Abstract: A roadway simulator restraint system supports a vehicle at each of its wheels on simulated roadways which comprise endless belts suitably driven to cause wheel rotation. A plurality of passive links are provided for restraining the vehicle in longitudinal, lateral, and yaw degrees of freedom, while permitting free motion in roll and pitch moments, and vertical directions. Additionally, the linkages can provide inputs in aerodynamic force directions to simulate responses to vehicle dynamics during actual operation. The individual roadways that support the wheels can be independently controlled as to speed, and can be turned. Suitable force measurements are made in desired axes to provide for a complete controlled simulation of vehicle operation on an actual roadway.

Abstract: A specimen grip for a test specimen that has an actuator for operating the grip remotely mounted and coupled to the grip through a tubular housing which provides for temperature isolation between the grip and the actuator. The grip is specifically adapted to be used in environmental chambers where the grip must operate in either high or low temperatures which can have an effect on the hydraulic actuator used in the grip and connected devices, such as load sensors. By maintaining the actuator on the exterior of the environmental chamber by having a pair of modules that are connected by a sectional connector, a grip can be installed through small ports in the environmental chamber. Once installed, the assembly permits viable operation because the actuator is temperature isolated from the chamber.

Abstract: A vehicle spindle test fixture that permits applying a brake load torque to the spindle or test unit has a loading actuator that will permit high input force levels, while keeping the coupled mass that must be moved during the test operation at a reasonably low level. In testing a vehicle spindle ideally, the mass carried by the test spindle would be equal to the wheel and tire. Because of larger physical sizes, the linkage design problem has become more difficult. The present invention reduces the total coupled mass for brake torque testing by utilizing a unique linkage arrangement that reduces the size of the input used for brake torque.

Abstract: A feeder conveyor system for transferring randomly spaced products received from an input conveyor to precise locations within flites of a wrapper conveyor. A plurality of conveyors, prior to the wrapper conveyor, are independently driven by product positioning drive subsystems. Each product positioning drive subsystem associates products on its respective conveyor with target flites on the wrapper conveyor, and characterizes positional errors of the products on the conveyor relative to their associated target flites as being in one of a plurality of discrete positional error states representing a range of errors. The velocity of the conveyors controlled by the positioning drive subsystem as a function of the positional error state and the fill state of the associated target flite and flite previous to the target flite. A plurality of spacing conveyors are positioned upstream from the positioning conveyors and are independently driven by products spacing drive subsystems.

Abstract: A magnetostrictive linear position transducer generating a 4-20 ma output in response to the position of a position indicating magnet. System resolution is enhanced by averaging in the analogue domain, a digitally developed position location signal.

Abstract: A digital computer-based degree of freedom (DOF) control system for driving a moving ram of a hydraulic press about a plurality of degrees of freedom as a function of a preestablished motion control program. Actuators responsive to actuator commands drive the moving ram at a plurality of spaced locations. Digital feedback data representative of the positions and loads of the moving ram at the spaced locations are stored in memory. Motion control data representative of the motion control program is also stored in memory. A digital control computer implementing servoloop operations generates the actuator commands as a function of the feedback data and motion control data.

Abstract: Parallel multistage, multirate digital filters are executed by a digital signal processor for signals on a plurality of channels. Parallel signals are converted from a first sampling frequency to a second sampling frequency by applying the signal from each channel to one of the substantially identical multistage, multirate digital filters. Each stage of each multistage, multirate digital filter includes a plurality of subfilters and a commutator for indicating a subfilter for execution. The commutators index at the same frequency for like stages of each multistage, multirate digital filters. Initial commutator positions are staggered between multistage, multirate digital filters at at least the highest rate stage. Variable delay lines may be included in each channel to compensate for interchannel data skew introduced by commutator staggering.

Abstract: A magnetostrictive linear position transducer including a position indicating magnet. Magnet position information is fed back to the detector to automatically control the detector threshold as a function of magnet position.

Abstract: A mechanical tire emulator for spindle coupled road simulators. It simulates the real case tire impedance characteristics, including wheel hop, between the servo actuator produced vertical road input motion and the vehicle spindle. By simulating the loading impedance of the tire using a fluid pressure actuator loading through a compressible fluid cushion and substituting this actuator device for the rigid vertical link on prior art spindle coupled road simulators, the overall mounting arrangement is simplified over that when a tire itself is mounted on a wheel for such testing.

Abstract: A damping device for damping mechanical vibrations in a small diameter elongated member, such as a waveguide carrying torsional strain waves, includes a damping material contained inside a housing on the waveguide, the damping material is a viscous liquid that does not evaporate or change viscosity over a wide temperature range and which has additives for providing adequate mass density for damping vibrations in such elongated member. The use of a viscous liquid and additives for changing the mass density permits varying the mass density to match impedances and reduce the amplitudes of any reflective waves. The viscous liquid preferably comprises a silicone base oil partially filled with zinc oxide and metal particles to give the characteristic of stable viscosity across a wide range of temperature and provide the necessary attenuation while obtaining good coupling of the damping material to the elongated member.

