US 5,203,206 A · Apparatus and methods for testing tension-elongation or cross-sectional properties of single fibers and multiple fiber bundles

Abstract

An apparatus for testing fibers includes a single fiber preparation and separation device for separating fibers from a sample of multiple fibers and producing an output of single fibers. A fiber transport means, preferably an air conduit, receives the single fibers and transports them to a removed location where at least one fiber is sampled from the transport means. In the preferred embodiment, the sampler is a hook that is inserted into, and removed from, an air conduit to hook and remove single fibers carried in a stream of air inside the air conduit. A testing apparatus associated with the sampler then determines at least one characteristic of the sampled fiber, such as strength, tension as a function of elongation, or cross sectional characteristics.

Claims6

Dependent claims

An apparatus for testing a single bundle of fibers, comprising:

a hook for engaging the midregion of the bundle of fibers so that the ends of the bundle hang over opposite sides of the hook;
a clamp for clamping the two ends of the bundle that hang over opposite sides of the hook;
means for producing a vacuum disposed to one side of said clamp opposite from said hook so that said vacuum producing means draws the fiber into proper position for being engaged by the clamp;
translator means for providing relative movement between said hook and said clamp to tension the bundle between said hook and clamp;
and
monitoring means for monitoring at least one characteristic of the fiber as it is tensioned.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

07/949,706Filed 23 Sep 1992 · division

Priority

4 Jan 1989

Granted

20 Apr 1993

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification6 codes

G01N 3/08
Investigating strength properties of solid materials by application of mechanical stress: by applying steady tensile or compressive forces
G01N 33/365
Textiles: filiform textiles, e.g. yarns
G01N 2203/0278
Shape of the specimen: thin specimens
G01N 2203/028
Thin specimens: one dimensional, e.g. filaments, wires, ropes or cables

Family

Serial293,258Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 4 Jan 1989

Serial460,292Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 3 Jan 1990

Serial722,604Parent of this division · filed 27 Jun 1991

US 5,167,150 AParent of this division

US 5,203,206 AThis patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

Apparatus and methods for testing tension-elongation or cross-sectional properties of single fibers and multiple fiber bundles

Life of this patent

Apparatus and methods for testing tension-elongation or cross-sectional properties of single fibers and multiple fiber bundles

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims6