Patents Assigned to MTS System Corporation
  • Platform balance
    Publication number: 20070039400
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a platform balance that is suitable for transmitting forces and moments in a plurality of directions. The platform balance is adapted to support a test specimen, such as a large vehicle, in a test environment such as a wind tunnel. The platform balance includes a frame support and at least three spaced-apart transducers coupled to the frame support. Each of the transducers is sensitive about two orthogonal sensed axes. The transducers cooperate to provide signals indicative of forces and moments with respect to at least two orthogonal axes. Each transducer includes a transducer body having a support coupled to a sensor body along an axis of compliance. The sensor body is adapted to deflect about the two orthogonal sensed axes where the sensed axes are mutually orthogonal to the axis of compliance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2006
    Publication date: February 22, 2007
    Applicant: MTS Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Meyer, Douglas Olson, Ian Kunsch
  • Wear tester
    Publication number: 20070017300
    Abstract: A test assembly structure having a first specimen support, a displacement mechanism joined to the first specimen support and a second specimen support. A loading assembly is joined to the second specimen support and configured so as to engage a specimen held by the second specimen support with a specimen held by the first specimen support. A self-reacting structure is joined to the loading assembly having a flexure substantially rigid in the direction of loading of the loading assembly and substantially compliant in the direction of displacement of the displacement mechanism. A second flexure can be configured to support the second specimen support and/or loading assembly on a base. The second flexure is substantially compliant in the direction of loading of the loading assembly and substantially rigid in the direction of displacement of the displacement mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Publication date: January 25, 2007
    Applicant: MTS Systems Corporation
    Inventors: John Bushey, Jason Christopherson, Steven Haeg
  • Platform balance
    Publication number: 20060191355
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a platform balance that is suitable for transmitting forces and moments in a plurality of directions. The platform balance is adapted to support a test specimen, such as a large vehicle, in a test environment such as a wind tunnel. The platform balance includes a frame support and at least three spaced-apart transducers coupled to the frame support. Each of the transducers is sensitive about two orthogonal sensed axes. The transducers cooperate to provide signals indicative of forces and moments with respect to at least two orthogonal axes. Each transducer includes a transducer body having a support coupled to a sensor body along an axis of compliance. The sensor body is adapted to deflect about the two orthogonal sensed axes where the sensed axes are mutually orthogonal to the axis of compliance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2006
    Publication date: August 31, 2006
    Applicant: MTS Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas Olson, Richard Meyer, Ian Kunsch
  • Multiple region convolver with tapering
    Patent number: 7062357
    Abstract: A multiple region convolver includes tapering between successive models of a physical system. The tapering is performed during a transition period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: MTS Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Merchant, Richard Lund, Doug Mann
  • Method and apparatus for generating input signals in a physical system
    Patent number: 7031949
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a physical system responsive to an input to produce a selected output comprises defining a virtual identity system that includes the physical system for receiving the input to provide an actual output. A quality of identity of the virtual identity system is checked using at least a function of the actual output. In a preferred embodiment, adjustments are made to a model of the physical system as a function the quality of identity in order to render the correct input more efficiently and accurately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: MTS Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Richard A. Lund
  • Transducer acceleration compensation with frequency domain amplitude and/or phase compensation
    Publication number: 20060070424
    Abstract: A method and system for correcting for the inertial error of a transducer as a function of frequency or effective mass coupling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2005
    Publication date: April 6, 2006
    Applicant: MTS Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Byron Saari, Steven Soderling
  • Characteristic strain and fracture resistance for scratch independently of indenter geometry
    Patent number: 6945097
    Abstract: The invention involves an apparatus and method for calculating characteristics of materials, such as equivalent strain, using an indenter where the method used is independent of indenter geometry. The method includes performing a scratch test to calculate the strain for each of a plurality of indenter shapes, such as a theoretical sphere and cone, using known equations. The strain of a composite indenter, such as a cone with a rounded tip, can then be determined taking into account contributions from each of the plurality of theoretical shapes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: MTS Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Vincent P. Jardret, Pierre Jean Morel
  • Folded magnetostrictive wave guide
    Patent number: 6919779
    Abstract: A magnetostrictive system is shown wherein there is included a wave guide but no return wire. The wave guide is folded and acts as the completed wire (whether solid or hollow) for conducting current for the current input pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: MTS Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander Raphalovitz, Arnold F. Sprecher, Jr., David S. Nyce
  • Method of ascertaining control parameters for a control system
    Patent number: 6917840
    Abstract: A method of ascertaining control parameters for a control system having a controller and a plant includes establishing a model of the plant and a model of the controller and calculating a performance index for a closed-loop system as a function of controller parameters, accounting for selected stability margins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: MTS Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Richard A. Lund
  • Platform balance
    Publication number: 20050120808
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a platform balance that is suitable for transmitting forces and moments in a plurality of directions. The platform balance is adapted to support a test specimen, such as a large vehicle, in a test environment such as a wind tunnel. The platform balance includes a frame support and at least three spaced-apart transducers coupled to the frame support. Each of the transducers is sensitive about two orthogonal sensed axes. The transducers cooperate to provide signals indicative of forces and moments with respect to at least two orthogonal axes. Each transducer includes a transducer body having a support coupled to a sensor body along an axis of compliance. The sensor body is adapted to deflect about the two orthogonal sensed axes where the sensed axes are mutually orthogonal to the axis of compliance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Publication date: June 9, 2005
