Abstract: Disclosed is a material testing system that includes a fixture, a frame, a load sensor, a displacement sensor and a computer system coupled to the material testing system. The computer system includes one or more processors, one or more memory devices coupled to the one or more processors, one or more computer readable storage devices coupled to the one or more processors, wherein the one or more storage devices contain program code executable by the one or more processors via the one or more memory devices to implement a method for detecting a change in a material testing sequence. A computer program product that implements a method for detecting a change in a material test sequence, and methods for detecting a change in a material test sequence or fatigue test is further disclosed.

Abstract: Described are systems and methods for fixture identification in test systems. A method for fixture identification in a test system may include capturing image data representative of a first fixture of the test system with an imaging device. The method may further include transmitting the image data representative of the first fixture from the imaging device to a processor running an image recognition application. The method may also include identifying the first fixture based on the image data with the processor running the image recognition application.

Abstract: Described is a calorimeter that includes a thermal column, a sample container, a reference container, a thermal shield, a diffusion-bonded block and a thermal plate. One or more heat flux sensors are disposed between the thermal column and the sample container and between the thermal column and the reference container. The thermal shield is in thermal communication with the thermal column and is separated from and substantially encloses the sample container, reference container and thermal column. The diffusion-bonded block includes a first metallic layer having a first thermal conductivity, a second metallic layer having a second thermal conductivity and a third metallic layer having a third thermal conductivity. The second thermal conductivity is different from the first and third thermal conductivities. The first metallic layer is in thermal communication with the base of the thermal column and the third metallic layer is in thermal communication with the thermal plate.

Abstract: A rheological system includes a sample chamber, a compressed air system configured to provide compressed air to pressurize the sample chamber, and a rotor configured for rheological measurement of a material with variable volume, the rotor including an elongated shaft extending to a measurement portion having a widened geometry relative to the elongated shaft. The rotor is dimensioned such that a compression ratio of at least 5 to 1 is achievable while maintaining material cover of the sample over the entirety of the measurement portion of the rotor, the compression ratio being defined by a decompressed volume of a sample when the sample chamber is not pressurized to a compressed volume of the sample when the sample chamber is pressurized. Methods of taking rheological measurements with such a rotor are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a material testing system that includes an output shaft configured to be moved by operation of a motor, the output shaft coupleable to a test specimen such that movement of the output shaft imparts a mechanical force on the test specimen. The material testing system includes a haptic feedback system configured to provide an operator of the material testing system haptic feedback related to a position or state of the output shaft relative to the test specimen during setup. Methods of testing using haptic feedback are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an electric machine. The electric machine includes an internal housing, an armature coil disposed within the internal housing and separated from the internal housing by a gap, and a magnetic core associated with the armature coil. The apparatus also includes a fan configured to cause air to flow in the gap between the armature coil and the internal housing.

Abstract: In a mechanical test system, a method of compensating for acceleration induced load error in a load sensor in a mechanical communication with a component comprises measuring an acceleration of the component to obtain an acceleration measurement. A load sensor measures a force applied by the mechanical test system to a test sample in substantially a same direction of the acceleration to obtain a force measurement. The force measurement is modified with a transfer function that includes at least one of a gain correction and a phase correction to compensate for an error value in the force measurement attributed to movement of at least the load sensor when the force is applied to the test sample.

Abstract: An electromagnetic motor includes a stator and an armature arranged to move substantially linearly relative to the stator in an intended direction during operation of the motor. A first and second flexure are connected to a first end of the armature. Each flexure has a longest portion which lies substantially in a plane that intersects a plane in which the armature lies at a substantially right angle. The flexures allow motion of the armature in the intended direction while resisting motion of the armature in one or more other degrees of freedom.

Abstract: A conditioning system includes a sample chamber capable of receiving a specimen as well as first and second specimen-holding fixtures positioned within the sample chamber and configured to apply mechanical stimulation to a specimen held by the fixtures. The system has at least one port capable of providing a fluid to the sample chamber. The chamber is sized and shaped so that it can be inserted into an imaging device which can record images of a specimen held by the fixtures.

