Abstract: A system for universal testing of metal sheet formability is described. The system discloses a cylinder barrel including two pistons for testing formability of the metal sheets. The driving force is provided by the hydraulic pressure of an incompressible fluid. The present application also describes an apparatus to perform various formability tests on metal sheets such as the bulge test, Nakazima test, Marciniak test, cupping test, and the blanking test. The system can also be used in hydroforming metal sheets.

Abstract: A bias value associated with a sensor, e.g., a time-varying, non-zero value which is output from a sensor when it is motionless, is estimated using at least two, different bias estimating techniques. A resultant combined or selected bias estimate may then be used to compensate the biased output of the sensor in, e.g., a 3D pointing device.

Abstract: Methods of testing brittle particulate materials are described. In a preferred embodiment, a method includes characterizing the particle disintegration or breakage after a sample of brittle particle material is treated with a fluid or chemical. The particle disintegration may be characterized with visual observation. Imaging, or particle size measurement methods. In, another preferred embodiment, a method includes crushing 100-200 particles of a brittle particulate material for statistical analysis of its mechanical property. Un yet another preferred embodiment, a method includes analyzing the results of single particle crush of a brittle particulate material with Weibull distribution and using the product of the Weibull modulus and characteristic property as a unified measure of the mechanical property of the brittle particulate material.

Abstract: A bias value associated with a sensor, e.g., a time-varying, non-zero value which is output from a sensor when it is motionless, is estimated using at least two, different bias estimating techniques. A resultant combined or selected bias estimate may then be used to compensate the biased output of the sensor in, e.g., a 3D pointing device.

Abstract: A portable handheld consistometer that includes a probe having a shaft and a probe tip attached to a first end of the shaft. In an embodiment, the probe tip has a cross-sectional area greater than that of the shaft, the probe configured to be inserted into a material to measure the consistency thereof. In an embodiment, a force sensor is attached to a second end of the shaft opposite the first end. The force sensor is coupled to processing circuitry, and is configured to measure the force with which the probe tip penetrates the material. In an embodiment, a distance sensor is coupled to the processing circuitry. The distance sensor is configured to measure the distance that the probe tip penetrates into the material. Further; the handheld consistometer includes a display screen coupled to the processing circuitry and configured to display the results of consistency measurements.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for measuring the unconfined yield strength and time unconfined yield strength of bulk granular materials and powders. A sample of bulk material is consolidated under controlled pressure in a sample cup with a hole or holes in the bottom. A moveable base smaller than the internal cup dimensions covers the hole(s) to prevent material from escaping the cup and to provide a base for removing the consolidated sample from the cup. After a predetermined time, the consolidated sample is removed from the cup by lifting the base relative to the cup walls through the hole(s) in the bottom of the cup. Once removed from the cup, the strength of the consolidated sample is measured by applying pressure to the top of the sample until the sample breaks. For time tests, the sample is consolidate with weights over predetermined time periods.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuous measurement of a geomaterial is disclosed. The apparatus includes a measuring device and a flat bed operatively coupled to the measuring device. The measuring device includes a moving head configured to move in a longitudinal direction relative to a core section of the geomaterial and a first probe coupled to the moving head and configured to continuously measure a property of the core section. The flat bed includes a load actuator configured to secure the core section during the continuous measurement and axially rotate the core section, as well as a core holder assembly configured to apply confining pressure on a length of the core section.

Abstract: A terminal is tested for its robustness. The terminal is for a photovoltaic module. The photovoltaic module is put on a frame unit and is connected with a load unit. The present invention reduces human errors, improves test accuracy and achieves easy operation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method as described in the specification and drawings for parallel high throughput corrosion testing and electroplating testing of test coupons.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cooling system for a mobile terminal for wireless communication comprising a rotating fan (1) for reducing the heat generated by the mobile terminal and at least one weight (3) for causing an unbalance of the rotation of the fan (1) in order to cause vibration of the fan, whereby said weight is activated when the rotational speed of the fan (1) exceeds a predefined level.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus, comprising a first mechanical structure having a first rigid surface, an area of the first rigid surface having a nanostructured surface. The apparatus also includes a second mechanical structure having a second rigid surface and opposing the first mechanical structure. The second rigid surface is cooperable with the nanostructured surface such that a microscopic particle is locatable between the nanostructured surface and the second rigid surface.

Abstract: Brittleness of a coating substance such as a coating film that is too brittle and/or too thin to be independently removed or handled is rated on the basis of an outcome of detection of acoustic emissions which are produced when a test film piece prepared by laminating a support with the coating substance is deformed by a compression transverse test device and detected by an AE sensor attached to the test film.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for indentation test, for measuring mechanical properties in the field. The present invention provides an apparatus which is suitable for measuring mechanical properties without compensative experimental constant for the analysis of measured data. The present invention provides an apparatus which is safe for testing the materials by utilizing a sensor for controlling indenter movement.

