Abstract: The invention illustrates and describes a composite pack, in particular a parallelepipedal cardboard/plastic composite pack for pourable products, having an elliptical laminated hole which is provided in the composite pack gable, with an elliptical main axis and an elliptical minor axis, and a pouring element, comprising a basic body, a cutting element movably guided in the basic body and having the shape of a hollow cylinder with a cylinder outer diameter and a resealable screw cap, wherein the screw cap serves for opening the composite pack for the first time by activation of the cutting element, which thus forms a pouring opening in the region of the laminated hole and wherein first guidance means configured on the cutting element interact with second guidance means configured on the basic body.

Abstract: A method for determining a shear property of a sample includes supporting a sample at three or more separate support locations about a periphery of a first surface of the sample in a testing fixture, the sample including a second surface separated from the first surface by a thickness, wherein the sample is axisymmetric about an axis that is orthogonal to the first surface. The method includes applying a load on the second surface of the sample with a load applicator in a direction substantially parallel with the axis, measuring, with a controller, shear testing data of the sample in response to applying the load, and determining, with the controller, a shear property of the sample from the measured shear testing data.

Abstract: A tester assembled by multiple sets of mechanisms for shear strength-scale effect of a rock joint includes a horizontal loading mechanism, a horizontal supporting and force-measuring mechanism and a sample installation and lifting table are mounted on a platform on the bottom of a frame, the horizontal loading mechanism and the horizontal supporting and force-measuring mechanism are respectively located on two sides of the sample installation and lifting table; rock joint sample is divided into an upper portion and a lower portion by a slit, the horizontal loading mechanism is configured to load the upper portion of the multi-scale rock joint sample, and the horizontal supporting and force-measuring mechanism is configured to support the lower portion of the multi-scale rock joint sample; a vertical loading mechanism is located above the multi-scale rock joint sample, and can be mounted on the frame in a manner of being movable up and down; and the horizontal loading mechanism comprises at least two tangentia

Abstract: Systems and methods for analyzing the gait of an individual are disclosed. The disclosed systems and methods can be configured to acquire data from a first array and a second array of sensors that are configured to be placed in a left and/or right shoe, respectively. The acquired data can be collected or separated into at least two separate gait phases for each array, compared to a baseline condition for each gait phase and categorized into one of at least two uniformity categories for each gait phase. Examples of collected and/or calculated data include pressure values, shear stress values and torque values. The analysis can be focused on both feet of a person, or focused on one foot. A graphical output showing at least one entire gait cycle based on the uniformity categories can then be generated.

Abstract: Systems and methods for analyzing the gait of an individual are disclosed. The disclosed systems and methods can be configured to acquire data from a first array and a second array of sensors that are configured to be placed in a left and/or right shoe, respectively. The acquired data can be collected or separated into at least two separate gait phases for each array, compared to a baseline condition for each gait phase and categorized into one of at least two uniformity categories for each gait phase. Examples of collected and/or calculated data include pressure values, shear stress values and torque values. The analysis can be focused on both feet of a person, or focused on one foot. A graphical output showing at least one entire gait cycle based on the uniformity categories can then be generated.

Abstract: A ring shear apparatus for measuring a shear strength of soil samples. The ring shear apparatus considering a wall-slip effect including: an upper ring for forming a first accommodation portion having a ring shape in which soil samples are accommodated; a lower ring for forming a second accommodation portion that corresponds to the first accommodation portion of the upper ring and has a ring shape in which soil samples are accommodated, closely attached to a lower portion of the upper ring and rotatably installed relative to the upper ring; a rotating unit for rotating the lower ring relative to the upper ring; and a shear strength measuring sensor combined with the upper ring and for measuring a shear strength of the soil samples, wherein a plurality of protrusions that protrudes from the lower ring is formed on an inner circumferential surface of the lower ring along a circumferential direction of the lower ring in order to prevent the soil samples from being slid when the lower ring is rotated.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for testing attachment features (26,28,30,32) of components (12,14) comprises a first member (16) having a first end (18), a second end (20), a first edge (22) and a second edge (24). The first edge (22) has a first firtree slot (26) to receive a first component (12) and the second edge (24) has a second firtree slot (28) to receive a second component (14). The first component (12) has a firtree attachment feature (30) to fit the first slot (26) and the second component (14) has a firtree attachment feature (32) to fit the second slot (28). The first end (18) of the first member (16) has flanges (34,36) extending laterally and the second end (20) of the first member (16) has flanges (38,40) extending laterally such that the first member (16) is substantially H-shaped in cross-section.