    Applicant: MTS Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Meyer, Douglas Olson
  • Method to extend testing through integration of measured responses virtual models
    Publication number: 20050120802
    Abstract: A system and method to expand capabilities of simulation and durability testing of a specimen under test utilizing a virtual signal that is generated by combining the actual measured signal from a transducer with a supplemental or simulated signal created by a function based on position, load or another known or measurable parameter. This virtual signal may then be inserted into a control loop to adapt the system to this new, calculated or combined signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Publication date: June 9, 2005
    Applicant: MTS Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Bradley Schulz
  • Force element for vehicle impact crash simulator
    Publication number: 20050081656
    Abstract: Embodiments of a crash simulator sled assembly are disclosed. The crash simulator sled assembly can include a sled, an element movable relative to the sled, and a force element, such as a damper assembly or actuator assembly, coupled to the element. A second sled can also be connected to the element. The damper assembly can control relative movement of the element relative to the sled, while the actuator can develop force to replace force attributable to mass. This provides advantages for more efficient and effective test crash simulation and research.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2004
    Publication date: April 21, 2005
    Applicant: MTS Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Byron Saari, F. Albright, Ross Leuer
  • Spindle mounted telemetry system
    Patent number: 6876311
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a telemetry assembly for a spindle. The telemetry assembly includes a wireless transmitter coupled to the spindle to rotate therewith and a receiving antenna wirelessly coupled to the transmitter. A guiding system having a central aperture and coupled to the wireless transmitter and the receiving antenna guides rotation of the wireless transmitter relative to the receiving antenna. If desired, the telemetry assembly can be used in a telemetry system including a hub adapter mountable to the spindle and a transducer mountable to the hub adapter. Furthermore, an angular positioning device and a wireless power coupling can be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: MTS Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Jodi L. Sommerfeld, Richard A. Meyer, Brett A. Larson, Douglas J. Olson
  • Multi-axis load cell
    Patent number: 6845675
    Abstract: A load cell is provided that includes first and second sensor support assemblies. Each sensor support assembly has a rigid central hub having an end plate and a support element extending transversely from the end plate and also includes a rigid annular ring concentric with the central hub. A first mount is joined to the end plate of the first sensor support assembly, the mount being spaced apart from and extending in the same direction as the support element of the first sensor support assembly. A first plurality of sensing devices are operably coupled between the support element of the first and second sensing support assemblies and the corresponding annular rings, respectively. The end plates of the first and second sensor support assemblies are joined together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: MTS Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Richard A. Meyer, Douglas J. Olson
  • Variable electromagnetic damping apparatus
    Patent number: 6844721
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for providing damping in a displacement device that moves an element. The displacement device has a permanent magnet generating a first magnetic field and a first coil movable with the element. The first coil receives a selected current from an external source to generate a second magnetic field. The damping method includes moving a second coil in at least one magnetic field to generate a current in the second coil. The method includes varying the current in the second coil to vary the damping in the displacement device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: MTS Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Warren C. Oliver
  • Low duty cycle oscillator
    Patent number: 6791427
    Abstract: A circuit is shown which outputs a pulse width having a duty cycle of less than 50% and the circuit having an oscillator providing a desired repetition rate controlled by a changing RC time constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: MTS Systems Corporation
    Inventor: David S. Nyce
  • Detecting a significant event in experimental data and use of such for detection of engagement during a mechanical test
    Publication number: 20040153292
    Abstract: A method of determining onset of a significant event, such as point of engagement, in experimental data such as data measured during indenter or tensile/compression tests. The measured data is processed by differentiation and/or integration to generate a plurality of processed series. The method includes setting an upper bound and a lower bound based on thresholds selected as multiples of a standard deviation. The significant event is determined from one or both of the upper and lower bounds. The method can include calculating an uncertainty for the significant event determination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2004
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Applicant: MTS Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Jennifer Hay
  • Multi-axis load cell body
    Patent number: 6769312
    Abstract: A load cell comprises two rings having at least three tubes extending from the first ring to the second ring. Sensors are mounted on the tubes to measure strain of the load cell body in a plurality of directions. The load cell can further be mounted on a vehicle spindle to measure forces and moments of a wheel assembly at the spindle as a vehicle is operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: MTS Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Richard A. Meyer, Alan J. Kempainen, Douglas J. Olson
  • High axial stiffness swivel joint
    Patent number: 6758623
    Abstract: A swivel joint according to the present invention includes first and second base members. A spider includes first and second arcuate surfaces which form joints with the first and second base members, respectively. Furthermore, the spider includes first and second pins both opposed from each other and third and fourth pins opposed from each other. A first mechanism is coupled to the spider and the first base member and is adapted to effect a force between the first arcuate surface and the first base member. Also, a second mechanism is coupled to the spider and the second base member and is adapted to effect a force between the second arcuate surface and the second base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: MTS Systems Corporation
    Inventor: John A. Bushey
  • Motorcycle cornering simulator
    Patent number: 6733294
    Abstract: A testing machine and method are provided for simulating cornering loads on at least a vehicle component. This testing machine and method includes an actuator having an actuator rod oriented at an angle with respect to a level support surface, the angle being selected as a function of a cornering angle of the vehicle during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: MTS Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Robin Tuluie, Paul J. Carroll, Gary Stewart