Abstract: A hair nature measuring instrument comprises a hair catching portion, a rotational handle portion for rotating the hair catching portion, a rotation transmitting element having a restoring resilient force and interconnecting the hair catching portion and the rotational handle portion, and a grip portion for loosely circumscribing the rotation transmitting element. The nature of hair (hardness) is measured based on a correlation between the amount of rotation of the rotational handle portion and the amount of rotation of the hair catching portion when the hair catching portion already catching hair is rotated by the rotational handle portion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for capturing the torque produced by a torsional drive system for testing the rigidity and strength of the components of the torsional drive. A lock bar is connected by a coupling to the torsional output shaft of the torsional drive system such that torque from the output shaft is transferred to the lock bar in such a manner as to transmit no harmful thrust, bending or other random forces to the drive coupling or reducer. The lock bar is rigidly connected to the base of the torsional drive system but a flexible coupling can be used which permits parallel offset and/or angular misalignment between the output shaft and the lock bar. The lock bar transfers the torque to the base of the torsional drive system thereby capturing the torque within the drive system.

Abstract: A torque testing apparatus for use with threaded closures, the apparatus enabling the use of a manually operated torque tester, such as the industry standard Owens-Illinois torque meter, while simultaneously eliminating many of the variables normally inherent in any determination of application or removal torque by the human operator. The apparatus incorporates a standard torque meter to hold a container having a threaded closure to be tested and includes a closure rotating motor, the output shaft of which rotates at a substantially constant speed and is parallel to and in line from the axis of the closure. A closure-holding lever arm is secured to the closure and a motor lever arm is secured to the motor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining structural properties of corrugated paperboard in which a sample 21 is held between two axially aligned jaws 13 and 14. The sample is subjected to a twisting force by rotation of one of the jaws and the force and angle of deflection are measured. This gives a relative determination of the boards structural property and is used to assess damage to the corrugated medium during corrugation and subsequent processing steps such as printing. The determination of shear stiffnes in the machine direction is a more reliable measure of board damage than board thickness.

Abstract: An optical sensor uses a torsion-mounted thin silicon paddle (1) with magnetically soft material on its back. A light beam falls on the front face and part of the beam is reflected to a photo-diode (4) whose output drives a current in a magnetizing coil (5). The magnetic field thus produced rotates the paddle out of the beam, which cuts off the light to the photo-diode. Thus the paddle oscillates with an amplitude which depends on the strain due to the torsion mounting. This modulates the light beam, and if they have different resonances several such sensors can share the same beam with a common read-out.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining characteristics of staple fiber yarn by measuring the change in the yarn diameter after twisting or untwisting of the yarn. The yarn thickness of a length of yarn is measured during a first measuring process and subsequently, by a second measuring process after the twist is released. The two series of values of yarn thickness or diameter can then be compared with one another to determine certain characteristics of the sampled yarn.

Abstract: In an apparatus for measuring viscoelasticity, dies are provided in their working face with a plurality of grooves arranged in a radial pattern, each groove cut to increase in width toward the periphery of the die face. Because of this groove design, air bubbles are unlikely to remain in the specimen. In addition, the specimen is far much less likely to slip between the opposed die faces in rotational oscillation generated therein for purposes of measurement, so that reduction in oscillatory angle, lessening of torque and friction disturbances that might otherwise occur as a result of slippage, are prevented. Since the shearing stresses generated in the specimen are transmitted to a torque detection die accurately as torques, precise detection of torque as a function of the viscoelastic stress in the specimen becomes possible.