Abstract: A method of simulating life of a rotor blade mounting feature mounted in a complementary rotor disc mounting feature comprises the steps of providing two specimen mounting features (37) each having portions defining pressure faces matching in profile respective faces of the rotor blade mounting feature; providing a fixture (38) having two opposed mounting features (39) each having portions defining pressure faces (78) matching in profile respective faces of the rotor disc mounting feature; mounting the specimen mounting features (37) in the fixture mounting features (39); applying a first load to the specimen mounting features (37); measuring a strain in a region (86) of the fixture (38) between the fixture mounting features (39); applying a second load to the fixture (38), the second load being substantially perpendicular to the first load; and controlling the second load in response to the measured strain. A high cycle load may simultaneously be applied to the specimen mounting features (37).

Abstract: A process for determining changes in a liquid medium, in particular a liquid coating agent or its components, caused by shear stress, in which a given volume of the medium is allowed to pass repeatedly through a shear unit under reproducible conditions.

Abstract: Micro electromechanical components in a novel configuration to allow wireless normal direction pressure transducers to be used for oblique or shear forces. The invention includes a novel cantilever beam configuration and algorithm, the readings of the MEMS sensors are averaged to reduce the experimental variability, to estimate the shear stress that may occur between a human and external equipment or possibly between materials. The shear force component is calculated via the formula: Shear Force=Vt={square root over ({overscore (V)})}23+4+ . . . +n1−{overscore (V)}21+2+ . . . +n2.

Abstract: A load-sensing, multi-axis connector is disclosed which comprises a series of complimentary leaf springs, which are connected by load cells through spherical bearings. These leaf springs resist the axial displacement of their attached load cells, but are isolated from non-axial displacements and moments due to the spherical bearings. These leaf springs are attached to a first end connector and a second end connector, which are in turn attached to the two objects that are to be connected. Using the load-sensing, multi-axis connector, two objects can be connected, even where the two objects are undergoing high displacements, and the stresses caused by the relative displacement of the two objects can be monitored.

Abstract: A computer controlled shear cell (CCSC) tester for bulk solids, especially powders, that allows the determination of a Yield Locus curve from a single test procedure. The principle of the CCSC is that yield states can be maintained in a test cell over a range of normal and shear stresses in the same test. This leads directly to a Yield Locus curve. With its flexible design, the CCSC can also be used as a Jenike shear cell or a direct shear cell. Use of the CCSC allows the testing time and amount of material needed for testing to be reduced as compared to current testing methods.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing the attachment reliability of a device mounted at least by an electrically conducting joint to a surface of a circuit board is provided. The apparatus includes an environmental chamber in which the board can be placed; an actuator for applying a force to the device; an electrical monitoring unit for monitoring any events at the electrically conducting joint; and a memory unit for storing an event profile that includes information related to the events. The apparatus may further include a processing unit for characterizing the quality of the electrically conducting joint based on the stored event profile and for performing various other functions. A method for testing the attachment reliability of the device is also provided.

Abstract: A combination kneader/compactor and plane-strain, simple shear testing apparatus for use in testing paving materials by subjecting them to anticipated design stress over a range of temperatures and various rates of shear. The sample is compacted to the ultimate in-place (equilibrium) density that occurs in the pavement structures. This apparatus and method pre-stresses the sample under the actual stress anticipated for the structure and use the anticipated theoretical vertical stress to fully compact the sample followed by a plane strain simple shear test to measure the dimensionally correct shear strength and moduli which are used to calculate the dimensionally correct design parameters. Pertinent variables are displayed on a computer screen during testing followed by print out of a graph and data sheets with relevant design data.

Abstract: To test the quality of solder bonded lead connections of a package by applying a shearing force to the leads using ultrasonic vibration and by measuring the resultant strain. A probe 32 is pressed against the surface of a lead 12 and vibrated by a piezoelectric element 38 in parallel with the lead surface to apply a shearing force to the solder bond portion. The resultant strain occurring in the solder bond portion is correlated with current and impedance of the piezoelectric element 38. By measuring the current and/or impedance of the piezoelectric element, the quality of the solder bond portion can be determined. Thus, a circuit board is produced having solder joints whose maximum strain in reaction to load is limited by the amount exhibited by a good joint.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring the fluid characteristics of a sample comprises a frame, at least a first stage mounted on the frame for rectilinear movement, first mounting means mounted on the first stage, and a first member carried by the mounting means, a second member mounted to the frame in register with the first member, at least one of the first member and second member being readily interchangeable, positioning means for moving the first stage to adjust the relative positions of the members whereby a sample carried by one of the members can be brought into contact with the other of the members and whereby to adjust the spacing between the first and second members to a preselected distance, a device for vibrating the first mounting means rectilinearly, and thus the first member carried thereby, at a preselected frequency.

