# US 11,906,478 B2 · System, method, and apparatus for automating specimen testing > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,906,478 B2 - Document ID: US11906478B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/578,729 - Filed: 2022-01-19 - Published: 2022-07-21 - Granted: 2024-02-20 - Earliest claimed: 2021-01-21 - Assignees: Illinois Tool Works Inc. - Applicants: Illinois Tool Works Inc. - Inventors: Adrian Riddick; Daniel Chouinard; Brian Salem; Christopher Hines - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11906478B2 ## CPC - G01N 3/08: by applying steady tensile or compressive forces (G01N3/28 takes precedence) - G01L 5/0038: {applying a pushing force} - G01L 5/0047: {measuring forces due to residual stresses} - G01M 3/36: by detecting change in dimensions of the structure being tested - G01N 3/04: Chucks - G01N 2203/0019: Compressive - 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) - G01L: MEASURING FORCE, STRESS, TORQUE, WORK, MECHANICAL POWER, MECHANICAL EFFICIENCY, OR FLUID PRESSURE (weighing G01G) - G01M: TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES; TESTING OF STRUCTURES OR APPARATUS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract Described is a test head for a residual seal force (RSF) testing system. The test head includes a housing, an anvil, and a ball roller assembly. The housing defines a first cavity and the anvil is positioned at least partially within the first cavity. The ball roller assembly is configured to provide a point of contact between the housing and the anvil during a RSF test. The test head may further comprise a retaining ring configured to maintain the anvil at least partially within the first cavity. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A test head for a residual seal force (RSF) testing system, the test head comprising: a housing defining a first cavity; an anvil positioned at least partially within the first cavity; a ball roller assembly configured to provide a point of contact between the housing and the anvil during a RSF test, wherein the ball roller assembly comprises a plurality of ball bearings; and a retaining ring configured to maintain the anvil at least partially within the first cavity. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The test head of claim 1, wherein the anvil is configured to move in a planar motion relative to the housing. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The test head of claim 1, wherein the anvil is configured to pivot radially relative to the housing. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The test head of claim 1, wherein the anvil is configured to move relative to the housing in a planar motion and radially. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The test head of claim 1, wherein the anvil is configured to float within the first cavity. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The test head of claim 1, wherein the ball roller assembly comprises a sphere and a roller housing, wherein the plurality of ball bearings are configured to reduce friction between the sphere and the roller housing. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The test head of claim 6, wherein the sphere is fabricated from stainless steel. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The test head of claim 1, wherein the housing defines a second cavity. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The test head of claim 8, wherein the ball roller assembly is press fit into the second cavity. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The test head of claim 1, wherein the anvil defines a second cavity. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The test head of claim 10, wherein the ball roller assembly is press fit into the second cavity. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The test head of claim 1, wherein the retaining ring is positioned within the first cavity. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The test head of claim 1, wherein the anvil defines a recess configured to engage a specimen of the RSF testing system. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The test head of claim 1, wherein the housing defines a first coupler configured to engage with a second coupler of the testing system. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The test head of claim 1, wherein the test head defines a proximal end having a first coupler configured to engage with a second coupler of the testing system and a distal end having a recess configured to engage a specimen. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The test head of claim 15, wherein the first coupler is a clevis coupling or sleeve coupling. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The test head of claim 1, wherein the housing and the anvil are fabricated from a metal or a metal alloy. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The test head of claim 1, wherein the housing and the anvil are fabricated from stainless steel. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The test head of claim 1, wherein the ball roller assembly provides a single point of contact between the housing and the anvil. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The test head of claim 19, wherein the housing or the anvil defines a concave region at the single point of contact to increase contact with the ball roller assembly. ### Claim 21 A test head for a residual seal force (RSF) testing system, the test head comprising: a first housing defining a first cavity; a second housing defining a second cavity, wherein the second housing is positioned at least partially within the first cavity and is configured to move in a planar motion relative to the first housing; an anvil positioned at least partially within the second cavity and configured to pivot radially relative to the second housing; and a ball roller assembly coupled to the anvil, wherein the anvil is configured to pivot radially relative to the second housing via the ball roller assembly. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The test head of claim 21, wherein the ball roller assembly comprises a sphere and a roller housing. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The test head of claim 22, wherein the ball roller assembly further comprises a plurality of ball bearings between the sphere and the roller housing. ### Claim 24 (depends on 21) The test head of claim 21, wherein the second housing is configured to move in a planar motion relative to the first housing using a plurality of ball bearings. ### Claim 25 A testing system for performing a residual seal force (RSF) test, the testing system comprising: a column supported by a base structure; a load cell supported by said column, wherein the load cell is configured to move along the column toward and away from the base structure via a crosshead; a base plate supported by the base structure and configured to support a specimen; and a test head operably coupled to the load cell, wherein the test head comprises: a housing defining a first cavity; an anvil positioned at least partially within the first cavity; a ball roller assembly configured to provide a point of contact between the housing and the anvil during a RSF test, wherein the ball roller assembly comprises a plurality of ball bearings; and a retaining ring configured to maintain the anvil at least partially within the first cavity. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The testing system of claim 25, further comprising a specimen plate configured to receive the specimen, wherein the specimen plate is removably coupled to the base plate.