Abstract: A bottle cap removal torque sensor including a rotate motor for rotating a chuck engageable with the cap of a bottle, a support for fixing the bottle with respect to the axis of the chuck, an axial pressure supply mechanism for pressing said chuck against the bottle cap, and a torque sensor for measuring the torque applied by the motor to the bottle cap.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring the modulus of elasticity of a sample specimen of a given thickness and area includes means for mounting one surface of the specimen on a rigid reference plane and an opposing surface of the specimen is then mounted on a rotatable surface. A torque arm coupled to the rotatable surface applies a predetermined torque which effectively causes this surface to rotate thereby twisting the specimen through a given angle. The angle is measured by means coupled to the rotatable surface, and based on the measured angle, one can calculate the modulus of elasticity in regard to the measured angle and in regard to the applied torque. The apparatus and methods essentially measure the modulus of elasticity through angular displacement of the specimen.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for loading and testing a container which is sealed with a child-resistant cap. A container cap is subjected to vertical loading and torque forces in order to determine if it can be opened by forces falling within design parameters. Both methods and apparatus are cooperatively employed to assure precise alignment of the container-under-test as well as recording resultant test data.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for measuring the softening point of a vitreous specimen in which the viscosity variation as a temperature function is determined by applying torsion to the specimen and measuring the transmitted torque as a function of temperature.

Abstract: A system for use in determining the torque required to loosen a threaded cap on a container, which container is held in a fixed position while a constant downward force is being placed on the threaded cap, by applying a gradually increasing electrical force to an electric motor tending to turn the electric motor so as to apply a torque on the threaded cap and using a torque sensor to measure the torque being applied by the electric motor on the threaded cap and recording the peak torque that was applied during the complete loosening of said threaded cap.

Abstract: A test stand for power-transmitting shafts having a test circuit consisting of two parallel test sections in which one shaft each is subjected to torque by a respective torquing clutch; the test stand is so constructed that the torques exerted by the two torquing clutches are identical and additional test loads can be produced by additional movements of one of the reversing gears completing the test circuit.

Abstract: A dynamic viscoelasticity measuring apparatus of torsional vibration type comprising a driving portion for converting a rotary movement to a rotary vibratory movement having a driving shaft having an eccentric end for rotation at an isometric velocity, a driven shaft supported at a right angle to said driving shaft for rotation, an intermediate arm revolving along the side of a cone having a top at the point of intersection of the center line of said driving shaft and the center line of said driven shaft disposed at right angles to each other and a bottom at a circle described by the eccentric end of the driving shaft, and connecting means for operatively connecting opposite ends of said intermediate arm to said driven shaft and said driving shaft and a driving dice for imparting vibration to a specimen, dynamic viscoelasticity of which is to be measured, through said swinging shaft, said vibration having an approximately sinusoidal waveform with complete symmetry.

Abstract: A device for testing the torque required to break the seal of a medicine vial is comprised of a torque gauge mounted on a base. The torque gauge has an armature which is adapted to hold the bottom of a medicine vial. A torque arm is attached to a cylindrical unit made up of a housing and a concentric handle connected together by a coil spring such that the coil spring can be opened by turning the housing relative to the handle so that the spring fits over the cap of a vial and holds it securely when turned in a direction which tends to tighten the coils of the spring.

Abstract: Material and component testing machine for providing random length bending and/or torsion loads in preferably bar-shaped test samples, where(a) the test sample 11 is fixed at both ends 12,13 in respective clamping means 14,15;(b) the one clamping means 14 is situated at the front end 16 of a shaft 17 which is resistant to bending and torsion and rotatable about its longitudinal axis, said shaft being mounted in two preferably hydrostatic bearings attached to the machine frame 19;(c) a radially projecting lever arm 21 is connected to the rear end 20 of the shaft 17, to which a force Z is applied;(d) the other clamping means 15 is situated in the center of a yoke 23 which is resistant to bending and torsion, at the back end of which forces X,Y, are applied respectively, each force being at right angles to the other;(e) the yoke 23 is supported on the machine frame through its two arms 24 via a cardan joint 24-28.

Abstract: In the plating of wire, particularly gold plating of wire for terminal pins, obtaining a high quality fixed gold plate is a problem. The invention provides for testing the wire prior to plating to detect surface irregularities which affect the quality of the plate. A test length of wire has a length of tape wrapped spirally around, with at least an edge portion in contact with the wire. The wire, and tape, is then twisted, in the direction of the spiral of the tape, in a direction to tighten the tape. The tape is then unwound and the number of particles of wire material which have separated from the wire at defects adhere to the tape is counted. For premium grade wire, less than 6 defects per foot is a standard. Commercial grade wire, between 50 and 150 defects per foot is normal.

