Torsional, Shear, Tensile, Or Compression Patents (Class 702/43)
  • Patent number: 8311760
    Abstract: An embodiment of a method for a determination, section after section, of a parameter-dependent correction value approximation course includes determining a first measurement signal value with a first parameter value associated with a sensor arrangement when the first parameter value fullfils a predetermined condition or a trigger condition is fulfilled, changing the first parameter value to obtain a second parameter value, determining a second signal value with the second parameter value and determining a second partial section of the correction value approximation course for a second parameter range based on a functional connection describing the second partial section, the first parameter value, the second parameter value, the first measurement signal value, the second measurement signal value and an initial correction value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der Angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Hans-Peter Hohe, Michael Hackner, Markus Stahl-Offergeld
  • Publication number: 20120278005
    Abstract: The present invention provides elastic constant and visco elastic constant measurement apparatus etc. for measuring in the ROI in living tissues elastic constants such as shear modulus, Poisson's ratio, Lame constants, etc., visco elastic constants such as visco shear modulus, visco Poisson's ratio, visco Lame constants, etc. and density even if there exist another mechanical sources and uncontrollable mechanical sources in the object. The elastic constant and visco elastic constant measurement apparatus is equipped with means of data storing 2 (storage of deformation data measured in the ROI 7 etc.) and means of calculating elastic and visco elastic constants 1 (calculator of shear modulus etc. at arbitrary point in the ROI from measured strain tensor data etc.), the means of calculating elastic and visco elastic constants numerically determines elastic constants etc. from the first order partial differential equations relating elastic constants etc. and strain tensor etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Inventor: Chikayoshi SUMI
  • Publication number: 20120261895
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method for extracting vibration data from a moving drive chain. In the preferred embodiment, the chain is that of a bicycle, or similar pedaled machine such as an indoor stationery bicycle, with two or more sensors placed on the chainstay of the bicycle to measure the vibrational frequency of the chain. Such vibration data can be used to determine the tension of the chain, and may also further compute the power transmitted by the chain, in conjunction with the measurement of chain speed. The invention provides a method and apparatus for conditioning and filtering the signals from the vibration sensors, as well as an arrangement for positioning the sensors on the bicycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: CC KINETICS, INC.
    Inventors: Alan Cote, John Croy, Jean Joseph Cote
  • Publication number: 20120253704
    Abstract: A loaded wheel tester for testing asphalt mixtures comprises a loaded wheel tester having additional means for attachment to specimens under test to provide a measurement of tensile strain and for attachment between a frame of the loaded wheel tester and the loaded wheel to determine position of the loaded wheel over time. Output results demonstrate that viscoelastic and fatigue properties of asphalt mixtures are obtained in equivalent or improved format using a modified loaded wheel tester when compared with known pavement test apparatus and methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE RESEARCH FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Baoshan Huang, Xiang Shu, Hao Wu
  • Publication number: 20120253703
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a torque display system and a method thereof. This system comprises an input unit, an operation unit, a memory unit, a display unit and a warning unit. The input unit is used to receive a torque signal sensed by the torque tool with or without a torque multiplier and receive a magnification parameter value inputted by the user according to the torque multiplier selected. The operation unit is used to compute a magnified torque value according to the torque signal and magnification parameter value. The display unit is used to display the preset torque value, the magnified torque value and the magnification parameter value inputted. The warning unit is used to alert the user that the preset torque value is reached and the computation of the magnified torque value is completed. The memory unit is used to save magnification parameter values of several torque multipliers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Inventors: Hsiu-Feng CHU, Che-Min LIN
  • Patent number: 8256086
