Abstract: A method and testing apparatus including first and second load adjusting mechanisms for cyclically applying and reducing first and second tensile loads on a specimen and first and second controllers connected to the first and second load adjusting mechanisms for independently cycling the loads which are additive. Cycling the first and second loads for peak loading and over-peak loading the specimen respectively and controlling first and second loading rates and first and second dwell periods of first and second cycles for peak loading and over-peak loading respectively. The second load adjusting mechanism may include an inflatable over-peak device resting on a plate mounted to a frame of the apparatus. The device includes a hollow housing for supporting the second load, an inflatable bladder within the housing, and a bladder lower portion extending out of an opening at a bottom of the housing when the bladder is inflated.

Abstract: A method and testing apparatus including first and second load adjusting mechanisms for cyclically applying and reducing first and second tensile loads on a specimen and first and second controllers connected to the first and second load adjusting mechanisms for independently cycling the loads which are additive. Cycling the first and second loads for peak loading and over-peak loading the specimen respectively and controlling first and second loading rates and first and second dwell periods of first and second cycles for peak loading and over-peak loading respectively. The second load adjusting mechanism may include an inflatable over-peak device resting on a plate mounted to a frame of the apparatus. The device includes a hollow housing for supporting the second load, an inflatable bladder within the housing, and a bladder lower portion extending out of an opening at a bottom of the housing when the bladder is inflated.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for testing components comprising a loading system capable of applying and reducing mechanical loads on a test specimen, the loading system comprising a fluidic mechanical muscle coupled to a lever arm, the fluidic mechanical muscle having a sheath and a bladder disposed within the sheath and a control system that controls the operation of the fluidic mechanical muscle. An apparatus is disclosed comprising a frame, a lever arm associated with the frame, a fluidic mechanical muscle coupled to the lever arm, the fluidic mechanical muscle having a sheath and a bladder disposed within the sheath; and a control system that controls the operation of the fluidic mechanical muscle.

Abstract: A control system is disclosed for controlling a mechanical test comprising a flow control valve that controls a fluidic mechanical muscle having a sheath and a bladder disposed within the sheath, and a servo-controller that controls the operation of the flow control valve based on an output signal from a master controller based on an input signal corresponding to a desired test profile. A method of controlling a component test is disclosed comprising the steps of programming a test profile in a logic controller, supplying a signal to a master controller, supplying a signal from the master controller to a servo-controller, and controlling the flow of a fluid into a fluidic mechanical muscle having a sheath and a bladder disposed within the sheath for applying and reducing mechanical loads on a test specimen.

Abstract: A system for producing mechanical motion is provided. The system includes an actuator having a first end, a second end, and a radially expandable bladder assembly extending therebetween, and a source of pressurized fluid external to said actuator. The bladder assembly further includes an inner cavity. In addition, a substantially fixed-volume reservoir positioned within the cavity is provided, wherein the bladder assembly is configured to expand in a radial direction and contract in an axial direction when a volume of fluid is introduced from the reservoir into the inner cavity.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for testing components comprising a loading system capable of applying and reducing mechanical loads on a test specimen, the loading system comprising a fluidic mechanical muscle coupled to a lever arm, the fluidic mechanical muscle having a sheath and a bladder disposed within the sheath and a control system that controls the operation of the fluidic mechanical muscle. An apparatus is disclosed comprising a frame, a lever arm associated with the frame, a fluidic mechanical muscle coupled to the lever arm, the fluidic mechanical muscle having a sheath and a bladder disposed within the sheath; and a control system that controls the operation of the fluidic mechanical muscle.

Abstract: A control system is disclosed for controlling a mechanical test comprising a flow control valve that controls a fluidic mechanical muscle having a sheath and a bladder disposed within the sheath, and a servo-controller that controls the operation of the flow control valve based on an output signal from a master controller based on an input signal corresponding to a desired test profile. A method of controlling a component test is disclosed comprising the steps of programming a test profile in a logic controller, supplying a signal to a master controller, supplying a signal from the master controller to a servo-controller, and controlling the flow of a fluid into a fluidic mechanical muscle having a sheath and a bladder disposed within the sheath for applying and reducing mechanical loads on a test specimen.

Abstract: A system which cyclically applies and reduces a load on a test specimen to thereby subject the test specimen to tensile testing, wherein the system comprises a fluidic mechanical muscle that contracts and extends in length to cyclically apply and reduce the load. This system can use an apparatus comprising: (a) a frame; (b) a load adjusting section associated with the frame and having a fluidic mechanical muscle that contracts and extends in length to cyclically apply and reduce a load; (c) a load train section associated with the frame for subjecting a test specimen to the load; and (d) a lever arm associated with the frame and having load train end adjacent and connected or attached to or otherwise associated with the load train section and a load adjusting end adjacent to and connected or attached to or otherwise associated with the load adjusting section, the lever arm being configured to apply and reduce the load from the loading adjusting section to the load train section.

Abstract: A system for producing mechanical motion is provided. The system includes an actuator having a first end, a second end, and a radially expandable bladder assembly extending therebetween, and a source of pressurized fluid external to said actuator. The bladder assembly further includes an inner cavity. In addition, a substantially fixed-volume reservoir positioned within the cavity is provided, wherein the bladder assembly is configured to expand in a radial direction and contract in an axial direction when a volume of fluid is introduced from the reservoir into the inner cavity.

Abstract: A system which cyclically applies and reduces a load on a test specimen to thereby subject the test specimen to tensile testing, wherein the system comprises a fluidic mechanical muscle that contracts and extends in length to cyclically apply and reduce the load. This system can use an apparatus comprising: (a) a frame; (b) a load adjusting section associated with the frame and having a fluidic mechanical muscle that contracts and extends in length to cyclically apply and reduce a load; (c) a load train section associated with the frame for subjecting a test specimen to the load; and (d) a lever arm associated with the frame and having load train end adjacent and connected or attached to or otherwise associated with the load train section and a load adjusting end adjacent to and connected or attached to or otherwise associated with the load adjusting section, the lever arm being configured to apply and reduce the load from the loading adjusting section to the load train section.

Abstract: A system which cyclically applies and reduces a load on a test specimen and which can use an apparatus comprising: (a) a frame; (b) a load adjusting section having a fluidic mechanical muscle that contracts and extends in length to cyclically apply and reduce a load; (c) a load train section frame for subjecting a test specimen to the load; and (d) a lever arm configured to apply and reduce the load from the loading adjusting section to the load train section. The system and apparatus can be used in a method for cyclically applying and reducing a load on a test specimen to thereby subject the test specimen to tensile testing and can also comprise a mechanism for decoupling at least a portion of the load from the test specimen when the load is reduced.

Abstract: A plurality of gas turbine components or other articles are manufactured from a plurality of metallic-alloy workpieces using a manufacturing apparatus having a metalworking apparatus, and an annealing apparatus wherein the individual workpieces are annealed by single-workpiece annealing and not by large-batch annealing. A workpiece flow of the plurality of workpieces is established sequentially through the metalworking apparatus and the annealing apparatus.

Abstract: A plurality of gas turbine components or other articles are manufactured from a plurality of metallic-alloy workpieces using a manufacturing apparatus having a metalworking apparatus, and an annealing apparatus wherein the individual workpieces are annealed by single-workpiece annealing and not by large-batch annealing. A workpiece flow of the plurality of workpieces is established sequentially through the metalworking apparatus and the annealing apparatus.