Abstract: A rotational rheometer utilizes a rotor coupled to a test specimen and suspended in a stator by a low friction bearing suspension system, a compensation arrangement which compensates for bearing torque on the rotor throughout the full range of rotation of the rotor, and position transducers arranged for determining accurately both the angular position of the rotor throughout a full range of 360.degree. of rotation, and the longitudinal position of the rotor, relative to the stator.

Abstract: A method of measuring a characteristic of a material in a structure is the subject of the present invention. A known stress relationship S=TC/J is utilized in practicing the method of the present invention. In the foregoing formula S=strength in p.s.i.; T=torque force in pounds/inch; C=distance to the point of interest in inches; and J=.pi./2r.sup.4 where J is the polar moment of inertia for a circle of radius r (in inches). A drive head is adhesively secured to a segment of the structure to be tested. A known torque force is then applied to the drive head and this known force is translated into a measurement of the material characteristic utilizing the formula indicated. The method may be utilized to test the ultimate shear strength by failing the material or may be utilized to measure strength up to a design criteria without carrying the material to failure. Other material characteristics may also be measured utilizing the known formula set forth above and other known relationships.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for subjecting a test valve actuator to torque loads which simulate the torque loads an actuator would be expected to experience in field operation when opening and closing a butterfly-type valve in a fluid conduit. The apparatus includes a frame supporting both a drive shaft and a tail shaft mounted for rotation about horizontal axis of rotation. The test actuator is mounted on the frame and coupled to the drive shaft for rotating the shaft 90.degree. about its axis. A sprocket fixed to the drive shaft is connected by a link chain to a sprocket fixed to the tail shaft. The sprockets are selected to have a 3 to 1 gear reduction ratio with the tail shaft rotating 3 degrees for each degree of rotation of the tail shaft. A mass depending from the tail shaft generates a torque load at the tail shaft equal to one third the dynamic torque load for corresponding positions of the actuator.

Abstract: An improved rotary actuator assembly includes a stationary shroud extending between first and second spaced apart stationary support members that aids assembly of the rotary actuator and collects drain lubricating oil during operation. A rotating member is supported between the first and second stationary supports by bearings positioned within the first support and a bushing within the second support. The shroud covers a portion of the rotating member between the first and second stationary supports.

Abstract: In a vehicle steering system for automobiles, for example, a steering column is provided with a rotatable flexible shaft at the end thereof for improving the ability of the column to absorb energy in a crash situation. The flexible shaft has at least one strip of a plastic material, preferably polyvinylidene fluoride film made piezoelectric by known methods, secured to an outermost winding of the flexible shaft. Turning the steering wheel will torsionally deflect the flexible shaft which causes the piezoelectric strips to generate millivoltages thereacross. A deteriorating flexible shaft will deflect more under torsional stress than a comparable newer flexible shaft and the piezoelectric strip or strips secured to the deteriorating shaft will consequently produce higher millivoltages. These millivoltages are amplified and fed to indicating means for indicating the degree of safeness of the flexible shaft.

Abstract: An exciter is disclosed for applying a dynamic torsional force to a rotating structure, such as to the shaft of a turbine generator, the axle of a vehicle, or the like, during mechanical testing to determine the mechanical response characteristics, natural modes of vibration, fatigue life, etc., of the structure. The exciter includes a rotary hydraulic actuator having a housing secured to the structure to be tested and a driveshaft which is rotatable relative to the housing as well as an inertial mass mounted on the driveshaft.

Abstract: In a testing machine a test piece and a reference piece having a known spring constant are superposed with fulcrums interposed between the opposite ends thus establishing a mirror image relationship. A load is applied to the center of the assembly by means of an elastic ring thereby creating a definite relative displacement between the test piece and the reference piece and the relative displacement is measured to determine the bending stiffness of the test piece. According to modified embodiments the torsional stiffness and tension can be measured.

Abstract: A welded assembly has first and second portions connected one to the other by welds about a common axis. Testing apparatus holds one of the portions against rotation about the axis and controllably exerts a torquing force of a preselected magnitude on the other portion. The torquing force is exerted about the axis and oriented relative to the welds for exerting a radial force through each of said welds. Application of the torquing force and radial forces provides nondestructive testing of the welded assembly and of the welds of the assembly, respectively.