    Abstract: A method for producing a missile nose cone is disclosed. The method consists of manufacturing a first missile nose cone from a first lot of polymeric material and determining a first rupture value. The method further consists of manufacturing a second missile nose cone from a second lot of polymeric material and determining a second rupture value of the second missile nose cone. Both first and second lots of material are mixed into a test batch with one another based on their associated rupture values. An evaluation missile nose cone is then manufactured from the test batch and a determination is made as to whether the evaluation missile nose cone has a desired rupture value. If a desired rupture value is not obtained, then the mixing and evaluation steps are repeated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Robert A. Shutler, Margaret Rose Manning, Paul A. Leitch, Paul E. Liggett
  • Patent number: 8244487
    Abstract: A measuring system for tensile or compressive tests is provided. A set of mirrors includes a first plane mirror and a second plane mirror. The angles between the first plane mirror and the first axis and between the second plane mirror and the first axis are both a specific included angle, such that the first and second plane mirrors are symmetrical to the first axis. An object to be tested is disposed between the set of mirrors and an image capturing apparatus. Two extremities of the object have the first and second labels, respectively. The first and second mirror images of the first and second labels are generated through the first and second plane mirrors, respectively. After the object is tensed or compressed, the image capturing apparatus obtains the displacement of the first and second labels according to the shifting of the first and second mirror images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: National Taiwan University of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Wei-Chen Lee, Ming-Chung Wu
  • Publication number: 20120197549
    Abstract: A method is provided for evaluating a tire. The method includes impacting the tire with a force; measuring motion information; extracting the resonant frequencies from the measured motion information; and calculating stiffness characteristics of the tire from the resonant frequencies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth L. OBLIZAJEK, John D. SOPOCI, Jinshuo ZHU
  • Patent number: 8229681
    Abstract: At least one method, structure and apparatus used to measure tearing resistance of a commercial member. The method includes the use of full-scale testing methods and apparatuses to obtain unloading compliance measurements, which are used to generate a tearing resistance curve that includes the effects of geometry and considers data beyond the yield point of the commercial member. The commercial member may be a pipeline for carrying hydrocarbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Karel Minnaar, Paulo C. Gioielli, Mario L. Macia
  • Publication number: 20120179392
    Abstract: A method for measuring strain in a twisted cord is provided. The method includes the step of securing the ends of the twisted cord in respective cord grips in an initial state and taking a first digital image of at least a portion of the twisted cord in the unloaded state. Image data of the first image is analyzed to determine the number of twists per unit length in the first digital image. A load is applied to the twisted cord. A second digital image of at least a portion of the loaded twisted cord is then taken. The image data of the second image is analyzed to determine the number of twists per unit length in the second digital image. A parameter of the tensioned twisted cord is calculated using the number of twists per unit length in first digital image and the number of twists per unit length in the second digital image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2011
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: BRIDGESTONE AMERICAS TIRE OPERATIONS, LLC
    Inventor: Paul Zakelj
  • Patent number: 8214162
    Abstract: Method for evaluating an asymmetric residual stress for a material by the indentation test comprises applying the residual stresses with an uniaxial and an symmetrical biaxial tensions on the material and then performing an instrumented indentation test indenting an asymmetric indenter on the material; and comparing a slope of indentation load-depth curve when the long diagonal direction of the asymmetric indenter is perpendicular to the direction of the largest residual stress with that in stress-free state, and then a slope of indentation load-depth curve when the long diagonal direction of the asymmetric indenter is parallel to the direction of the largest residual stress with that in stress-free state, so as to evaluate the asymmetric residual stress for the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Frontics, Inc.
