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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Abstract: A friction stir welding spindle includes a support having a center bore. A spindle shaft is adapted to support a stir welding tool and extends within the bore. A bearing assembly allows simultaneous rotational and axial displacement of spindle shaft in the bore relative to the support. A sensing device is adapted to provide an output signal indicative of at least one of a force coincident with axial displacement of the spindle shaft and an axial position of the spindle shaft.

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.

Abstract: A rolling wheel testing apparatus includes a spindle assembly adapted to support a tire and wheel assembly for rotation. The spindle assembly includes an output shaft end having a plurality of holes extending into the shaft end substantially parallel to an axis of rotation of the spindle assembly. A plurality of signal wires are provided in particular. A signal wire is disposed in each of the holes.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension strut is disclosed that includes a housing having a chamber and a piston slidably disposed in the chamber. A piston rod is connected to the piston and extends out of the housing. The piston rod includes a bore extending longitudinally therein. A magnetostrictive transducer provides an output signal indicative of the piston position with respect to the housing. The magnetostrictive transducer includes a magnetostrictive waveguide disposed in the bore and a magnet joined to the housing that is operably coupled to the magnetostrictive waveguide and the magnetostrictive waveguide abruptly terminates at one end.

Abstract: A powder feed nozzle for laser welding applications including a multiple outlet nozzle tip for focusing a discharged powder stream. The multiple outlet nozzle tip disperses multiple outlet streams and includes a powder discharge outlet and at least one focus gas discharge outlet, radially spaced from the powder discharge outlet, for dispersing a powder stream and a gas stream. Powder flows from a powder source through a powder channel to discharge a powder stream. Focus gas flows through a focus gas channel angled relative to the powder channel to discharge a focus gas stream.

Abstract: A material testing system includes a base and first and second specimen holders. A first displacement sensor measures displacement of the first specimen holder relative to the base. In addition, a second displacement sensor measures displacement of the second specimen holder relative to the base.

Abstract: A device for measuring thin films and bulks is disclosed using slow-wave structures in electrodynamic elements to allow a decrease in frequency, an increase in sensitivity to electromagnetic parameters and accuracy of their monitoring. A method is also disclosed for monitoring of materials which includes placing an electrodynamic element near a monitored material and exciting an alternating electromagnetic field at an appropriate frequency to penetrate the monitored material concentrating in a small volume. Electromagnetic field parameters are then measured which are caused by the material parameters variation and said variations are converted to electromagnetic field parameters, the element being excited by an electromagnetic field in the form of at least one slowed electromagnetic wave.

Abstract: An oscillating circuit is disclosed which is responsive to frequency variations caused by parameter changes in an associated slow wave structure sensitive element. A local oscillator and mixer circuit is used to subtract an offset frequency output to reset the oscillation frequency of the slow wave structure so that the output frequency will be in a range starting substantially at zero.

Abstract: A loading assembly used in a vehicle spindle test fixture includes a wheel adapter housing that is mountable to a vehicle spindle. A pair of vertical struts are provided. Each vertical strut is joined to the wheel adapter housing at spaced-apart first pivot connections. A bell crank is coupled to each end of the vertical struts at spaced-apart second pivot connections. An actuator is pivotally coupled to the bell crank at a third pivot connection. The location of the second pivot connections relative to the third pivot connection approximates the location of the first pivot connections relative to the spindle axis.

Abstract: A test specimen holder for holding a test specimen in a material testing machine includes a base member having a piston chamber, a valve chamber fluidly coupled to the piston chamber, a port fluidly coupled to the valve chamber and an end couplable to a material testing machine. A piston is movable relative to the piston chamber. A pair of first and second jaw assemblies are supported by the base members so as to be opposite each other. The jaw assemblies are operably coupled to the piston. A valve is disposed in the valve chamber and a valve stem is coupled to the valve. The valve stem is supported by the base member and is twistable to operate the valve. A user operable knob is coupled to the valve stem.

Abstract: A process for removing a modulation sinusoidal error from signals of a rotating load cell measuring forces and/or moments with respect to a non-rotating orthogonal coordinate system includes mounting the load cell to the rotating object and obtaining a first set of signals from the load cell, wherein at least one signal of the first set of signals is indicative of a load as the object rotates. A characterization of a modulation error is obtained from the first set of signals. The modulation error is a periodic signal having a frequency greater than and proportional to a frequency of revolution of the load cell. A second set of signals is obtained from the load cell pursuant to object loading. A modulation error in the second set of signals is calculated as a function of the characterization of the modulation error from the first set. The calculated modulation error in the second set of signals is subtracted from the second set of signals.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of operating a rolling wheel testing apparatus includes driving a tire and wheel assembly about an axis of rotation with a tire in rolling contact with a rotatable drum. Torque is sensed about the axis of rotation and rotation of the drum is inhibited so as to develop a selected amount of torque about the axis of rotation as the tire and wheel assembly is rotated.

Abstract: A magnetostrictive application probe is disclosed wherein the probe includes a preassembled sensor element mounted as an application housing installation as an installable unit. The modular nature allows interchanging with various electronic assemblies, and may be an explosion proof installation.

Abstract: An imaging system for controlling powder aiming in a molten puddle. In the imaging system of the present invention, an image processor extracts a first image of the molten puddle and a second image of a powder envelope from a composite image of the weld area. The first and second processed images provide feedback for process control.