Loading mechanism for machines adapted to test material wear and lubrication properties

A machine adapted to test material wear and lubrication properties, said machine comprising:

• a frame;
• a first wear member connected to said frame;
• a guide connected to said frame;
• a pair of holders disposed on opposite sides of said first wear member and slidably connected to said guide for sliding movement toward and away from said first wear member independently of the frame;
• a pair of second wear members carried in said holders and positioned such that said second wear members are brought into opposing contact with said first wear member for conducting a test as said holders approach one another;
• an actuator mechanism having first and second actuator parts linearly movable between first and second positions, said actuator parts moving in opposite directions when moving between said positions;
• means for connecting (i) said first actuator part with one of said holders for movement therewith with respect to said guide and (ii) said second actuator part with the other of said holders for movement therewith with respect to said guide, such that said holders recede from one another as said actuator parts move toward one of said positions and such that said holders approach one another for conducting the test as said actuator parts move toward the other of said positions, and
• means for actuating said actuator parts toward said other position.

A machine adapted to test material wear and lubrication properties, said machine comprising:

• a frame;
• a first wear member connected to said frame and extending generally along a first axis;
• a guide connected to said frame;
• a pair of holders disposed on opposite sides of said first wear member and slidably connected to said guide for sliding movement in a direction generally perpendicular to said axis toward and away from said first wear member independently of the frame;
• a pair of second wear members carried in said holders and positioned such that said second wear members are a brought into opposing contact in said generally perpendicular direction with said first wear member for conducting a test as said holders approach one another;
• and
• a pressure responsive dual-action piston-type linear-motion actuator having a housing member, a piston member movable therein, and a pressure chamber defined therebetween and positioned such that said piston member and said housing member move in opposite directions in said generally perpendicular direction as pressure is introduced into said chamber, said piston member being connected to one of said holders and said housing member being connected to the other of said holders for moving said holders toward and away from said first wear member.

A machine adapted to test material wear and lubrication properties, said machine comprising:

• a frame;
• a first wear member connected to said frame and extending generally along a first axis;
• a guide connected to said frame for rotation about said first axis;
• a pair of holders slidably connected to said guide for sliding movement toward and away from said first wear member between first and second positions independently of said frame;
• a pair of second wear members carried in said holders and positioned such that said second wear members are brought into oppositely directed contact with said first wear member for conducting a test as said holders approach one of said positions;
• force transmission means for simultaneously sliding said holders along said guide toward said one position, said force transmission means being connected to said holders for movement therewith with respect to said guide and independently of said frame;
• and
• means for detecting rotary motion operably coupled between said guide and the frame for detecting at least one of the motion and torque applied to said guide during a test.

A machine adapted to test material wear and lubrication properties, said machine comprising:

• a frame;
• a first wear member connected to said frame and extending generally along a first axis;
• a guide connected to said frame for rotation about said first axis;
• a pair of holders disposed on opposite sides of said first wear member and slidably connected to said guide for sliding movement toward and away from said first wear member independently of the frame;
• a pair of second wear members carried in said holders and positioned such that said second wear members are brought into opposing contact with said first wear member for conducting a test as said holders approach one another;
• an actuator mechanism having first and second actuator parts movable between first and second positions, said actuator parts moving in opposite directions when moving between said positions;
• means for connecting (i) said first actuator part with one of said holders for movement therewith with respect to said guide and (ii) said second actuator part with the other of said holders for movement therewith with respect to said guide, such that said holders recede from one another as said actuator parts move toward one of said positions and such that said holders approach one another for conducting the test as said actuator parts move toward the other of said positions;
• means for actuating said actuator parts toward said other position;
• and
• means for detecting rotary motion operably coupled between said guide and the frame for detecting at least one of the motion and torque applied to said guide during a test.