    Inventor: Jae Hwan Han
  • Publication number: 20120166105
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for measuring and determining the force, the torque and the power on a crank, in particular the pedal crank of a bicycle, comprising an evaluation device, in particular a bicycle computer, and at least one pedal, wherein the force and angular speed variables are converted into electrical signals and supplied to the evaluation device, the pedal comprises a pedal body, a deformation element, a pedal shaft and an angle transmitter, and wherein the force variable is determined by measuring the deformation of the deformation element using strain gauges, preferably by measuring the individual normal strains of the strain gauges, and wherein four pairs of strain gauges assigned to each other are arranged at different angles, preferably +/?45, with respect to the pedal shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: MOMES GMBH
    Inventors: Michael Biermann, Jean-Michel Asfour
  • Publication number: 20120166106
    Abstract: A device for measuring the spring rate of a golf ball is disclosed. The device receives a golf ball between a first anvil and a second anvil. A force gauge is provided on one anvil. A displacer is provided on another anvil. Each anvil defines a ball receiving depression that is larger than the dimples of the golf ball to be measured for negating measurement effects due to golf ball dimples when measurement of the golf ball is conducted. The displacement an anvil is determined. From the force data and displacement data, a spring rate of the golf ball can be calculated and a compression scale value may be calculate and displayed on the device for informing a golfer that is operating the hand held device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Inventor: ROBERT HENRY NIEMEYER, III
  • Patent number: 8204698
    Abstract: A method of determining face paper properties of wallboard including providing a core strength value of the wallboard, determining a required nail pull value based the wallboard specifications and calculating a face paper stiffness value based on the provided core strength value and the determined nail pull value. The method includes displaying the calculated face paper stiffness value on a display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: United States Gypsum Company
    Inventors: Alfred C. Li, Arthur Kennedy, Kristin McKeever, legal representative
  • Patent number: 8204699
    Abstract: An analyzing method includes acquiring displacements with respect to loads applied of the test piece measured by the three-point bending test; calculating a first approximate expression of a relation of the displacements with respect to the loads applied in a first area where the relation is linear so as to determine an elasticity modulus of the test piece; extracting boundary value of a relation of strains caused by the displacements with respect to the loads so as to determine a yield stress value of the test piece; and calculating a second approximate expression of a relation of stress caused by the loads with respect to the strains caused by the displacements in a second area beyond the yield stress value on the basis of the yield stress value, the elasticity modulus, and the measurements in the second area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Hidehisa Sakai
  • Publication number: 20120085531
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a coiled tubing unit. The coiled tubing unit may include coiled tubing with a cable disposed within the coiled tubing. Further, the coiled tubing unit may include a spool about which at least a portion of the coiled tubing is wound, an injector header configured to move the coiled tubing, and a cable slack monitoring feature. The cable slack monitoring feature may be configured to detect an accumulation of cable slack in a portion of the coiled tubing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Inventors: Larry J. Leising, Frank Espinosa, Michael H. Kenison, Zefer Erkol
  • Publication number: 20120060581
    Abstract: A system and method for determining the compressive strength of pellets are presently disclosed. A system includes a moveable feed tray adapted to support a plurality of pellets to be tested, a platen below the moveable feed tray and opposite a ram capable of applying compressive force to a pellet, a drive motor engaging the moveable feed tray, and a compressive force monitoring system including a force sensor. A method includes providing a feed tray and positioning a ram at a first position above a platen, advancing the feed tray to position a pellet at a test position between the ram and the platen, detecting the non-arrival of the pellet at the test position, retracting the ram from the first position, advancing the feed tray and operating the ram to determine the compressive strength of the pellet. Also disclosed is a calibration method for a compression test system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: CLIFFS NATURAL RESOURCES INC.
    Inventor: Craig Maki
  • Patent number: 8112234
    Abstract: A method is provided for estimating the components of the force torsor that are applied to a bearing, which method provides for the measurement of a vector (Vm) of N deformations and for the use of a physical model linking a vector (Q) of at most N representative values of the components of the torsor with a deformation measurement vector, the method comprises the following iterative steps: introduction of a vector (Q) of representative values into the model in order to calculate a deformation measurement vector (Vc); and carrying out a pertinence test (T) between the deformation measurement vector (Vc) which is calculated and the measured vector (Vm); if the test (T) is negative, establishing at least one new vector (Q) of representative values to be introduced into the model according to the result of the test; or if the test (T) is positive, storing the vector (Q) of introduced values; wherein the estimated components of the force torsor are established according to at least one stored vector (Q) of values
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: SNR Roulements
    Inventors: Christophe Duret, David Kwapisz, Alexandre Laurent
  • Publication number: 20120029844
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for determining elastic modulus for a continuous material web, in which method a continuous material web runs on a roll driven by an electric motor drive. The method includes determining material web speed v2, providing a change in an adjustable characteristic of the continuous material web by the electric motor drive, the characteristic being material web tension T, torque M acting on the material web or material web speed v2, calculating elastic modulus E on the basis of the determined material web speed v2 and speed change ?v2 and torque change ?M or material web tension change ?T.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: ABB Oy
    Inventors: Markku HAIKOLA, Vesa Kajander
  • Patent number: 8108158
    Abstract: A joint simulator is provided having a housing with a chamber, a piston, slidable within the chamber, and a shaft rotatable within the housing, the shaft having (i) an end configured to engage a power tool to be tested, and (ii) a threaded end engaged with the piston, whereby rotating the shaft causes the piston to slide within the chamber. Hydraulic fluid fills a section of the chamber formed by a side of the piston and the housing, and computer software controlled pressure and relief valves are actuated to regulate the flow of hydraulic fluid in the chamber, to achieve target pressures. The pressure of the hydraulic fluid creates resistance to rotation of the shaft, thereby increasing the torque relative to the angular increase on the shaft and/or relative to time. The joint simulator is provided with means to determine the angular displacement and torque applied to the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Inventor: Adrian H. Hetzel
  • Publication number: 20120022802
    Abstract: A novel indentation test apparatus is provided. The indentation test apparatus is an apparatus for indenting a specimen with a spherical indenter. The indentation test apparatus includes a specimen thickness identifier) that identifies the thickness of the specimen, an equivalent indentation strain calculator that calculates equivalent indentation strain of the specimen by using the thickness of the specimen, and a Young's modulus calculator that calculates Young's modulus of the specimen by using the equivalent indentation strain. Young's modulus E of the specimen preferably ranges from 100 Pa to 100 MPa. The diameter of the spherical indenter preferably ranges from 1×10?8 to 1 m.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology
    Inventors: Atsushi Sakuma, Mitsuhiro Tani
  • Patent number: 8090546
    Abstract: An elastic sheet is defined in accordance with a user input operation to have a shape with which the elastic sheet does not cross another member (building component) (step S1). Then, the elastic sheet is divided into rigid elements (step S2). Angles formed by each rigid element with adjacent rigid elements on two sides are calculated, and the calculation results and the like are stored in a RAM (step S3). A flexible medium which moves through a conveyance path is defined (step S4). Conveyance conditions when the flexible medium moves through the conveyance path are set (step S5). After that, the motion is calculated (step S6). The result of the motion calculation, that is, the behavior of the flexible medium, is displayed on a display device (step S7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Eiji Toyosawa, Kenji Taki
  • Publication number: 20110288792
    Abstract: A membrane tension measuring apparatus comprises: a rectangular frame (5) adapted to be abuttable on a surface (4) of a membrane (2) to which tension (Tx, Ty) is applied; an acoustic wave generator (17) operable to emit an acoustic wave (16) toward a part (2a) of the membrane (2) surrounded by the frame (5); a vibration detector (24) operable to detect vibration which is induced in the part (2a) of the membrane (2) by the emitted acoustic wave (16); and a processor (29) operable to calculate the tension (Tx, Ty) based on vibration data detected by the vibration detector (24). Each of the acoustic wave generator (17), the vibration detector (24) and the processor (29) is mounted to the frame (5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2010
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicants: TAIYO KOGYO CORPORATION, NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CORPORATION NAGOYA UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ohmori, Sang-Wook Jin, Nobuhiko Ishizu, Fumiyoshi Takeda, Jun Fujiwara
  • Publication number: 20110276280
    Abstract: A yarn entanglement strength tester includes first and second rolls that apply incrementally increasing elongation levels on a yarn in order to remove entanglements from the yarn. The yarn entanglement strength tester also includes a third roll, where the second and third rolls apply a constant tension on the yarn which enables optimum diameter measurements of the yarn by a camera. The camera captures images of diameters of the yarn after each of the incrementally increasing elongation levels is applied to the yarn. The yarn entanglement strength tester further includes a computing device that controls operation of the camera and the first, second, and third rolls, and determines an entanglement strength of the yarn based on the captured images of the diameters of the yarn after each of the incrementally increasing elongation levels is applied to the yarn.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: TESTING MACHINES, INC.