Abstract: A force sensor is disclosed in which strain is measured exclusively by shear strain gages mounted on L or T-shaped legs. Each such leg has at least two arms which are orthogonal to one another. That is, the arms of the L or T each have a lengthwise or longitudinal axis, and two of these longitudinal axes are oriented at approximately 90.degree. with respect to one another. Each leg also has at least two shear strain gages mounted on orthogonal arms to measure forces in orthogonal directions. Three or more of these L or T shaped legs are integrated in a generally cylindrical and hollow body defining the force sensor. The shear strain gage outputs from the arms of this structure are sent to a digital signal processor which determines the magnitude and direction of any force/moment applied to the cylindrical body. Further, the shear strain gages are mounted in pockets sized to hold the strain gages and provide increased sensitivity to shear strain.

Abstract: A sensing element in a load measuring device includes two cylindrical holders, each having a hole along the central axis; and a plate-shaped member provided between the two cylindrical holders, the plate-shaped member having protrusions at both ends, a coil being provided on a center portion of the plate-shaped member, wherein the cylindrical holders is welded to the plate-shaped member with the protrusions engaged with the holes in the two cylindrical holders.

Abstract: This invention tests a vehicle, such as an aircraft, using nondestructive interferometry. An interferometer detects movements in the vehicle surface due to stress. One applies such stress by pressurizing the vehicle. In one embodiment, a hood housing the interferometer attaches to the vehicle surface with the aid of a vacuum. One can vary the pressure in the vehicle in various ways, while monitoring the interferometer for signs of defects in the structure behind the surface. The invention also includes an arrangement for substantially automating the analysis. For example, one can automatically position the interferometer according to position information received from appropriate sensors, in combination with stored information about the structure of the vehicle. One preferably uses a real-time interferometer, such as an electronic shearography camera, in the present invention. One can quickly determine the location of defects by observing fringes on a video monitor.

Abstract: System and method for measuring complex shear or Young's modulus of a polymeric material are described wherein first and second beams of preselected lengths and different thicknesses are disposed in parallel spaced relationship firmly held at first ends thereof and first and second spaced gripping members are attached along the beams, a specimen of polymeric material is disposed between confronting surfaces of the gripping members, a time varying force is applied to one beam, the time varying displacements of the beams are measured, and the modulus of the polymeric material is calculated from the measurements.

Abstract: A method for the determination of the properties of mouldable materials, such as the granular and pulverous masses of fresh concrete, and stiff liquids, particularly for the determination of the plastic and reologic properties thereof. A sample of a known weight is taken from the mass; the sample is subjected to a moulding effect; and a compression (S) and the number of working revolutions required therefor are determined. In order that the behavior of the material to be measured can be controlled accurately during the measuring process and that the obtained measuring results are accurate and reliable, the sample is compressed in two axially opposite directions with a constant force (P); the sample is moulded under a constant compression between two parallel inclined planes which change the rotationally change the direction of inclination thereof; the volume (V and V.sub.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for generating data for measuring rheological/viscoelastic properties of curing rubber samples. A stressing mechanism having a variable displacement including a maximum displacement causes variable stress in a curing rubber sample. A measuring mechanism generates measurements of instantaneous stress in the rubber sample while curing, on command. A timer mechanism senses maximum displacement and generates both a maximum displacement signal and a time interval passage signal. The time interval passage signal occurs upon passage of a time interval after maximum displacement. A controller receives and acts upon the maximum displacement signal and the time interval passage signal to command the measuring mechanism to measure instantaneous stress corresponding to maximum displacement and instantaneous stress corresponding to passage of the time interval.

Abstract: A rheometer and process of curing and testing rubber samples precisely controls each cure and test. The maximum resistance, or more specifically, maximum torque at peak stress, is predicted for each sample automatically as curing progresses. Each cure and test is terminated as soon as maximum resistance is predicted, thereby shortening each cure and test from about one-quarter to one-third.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for testing soil samples in which two similar samples of soil to be cyclic simple shear tested are positioned on opposite sides of a loading plate and subjected to a load normal to the plate. Simultaneously, the plate is moved transversely to apply a dynamic load to the samples. Soil response is studied by monitoring both loads and the transverse movement of the plate.