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US 12,241,903 B2Granted
System, method, and apparatus for automating specimen testing
AssigneeIllinois Tool Works Inc.
InventorsAdrian Riddick, Daniel Chouinard, Brian Salem, Christopher Hines
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Described is a testing system for performing specimen testing, such as residual seal force (RSF) testing and/or compression friction (CF) measurement testing. The testing system comprising a column supported by a base structure, a load cell supported by said column, a specimen plate configured to receive a plurality of specimens, a motor, and controller. The load cell is configured to move along the column toward and away from the base structure via a crosshead coupled to an actuator. The plurality of specimens comprising a first specimen and a second specimen. The controller is configured to control the motor to adjust a position of said specimen plate.
Claims20
A testing system for performing an automated specimen 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 coupled to a first actuator;
- a specimen plate configured to receive a plurality of specimens, said plurality of specimens comprising a first specimen and a second specimen;
- a second actuator configure to adjust a position of said specimen plate;
- a rotating platen assembly comprising a base plate configured to support the specimen plate, wherein:
- the specimen plate is removably coupled to the base plate via one or more dowels;
- the second actuator comprises an electric motor configured to drive the rotating platen assembly via a driving pulley;
- the base plate comprises a driven pulley that is drivingly coupled to the driving pully;
- and
- the electric motor is configured to rotate the base plate about an axis of rotation;
- and
- a controller operatively coupled to each of the load cell, the first actuator, and the second actuator, wherein the controller is configured to:
- position the specimen plate in a first position that situates the first specimen at a testing position of the testing system;
- advance, via the first actuator, the crosshead along the column toward the base structure to compress the first specimen;
- determine, via a processor operatively coupled to the load cell, a residual seal force or a compression friction of the first specimen;
- retract, via the first actuator, the crosshead along the column away the base structure;
- position, via the second actuator, the specimen plate in a second position that situates the second specimen at the testing position;
- advance, via the first actuator, the crosshead along the column toward the base structure to compress the second specimen;
- and
- determine, via the processor operatively coupled to the load cell, a residual seal force or a compression friction of the second specimen.
17 more elements
A testing system for performing an automated specimen 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 coupled to an actuator;
- a base plate supported by the base structure and configured to support a specimen plate, wherein:
- the specimen plate comprises a plurality of stations, each of said plurality of stations being configured to receive a specimen, and
- the specimen plate is removably coupled to the base plate via one or more dowels;
- an electric motor configured to output a rotational force to a driving pulley that is drivingly coupled to a driven pulley, wherein the driven pulley is configured to rotate the base plate about an axis of rotation;
- and
- a controller operatively coupled to each of the load cell, the actuator, and the electric motor, wherein the controller is configured to:
- rotate, via the electric motor, the base plate to a first rotational position that situates a first specimen at a testing position;
- advance, via the actuator, the crosshead along the column toward the base structure to compress the first specimen;
- determine, via a processor operatively coupled to the load cell, a residual seal force or a compression friction of the first specimen;
- retract, via the actuator, the crosshead along the column away the base structure;
- rotate, via the electric motor, the base plate to a second rotational position that situates a second specimen at the testing position;
- and
- determine, via the processor operatively coupled to the load cell, a residual seal force or a compression friction of the second specimen.
12 more elements
A testing system for performing an automated specimen 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 coupled to an actuator;
- a base plate supported by the base structure and configured to support a specimen plate, wherein the specimen plate comprises a plurality of stations, each of said plurality of stations being configured to receive a specimen;
- an electric motor configured to output a rotational force to a driving pulley that is drivingly coupled to a driven pulley, wherein the driven pulley is configured to rotate the base plate about an axis of rotation, wherein:
- the electric motor, the driven pulley, and the driving pulley are fixed in location relative to one another by a mounting plate;
- the driven pulley is attached to the mounting plate via one or more ball bearings;
- and
- the base structure comprises a welded ring adjacent or around the one or more ball bearings to mitigate liquid penetration into the base structure;
- and
- a controller operatively coupled to each of the load cell, the actuator, and the electric motor, wherein the controller is configured to:
- rotate, via the electric motor, the base plate to a first rotational position that situates a first specimen at a testing position;
- advance, via the actuator, the crosshead along the column toward the base structure to compress the first specimen;
- determine, via a processor operatively coupled to the load cell, a residual seal force or a compression friction of the first specimen;
- retract, via the actuator, the crosshead along the column away the base structure;
- rotate, via the electric motor, the base plate to a second rotational position that situates a second specimen at the testing position;
- and
- determine, via the processor operatively coupled to the load cell, a residual seal force or a compression friction of the second specimen.
14 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.