    Inventors: Dean A. ROSS, Filiz AVSAR, Kendall W. GORDON, Steven LEARY
  • Publication number: 20110257905
    Abstract: A cable pull calculator may be provided. First, wire number data, a wire type, and size data may be received. Next, a minimum conduit size for the conduit maybe calculated based upon the received wire number data indicating the number of wires to be placed in the conduit and the received size data corresponding to each of the wires to be placed in the conduit. Then, the calculated minimum conduit size may be displayed. Next, a first desired conduit size, a conduit type, and pull information indicating a course of the conduit may be received. Then, for each of the plurality of segments, a tension value and a sidewall pressure value may be calculated based at least on the conduit type, the first desired conduit size, the received wire type, and the received size data. The calculated tension value and the calculated sidewall pressure value may then be displayed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Inventor: Allen Hooper
  • Publication number: 20110251803
    Abstract: A tension measurement assembly, for measuring and monitoring a tension force in a cable being deployed from a spooling device on which the cable is spooled, comprises at least one force sensor disposed adjacent the spooling device for sensing a force applied to the spooling device and generating a force signal representing the sensed force, and a processor responsive to the force signal for calculating and monitoring a tension force present in the cable. A cable sensor engages the deployed cable for sensing a spooling/unspooling rate and a length of the cable moving past the cable sensor in a pre-determined time period and generating a spooling signal representing the sensed rate and length to the processor for use in the calculating and monitoring of the tension force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2010
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Inventors: Lucas Teurlay, Stephane Breard, Dominique Aubry
  • Publication number: 20110246097
    Abstract: A method is provided for determining an aerodynamic coefficient for a body immersed in a fluid under a set of fluid flow conditions. The method comprises obtaining surface flow parameter data for a plurality of locations on the body. These locations include body surface points straddling an area of the body surface where a leading edge stagnation point (LESP) is expected to be located. The method further comprises determining the LESP location and an angle of attack of the body with respect to freestream conditions of the fluid using the flow parameter data. The method also comprises determining the aerodynamic coefficient from the LESP location and the angle of attack using an aerodynamic model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Inventor: Arun Mangalam
  • Publication number: 20110213571
    Abstract: A method for non-contact measurement of multiple shaft parameters is provided. The method includes magnetically encoding multiple sections of the shaft using pulsed currents. The method also includes sensing a magnetic field of the encoded sections of the shaft using multiple sensors arranged circumferentially about the shaft. Further, the method includes generating a spectrum of periodical variations based on sensed magnetic field of the encoded sections of the shaft during rotation and determining multiple parameters based on recurrences of patterns of the spectra.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Christof Martin Sihler, Thomas Alois Zöls, James William Bray, Klaus Franz Otto Raum
  • Publication number: 20110184666
    Abstract: A bolt-axial-force measuring method and instrument capable of easily and precisely measuring an axial force of a bolt are provided. The bolt is screw-joined and coupled to a piston of a bolt tensioner, and a hydraulic pressure is supplied to its pressure chamber so that the bolt is elongated by applying a tensile force equal to or more than a necessary bolt-fastening force. A nut separating from a fastened member due to the elongation of the bolt is seated again on the fastened member, and the hydraulic pressure in the pressure chamber is discharged to release the tensile force of the bolt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Inventors: Atsushi Imai, Tooru Imai
  • Publication number: 20110178731
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a wireless sensor for controlling the tension of traction cables, formed by a body (1) provided at the ends and in the central area with conformations (2, 3 and 4) which determine opposing support points on the cables of application, an electronic module (6) which converts the bending deformations of said body (1) into equivalent tension data of the cables on which the sensor is applied, a memory module (9) which stores the data provided by said electronic module (6) and an emitter module (10) which allows transmitting those data provided by the electronic module (6) wirelessly through an antenna (12), all being housed in the body (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2011
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: MICELECT, S.L.