Abstract: This document provides mechanical seals that include one or more rolling diaphragms. In one example embodiment, this document provides double rolling diaphragm seals that are usable in conjunction with various types of equipment including, but not limited to, accelerated life testing systems. In such a context, the double rolling diaphragm seals facilitate high-speed linear modulation of a variable volume pressure vessel, while maintaining precise volumetric control. Such an arrangement can facilitate an essentially frictionless linear actuation system having a long stroke, long service life, and precise volumetric control. In addition, this document provides linear actuator systems that can be used in adverse environmental conditions.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a lamination stack for a motor stator. The lamination stack comprises a plurality of conductive laminates. The laminates are coupled to each other in a stacking direction along a stacking axis. Each laminate comprises a base, a plurality of fins extending from a first side of the base, a plurality of spacings between the fins, a row of teeth extending from a second side of the base opposite the first side, each tooth constructed and arranged to communicate with windings of a conductive coil, and a plurality of spacings between the teeth. The lamination stack also comprises a plurality of first channels formed from the spacings between the fins and a plurality of second channels formed from the spacings between the teeth. The first and second channels extend along the stacking axis.

Abstract: An electromagnetic motor includes a stator and an armature arranged to move substantially linearly relative to the stator in an intended direction during operation of the motor. A first and second flexure are connected to a first end of the armature. Each flexure has a longest portion which lies substantially in a plane that intersects a plane in which the armature lies at a substantially right angle. The flexures allow motion of the armature in the intended direction while resisting motion of the armature in one or more other degrees of freedom.

Abstract: This document provides systems and methods for testing of various kinds of valves. For example, this document provides systems and methods for accelerated life testing of prosthetic heart valves.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an electric machine. The electric machine includes an internal housing, an armature coil disposed within the internal housing and separated from the internal housing by a gap, and a magnetic core associated with the armature coil. The apparatus also includes a fan configured to cause air to flow in the gap between the armature coil and the internal housing.

Abstract: A system for applying mechanical stimulation to a biologic sample includes a first biologic sample chamber having a biologic sample holder therein, a support structure for holding the first biologic sample chamber, and a first actuator that can supply a mechanical load to a biologic sample held by the biologic sample holder. The actuator is configured to move into a first position proximate to the chamber in which the actuator can transmit the load to the biologic sample via a first transmission path that includes the biologic sample holder. A controller is configured to automatically move the first actuator into the first position.

Abstract: Stability of a control system for a materials testing system using specified filter parameters is confirmed by inputting to the control system a test signal having a predetermined waveform, automatically monitoring the output of the materials testing system, and automatically comparing the output to a threshold. If the output exceeds the threshold, a first action is taken. If the output does not exceed the threshold, input of a command signal to the control system is permitted.

Abstract: A rheometer includes a holder assembly for coupling a test specimen to a motor assembly to effect rotational strain in the test specimen while enabling the determination of axial displacement effected by the test specimen normal to the direction of the rotational strain, the holder assembly having a first member coupled to the test specimen, a second member coupled to the motor assembly, and a suspension arrangement coupling the first member with the second member for simultaneous maximum resistance to relative rotational displacement between the first and second members and minimum resistance to relative axial displacement between the first and second members.

Abstract: The invention relates to a platen to be used with a sample tray of an automatic sampler. According to an aspect, the platen includes both electrically conductive and reflective areas that can be used to calibrate the sample tray. According to another aspect, calibration of the sample tray can be performed in all three dimensions. According to another aspect, the platen is used to calibrate the sample tray, including its height and the location of its wells. The platen may include electrically-responsive (i.e., conductive) and optically-responsive (i.e., reflective) areas that can be sensed by electrical sensors and optical sensors in order to compute the coordinates of representative wells.

Abstract: The invention relates to an automatic sampler device. According to one aspect, the automatic sampler includes a cell having a sample platform and a reference platform; a sample tray; and a sample arm. The sample tray has wells into which sample pans and reference pans are inserted. The geometry of the automatic sampler device permits the sample platform, the reference platform, and the wells in the sample tray to be accessed by the sample arm along a common arc. According to another aspect, the automatic sampler device includes a sample tray with wells, a sample arm, and a gripper device. The gripper device has gripping fingers. The gripping fingers open or close in a manner that tends to center objects grasped by the gripper device. According to another aspect, the automatic sampler device includes a sample tray with wells, a sample arm, and a gripper device. The sample arm has an optical sensor and an electrical sensor.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a technique for performing calibration of an automatic sampler device. According to an aspect, the automatic sampler device includes a cell with a sample platform and a reference platform; a sample arm; a sample tray, and a platen. The sample tray includes wells into which pans are inserted. The platen may include conductive and/or reflective areas for calibration. The sample arm has an electronic sensor and an optical sensor. The electrical sensor and the optical sensor are used to calibrate the positions of one or more of: the sample platform, the reference platform, and a well. According to another aspect, autocalibration is optimized by adjusting autocalibration results with a set of stored offset coefficients. The offset coefficients are generated by performing a manual calibration. The difference between the results of the manual calibration and an autocalibration are stored as offset coefficients.