Method and apparatus for applying a predetermined proof load to a cable and measuring the resultant cable length

Abstract

A system for applying a predetermined proof load to a control cable and measuring the resultant cable length thereof includes a motor (32) which, under the control of a controller (14) drives an actuator (28) which, in turn, controllably displaces an end fixture (26). The exact distance moved by the end fixture (26) is monitored by an encoder (34) and a load cell (27) monitors actual loading on a cable under test. A home position sensor (30) provides input to the controller (14) to indicate whether or not the end fixture (26) is homed to its reference position. During cable testing, the fixed end of the cable is fixedly attached to a predetermined position in a channel (20). The free end of the cable is then attached to the end fixture (26). The controller (14) actuates the motor (32) to thereby provide a predetermined proof load profile to the cable under test. At the end of the proof loading test, the controller (14) determines, via the encoder (34), the distance L.sub.2 that the end fixture, and thus the cable have moved from the home position. This distance L.sub.2 is added to the initial distance L.sub.1 from the home position to the fixed anchor hole (23) to thereby determine an overall length L of the cable.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.