Abstract: A testing machine includes a base, at least a pair of columns joined to the base and a crosshead joined to the columns at a location spaced apart from the base. At least a pair of specimen holders are provided. A first specimen holder is supported by the crosshead and faces the base, and a second specimen holder is supported by the base, the base being that portion joined to each of the columns closest to the crosshead. An actuator connected in series between one of the specimen holders and the corresponding base or crosshead. A brace connected to each of the columns and spanning between the columns, the brace being connected to each of the columns at a location along a length thereof between the base and the crosshead.

Abstract: An electric actuator includes a stationary support and a guide system having a single stationary guide joined to the stationary support having an axis. The actuator also includes a stationary assembly secured to the stationary support. A moving assembly is movable relative to the stationary support on the guide, where the moving assembly and the stationary assembly provide at least two sets of interacting magnetic fields disposed about the guide at equal angular intervals. A test specimen support is joined to the moving assembly and disposed on one side of the stationary support so as to move along the axis with movement of the moving assembly, the axis extending through the test specimen support.

Abstract: A support jig for use with a testing machine applying loads, the support jig includes a frame and a pair of spaced apart supports joined to the frame to provide an alignment axis. Each support is configured to releasably hold a test specimen holder on the alignment axis in a fixed spatial relationship with ends of the test specimen holders mountable to the test machine facing in opposite directions. A test specimen support is located between the holders holds the test specimen on the alignment axis so that the holders can be attached to the test specimen. The support jig allows the holders to be easily and correctly attached to the test specimen so as to maintain alignment of the holders and the test specimen on the alignment axis. The support jig also maintains the fixed spatial relationship of the holders and test specimen while the holders are mounted to the test machine.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a test system is provided for testing a power steering system for a vehicle, the test system including a motor, one or more sensors, and a processor. The one or more sensors are configured to obtain sensor data pertaining to the motor. The processor is coupled to the one or more sensors and to the motor, and is configured to: determine, using the sensor data, a desired position of the motor for providing a desired amount of torque to the power steering system in order to reach one or more target behaviors: an inertia target, a spring target, a damper target, or a friction target for the power steering system; and provide instructions for the motor to move to the desired position for providing torque to the power steering system.

Abstract: An electric machine includes a housing, a rotor rotatably supported by the housing for rotation about a longitudinal axis and a stator assembly fixed secured to the housing spaced apart from a surface of the rotor and concentric with the rotor about the longitudinal axis. The stator assembly includes a stator winding comprising circumferentially spaced apart stator teeth about the longitudinal axis, the stator teeth having remote ends proximate the surface of the rotor. A plurality of sealed cooling channels extend parallel to the longitudinal axis and are disposed between remote ends of successive teeth. The cooling channels are formed in resin of the stator assembly, the cooling channels being fluidly connected to ports in a closed system to circulate cooling fluid to cool the stator assembly and configured to remove heat from the stator assembly proximate the rotor surface. Other aspects include methods of making such machines.

Abstract: An electric linear motor includes a support structure, a stator assembly secured to the support structure, and an armature assembly secured to the support structure for guided movement relative to the stator assembly. The armature assembly includes a plurality of magnetic devices and a core support supporting each of the magnetic devices in spaced apart relation to the stator assembly. The core support has a plurality of fluid cooling passageways formed therein.

Abstract: An electric actuator assembly having a support housing, a first stator magnetic field generating assembly secured to the support housing and a movable armature assembly. The movable armature assembly includes a plate assembly having a center support. The electric actuator assembly also includes a first armature magnetic field generating assembly configured to provide magnetic fields operative with a first stator magnetic field generating assembly to provide linear motion of the movable armature assembly along a reference axis, the first armature magnetic field generating assembly including first and second magnetic assemblies secured to opposite sides of the center support. In another embodiment, the electric linear actuator includes a rotational component coupled to a linear component to move therewith. The rotational component includes an armature magnetic field generating assembly being one of longer or shorter than a stator magnetic field generating assembly.

Abstract: A test system and method for testing a coupled hybrid dynamic system in simulated motion along a path includes a physical test rig configured to test a physical component. A processor is configured with modeled test data, a first virtual model portion and a second virtual model portion of the coupled hybrid dynamic system, the first virtual model portion, the second virtual model portion and the physical component comprising the coupled hybrid dynamic system. The processor is configured to control the test rig such that the component under test responds to the second virtual model portion, that in turn receives a first input comprising the modeled test data, a second input being motion of the first virtual model portion of the coupled hybrid dynamic system, a third input being a control mode response from the test rig having the physical component under test and a fourth input comprising guidance controls for the coupled hybrid dynamic system.

Abstract: An extensometer structure includes a first extension arm having a first mount configured to support a first specimen engaging member and a second extension arm having a second mount configured to support a second specimen engaging member. A connecting member extends between the first and second extension arms and pivotally connects to each of the first and second extension arms between each corresponding mount and a remote end of the extension arm. A rear coupling assembly connects remote ends of the extension arms together.

