Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring the puncture resistance of an aluminum can that has improved repeatability and more accurately simulates end-use punctures. A penetrator that moves in a horizontal direction and is driven by a falling weight impacts a pressurized aluminum can containing liquid. The aluminum can is impacted by a penetrator of the puncture gauge in an area below the liquid level. Various sensors, such as a load cell and a displacement transducer, measure data from the impact and the data is compiled and analyzed by a data acquisition system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the accurate monitoring of a granule during compression testing is provided and enables the study of breakage mechanisms that cause particle failure during compression. The method involves compressing a granule or particle with the apparatus and the apparatus is a spring device that combines a spring in parallel with the granule or particle and a spring in series with the granule or particle. Under failure conditions, sudden deformation of the granule or particle results in fast relaxation of the granule or particle during breakage and allows very careful granule breakage. Measuring or recording devices coupled to the apparatus provide for the detailed study of breakage conditions at the moment of failure and lend incite into the compression strength characteristics of the granule or particle.

Abstract: A device for sensing a side impact in a motor vehicle, the side impact sensing being performed with a deformation sensor element which is attached on a sensor bottom plate, which is in turn mounted on a side part reinforcing element with riveted connections. A temperature sensor which is also present on the sensor bottom plate detects the ambient temperature in the side part and the deformation sensor delivers a static output signal to ascertain whether the riveted connections still have a predetermined mechanical strength. If the temperature measured by the temperature sensor exceeds room temperature, the static output signal of the deformation sensor is checked with the predetermined threshold value, and if it falls below this threshold value, a defect is detected.

Abstract: A vehicle's side impact test apparatus includes an impact pole fixedly projected from a barrier, and a vehicle carrier system for propelling a test vehicle to the impact pole.

Abstract: An efficient and effective computerized apparatus and method for determining the effects of railroad car humping on cargo in railroad cars. The invention broadly comprises a twelve-wheel test cart mounted on a pair of rails for simulating a rail car; an impact structure for simulating rail cars during humping; an electric motor drive unit for accelerating and propelling the test cart toward the impact structure, a series of hydraulic accumulator springs and valves for decelerating the test cart during the humping of the test cart with the impact structure, and a programmed computer for controlling test variables. The test apparatus allows the levels of severity to be readily changed and the test cart to be positively coupled to the impact structure or to rebound from the impact structure.

Abstract: A dragger detects objects dragging beneath a train as the train travels along a track. The dragger includes at least one stationary impact element and a detection circuit including at least one sensor coupled with impact element for sensing the force of the impacts between the objects and the impact element. A method for detecting objects dragging beneath a train involves positioning the stationary impact element along the track in a fixed position intersecting the path of movement of the objects. The method also involves sensing the force of each impact and generating an output signal if the magnitude of any impact is greater than a predetermined magnitude.

Abstract: A material testing machine has a movable, load applying block and a fixed, load sensing block. The load sensing block has a body with sufficient volume and mass and a small sensing projection provided on the body. The sensing projection is much smaller than the body and has a side surface on which strain gages are affixed. A test piece is installed to the material sensing projection such that any load applied to the test piece may be transmitted to the sensing projection to cause a corresponding strain of the sensing projection. Any strain of the sensing projection, which may be either static strain or dynamic strain, can be determined from the outputs of the strain gages. The determined strain of the sensing projection is used to derive the load transmitted to the sensing projection and thus the load applied to the test piece.

Abstract: A method and arrangement for the nondestructive determination of a property of an object including a conveyer for movably supporting the object. A testing unit, including a movable member and a stroking body, is mounted adjacent the conveyer. The conveyer moves the object into and then out of engagement with the movable member. When the object is out of engagement with the movable member, it is physically impacted by the stroking body causing the object to freely vibrate at at least one natural resonant frequency mode. A detector detects the vibration of the object resulting from the physical impact on the object by the stroking body. A computer coupled to the detector processes the detector output and determines the properties of the object.

