Controlled load abort in an actuator system
AssigneeIllinois Tool Works Inc.
InventorsJonathan Plant, Bruce Anderson, Kevin Carlson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for unloading a load on a test article in a testing system includes determining a load differential in at least one of a calculated load at a valve for an actuator of the testing system and a calculated load on a load cell coupled to the actuator. A controlled unload of the load on the test article is initiated via a system controller when the determined load differential a reaches a first level. An interlock unload of the load on the test article is performed via the valve when the determined load differential reaches a second level higher than the first level.
Claims23
A method for unloading a load on a test article in a testing system, comprising:
- determining a load differential in at least one of a calculated load at a valve for an actuator of the testing system and a calculated load on a load cell coupled to the actuator;
- initiating a controlled unload of the load on the test article via a system controller when the determined load differential a reaches a first level;
- and
- performing an interlock unload of the load on the test article via the valve when the determined load differential reaches a second level higher than the first level.
A method of interlock unloading a test article in a test system with a valve controlling an actuator, comprising:
- isolating the valve from a hydraulic source of the test system;
- determining a load differential on opposite sides of a piston of the actuator coupled to the valve;
- and
- ramping the load differential to a benign load differential using the valve.
A testing system for monitoring and unloading a load on a test article, comprising:
- a hydraulic assembly, comprising:
- a control valve configured to control loads in a hydraulic actuator coupled to the test article;
- a pair of pressure transducers configured to detect and transmit pressures in the hydraulic actuator;
- and
- an isolation valve to isolate the control valve from hydraulic pressure;
- a controller configured to:
- determine a load differential in at least one of a calculated load at a valve for an actuator of the testing system and a calculated load on a load cell coupled to the actuator;
- initiate a controlled unload of the load on the test article via a system controller when the determined load differential a reaches a first level;
- and
- perform an interlock unload of the load on the test article via the valve when the determined load differential reaches a second level higher than the first level.
A hydraulic assembly, comprising:
- a proportional valve configured to control a hydraulic actuator, the proportional valve having a controller to receive pressures indicative of a load on a test article, the proportional valve operating valve firmware configured to reduce differential load on a piston of the hydraulic actuator.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.