Abstract: A method and system on-board a vehicle is provided for determining cycles to failure of the vehicle. The system includes a vehicle attitude reference or navigation system, a memory, and a processing component. The vehicle attitude reference system generates distance values in 6 degrees of freedom as a result of detected accelerations in the 6 degrees of freedom. The processing component converts the distance values to stress and strain values, and determines cycles-to-failure for one or more of the vehicle parts based on the stress and strain values and associated ductility and spring constant values stored in the memory. The processing component also subtracts the determined cycles to failure for each of the parts from previously-predicted cycles-to-failure, and stores the result of the subtraction in the memory for later use by operators of the vehicle.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for analyzing a breath sample provide user-friendly operation and analysis. The method and apparatus provide for automatic operation and coordination of operation of and absorbent sample tube, including desorbing means, a chromatographic precolumn, a chromatographic main column, a detector, a data processor, a sample receiving tube for receiving exhaled breath sample, a sample loop for aspirating a prescribed quantity of breath sample from the sample receiving tube, a sample valve, a standard gas reservoir, and a standard gas valve. All of the foregoing are operated automatically in such that start cycles, detector cycles, fault detection cycles, standardizing, analysis, shutdown and end cycles are performed in a way which allows for straightforward and simple measurement of breath sample by a user.

Abstract: The invention concerns the ageing of material samples in the test enclosure f an apparatus for testing exposure to light and weathering, using visible light, UV light and medium- or long-wavelength IR radiation and with air circulation. In order to ensure reproducible test results, a value representing the surface temperature of the sample is measured by means of a temperature sensor and compared, at the input of a control unit, with a predefined reference temperature. In the event of a temperature difference, a control signal generated by the control unit adjusts the power supply to a separate IR radiant heater for medium- and long-wavelength IR radiation in such a way that the difference disappears in accordance with a predefined indicial response.

Abstract: The system consists of a series of programs that enable a user to investigate possible toughening mechanisms against crack growth in composites and brittle materials consisting of different combinations of materials and containing planar interfaces and elliptically shaped microstructures. The programs begin with various materials, sizes and orientations of microstructures, distances of a crack from a material interface, and possible formulas for energy absorption mechanisms of interest to the user. They then allow a crack to advance toward an interface numerically integrate over a circular and microstructural regions and thus calculate the balance of various energy quantities during crack advance. They then transform the final calculations into a graph display of net energy per incremental length of crack advance versus crack distance from the microstructural entity in question.

Abstract: The transition temperature curve of irradiated low-alloy reactor pressure steel is calculated utilizing results from a notched impact bending test performed on irradiated samples of steel. The transition temperature curves for the partial energy, the hydrogen and oxygen concentrations and the metallographic structure are determined and the transition temperature curve is calculated therefrom.

Abstract: A standardized test for measuring the stringiness of room temperature vulcanizable silicone sealant compositions is disclosed wherein a tube of sealant is held at a constant angle to the surface upon which the sealant is being applied. The surface is movable and once a small bead of sealant has been deposited upon the surface the surface is moved at a constant rate of speed until the sealant bead breaks off from the source. The length of any string of sealant formed thereby is measured. This measurement for a given composition is compared to the measurement for other compositions and thereby allows optimization of sealant compositions to minimize an undesirable feature.

Abstract: An autoclave-enclosed sidestream model boiler is used to predict the onset of intergranular attack ("IGA") and stress corrosion cracking ("SCC") within tubing associated with a power generator. Power generator final feed water is fluid coupled to a pipe within the model boiler, which pipe is strain-gage monitored, preferably using welded fiber optic strain gage devices. The monitored pipe includes a crevice region that produces a water-starved region in which chemical impurities in the feed water become concentrated. A cylindrical heater, located within a portion of the monitored pipe, promotes the water-starved region. A cylindrical portion of the pipe wall preferably is thinned, generally in the region bounding the crevice. Thinning promotes the onset of IGA/SCC within the monitored pipe and also passively amplifies the effects of IGA/SCC to promote easier strain detection. To further promote stress, the monitored pipe is subjected to loading and unloading from an axial load.

Abstract: A knife sharpener is disclosed having an elongated handle and a blade sharpening unit mounted to a platform at a distal end of the handle for rotation between first and second secured positions for selective orientation of a blade draw direction to accommodate use by either a right-handed or a left-handed individual. The blade sharpening unit includes a lock tab biased for receipt within a selected one of a pair of keyways formed in the platform, each keyway being associated with one of the first and second positions.

Abstract: A corrosion cracking test assembly comprising a pair of strips each having notches formed along one edge and assembled in a stressed condition.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for determining the fracture resistance of thin wall hollow articles when ironed, the method including the step of providing a drawing die and punch or a mandrel having a portion thereof tapered in a continuous, linear manner. The taper is such that it provides a continuous decrease in punch-to-die clearance when the two are moved together, and thus a continuous range of ironing reductions along the side wall of an article located between the punch and die. The taper of the punch begins adjacent the forward end thereof and is sized to effect conventional thinning of the side wall of the article at the onset of ironing. The final diameter of the taper of the punch, however, is such that fracturing of the side wall is assured in the ironing process.