    Inventor: Javier Muñoz Ochovo
  • Publication number: 20110178730
    Abstract: A flexible pipe fatigue monitoring system 30 comprising a pipe monitoring system 32, 40, 42 adapted to be provided on a flexible pipe 10 having a bend stiffener 18. The pipe monitoring system 40, 42 is provided on the pipe 10 below the bend stiffener 18. The monitoring system 32 measures one or more of bending, tension and torsion of the pipe 10. The pipe monitoring system 30 comprises sensor carrier members 40, 42 adapted to be coupled to the pipe 10 and at least one fibre Bragg grating strain sensor embedded in a carrier member 40, 42. An inclinometer 34 is provided on one carrier member 40 to measure the incline of the pipe 10 relative to earth. A central processor 38 is provided to receive bending, tension and torsion information and incline information, and is operable to determine pipe fatigue from said information. A method of flexible pipe fatigue monitoring is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Inventors: Lars Mangal, Lenny Sutherland, Russell Smith, Damon Roberts
  • Patent number: 7966890
    Abstract: A multi-axis fatigue testing device includes a multi-axis test fixture having a multiple input, multiple output mechanical linkage driven by a plurality of actuators and a controller operating each of the plurality of actuators in real time and in synchronization to produce user-defined multiple fatigue cycle profiles. At least one of the actuators driving the mechanical linkage acts against an artificial load characterized by a stiffness. The stiffness is selected to increase a resonance frequency of the test fixture to allow fatigue testing at higher frequencies for a wider range of samples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventors: David Louis Dingmann, Eric Thomas Gagner, Troy D. Nickel, Steven R. Seeman, Andrew D. White
  • Publication number: 20110137578
    Abstract: A Z-axis test coupon structure includes a plurality of circularly-arranged tensile specimens oriented along a Z-axis and at least one web connecting adjacent ones of the plurality of tensile specimens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventors: DAVID M. DIETRICH, Michael W. Hayes
  • Publication number: 20110125474
    Abstract: A method and system determines probable strength degradation in a tensile support in an elevator system by monitoring an electrical characteristic of the tensile support as a whole, such as the total electrical resistance of the tensile support, that varies as the remaining strength in the tensile support varies. As the degradation of strength in a typical tensile support varies along the support, and as the relationship between strength and the electrical characteristic generally exhibits an inherent uncertainty, the overall relationship between strength and the electrical characteristic of the whole tensile support will vary as well. Quantifying the probable strength degradation indicated for each value in a range of a measurable electrical characteristic allows monitoring the strength degradation of the tensile support. The method and system also quantifies the relationship between tensile support degradation and a measurable electrical characteristic to monitor degradation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Inventors: William Veronesi, Norbert Hootsmans
  • Publication number: 20110118994
    Abstract: The different advantageous embodiments provide a method and apparatus for inspecting a structure. In one advantageous embodiment, an electromagnetic force is generated on a portion of a bond line for a plurality of parts in the structure. The structure contains a conductive material. A determination is made as to whether an inconsistency is present in the portion of the bond line after generating the electromagnetic force on the portion of the bond line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Gary Ernest Georgeson, Richard Henry Bossi, Jeffrey Reyner Kollgaard
  • Patent number: 7945398
    Abstract: A reflow process evaluation device includes, a stress calculation part for calculating an average principal stress acting on a joint portion, wherein a principal stress occurs when a chip and a substrate are joined by solder with a reflow method and a rupture occurrence ratio computation part for computing an occurrence ratio at which the joint portion ruptures based on a relational expression between the occurrence ratio and the average principal stress acting on the joint portion and the average principal stress calculated by the stress calculation part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Yoko Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20110106460
    Abstract: A system and method are presented for qualifying a component. The system includes a receiving station, a control section, a plurality of test/inspection stations, a data storage section and a marking station. The receiving station receives a component. The control section includes a processor. The plurality of test/inspection stations each include equipment to measure one or more of physical, compositional and resistance properties of the component. The processor and the equipment cooperate to compare the measured properties to predefined properties for acceptance of the component, and to determine conformance between the measured properties and the predefined properties to qualify the component for use. The data storage section includes data store that receives and stores the predefined properties, the unique identifier, and the measured properties of the component. The marking station includes marking equipment to mark the component with the unique identifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2010
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: ALSTOM Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Ronald Konopacki, Nathan Carter
  • Patent number: 7890272