Abstract: A tester responsive to repetitive impact blows. A brake is interposed between an impact target and a base to exert a frictional braking force on the target so the effectiveness of repetitive blows on the target can be assessed.

Abstract: Embodiments of apparatus are directed to a rotational shock tester system comprising a disc drive support system, a drop mechanism and an impact apparatus. The disc drive support system includes a rotation plate, wherein a disc drive is coupled to the rotation plate. The drop mechanism is coupled to the disc drive support system and includes an elevating apparatus, wherein the elevating apparatus elevates and releases the rotation plate which is supporting the disc drive. The impact apparatus is releasably coupled to the drop mechanism and is aligned with the rotation plate such that upon release of the rotation plate, the rotation plate impacts the impact apparatus such that the impact apparatus imparts an angular acceleration to the rotation plate and imparts a rotational shock to the disc drive.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for examining internal components of a sealed container is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of attaching an acoustic sensor to an outer surface of the sealed container and moving the sealed container about at least one axis of the sealed container. An audio signal is received from the acoustic sensor, where the audio signal is generated by a component within the sealed container that is put into motion as a result of the step of moving the sealed container about the at least one axis. The audio signal is analyzed to determine the frequency of the signal. In an embodiment for an apparatus of the present invention, an acoustic sensor is attached to the sealed container. An amplifier is coupled to the acoustic sensor and receives an audio signal from the acoustic sensor. The audio signal is generated by a component within the sealed container that is put into motion as a result of movement of the sealed container.

Abstract: A device for generating an acoustic stress wave in metal structures in real-time. A cylindrical housing includes a chamber, a piezostack actuator inside the chamber, and a support ring for relieving strain. The actuator has a high tensile strength block extending therefrom for contacting the surface. A pulse wave generator drives the actuator in accordance with a predetermined frequency to cause microindentation and generate an acoustic stress wave in the surface. The stress wave is transmitted to a signal transformer for producing a signal for use in systems for interpreting the signal. In a preferred embodiment, the high tensile block has a ceramic tip for engagement with the surface. The preferred piezostack actuator includes a poled element.

Abstract: A compression wave or pulse generation apparatus and method are capable of generating a compression wave or pulse in a vehicle or large structure under test, and include an impactor bar or member held during use adjacent one end of the vehicle or large structure under test and supported to resist movement in a direction away from the large vehicle or structure. The impactor bar is preloaded in the direction away from the vehicle by a hydraulic or pneumatic actuator. In use, the preload force can be quelled suddenly, for example, by triggering an explosive bolt in the impactor bar, so that the impactor bar is released into impact or energy transfer with the vehicle or large structure under test to transmit a compression wave or pulse through the vehicle or structure. Energy flow transducers in the form of elongated bar members are selectively arranged to measure the mechanical energy propagated along the vehicle or structure subjected to the stress wave under simulated crash conditions.

Abstract: A copper crusher gauge holder for testing internal pressures of cartridges during test firing is provided. The copper crusher gauge holder has a circular aluminum upper plate and a circular aluminum lower plate having a layer of urethane rubber approximately ¾ inch thick sandwiched between the plates. The gauge holder is bored to hold copper crusher gauges and center-bored to fit over a cartridge centerline primer tube. A series of machine screws hold the plates together and allow for tightening the screws once the copper crusher gauge holder is in place in a cartridge to be tested. As the machine screws are tightened, the urethane rubber expands laterally gripping the inside of the cartridge and gripping the copper crusher gauges. A method to manufacture the gauge holder is provided.

Abstract: Equipment to be carried on marine vessels during sea travel, is mounted on the table of a test machine through which shock wave induced motion to be experienced by such equipment during the sea travel is simulated and applied to the equipment carrying table by means of coil springs. Such simulated motion is initiated from a position of the table to which it is displaced and from which it is selectively released through a latch device.