead-center position, cause the channel in the push block to elastically deform and increasingly and sufficiently deflect against and around the eccentric, thus increasingly pinching the eccentric and securely locking the cam, push block and specimen grip in their proper positions.

Abstract: A specimen grip assembly which can be used with a relatively light-weight jaw in a materials testing system. The specimen grip assembly illustratively contains a grip shell and a pair of wedge-shaped specimen grips. The shell has a truncated, frusto-pyramidal exterior shape with two outwardly facing inclined surfaces, both inclined at an angle and which matingly abut and slide against complementary inclined interior surfaces of the jaw. The grips are oriented in a recess within the shell such that inclined surfaces of the grips abut against interior complementary surfaces of the shell. The shell, containing the grips and specimen, is suitably positioned within the jaw, with the shell and grips then jacked into a fixed position. The shell substantially eliminates any noticeable compliance from the specimen grips that might otherwise arise from tensile and/or compressive forces applied to the jaw and specimen grip assemblies during a test program.

Abstract: A technique for imparting direct resistance heating to a gauge length of a conductive metallic specimen under test and which can be used to add an independent dynamic thermal capability to a mechanical material test system. Specifically, a pair of, e.g., conductive collars, each of which encircles and abuts against a corresponding portion of the external surface of the specimen near an opposing end of its gauge length and inward of a corresponding grip. Each collar imparts additional self-resistive heat to the specimen along a circumferential collar/specimen interface. This additional heat appreciably reduces or cancels thermal gradients otherwise arising from self-resistive heating across the gauge length as well as compensates for thermal losses in each specimen end section. Through this arrangement, each specimen end section and the grips are not appreciably heated as the gauge length heats.

Abstract: Apparatus and an accompanying method for use in a conventional dynamic material testing system to advantageously provide enhanced self-resistive specimen heating. Specifically, a fixture (400) is added to the system. The fixture has two supporting arms (201, 451), each holding one of two opposing and conductive anvil assemblies (200, 453). The fixture applies adequate force to each arm sufficient to hold a specimen (466) in position between the anvil assemblies and establish a good abutting electrical contact between the specimen and each assembly but without exerting enough force to deform the specimen as it is being heated. Separate opposing and existing coaxially-oriented shafts (406, 408) controllably strike both arms and move the anvils together, hence squeezing the specimen and generating each deformation therein.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in a conventional dynamic material testing system to advantageously provide uniform self-resistive specimen heating with enhanced temperature uniformity. Specifically, an anvil stack (300) in an anvil assembly (200) has a foil interface (242) with a composite layer (320A, 320B, 320C) containing, e.g., a concentrically oriented multi-component arrangement formed of an inner high strength and insulating disk (315, 325, 335) and an outer ring-shaped resistive region (313, 323, 333), situated between an anvil base (241) and an anvil top (240). An insulating member (243) electrically and thermally insulates all sides of the anvil stack from its supporting structure.

Abstract: In order to provide a vibration testing apparatus which can have a large diameter without introducing undesirable rigid vibration modes, the vibration testing apparatus 1 comprises a support 2, at least one electromagnetic vibration generator 12 mounted on the support, the mounting comprising an annular body 5 and a head expander 10, the annular body being supported by bearings located around the periphery of the annular body 5.

Abstract: Apparatus, and an accompanying method for use therein, that utilizes working and stopping servo-controlled hydraulic pistons wherein the stopping piston acts as a controlled mechanical stop for the working piston. Both pistons are spaced apart along and coaxially arranged around a common shaft, with each piston moving in a separate cylinder. The working piston is securely attached to the shaft, while the shaft moves through a central, longitudinal bore of the stopping piston. The stopping piston effectively “floats” in its cylinder and produces a greater force than the working piston. A radially extending stop element, situated on the shaft, has a surface configured to abuttingly engage with a complementary surface on the stopping piston such that the stopping piston, once appropriately positioned, controllably stops continued movement of the working piston in a very short time and over a very short distance with little strain induced in the apparatus.

Abstract: Thermodynamic material testing apparatus and a method for use therein which are capable of controllably inducing very large strains in crystalline metallic specimens. The apparatus prevents longitudinal flow elongation, that otherwise results in conventional testing systems when a specimen is compressively deformed, from occurring but permits sideways material flow outwards from a specimen work zone. The specimen is rotated between successive deformations through a predefined angle, e.g., 90 degrees, in order to present strained specimen material to opposing anvil faces for a next successive compressive deformation. Rotating the specimen between hits and hence compressing previously strained material permits the same work zone material to be deformed many times with very high strains induced therein.

Abstract: A deformable, inexpensive crucible for use with a dynamic thermo-mechanical physical test or simulating system, specifically for holding a self-resistively heated specimen (250) at liquid temperatures and particularly, though not exclusively, one suited for use in simulating thin-strip continuous casting processes. The crucible is formed of a thermally and electrically insulating material (222) which surrounds, e.g., the bottom and two opposing and sides of the specimen perpendicular to the direction of the force used for compression and which, in turn, is held within a thin, readily deformable, e.g., U-shaped shell (210) with an upwardly facing open portion. The shell is appropriately sized with a length and height less than that of insulating material such that, when properly positioned over the material, the shell will not contact the specimen and hence remain insulated from the heating current flowing therethrough and thus will not exhibit any self-resistive heating.

Abstract: An oven (1800) for use in conjunction with a dynamic thermal-mechanical testing system that exhibits both self-resistive and self-inductive heating whenever a sufficiently large alternating (AC) electrical current is passed through the oven. In one embodiment, the oven is fabricated from a material which undergoes self-resistive heating to radiantly heat an internal volume of the oven. The oven also includes appropriately shaped heating sections (1830), which undergoes self-resistive and self-inductive heating to compensate for heat losses into a support for the oven.

Abstract: A control system for hydro-massage tub systems in which water is circulated through a pump and heater from the tub back to a plurality of jets in the tub to create a turbulent massaging action. The system is comprised of an activating device, a pump, a switch activating circuit, a heater with proportional control and a water level sensing safety system. The pump is controlled by a switching and timing circuit that limits the time the pump is on which is slaved to a heater control circuit to prevent operation of the heater unless the pump is circulating water. The proportional heater control circuit maintains the water temperature within a degree or two of a preset temperature by proportionally reducing power as the temperature approaches the preset limit. The activating device transmits a ignal to the switching and timer circuit when a mechanical plunger isolated from electrical circuits is operated.

Abstract: A nozzle jet cartridge assembly for whirlpool bathtubs and the like in which an eyeball or spherical nozzle jet is mounted in a cylindrical housing. The spherical nozzle jet is positioned in the housing by a retaining ring and spring and the housing is closed by a locking ring. This assembly provides a nozzle jet cartridge which can be easily installed in a socket provided by a coupling fitting a hole in the wall of a whirlpool tub. An interchangeable trim ring and a locking nut secure the nozzle jet cartridge assembly to the tub wall.

Abstract: A mass is attached between light reflective ends of a pair of rectilinearly aligned optic fibers and maintained in such position with the fibers under a slight tension. The pair of fibers comprise a portion of two arms of a Mach Zehnder or Michelson interferometer so that an acceleration along the longitudinal axis of the rectilinearly aligned optic fibers increases the length of one of the pair of fibers and shortens the length of the other, whereby electromagnetic rays traveling in the pair of fibers, travel different distances resulting in a phase shift which phase shift is directly proportional to the force applied to the fibers by the mass and therefore directly proportional to the acceleration. Accelerations in directions perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the fibers cause equal phase shifts in each arm and therefore would not be detected. Thermal expansion of the fibers and acoustical noises should also balance out.