Abstract: The described technology can quantitatively evaluate a material embrittlement behavior under various gaseous hydrogen environments (temperature and pressure). The described technology may include a small-punch test device allowing a specimen to be fixed inside a jig comprising upper and lower dies, gas to be filled at the lower part of the specimen, and a punch for applying force to be included at the upper part thereof so as to bend the specimen in a vertical downward direction under an environment of the influent gas and measure the same. The small-punch test device also includes an insulating container provided so as to encompass the jig therein and a temperature measuring device connected to the inside of the insulating container so as to measure the internal temperature of the insulating container and the temperature of the specimen. The small-punch test device further includes a heat transfer device transferring heat to the specimen.

Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a methodology may be used to computationally simulate a system of equations relating to the junction points of a dynamic fracture network (DFN). The simulation may utilize one or more efficient algorithms to perform a realistic, physically conservative, and stable coupled simulation of the DFN's complex flows. These algorithms may use assumptions based on the transient Navier-Stokes equations to perform the proppant laden flow simulation. As described in detail below, the algorithms may utilize a numerical methodology that accurately simulates a junction system of equations arising from solving the fluid and proppant flows inside individual fractures based on Navier-Stokes equations along with a proppant transport equation.

Abstract: The present application relates generally rheometers. In one aspect, misalignment of the air cylinder with respect to the cross-head is accommodated using a flexible coupling between the air cylinder and the cross-head so as to prevent binding and stuttering of the machine due to misalignment.

Abstract: An occupancy sensor for detecting the occupancy state of an item occupiable by a human or animal occupant, e.g. a seat or a bed, the sensor including a thermistor, to be arranged in compression-dependent heat-conducting relationship with the occupiable item, and a control circuit operatively connected to the thermistor, where the control circuit is configured to derive an occupancy state of the occupiable item from a response of the thermistor to heat generated in or in vicinity of the thermistor.

Abstract: In one example, formation fluid flow through a fractured reservoir is simulated using conductivity of aged proppants. A first conductivity profile is received for a proppant. The first conductivity profile describes an ability of the proppant to permit formation fluid flow through a fracture network under reservoir conditions in a fractured reservoir that includes the proppant in the fracture network. The proppant is aged for a duration under the reservoir conditions of the fractured reservoir over the duration. After the duration, a second conductivity profile for the aged proppant is determined. An adjusted conductivity profile for the proppant is determined based on the first conductivity profile and the second conductivity profile. The adjusted conductivity profile is provided as an input conductivity profile for the proppant. The reservoir simulator simulates formation fluid flow through the fractured reservoir using the input conductivity profile.

Abstract: A heating furnace for testing middle and long span structures including a modular partition structure to adjust an inner volume of the heating furnace, effectively performing a load-coupled heating test of full scale members such as a beam, a short column, a slab, a conjunction frame, and a deck plate. The heating furnace for testing middle and long span structures includes a partition unit formed of a refractory material and partitioning a heating space in a main body to block transfer of heat generated from one space to the other space. A test sample is installed in the heating space of the main body partitioned by the partition unit according to a size of the test sample, and then, heat and a compression force are applied to the test sample to perform a fireproof performance test. The fireproof performance test of structure members having various lengths of 4 m, 6 m and 10 m can be performed, and consumption of various utilities consumed during the test can be optimized.

Abstract: A film is inserted between two rigid substrates which form a sample. The sample is fixed at a first end in a device for measuring creep. The device comprises means for applying a predetermined force on a free end of the sample. The film being sheared, study of its creep can be performed.

Abstract: Sample processing systems and methods of using those systems for processing sample materials located in sample processing devices are disclosed. The sample processing systems include a rotating base plate on which the sample processing devices are located during operation of the systems. The systems also include a cover and compression structure designed to force a sample processing device towards the base plate. The preferred result is that the sample processing device is forced into contact with a thermal structure on the base plate. The systems and methods of the present invention may include one or more of the following features to enhance thermal coupling between the thermal structure and the sample processing device: a shaped transfer surface, magnetic compression structure, and floating or resiliently mounted thermal structure. The methods may preferably involve deformation of a portion of a sample processing device to conform to a shaped transfer surface.

Abstract: Provided is a heating furnace for testing middle and long span structures including a modular partition structure to adjust an inner volume of the heating furnace, effectively performing a load-coupled heating test of full scale members such as a beam, a short column, a slab, a conjunction frame, and a deck plate. The heating furnace for testing middle and long span structures includes a partition unit formed of a refractory material and partitioning a heating space in a main body to block transfer of heat generated from one space to the other space. A test sample is installed in the heating space of the main body partitioned by the partition unit according to a size of the test sample, and then, heat and a compression force are applied to the test sample to perform a fireproof performance test. The fireproof performance test of structure members having various lengths of 4 m, 6 m and 10 m can be performed, and consumption of various utilities consumed during the test can be optimized.