Abstract: A hydrogen embrittlement tester, for a metal sample, has a vise device for holding the sample.For testing bend fracture, the distance between both ends of the sample is measured, which corresponds to that of the distance between the sample holding members. For testing the delayed fracture, the time from when the sample is held until it is fractured is measured.An electric path is formed between the sample holding members and the sample only when the sample is held so that measurement can be automatically stopped when the sample is fractured.

Abstract: A method of verifying the stress rolling of a metallic rim includes the steps of taking a first hardness reading of the surface that is to have been stress rolled, taking a second hardness reading of a reference surface that has not been stress rolled and comparing the readings so that the first hardness reading will be significantly higher than the second only if the surface has been stress rolled.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the hardness characteristics of battery components such as lead intercell connection lugs wherein a base is provided with an aperture which corresponds to the size of the aperture provided in the intercell partition of a battery container, and a retractable ram is positioned in substantial axial alignment with the aperture in the base, so that the battery component can be positioned on the base and over the aperture and so that the retractable ram can be advanced into contact with the battery component so that the battery component is extruded into the aperture. When the battery component is extruded into the aperture for a selected distance, a limit switch is activated, whereupon the force applied to the ram is measured.

Abstract: Method of nondestructively measuring percent elongation or ductility of a cellular metallic. After surface preparation, the number of metal cells per unit area are counted, either manually or using an automated technique. The cell count is utilized in a relationship unique to the cellular metallic which correlates cell count to ductility in terms of percent elongation. The effects of the structural configuration of the cellular metallic, porosity and eutectic morphology are also discussed.

Abstract: A digital method of testing a wire drawing distance to determine the percent wire elongation provided thereby in which a predetermined test length of wire is pulled through the die and then around a rotatable capstan thereby rotating the same. A train of electrical pulses is generated in response to rotational movement of the capstan, there being 10.sup.n pulses generated in response to the rotational movement of the capstan caused by pulling a length of drawn wire therearound equal in length to the test length prior to drawing through the die where "n" is a positive integer greater than zero and less than five. The pulses generated during the pulling of the test length of the wire through the die are counted, and a visual indication of the pulse count with the most significant digit eliminated is provided.

Abstract: The present invention involves a new method for measuring plane strain fracture toughness (K.sub.Ic) of a somewhat non-elastic material uniquely suitable for use on specimens that are smaller than have formerly been required for performing valid K.sub.Ic tests. The present invention involves selecting a short-rod specimen configuration in which the specimen material at a crack front or tip therein would be constrained during loading to a plane strain state and, from the measurement and anelastic analysis of a load-displacement curve that includes at least two unloading slopes the energy per unit crack area that is required to slowly advance a steady state crack can be determined, which data, along with measurement of the critical load when the crack passes through a known location, and considering the specimen geometry, is used to determine the fracture toughness, K.sub.Ic, of the specimen.

Abstract: The present invention consists of a method for accurately measuring the plane strain fracture toughness of ductile and brittle materials, the method to be practiced on a specimen formed such that, when the specimen is appropriately loaded, a crack will initiate at a predetermined point or line, with such crack formed thereat being intrinsically stable such that the load executed on the specimen must be continually increased in order to further advance the crack along a predetermined path through the specimen, until, at some critical location along the predetermined crack path, the load necessary to further advance the crack reaches a maximum, thereafter decrasing as the crack advances beyond the critical location along the remainder of its predetermined path through the specimen, that critical location being essentially independent of the specimen material, it being determined by the specimen geometry alone as long as elastic plane strain conditions prevail in the specimen sufficiently close to the crack tip.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and gauge for nondestructively testing and certifying the workable qualities of a casting. The guage comprises a tab cast at the same time as the remaining portion of the casting located in a nonfunctional location, when considered in the light of the later use to be made of the casting, and also in such a position that it can be bent as by striking with a percussive instrument or by the application of a continuous bending force without damage to the remaining portion of the casting. The tab or guage will be subjected to a strain greater than the maximum strain to which the remaining portion of the casting will be subjected, during its installation or use, and determining by visual inspection whether or not the tab, at its bend has cracked, the overall ductility of the casting can be judged and it can be projected, that the casting will be able to withstand the forces to which it will be subjected when employed in a desired manner.

Abstract: The invention is a method of predicting ductility of a metallic cast eutectic alloy; the discovery of a microstructural function based upon manufacturing steps that influence ductility; and including the microstructural characteristics of the number of cells of a primary metal of the alloy such as aluminum in an aluminum silicon magnesium alloy, the silicon eutectic, and the lack of soundness, i.e., porosity; and the discovery of a ductility prediction equation.