    Abstract: To provide a torque measurement device capable of more accurately specifying positions of reflectors which are attached to a rotating body, and more accurately obtaining a torque of the rotating body. A pair of reflectors (14a, 14b) is provided on the surface of the rotating body (13) and has a spacing in the axial direction, reflected light data obtained by reflection of reflection patterns in the pair of reflectors (14a, 14b) is input and stored, a point of minimizing AIC is determined for a model of the reflected light data from the rotating body (13), and existence regions of the pair of reflectors (14a, 14b) are detected. Then, a twist amount of the rotating body (13) is calculated from the reflector positions specified by the detected existence regions of the pair of reflectors (14a, 14b), and the torque is calculated from the calculated twist amount of the rotating body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: The Tokyo Electric Power Company, Incorporated
    Inventor: Shuichi Umezawa
  • Patent number: 7860665
    Abstract: A rotating shaft has a torsional oscillation frequency that is dependent on the stiffness of the shaft. The torsional oscillation frequency and the stiffness are dependent upon the operating conditions of the shaft. The torque of the rotating shaft is determined by measuring the torsional oscillation frequency of the rotating shaft; measuring the twist induced in the rotating shaft by the torque; and using the measured value of the torsional oscillation frequency and the measured value of the induced twist to determine the torque induced in the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventors: Colin Parrish, James Roberts, Leighton Tipton
  • Patent number: 7856340
    Abstract: A multi-functional sensor for deriving information on a recording sheet material comprising an impact-applying unit for applying an external mechanical force onto the recording sheet material, a signal-detecting unit for detecting a signal of response of the recording sheet material to the external mechanical force, a signal-processing unit for processing the signal, and a signal-judging unit for deriving a property of the recording sheet material by comparison of a signal from the signal-detecting unit or the signal processing unit with information memorized preliminarily, wherein the signal-processing unit comprises a separation section for separating the signal from the signal-detecting unit into output signals on the properties of the recording sheet material, and a processing section for deriving, by statistical treatment, a correlation equation showing a correlation between the separated output signal and the properties of the recording sheet material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Norio Kaneko, Takehiko Kawasaki
  • Publication number: 20100305878
    Abstract: A measuring system for tensile or compressive tests is provided. A set of mirrors includes a first plane mirror and a second plane mirror. The angles between the first plane mirror and the first axis and between the second plane mirror and the first axis are both a specific included angle, such that the first and second plane mirrors are symmetrical to the first axis. An object to be tested is disposed between the set of mirrors and an image capturing apparatus. Two extremities of the object have the first and second labels, respectively. The first and second mirror images of the first and second labels are generated through the first and second plane mirrors, respectively. After the object is tensed or compressed, the image capturing apparatus obtains the displacement of the first and second labels according to the shifting of the first and second mirror images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2009
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: NATIONAL TAIWAN UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Wei-Chen Lee, Ming-Chung Wu
  • Patent number: 7832289
    Abstract: Sensors for outputting signals indicative of a rate of change of torque experienced by a magnetized member in response to a change in torque experienced by the member are described. Such sensors include at least one sense element capable of detecting a change in a magnetic parameter of a magnetized region of the member positioned proximate to the sense element in response to a change in torque applied to the member. Devices for detecting and/or measuring rates of changes in or of torque that employ one or more of these sensors are also described, as are various applications for such devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Inventors: Ivan J. Garshelis, Ryan J. Kari, Stijn P. L. Tollens
  • Publication number: 20100262384
    Abstract: A tension measurement assembly includes a cable spooled on a spooling device, at least one capstan for directing the cable to a downstream point, and at least one tension measuring device attached to a fixed surface for generating a tension signal indicative of a tension force in the cable. The tension measuring device can include at least one of a tension link, an inclinometer, a tension measuring sheave with a strain axle or load pin, a plurality of load cells, and a freewheeling sheave mounted on a post instrumented with a strain gauge. The tension force is calculated from the tension signal and a cable angle of the cable at the tension measuring device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Inventors: Umair Marfani, Alvin Rooks, Joseph Varkey
  • Patent number: 7808395
    Abstract: A method of and a system for detecting a person occupying a vehicle seat or a corresponding underlay whereby the underlay is provided with a single dynamic sensor and whereby the measurement signal is compared with a reference signal in comparing means, wherein the system comprises first measuring means for measuring a first measurement signal in a first frequency band representing a signal for human presence, and second measuring means for measuring the reference signal as a second measurement signal in a second frequency band representing a signal for background noise, comparing means for indicating an occupancy, wherein the signal strength in the first measurement signal in the first frequency band of human presence signal domination is compared to the signal strength in the reference signal in the second frequency band where essentially only background noise exists.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Emfit Oy
