Abstract: A tensile test machine is a tensile test machine that executes a tensile test by applying a test force to a test target to deform the test target and includes a detection unit that detects an elongation amount of the test target, a calculation unit that calculates an elongation rate of the test target on the basis of a detection result of the detection unit, and a display control unit that displays a graph showing a change in the elongation rate.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting leaks in flexible packets with a test bed, a pressure chamber to apply a first pressure and a second pressure to the packet, producing a first volume and second volume for the packet. An illumination source and an illumination detector to produce a first image dataset of the packet at the first pressure and a second image dataset of the packet at the second pressure, a processor connected to the illumination detector to receive the first and second image datasets and determine the first volume and the second volume and use the first volume and the second volume to determine a change in volume, compare the change of volume with a threshold and when the change of volume is greater than the threshold determine the packet is leak-free and when the change of volume is less than the threshold determines the packet has a leak.

Abstract: A stress corrosion crack test method for evaluating the stress corrosion crack susceptibility of a steel material in alcohol. The method includes filling a cell containing a uniaxial tensile test piece of the steel material with an alcohol solution containing carboxylic acid: 0.1 mmol/L or more and less than 40 mmol/L, chloride ions: 0.05 mg/L or more and less than 300 mg/L, and water: 0.1 vol. % or more and less than 5 vol. %. Additionally, the method includes applying a fluctuating stress at a frequency of 2.0×10?5 Hz or more and 2.0×10?2 Hz or less to the uniaxial tensile test piece in the tensile direction. The maximum stress being equal to or more than the yield strength and less than the tensile strength at a test solution temperature, and the minimum stress being 0% or more and 90% or less of the yield strength.

Abstract: A sports monitoring system and method. One disclosed system can be used during skiing and includes a controller transceiver that can be hand held, two ski boot pressure monitor/transmitters, and earphones connectable to the controller/transceiver. The system can be used to provide, through the earphones, sound indicative of pressure applied or not applied by a skier toward a portion of a boot while skiing. The system may also include a proximity sensor mounted within one of the ski boot pressure monitor/transmitters. The system can thereby provide sound responsive to the proximity detector's detection of one boot being at or not at a distance, or within or outside of a distance range, with respect to the other boot.

Abstract: An improved single-fracture method and apparatus for determining the ambient stress state and material properties of underground media includes, in one aspect, an expandable probe having high-strength steel shells with longitudinally extending, tooth-like ridges to create a maximum friction engagement with the borehole boundary. The single fracture method establishes a force-balance between the probe expansion pressure and the underground stress vector acting perpendicular to the single fracture plane, whereby the expansion pressure and stress vector are related by a proportionality constant (n).

Abstract: A method of measuring the squeeze force of a package includes applying a compression force to the package, and measuring the compression force as a function of volume change of the package. The compression force may be applied by placing the package in a force tester, and compressing the package with a movable crosshead. A device for measuring the squeeze force of a package containing a fluid may include a force tester and a fluid gauge, where the force tester includes a movable crosshead and a force gauge attached to the crosshead. The device may also include a holder to secure a bottle for testing.

Abstract: A method of monitoring corrosion in a metal sample comprising applying a physical stress to one or more metal samples, placing the metal sample under stress in a sealed vessel, adding one or more fluids to the vessel, measuring the strain on the metal sample over a specified time interval, controlling the environment inside the vessel, calculating the rate of change of the strain measurement over the specified time interval, recording the rate of change of the strain measurement, calculating a moving average of two or more previously recorded rates of change of the strain measurement, and monitoring the moving average to detect damage to the metal sample.

Abstract: An apparatus measures a supporting force of ferroconcrete piles by means of a bi-directional front end oil pressure loading apparatus using a high pressure loading system capable of measuring a supporting force, a sinking amount and an axis load distribution on the ferroconcrete piles.

Abstract: A method of making a force sensor, the force sensor being particularly sensitive the axial component of a force applied along a predetermined axis, of the type including a force-receiving membrane deformable by an applied force to be sensed, the method comprising: providing the force sensor with a body of a liquid, and with a second membrane separated from said force-receiving membrane by the body of liquid; applying the force to be sensed to the center of the force-receiving membrane to thereby pressurize the liquid according to the magnitude and axis of the force applied to the force-receiving membrane; and measuring the deformation of the second membrane; wherein the force-receiving membrane is of a non-undulating configuration in its normal condition and is deformable, by a force applied to its center at an oblique angle to its surface, into an undulating configuration, to include an inwardly-bowed section on one side of its center, and an outwardly-bulged section on the opposite side of its center, such

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for testing the mechanical properties of a material. The apparatus comprises a sample container (10) adapted to be filled with a sample of the material, and a housing (20) within which the sample container (10) is, in use, fixedly mounted. The sample container (10) has a first, open face via which a compressive load can be applied to the sample and a second face (19) disposed orthogonally to the first, open face. At least a portion of the second face (19) is resiliently displaceable, outwardly of the sample container (10), in response to deformation of the sample brought about by application of the load.

Abstract: An array of piezoelectric ceramic sensors affixed to a flexible plastic membrane forms a target surface and the signals produced by the sensors are processed to produce an output signal which indicates the location where a liquid stream strikes the target. The sensor array is used to detect the presence and location of a liquid stream from a pressurized nozzle used to play an interactive game. The stream presence and position signals are fed in real time to a (personal) computer which produces an output display indicating where the target was struck by the stream. The stream detection array may be used in a variety of applications.

