Abstract: A method for detecting defects in battery cells includes receiving an X-Ray radiographic image of a battery cell and segmenting the X-Ray radiographic image into regions of interest using a classifier. The method includes processing the segmented X-Ray radiographic image using the classifier to identify features of the battery cell, detecting whether one or more of the features in the processed X-Ray radiographic image is defective using the classifier, and determining using the classifier whether the battery cell is defective based on whether one or more of the features in the processed X-Ray radiographic image is defective.

Abstract: A seal system for retaining a seal in between a fixed quarter glass and a moveable window glass can include a first seal carrier attached to the fixed quarter glass, a second seal carrier attached to the first seal carrier, a seal retained by the first and second seal carriers, and a beauty cover disposed over the first and second seal carriers when viewed from inside a vehicle. The seal system can be assembled by attaching the first seal carrier to the quarter glass, joining the second seal carrier to the first seal carrier, placing the seal such that it is retained by the first and second seal carriers, and fitting the first and second seal carriers with the beauty cover. When assembled, the seal system retains the seal to seal the vehicle between the fixed quarter glass and the movable window glass.

Abstract: A seal system for retaining a seal in between a fixed quarter glass and a moveable window glass can include a first seal carrier attached to the fixed quarter glass, a second seal carrier attached to the first seal carrier, a seal retained by the first and second seal carriers, and a beauty cover disposed over the first and second seal carriers when viewed from inside a vehicle. The seal system can be assembled by attaching the first seal carrier to the quarter glass, joining the second seal carrier to the first seal carrier, placing the seal such that it is retained by the first and second seal carriers, and fitting the first and second seal carriers with the beauty cover. When assembled, the seal system retains the seal to seal the vehicle between the fixed quarter glass and the movable window glass.

Abstract: An environmental conditioning assembly for use in mechanical testing at scales of microns or less. The assembly includes an enclosure housing with an environmental cavity therein. A sample stage is positioned within the environmental cavity and includes an option sample heater. The enclosure housing includes a cavity perimeter clustered around the sample stage, and the enclosure housing isolates the environmental cavity and the sample stage from an environment exterior to the enclosure housing. In an example, an expansion and contraction linkage maintains a sample on the sample stage at a static elevation according to heating or cooling fluctuations within the environmental cavity. A testing instrument access port extends through the enclosure housing into the environmental cavity.

Abstract: A heating assembly configured for use in mechanical testing at a scale of microns or less. The heating assembly includes a probe tip assembly configured for coupling with a transducer of the mechanical testing system. The probe tip assembly includes a probe tip heater system having a heating element, a probe tip coupled with the probe tip heater system, and a heater socket assembly. The heater socket assembly, in one example, includes a yoke and a heater interface that form a socket within the heater socket assembly. The probe tip heater system, coupled with the probe tip, is slidably received and clamped within the socket.

Abstract: An environmental conditioning assembly for use in mechanical testing at scales of microns or less. The assembly includes an enclosure housing with an environmental cavity therein. A sample stage is positioned within the environmental cavity and includes an option sample heater. The enclosure housing includes a cavity perimeter clustered around the sample stage, and the enclosure housing isolates the environmental cavity and the sample stage from an environment exterior to the enclosure housing. In an example, an expansion and contraction linkage maintains a sample on the sample stage at a static elevation according to heating or cooling fluctuations within the environmental cavity. A testing instrument access port extends through the enclosure housing into the environmental cavity.

Abstract: An automated testing system includes systems and methods to facilitate inline production testing of samples at a micro (multiple microns) or less scale with a mechanical testing instrument. In an example, the system includes a probe changing assembly for coupling and decoupling a probe of the instrument. The probe changing assembly includes a probe change unit configured to grasp one of a plurality of probes in a probe magazine and couple one of the probes with an instrument probe receptacle. An actuator is coupled with the probe change unit, and the actuator is configured to move and align the probe change unit with the probe magazine and the instrument probe receptacle. In another example, the automated testing system includes a multiple degree of freedom stage for aligning a sample testing location with the instrument. The stage includes a sample stage and a stage actuator assembly including translational and rotational actuators.

Abstract: An automated testing system includes systems and methods to facilitate inline production testing of samples at a micro (multiple microns) or less scale with a mechanical testing instrument. In an example, the system includes a probe changing assembly for coupling and decoupling a probe of the instrument. The probe changing assembly includes a probe change unit configured to grasp one of a plurality of probes in a probe magazine and couple one of the probes with an instrument probe receptacle. An actuator is coupled with the probe change unit, and the actuator is configured to move and align the probe change unit with the probe magazine and the instrument probe receptacle. In another example, the automated testing system includes a multiple degree of freedom stage for aligning a sample testing location with the instrument. The stage includes a sample stage and a stage actuator assembly including translational and rotational actuators.

