Abstract: A method for evaluating damage-healing characteristics of paving asphalt based on energetics principle includes: obtaining a numerical integral AH of a stored pseudo strain energy required by asphalt to compensate damage-healing to loading times and obtaining local life compensation ?N of the asphalt benefiting from damage-healing characteristics; calculating an average stored pseudo strain energy QH of the asphalt according to the following formula: Q H = A H ? ? N ; and evaluating the asphalt damage-healing characteristics according to the average stored pseudo strain energy QH of the asphalt. This method is based on the evolution law of the average stored pseudo strain energy required to compensate the damage-healing to explore the damage-healing characteristics of asphalt. As a characteristic index of materials, this energy evaluation index has nothing to do with the damage state and the rest periods, but only depends on the strain load, which improves the testing efficiency.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for dimensioning, by an analytical method, of an essentially plane panel consisting of a homogenous and isotropic material, said panel consisting of a skin reinforced by a set of three parallel bundles of stiffeners built into the panel. The pockets determined on the skin by said groups of stiffeners are triangular, the stiffeners are blade shaped and the stiffened panel must comply with specifications for mechanical resistance to predetermined external loads, the angles between bundles of stiffeners being such that the triangular pockets have any kind of isosceles form.

Abstract: Force data is monitored by a strain gauge during a preparatory setup operation of an insertion process during which a sample fastener is installed into a host material by a fastener press. Mathematical algorithms are utilized to determine an optimal insertion force, while a predetermined insertion velocity is maintained throughout the installation process regardless of the force required. With the ram velocity held constant, the insertion force is measured during the installation process and compared to the elapsed time to obtain a force slope. A data point on the force slope which corresponds to the point at which the force slope abruptly increases is captured and recorded as the optimal insertion force. This optimal force is then used by the press for all fasteners/host-material installations of the sample type.

Abstract: This invention is directed to the measurement of stress-strain relationships in thin films using substantially flat, parallel test surfaces with minimal width. This invention is further directed to the measurement of stress-strain relationships in thin films at controlled temperatures and at high strain rates above 100% per second.

Abstract: A system and method for assisting in real time alignment of an alignment specimen within a load frame. In one implementation an instrumented alignment specimen is used to provide information from which the deflection of the specimen at various points along the specimen can be determined. The deflection information is then used to calculate deflection values in X, Y and Z coordinate axes in real time. The deflection values are then scaled by a desired factor and then used to generate a three dimensional representation of the alignment specimen. This produces a slightly exaggerated, three dimensional representation of the alignment specimen illustrating its deformation as a result of concentric and/or angular misalignment of the lower head of the load frame relative to the upper head.

Abstract: A golf equipment fitting system that uses advanced technology to not only objectively identify the optimum equipment for the golfer, but to also identify and help correct swing flaws so that the golfer can achieve optimum performance on the golf course. Thus, in one embodiment, golf fitting includes collecting data related to the golfer's swing and determining if the golfer's swing technique should be modified based at least in part on the collected swing data. When it is determined that the golfer's swing technique should be modified, then providing swing instruction to the golfer. When, however, it is determined that the golfer's swing technique is fine, then collecting data related to how the golfer's swing launches a golf ball. Finally, golf equipment, e.g., golf clubs, can be specified based on the collected swing data and launch data.

Abstract: An interactive voice actuated control system for a testing machine such as a tensile testing machine is described. Voice commands are passed through a user-command predictor and integrated with a graphical user interface control panel to allow hands-free operation. The user-command predictor learns operator command patterns on-line and predicts the most likely next action. It assists less experienced operators by recommending the next command, and it adds robustness to the voice command interpreter by verbally asking the operator to repeat unlikely commanded actions. The voice actuated control system applies to industrial machines whose normal operation is characterized by a nonrandom series of commands.

Abstract: A method and system for selecting a critical plane. The critical plane can then be used to leverage off of uniaxial fatigue theory to predict the fatigue life of an object experiencing multiple stress inducing events. The fatigue life is based on calculating a single critical plane that encompasses all the stress inducing events.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring the force severity and impulse energy of a mechanical press for the purpose of accurately predicting operating reliability of a press during its production operation. The method includes continuous or intermittent, automatic or manual monitoring the load during production operation of the press. Apparatus is used to monitor the load which is then communicated to a computational device which computes the impulse energy for one slide stroke of the mechanical press.

