Tensile Testing Apparatus
AssigneeProduct Innovation and Engineering L.L.C.
InventorsConnor Lane COWARD, Sriram Praneeth ISANAKA
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A tensile testing apparatus includes a specimen cartridge and a jaw actuator. The jaw actuator is operable to grip and pull a specimen in tension. The specimen cartridge is operable for holding multiple specimens. The specimen cartridge is rotatable for sequentially presenting specimens to the jaw actuator.
Claims24
A tensile testing apparatus comprising:
- a base structure;
- a specimen holder removably attachable to and rotatable relative to the base structure, the specimen holder configured to hold multiple specimens on the specimen holder, wherein the specimen holder is removable and separatable from the base structure such that the specimen holder can be loaded independently with the multiple specimens and then attached to the base structure;
- and
- an actuator on the base structure, the actuator being operable to grip a corresponding specimen of the multiple specimens held by the specimen holder after the specimen holder has been attached to the base structure.
A method for autonomously testing a plurality of specimens in tension, the method comprising:
- loading a plurality of specimens into a rotatable specimen cartridge, each specimen having a free end extending from the cartridge;
- rotating the specimen cartridge to sequentially position each specimen adjacent a jaw actuator;
- gripping the free end of each specimen with the jaw actuator;
- applying a tensile force to each specimen until deformation or breakage occurs;
- and
- recording the deformation of each specimen using at least one camera and/or other sensor positioned adjacent the jaw actuator.
A specimen cartridge for use in a tensile testing apparatus, the specimen cartridge comprising:
- a circular body having multiple slots spatially arranged in a circular pattern around a periphery of the circular body, each slot configured to receive and retain a specimen such that a free end of the specimen projects outward from the circular body;
- and
- a central shaft configured for removable engagement with a base structure of the tensile testing apparatus, such that the specimen cartridge is rotatable relative to the base structure for sequentially presenting the multiple specimens held in the multiple slots to an actuator of the tensile testing apparatus.
A modular cartridge system for a tensile testing apparatus, the modular cartridge system comprising:
- a plurality of interchangeable specimen cartridges including the first specimen cartridge, each of the interchangeable specimen cartridges configured to hold multiple specimens of different specimen types;
- a mechanism enabling removal and replacement of the interchangeable cartridges;
- and
- a camera/reader sensing and drive control system operable to identify specimen cartridge type and adjust testing parameters accordingly to the identified specimen cartridge type.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.