Abstract: Sample processing systems and methods of using those systems for processing sample materials located in sample processing devices are disclosed. The sample processing systems include a rotating base plate on which the sample processing devices are located during operation of the systems. The systems also include a cover and compression structure designed to force a sample processing device towards the base plate. The preferred result is that the sample processing device is forced into contact with a thermal structure on the base plate. The systems and methods of the present invention may include one or more of the following features to enhance thermal coupling between the thermal structure and the sample processing device: a shaped transfer surface, magnetic compression structure, and floating or resiliently mounted thermal structure. The methods may preferably involve deformation of a portion of a sample processing device to conform to a shaped transfer surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the breathability and comfort level of a shoe, comprising a rigid structure that duplicates the contour of a foot, divided into at least three thermally insulated regions from each other, for the shoe to be tested, resistors heating the regions of the rigid structure to a presettable temperature, at least one cladding of a soft material permeable to liquids, that absorb water and distributing it over the entire surface of the structure, sensors for sensing the temperature of cladding regions corresponding to the contour regions, a metering pump to supply water to the structure, and a power measuring device.

Abstract: A slit for probe-changing is provided above an opening for changing a test piece on a side of a test piece tube for installing test pieces. Probes are then taken out and inserted via this slit. Probes can therefore be changed without taking out the test piece tube or a thermocouple. This improves work efficiency and means that the work can be carried out in a confined space because the probes are pulled forward towards an operator and inserted in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A method to accurately evaluate a thermal cycle life of an article with a restraint rate as an evaluating parameter without providing a thermal cycle under actual service conditions to the article subjected to the thermal cycle.

Abstract: A glass transition temperature Tg measurement system includes a probe point penetrating into a sample under test that has been heated by a heater to a temperature where the sample undergoes a phase change from a solid to a semisolid. A thermocouple is used to measure the temperature while a motion transducer is used to measure the amount of penetration. The penetration amount sharply increases at the glass transition temperature. A portable unit can be used in the field to test the Tg properties of various composite materials used, for example, in structures including buildings and bridges.

Abstract: A system for thermomechanical characterization of material using an induction heating system capable of reaching a temperature of 3300.degree. C. in not more than 20 seconds. This fast heating device comprises induction coils laid out at least partly around the sample (21) and generating induced currents, a susceptor placed between the sample and induction coils to transform induced currents into heat radiation, a thermal protection shield placed between the induction coils and susceptor shield to protect the induction coils from hear radiation emitted by the susceptor and an insulation material globally surrounding the induction coils. The invention has utility in fields using new materials, such as in the aeronautical and automotive industries.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying a force, displacement, or both to specimens, components, or systems by using a remote variable load/deflection device. The method enables testing of materials under actual in-service conditions. A displaceable container with a heating or heating and cooling element inside is provided. As heat is applied to the element, it expands thermally and causes the container to displace and apply force to specimens, components, or systems. The load/displacement of the container is modified by heating or cooling the element material. The container may be attached to in-service specimens, components, or systems and used to study the material behavior during in-service operation.

Abstract: A sample of fibrous material prepared so that is has a large surface area relative to its weight. The sample is placed on a metal plate and then heated under pressure and successively cooled under pressure. A brush or sweeper then removes substantially all of the fibers left in the sample. If necessary, the sample is dried. The sample now consists of spots on the metal plate. An automatic counting system is used to count the number of spots to determine the sticky characteristic of the fibrous material.

Abstract: A thermomechanical analyzer including a vertical probe secured to a probe holding bar. The probe and the probe holding bar are coupled to a force generator for supplying a force in the vertical direction, a differential transformer for detecting the degree of movement in the vertical direction, and two supports each composed of a pair of wires and a coil spring in the horizontal direction. The force generator is located between the two supports. Thus, the movement of the probe holding bar in a radial direction is controlled. The size of the instrument becomes compact. As the movement of the probe holding bar in a radial direction is controlled to be very small, the moving range of the probe becomes broader and a large sample deformation can be measured with precision.