Abstract: A heating assembly configured for use in mechanical testing at a scale of microns or less. The heating assembly includes a probe tip assembly configured for coupling with a transducer of the mechanical testing system. The probe tip assembly includes a probe tip heater system having a heating element, a probe tip coupled with the probe tip heater system, and a heater socket assembly. The heater socket assembly, in one example, includes a yoke and a heater interface that form a socket within the heater socket assembly. The probe tip heater system, coupled with the probe tip, is slidably received and clamped within the socket.

Abstract: An automated testing system includes systems and methods to facilitate inline production testing of samples at a micro (multiple microns) or less scale with a mechanical testing instrument. In an example, the system includes a probe changing assembly for coupling and decoupling a probe of the instrument. The probe changing assembly includes a probe change unit configured to grasp one of a plurality of probes in a probe magazine and couple one of the probes with an instrument probe receptacle. An actuator is coupled with the probe change unit, and the actuator is configured to move and align the probe change unit with the probe magazine and the instrument probe receptacle. In another example, the automated testing system includes a multiple degree of freedom stage for aligning a sample testing location with the instrument. The stage includes a sample stage and a stage actuator assembly including translational and rotational actuators.

Abstract: An automated testing system includes systems and methods to facilitate inline production testing of samples at a micro (multiple microns) or less scale with a mechanical testing instrument. In an example, the system includes a probe changing assembly for coupling and decoupling a probe of the instrument. The probe changing assembly includes a probe change unit configured to grasp one of a plurality of probes in a probe magazine and couple one of the probes with an instrument probe receptacle. An actuator is coupled with the probe change unit, and the actuator is configured to move and align the probe change unit with the probe magazine and the instrument probe receptacle. In another example, the automated testing system includes a multiple degree of freedom stage for aligning a sample testing location with the instrument. The stage includes a sample stage and a stage actuator assembly including translational and rotational actuators.

Abstract: An automated testing system includes systems and methods to facilitate inline production testing of samples at a micro (multiple microns) or less scale with a mechanical testing instrument. In an example, the system includes a probe changing assembly for coupling and decoupling a probe of the instrument. The probe changing assembly includes a probe change unit configured to grasp one of a plurality of probes in a probe magazine and couple one of the probes with an instrument probe receptacle. An actuator is coupled with the probe change unit, and the actuator is configured to move and align the probe change unit with the probe magazine and the instrument probe receptacle. In another example, the automated testing system includes a multiple degree of freedom stage for aligning a sample testing location with the instrument. The stage includes a sample stage and a stage actuator assembly including translational and rotational actuators.

Abstract: An automated testing system includes systems and methods to facilitate inline production testing of samples at a micro (multiple microns) or less scale with a mechanical testing instrument. In an example, the system includes a probe changing assembly for coupling and decoupling a probe of the instrument. The probe changing assembly includes a probe change unit configured to grasp one of a plurality of probes in a probe magazine and couple one of the probes with an instrument probe receptacle. An actuator is coupled with the probe change unit, and the actuator is configured to move and align the probe change unit with the probe magazine and the instrument probe receptacle. In another example, the automated testing system includes a multiple degree of freedom stage for aligning a sample testing location with the instrument. The stage includes a sample stage and a stage actuator assembly including translational and rotational actuators.

Abstract: The invention provides a crusher block assembly for a particulate size reduction system including a crusher block having an inboard face configured and adapted to cooperate with a swing hammer in a crusher chamber of a particulate size reduction system to crush particulate, and an outboard face for receiving an adjustment mechanism. The crusher block assembly also includes an adjustment mechanism joined to the outboard face on the crusher block. The adjustment mechanism is configured and adapted to adjust the position of the crusher block along a direction between an inboard location and an outboard location within the crusher chamber. The invention also provides a method of adjusting clearance between a swing hammer and a crusher block in a particulate size reduction system.

Abstract: The invention provides a particulate size reduction system including a grinding chamber, a center shaft defining an axis of rotation and configured for rotational motion within the grinding chamber, a wheel assembly mounted on the center shaft and at least one swing hammer mounted on the wheel assembly. The at least one swing hammer preferably includes a base portion having a first end having a mounting portion for attachment to a wheel assembly of a material treatment system, a second end, an inboard portion proximate the mounting and an outboard portion proximate the second end. The swing hammer also preferably includes a wear pad disposed on the base portion that preferably includes an interrupted surface to improve wear resistance of the swing hammer.