# US 10,502,669 B2 · Real-time video extensometer

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- Number: US 10,502,669 B2
- Document ID: US10502669B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/327,986
- Filed: 2015-06-25
- Published: 2017-08-03
- Granted: 2019-12-10
- Earliest claimed: 2014-07-28
- Assignees: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
- Applicants: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
- Inventors: Martin A. Peterson; Daniel Dina
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10502669B2

## CPC

- G01N 3/068: {with optical indicating or recording means}
- G01B 11/16: for measuring the deformation in a solid, e.g. optical strain gauge
- G01N 3/08: by applying steady tensile or compressive forces (G01N3/28 takes precedence)
- G06T 7/246: using feature-based methods, e.g. the tracking of corners or segments
- H04N 7/10: Adaptations for transmission by electrical cable (H04N7/12 takes precedence)
- H04N 7/188: {Capturing isolated or intermittent images triggered by the occurrence of a predetermined event, e.g. an object reaching a predetermined position (signal generation from motion picture films H04N5/253)}
- G01N 2203/0016: Tensile or compressive
- G01N 2203/0647: Image analysis
- G06T 2207/30208: Marker matrix
- G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q)
- G01B: MEASURING LENGTH, THICKNESS OR SIMILAR LINEAR DIMENSIONS; MEASURING ANGLES; MEASURING AREAS; MEASURING IRREGULARITIES OF SURFACES OR CONTOURS
- G06T: IMAGE DATA PROCESSING OR GENERATION, IN GENERAL
- H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION

## Abstract

This disclosure relates to a real-time video extensometer. Typically, the apparatus of the disclosure combines the image source, data processing and electrical output on to a single processing board in order to achieve high frequency images and low latency times on data flow. Further, the video processing engine processes the image on a pixel basis and updating the output the intermediate extension/strain result so that after receipt of the final image pixel, a final extension/strain value is achieved and immediately output for evaluation.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An extensometer for measuring extension/strain on a testing specimen, comprising:
an imaging device for generating an image of a testing specimen which is subjected to a stress-inducing load;
a calculating device, including a microprocessor and a field programmable gate array, for receiving the image of a testing specimen, determining movement of targets on a testing specimen and determining extension/strain from the determined movement of targets, the video device and the calculating device, including the microprocessor and the field programmable gate array, being on a same circuit board; and
an output device for outputting the determined extension/strain in real-time.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The extensometer of claim 1 wherein extension/strain is determined in two orthogonal directions.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The extensometer of claim 1 wherein extension/strain is determined in the axial direction and in the transverse direction.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The extensometer of claim 1 further including a constant density air tube through which the imaging device views the testing specimen.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The extensometer of claim 4 wherein the constant density air tube includes at least one fan, thereby creating a virtual airtube.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The extensometer of claim 5 wherein the at least one fan of the constant density air tube is at least partially controlled by the same circuit board as the video device and the calculating device.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The extensometer of claim 1 further including an ethernet connection.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The extensometer of claim 1 further including an illumination device for illuminating the testing specimen.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The extensometer of claim 1 wherein the illumination device emits polarized light.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The extensometer of claim 1 further including an auxiliary camera link connector input for receiving an image of a testing specimen which is subjected to a stress-inducing load.