Abstract: Disclosed is a triaxial system for testing particulate matter under substantially dry triaxial load conditions comprising: a housing means fillable with confining fluid for providing confining pressure on a sample of dry particulate matter to be tested, the housing having a channel for introduction therein and removal therefrom of the confining fluid, a load piston sealingly extends for providing a load on the sample, sample mounting means for mounting the sample within the housing, the sample mounting means including a top end platen for mounting at the top and a button end platen for disposition at the bottom of the sample, at least one flexible, impermeable membrane for enclosing the surface of the sample other than its ends, fluid passage means connecting the housing to a volume change sensor for freely delivering confining fluid thereto, and a volume change sensor adapted to measure the volume of confining fluid delivered thereto through the fluid passage means.

Abstract: Disclosed is a triaxial system for testing particulate matter under substantially dry triaxial load conditions comprising: a housing means fillable with confining fluid for providing confining pressure on a sample of dry particulate matter to be tested, the housing having a channel for introduction therein, and removal therefrom of the confining fluid, a load piston sealingly extends for providing a load on the sample, sample mounting means for mounting the sample within the housing, the sample mounting means including a top end platen for mounting at the bottom of the sample, at least one flexible, impermeable membrane for enclosing the surface of the sample other than its ends, fluid passage means connecting the housing to a volume change sensor for freely delivering confining fluid thereto, and a volume change sensor adapted to measure the volume of confining fluid delivered thereto through the fluid passage means. Also disclosed is a test method for employing the above system to test particulate matter.

Abstract: Apparatus for locating adhesive failure of sealant joints. Useful for determination of the quality of sealant joints in structures, especially curtain wall buildings. A substantially constant pressure probe is utilized to displace roughly a middle third of a sealant bead that is located along a sealant joint having longitudinal axis and spanning a gap between adjacent substrates, using a predetermined force calibrated to provide a preselected elongation of a particular type of sealant. The testing apparatus has a frame, a first fluid cylinder having an first end wall, a first tubular cylinder wall, a first piston, and a first shaft. The first shaft is response to movement of the first piston. The first shaft has a probe affixed thereto.

Abstract: A sensor pad for controlling the deployment of an automobile airbag. Weight sensing pad 10 is used in the seat 54 of an automobile, (not illustrated), to detect the presence of an occupant on the seat. Weight sensing pad 10 is used in conjunction with the vehicle's airbag control module in order to allow deployment of the airbag, in the event of a collision, only if the seat is occupied by a person of a preselected weight. Weight sensing pad 10 is defined by a bladder member 15 having an interior volume subdivided into a plurality of individual cells 42 in fluid communication with each other and that is filled with a non-compressible fluid 18, such as silicon or a silica gel of medium viscosity. A pressure tube 22 is in fluid communication with bladder 15 and is in further fluid communication with a pressure activated electronic transducer 26 which in turn is in electronic communication with the airbag controller 30.

Abstract: A container for storing sport balls incorporates a device for testing the playing condition of the balls. The test device is in the form of a disk with a base portion supported within the container and an indicator arm. A ball to be tested is placed into the container where it rests on the indicator arm with a portion of the ball protruding out of the open end of the container. The exposed portion of the ball is pressed against a flat surface. This deflects the indicator arm and provides a visual indication of the playing condition of the ball.

Abstract: A container for storing sport balls incorporates a device for testing the playing condition of the balls. A cylindrical container has a removable end cap that may be attached to the closed end of the container. A ball placed within the end cap is subjected to predetermined compression when the end cap is secured onto the container. A pressure indicator in the end cap provides a visual indication of the internal pressure in the ball, and hence, one important measure of the playing condition of the ball.

Abstract: A machining head carries at its end a sensor comprising a pressure-sensitive element (4) mounted on the parts (1, 2) holding the injector jet for the machining fluid, as well as the buffering pieces (5, 6, 12) forming a shield. The element (4) is an insulating and watertight tube, arranged to form a ring in the space left between the coaxial, truncated conical surfaces of the parts (1) and (2). It contains conducting parts which come into contact with one another when it is deformed by the action of a pressure whose value exceeds a given threshold. This results in the closing of an electrical circuit which transmits an appropriate signal to the controls of the EDM machine in order to interrupt the relative movement of the head. The device enables any shock or abnormal stress acting on the end of the machining head to be detected. By means of an O-ring seal (7) acting as a hinge, the part (1) and the piece (12) are returned to their original positions when the stress disappears.

Abstract: A waste material compression tester is provided and having a reservoir or chamber for holding a sample of waste material containing liquid, a pressure source to apply pressure to the waste material under a pre-set pressure and a predetermined time period and a detector to indicate whether liquid was exuded from the waste material after the pressure is removed.

Abstract: Compressibility test apparatus and method of testing compressibility. The apparatus includes a holder having a sample chamber for holding a sample in the environment of a confining pressure and means for supplying an internal pressure to the held sample. The sample and various conduits and channels that communicate with the sample define an internal system volume. Connected in this internal system volume is an internal volume adjustment pump that is operable to vary the internal system volume in incremental steps, by which the internal pressure is reduced (or increased) in steps to increase (or reduce) the net confining pressure. As a result, changes in the sample volume as a function of changes in the net confining pressure are determined, from which the compressibility of the sample is obtained.

Abstract: A triaxial cell apparatus for conducting constant lateral stress tests, constant volume tests and zero lateral strain tests on particulate materials. Pressure and volume measuring devices are in communication with a flexible inner specimen cylinder and with a rigid outer cylinder mounted on the apparatus frame. A control panel permits the compressed air confining stress to be regulated as axial stress is applied through a piston assembly having the same cross-sectional area as the specimen cylinder. The different tests are conducted by various combinations and hookups between the pressure and volume measuring devices and the control panel. The tests can be performed on a specimen so that the stress history of that material may be determined for later use in confining structure design.