Abstract: Apparatus either for a specimen that is to be held in a jaw assembly of, for example, a dynamic thermal-mechanical testing system or for the jaw assembly itself wherein the specimen or jaw assembly, respectively, exhibits both self-resistive and self-inductive heating whenever a sufficiently large alternating (AC) electrical current is passed serially therethrough. In one embodiment, the specimen (200, 300) is fabricated from a material which undergoes self-resistive heating and in which suitable levels of eddy currents can be induced by and also includes an appropriately shaped heating section (205, 206; 305, 306) situated near each of two opposing ends thereof. In another embodiment, a metallic conductor (403, 403'; 503) is fabricated from a material which undergoes self-resistive heating, in which suitable levels of induced eddy currents can occur and which contains appropriately shaped and sized heating sections (406, 407; 406', 407'; 512, 512').

Abstract: Method for examining the sliding friction between exposed surfaces of different combinations of materials, characterized by the fact that a first test piece of a first type of material and a second test piece of a second type of material are moved against one another over a certain distance and under a certain load while a lubricant is applied between the exposed surfaces, whereby the required energy is measured and this step is subsequently repeated a number of times at various bulk temperatures of the lubricant, following which the measured energy consumption is plotted on a graph as a function of the bulk temperature of the lubricant.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for testing the flow characteristics of molding compounds includes upper and lower mold portions movable relative to one another. The lower mold portion has formed therein a central cavity and a channel extending therefrom with scribe marks formed on a bottom wall of the channel. The upper mold portion has a complimentary raised area for cooperation with the cavity and the channel to force molding compound placed in the cavity to flow down the channel providing an indication of the flow characteristics of the molding compound. Ejector pins positioned in the bottom of the cavity and the channel are actuated by an ejector pin plate which is coupled to the upper mold portion to eject the sample when the mold portions are separated.

Abstract: In a process for measuring the variations in volume, especially shrinkage measurements in duroplastics during the hardening, the material to be measured is acted upon by such a pressure that a fully homogeneous test piece is obtained without any fractures or blisters. Simultaneously and independently from one another, the impinging pressure, the pressure exerted through the test piece on the floor, the temperature in the test piece and in its environs and the volume of the test piece are measured under non-isothermal conditions and fed into a digital unit.

Abstract: A ballistic test device for simulating propellant and/or bond and/or strain conditions in a high pressure, high strain rate rocket motor. The device uses internal compliant sleeves which allow radial expansion or growth of propellants, liners and insulation or any combination of all three.

Abstract: Deformation dilatometers are described for heating, deforming and cooling a test specimen, as well as for measuring changes in the linear dimensions of that specimen. A ferrous metal specimen, that is held between a fixed and a movable fused silica or quartz platen, first is heated by a high frequency induction coil and then crushed by the application of a hydraulic force to the movable platen. The hydraulic force then is withdrawn and, as the specimen is cooled by a jet of quenching gas, changes in its linear dimension are measured by a linear variable differential transformer which is coupled through ceramic pushrods to the platens. Use of fused silica or quartz platens in deformation dilatometers permits the accurate simulation of steel mill forging and rolling operations and enhances the usefulness of the instruments for studying phase changes in steel and determining optimum heating and quenching rates.

Abstract: A device for, and a method of, applying an incremental strain to a test specimen of a solid propellant which is at the stress-free temperature, while simultaneously subjecting the test specimen to an incremental temperature change above and below the stress-free temperature. The device includes a frame assembly in which a captive "strain multiplier" is used to apply the thermally induced loads to the test specimen of the solid propellant that is mounted within the device. Temperature changes, above or below the stress-free temperature, cause volume changes of the rubber members of the "strain multiplier" and result in the "strain multiplier" axially loading the mounted test specimen in simulation of the loading conditions that occur in a case-bonded solid rocket grain. When the temperature is raised, the rubber members expand and exert an axial compressive load on the mounted specimen; and, when the temperature is lowered, the rubber members contract and exert an axial tensile load on the mounted specimen.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for stressing a deformable material specimen. The apparatus consists of top plate 11 and bottom plate 12 sandwiching a guide cylinder 13. The specimen 14 is positioned on the bottom plate 12 and attached to a load piston 20 (FIG. 2). Force is applied through top plate 11 into guide cylinder 13. Once specimen 14 has been loaded, the stress is maintained by tightening tie bolt nuts 17.

Abstract: A method of testing additives for the ability to prevent coal particles from freezing and adhering to the sides of coal cars and metal storage devices which comprises the steps of:(a) coating the treatment to be tested on the inside of a small interior diameter steel or aluminum cylinder;(b) soaking the thus-treated cylinder in water for a short time to simulate exposure to precipitation;(c) immediately loading the water-treated cylinder with coal particles;(d) compressing the coal within the cylinder;(e) freezing the coal within the cylinder;(f) removing the coal from the cylinder using means capable of measuring the force required to remove the coal; and(g) comparing that force against the force required to remove the coal from a similar non-treated cylinder.