Abstract: A method of predicting crack initiation based fatigue life includes the steps of plotting the elastic finite element stress states of a stress history for a given component at a predetermined critical location in the stress space and determining the least square fit ellipsoid of the stress states by a straight line through the center of gravity. An aspect ratio .lambda..sub.2 /.lambda..sub.1 is defined where .lambda..sub.1 and .lambda..sub.2 are the two largest eigen values of the eigen system of matrix M which defines the least square fit ellipsoid and where .lambda..sub.1 .gtoreq..lambda..sub.2. A multiaxial fatigue analysis is performed where the aspect ratio exceeds a predetermined value.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for measuring stress and strain of microscopic specimens under a microscope. The measurements of strain can be performed simultaneously with measurement of the stress, thereby avoiding problems with creep. The apparatus and methods employ an electrically driven microgripper having at least one finger adapted to contact the specimen. The apparatus and methods also employ a device operable to measure the dimensional change (strain) experienced by the specimen upon application of a stress to the specimen using the finger(s) of the microgripper. From measurements of electrical energy supplied to the microgripper before and during application of the stress to the specimen, and of the stress-caused dimensional change of the specimen, stress-versus-strain information about the specimen can be calculated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing a spring pack of a valve operator, the apparatus including a hollow housing with a coupling for attaching to the valve operator. A slider is received within the housing and moves therein when driven by a bolt that extends through a threaded aperture in the housing. A load sensor is attached to the slider and extends through the coupling and engages a valve operator component that is connected to the spring pack. As a technician turns the bolt, the apparatus compresses the spring pack within the valve operator and the load sensor produces an electrical signal that indicates how much force is exerted by the spring pack. At the same time, a transducer produces another electrical signal indicating the displacement of the spring pack.

Abstract: A torque delivering power tool for tightening threaded joints to a desired final pretension level, has a motor (11), a power transmission (12) with a reduction gearing (13) and an output shaft (14). A first torque transducer (19) associated with the power transmission (12) is exposed to torque magnitudes corresponding to delivered torque magnitudes up to the desired final pretension level, and an external second torque transducer (20) is arranged to be exposed to load magnitudes which correspond to torque output magnitudes up to a snug level only.

Abstract: An apparatus, for testing a spring pack of a valve operator, includes a hollow housing with a coupling for attaching to the valve operator. A slider is received within the housing and moves therein when driven by a bolt that extends through a threaded aperture in the housing. A load sensor is attached to the slider and extends through the coupling and engages a valve operator component that is connected to the spring pack. As a technician turns the bolt, the apparatus compresses the spring pack within the valve operator and the load sensor produces an electrical signal that indicates how much force is exerted by the spring pack. At the same time, a transducer produces another electrical signal indicating the displacement of the spring pack.

Abstract: This invention pertains to an automated method of testing the spring pack found in motor operated valves. It includes the steps of compressing the spring pack in a test stand while the compressive load applied and the vertical displacement occurring as a result of such loading is measured. This data is sent to a computer that records selected load measurements which correspond to pre-selected displacement values. Afterwards, this data is reported such as by a graph or other report that provides a comparison of the pre-selected displacement values with its respective compressive load.

Abstract: Apparatus for monitoring and controlling the operation of a dual platen press used in the manufacture of nuclear fuel pellets is disclosed. The apparatus includes means for indicating the displacements of both platens and imposing the displacements of the platens on orthogonal axes such that the displacements jointly control the motion of a point which traces a lissajous figure representative of the displacement and relative velocity of the press platens. A second lissajous figure representing the desired platen movements and relative velocity may be superimposed on the first lissajous figure, differences between the first and second lissajous figures indicating deviations from the desired operation of the press. Alternately, a press operator may simply use the first lissajous figure constructed from the actual platen displacements to analyze the operation of the press. The completion of preselected portions of the first lissajous figure may be detected and used to trigger subsequent press operations.