Abstract: A computer implemented method of lab management, including providing machine information on a service tag for a machine, the machine information suitable for uniquely identifying the machine, and storing auxiliary information about the machine on at least one of one or more remote devices, the at least one of the one or more remote devices configured to scan the service tag to retrieve machine information therefrom, and to integrate the auxiliary information with the machine information on the service tag.

Abstract: A method of constructing an electric linear displacement motor for use in a testing device includes providing a stator having as stator housing with internal coils and a through bore extending from a first end of the stator housing to the second end of the housing. An armature having magnets retained therein is inserted into the stator housing such of the armature is supported by the first end support and the second end support. A plurality of set screws are inserted into threaded openings proximate both the first end and the second end of the housing. The set screws then support and retain the armature such that there is an annular gap between the armature and the coils.

Abstract: A testing machine for testing a test specimen includes an actuator assembly configured to be coupled to the test specimen; and a computing device configured to control the actuator assembly, the computing device including a graphical user interface that renders at least a visual representation or a simulated visual representation of at least a parameter of the component or the component changing in accordance with changes of the actual corresponding component on the testing machine.

Abstract: Remotely monitoring a test on a test specimen includes receiving information pertaining to the test, rendering on a remote computing device display an information message having portions indicative of a testing device, of information related to the testing device or a test being conducted on the testing device, and of time that has elapsed since the second portion has occurred, and updating the third portion indicative of the time that has elapsed. A test operation monitoring system includes an image capture device, and a computing device operatively connected to the image capture device to receive information on the testing operation from the image capture device, the computing device having a controller configured to receive information pertaining to the testing operation and to render on a display an information message indicative of parameters of the testing device at a selectable amount of progress through the testing operation.

Abstract: In one aspect, a transducer body, includes a support including a pair of clevis halves; and a sensor body coupled to each of the clevis halves. The sensor body is disposed between the clevis halves and includes a generally rigid peripheral member disposed about a spaced-apart central hub, the central hub being joined to each of the clevis halves with the peripheral member spaced apart from each clevis half, where at least three flexure components couple the peripheral member to the central hub, and where the flexure components are spaced-apart from each other at generally equal angle intervals about the central hub. A biasing assembly connected between the support and the sensor body is configured to provide a bias force between the sensor body and the support.

Abstract: An aspect of the invention is a testing system for applying loads to a test specimen. The testing system includes the actuator and the first support portion supporting the actuator. The actuator is configured to support a first end of the test specimen, while a second support portion configured to support a second end of the test specimen. In various embodiments, combination of sensors that can include displacement sensor and/or accelerometer(s) provide associated output signals that are received by a displacement compensator that is configured to provide a displacement output signal indicative of differential displacement between first end and the second end of the test specimen.

Abstract: A load cell body for transmitting forces and moments in plural directions is disclosed. The load cell body comprises a first member, a second member and a plurality of pairs of support columns. The second member includes a plurality of apertures, where a portion of a plurality of portions of the first member extends into each aperture. The plurality of pairs of support column columns are configured for each portion of the first member and the corresponding aperture of the second member, such that each pair of support columns connects the corresponding portion of the first member to the second member.

Abstract: A transducer body includes a support comprising a pair of clevis halves; a sensor body coupled to each of the clevis halves, wherein the sensor body is disposed between the clevis halves and includes a generally rigid peripheral member disposed about a spaced-apart central hub, the central hub being joined to each of the clevis halves with the peripheral member spaced apart from each clevis half, wherein at least three flexure components couple the peripheral member to the central hub, and wherein the flexure components are spaced-apart from each other at generally equal angle intervals about the central hub; and a lockup assembly configured to selectively inhibit movement of the sensor body relative to the clevis halves.

Abstract: A mobile communication platform for a test facility to monitor various testing devices. The mobile communication platform is configured to transmit data or information to a remote test platform remote from a test facility or laboratory. In embodiments described, the communication platform is configured to interface with the one or more controller units to receive input or output data from the one or more test devices and transmit the input output data to the remote test platform via a messaging protocol initiated by the communication platform coupled to the testing device.

Abstract: A test system and method for testing a coupled hybrid dynamic system in simulated motion along a path (242) includes a physical test rig (206) configured to test a physical component (208). A processor (30) is configured with modeled test data (218), a first virtual model portion and a second virtual model portion of the coupled hybrid dynamic system, the first virtual model portion (204), the second virtual model (202) portion and the physical component (80) comprising the coupled hybrid dynamic system.

Abstract: An impact sensor body for sensing Charpy impact force is disclosed. The sensor body includes a body of material with a plurality of apertures. The apertures are configured within the body of material to form a flexure member orthogonal to a direction of motion to strike an object.