Wear test apparatus

#Field

#This present subject matter relates generally to an apparatus and method for measuring the wear rate of materials in a high-temperature pressurized environment.

#Background

#A description of the present subject matter including various embodiments thereof is presented with reference to the accompanying drawings, the description not meaning to be considered limiting in any matter, wherein:

#FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an exemplary fretting wear test apparatus;

#FIGS. 3A-3H illustrate an exemplary fretting mechanism;

#Similar reference numerals and designators in the various figures refer to like elements.

#FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an exemplary fretting wear test apparatus 1000. The exemplary apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2 is supported by a support structure 100 which includes upper support structure 110 and lower support structure 120. The upper support structure 110 includes an upper plate 112 and a plurality of upper tie rods 115. The upper tie rods 115 connect at a first end 116 to a first side 113 of upper plate 112 and connect at a second end 117 to an autoclave assembly 200 on a first side 212 of autoclave adapter 210. The second side 214 (shown in FIG. 4) of autoclave adapter 210 connects to the lower support structure 120. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the second side 214 of autoclave adapter 210 connects to an autoclave head 220 on a first side 222 of the autoclave head 220. A plurality of lower tie rods 127 connect on a first end 128 to a first side 122 of intermediate plate 121. A second side 123 of intermediate plate 121 connects to a second side 224 of autoclave head 220. A second end 129 of lower tied rods 127 connect to a first side 125 of a lower plate 124, which also has second side 126. A pressure vessel 230 encloses the lower tie rods 127 and lower plate 124 and sealingly connects with the second side 224 of autoclave head 220. In certain exemplary embodiments the pressure vessel 230 is wrapped in heaters (not shown). Autoclave adapter 210 includes an inlet 232 and discharge 234 (see, e.g., FIG. 5A) for at least one seal system coolant recirculation loop (not shown). The heaters raise the temperature inside pressure vessel 230 to achieve desired conditions. In certain embodiments pressure is maintained at least in part by a pump (not shown) which operates on the principle of pressure intensification.

#The exemplary fretting wear test apparatus 1000 includes a fretting mechanism 300 connected on a first end 302 (see, e.g., FIG. 3A) to the autoclave head 220 via intermediate plate 121 and a load train 600 (see, e.g. FIG. 1) operably connected on a load train first end 610 (see, e.g., FIG. 1) (also referred to as upper shaft 610) with fretting mechanism 300 (see, e.g., FIGS. 3A-3H) and configured to connect with an actuator 710 on a second end 304 of fretting mechanism 300 to a load train second end 630 (also referred to as lower shaft 630). The fretting mechanism 300 can but need not be coaxially mounted to the load train 600. The fretting wear test apparatus 1000 further includes force balance assembly 500 connected to a first side 212 of autoclave adapter 210 and configured to equalize a pressure acting on at least a portion of the load train 600 and a pressure vessel 230 sealingly connected to autoclave head 220.