Abstract: A displacement transducer utilizes a torsional strain waveguide having a magnetic member that is adjustable positioned along the length of the waveguide, when an electrical current pulse is passed along the waveguide and reaches the magnet torsional strain wave is created in the waveguide. The torsional strain wave will be reflected back toward a mounting end of the waveguide where a converter or sensor is positioned to sense the strain wave signal and convert it to an electrical output signal. The strain wave signals have signal lobes of a time period. A waveguide mounting block supports the waveguide at the mounting end and provides a reflection point for the torsional strain waves. The waveguide mounting block is on an opposite side of the signal sensor from the magnet.

Abstract: A capacitive extensometer has an extensometer frame formed of a pair of arms having first ends with specimen contacting members and which are connected together about a hinge axis at second remote ends. The specimen contacting members engage the surfaces of a specimen to be tested. A capacitive type sensing arrangement is mounted on the arms, and is used with conventional circuitry for determining arm motion. The sensing members are located to insure adequate output, and can be located to the exterior of the periphery of the extensometer arm assembly. The ability to mount the capacitor sensor appropriately, while obtaining a relatively large output signal enhances the operability of the extensometer.

Abstract: A sonic delay line assembly suitable for shipping in coiled form allowing for expedited installation, particularly in liquid storage tanks. The sonic delay line comprises a sonic waveguide made of solid wire, which also serves as an electrical pulse conductor for the generation of sonic pulses on waveguide through interaction with a positionable static magnetic field. A sonic waveguide containment can be provided to protect the flexible tubing and sonic waveguide. Positioned around the containment and free to ride up and down the containment as liquid levels in the tank vary is a float. The float carries an annular magnet with poles axially aligned with sonic waveguide to provide the magnetic field with which the magnetic fields of the electrical pulses on the sonic waveguide interact.

Abstract: A hydraulic press has smooth columns that mount relatively movable mold support platens on a base and a ram or cross head. The bed and ram are rigid, low deflection fabricated members mounted on the columns. The clamps that clamp the movable ram in molding position have integrated pressing and stripping cylinders for performing the actual molding operation. The movable ram member is opened and closed with actuators separate from the molding force cylinders. The construction permits making a lighter weight press without a heavy crown at the top of the press.

Abstract: A pressure vessel fatigue test system has an adjustable mounting arrangement for a pressure vessel that can have open ends or closed ends, and which is to be subjected to a very high value, short duration pressure pulses, under controlled test conditions, to determine fatigue life of the vessel. In order to provide a pulse of high pressure that smiulates pulse pressures that may be present in the vessel, a cylinder having a bore filled with hydraulic oil is open to the interior of the vessel, and the vessel is also filled with hydraulic oil. A pressure generating piston is slidable in the bore or the cylinder and has a substantial mass that is attached to it. The mass is accelerated rapidly under control of an actuator in response to a control signal. When the piston first moves from a retracted position the oil in the cylinder bore is displaced into a low pressure accumulator.

Abstract: A high temperature extensometer system carries specimen contact rods of substantial length which pass through openings in a furnace to engage a specimen in such furnace. The rods are supported at the exterior of the furnace on a paralleogram linkage support frame made to provide an output indicating specimen strain as the contact rods separate and also made with parallel beams which shift so the rods can move differentially in longitudinally axial direction. The rods shift axially when the specimen and test loading grips shift in position, for example when the grips and specimen are initially heated.

Abstract: An extensometer support system having vibration damping mountings for parts that have substantial mass and which are subjected to external vibrations. Such parts include counterweights for counterbalancing the extensometer and also the mounting for an external support frame for the extensometer. The vibration damping comprises a mounting made of a suitable damping material, such as a silicone foam rubber.

Abstract: A mechanical screw drive loading test frame has a crosshead on the frame with a grip supported from the crosshead, and a second grip for gripping a second end of a specimen on which a second grip is connected to an axially movable shaft which is ragidly supported and guided for axial movement for loading the specimen. The support for the second grip is in a second rigid cross member positioned very close to the second grip to prevent lateral loads from loading the specimen transversly. The loading shaft is loaded from below the rigid cross member by a screw through a coupling and mounting arrangement which isolates load caused by misalignment in the drive screw or drive motor from the movable shaft and second grip.

Abstract: A vehicle restraint system for testing vehicles has vehicle restraint linkages which couple to a vehicle mounted on a simulated roadway to provide restraint in selected axes and to permit freedom of movement in other axes in a manner that permits the automobile to react as it would when being driven over an actual roadway. The restraint system is made to combine and limit lateral, longitudinal and yaw motions with a minimum effect on the handling properties in other axes of movement. The restraint system includes selective, active servo positioning in the restrained axes so that the position of the vehicle can be maintained so that the vehicle tires are kept within a load support area of the simulated roadway without substantially affecting the vehicle handling properties. The linkages used are operated through actuators that can also be used as passive restraints, that is, providing a spring force to maintain the vehicle in a desired location.

Abstract: A tensile test grip for holding a specimen has a pullrod that is mounted in an annular bore, and carries a piston head that fits within a piston chamber, and both the pullrod and piston head are sealed on their outer surfaces with respect to the body forming the piston chamber, to form an enclosed chamber in which hydraulic fluid can be provided to permit swiveling alignment of the pullrod and the piston head relative to the housing that is a function of the direction of loading between the pullrod and the housing. The seal on the pullrod and the seal on the piston head with respect to the respective surfaces on which they seal is on a very short part spherical land to permit the pullrod and piston head to shift with respect to the housing and provide self alignment. The pullrod and piston can swivel freely for a limited amount to provide alignment during tensile loads.