    Inventors: Heikki Raisanen, Tomi Virtanen
  • Publication number: 20100235110
    Abstract: A system to predict a fatigue life of an aluminum alloy is disclosed herein. The system comprises a computer-readable medium cooperative with micromechanics-based fatigue life models for cyclic multiaxial loading. The fatigue life models predict the fatigue life by processing information received by the system relating to the aluminum alloy and the stress state present in the aluminum alloy. The received information comprises at least one of: a critical shear plane, a damage factor, a hardening factor defined by at least one of a plurality of uniaxial cyclic hardening factor parameters related to probabilistics of defects and microstructure characteristics in the aluminum alloy, an additional hardening factor related to non-proportionality, and thermophysical and mechanical properties of the aluminum alloy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Qigui Wang, Yucong Wang, Guoqiu He, Chengshu Chen, Zhengfei Hu, Xiaoshan Liu, Defeng Mo
  • Patent number: 7787996
    Abstract: A method of operating a turbine, the method including the steps of: 1) gathering measured creep data for a blade while the turbine operates at different operating temperatures, the measured creep data comprising at least a measured creep rate for the blade (wherein the different operating temperatures include at least a first operating temperature and a second operating temperature); and 2) given the measured creep data for the blade while the turbine operated at the first operating temperature and the measured creep data for the blade while the turbine operated at the second operating temperature, determining whether operating the turbine at the first operating temperature or the second operating temperature is more economically efficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Sam D. Draper, Scott M. Hoyte, Eric Gebhardt, Erin K. Bauknight
  • Publication number: 20100211331
    Abstract: A system for measuring normal load and deflection of a material that includes a portable load deflection device and a method of using the same is disclosed. The system includes a support arm having a first end and a second end opposite said first end. The first end can be attached to a base surface. The support arm can provides at least three degrees of freedom of movement and includes at least one sensor for determining a position of the second end. A uniaxial load cell can be operably attached to the second end. The system can also include a processing system operable to receive position data and corresponding force data when the support arm is used to apply a non-normal compression force to the test surface. The data can be used to calculate normal force versus deflection data for the test surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: Old Dominion University Research Foundation
    Inventors: Sebastian Bawab, Stacie Ringleb, Manish G. Kalmegh
  • Publication number: 20100198530
    Abstract: Method for evaluating an asymmetric residual stress for a material by the indentation test comprises applying the residual stresses with an uniaxial and an symmetrical biaxial tensions on the material and then performing an instrumented indentation test indenting an asymmetric indenter on the material; and comparing a slope of indentation load-depth curve when the long diagonal direction of the asymmetric indenter is perpendicular to the direction of the largest residual stress with that in stress-free state, and then a slope of indentation load-depth curve when the long diagonal direction of the asymmetric indenter is parallel to the direction of the largest residual stress with that in stress-free state, so as to evaluate the asymmetric residual stress for the material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: FRONTICS, INC.
    Inventor: Jae Hwan Han
  • Patent number: 7739059
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for calculating the residual stress equilibrium of two elastoplastic cylinders coldworked by expansion to obtain interference fit. The deformation state due to an internal expansion load applied to an inner cylinder that will result in interference of the inner cylinder with the outer cylinder can be calculated. The deformation state due to an unloading of the internal expansion load that will result in assembly of the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder can be calculated. The residual stresses, residual displacement and residual strains in the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder, whether they are eventually interference fitted or not, can all be calculated and recorded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Airbus France
    Inventors: Stephane Bianco, Romain Canivenc, Marc Sartor
  • Publication number: 20100131211
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for determining an amount of bond between a structure and sensor. A method may include performing a process associated with a sensor bonded to a structure and generating measured data in response to the process. The method may further include comparing the measured data to known reference data to determine integrity of a bond between the sensor and the structure. A system may include a sensor system including at least one sensor bonded to a structure. The system may further include a sensing system configured to initiate an application of one or more stimuli to the at least one sensor and monitor a property associated with the at least one sensor. The sensing system may further be configured to determine an amount of bond between the at least one sensor and the structure based on the monitored property.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: ALLIANT TECHSYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: John L. Shipley, Jerry W. Jenson, Mark R. Eggett, Sorin V. Teles, Don W. Wallentine