Power circulating test systems and methods for wear testing

A system for testing wear of a test article, the system comprising:

• a power-circulating transmission comprising a plurality of transmission components that are arranged in series to circulate motion along a continuous loop, wherein the test article is coupled to the power-circulating transmission along the continuous loop;
• a starting-torque motor that applies a static torque load to the power-circulating transmission when the power-circulating transmission is in a disengaged power-circulating state to induce torsional load;
• a running motor that applies power to the power-circulating transmission to drive the motion along the continuous loop when the power-circulating transmission is in an engaged power-circulating state;
• and
• a running-torque motor that applies a dynamic torque load to the power-circulating transmission when the power-circulating transmission is in the engaged power-circulating state to compensate for torque losses due to wear during operation.

A method for testing wear of a test article, the method comprising:

• coupling the test article to a power-circulating transmission comprising a plurality of transmission components that are arranged in series to circulate motion along a continuous loop;
• decoupling a first one of the transmission components and a second one of the transmission components such that the power-circulating transmission is in a disengaged power-circulating state;
• with the power-circulating transmission in the disengaged power-circulating state, inhibiting motion of the first one of the transmission components;
• with the power-circulating transmission in the disengaged power-circulating state, applying a static torque load to the power-circulating transmission using a starting-torque motor by rotating the second one of the transmissions component relative to the first one of the transmission components;
• coupling the first one of the transmission components and the second one of the transmission components such that the power-circulating transmission is in an engaged power-circulating state;
• with the power-circulating transmission in the engaged power-circulating state, enabling motion of the first one of the transmission components;
• with the power-circulating transmission in the engaged power-circulating state, applying power to the power-circulating transmission using a running motor;
• and
• circulating motion along the continuous loop.