Mobile truss testing apparatus
AssigneeWisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
InventorsFrank J. Fronczak, Richard T. Hage
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A multiaxial testing apparatus is shown and described wherein items to be tested are affixed to opposing mounts, and wherein at least one of these mounts defines a constant link of a mobile truss. By varying the lengths of other links within the mobile truss, the pose of the constant link mount is changed, thereby altering the pose and/or loading on the test item affixed between the mounts. In preferred embodiments, the mobile truss includes six variable-length links situated between two constant links, at least one of which is a mount, so that a test item affixed between the mounts may be moved and/or loaded in six degrees of freedom.
Claims20
A testing apparatus for testing mechanical properties of a test item in a testing environment, the testing apparatus comprising first and second mounts which are
- a. movable with respect to each other, and
- b. situated in spaced relation to anchor the test item between the mounts, wherein:
- the first mount defines a constant link of a mobile truss, the mobile truss including variable links connecting the first mount to a second constant link, these variable links having selectively adjustable length;
- and
- within the mobile truss, the first mount is connected only to variable links.
An apparats for testing properties of a test item in a testing environment comprising:
- a. a set of links wherein
- (1) each link within the set bears spaced first and second pivot points along a length thereof;
- (2) the first pivot points of the set are fixed in locations with respect to each other;
- (3) the second pivot points of the set are fixed in locations with respect to each other;
- and
- (4) at least some of the links within the set have adjustable length between the first and second pivot points;
- b. a first mount pivotally affixed to the first pivot point of each link within the set;
- c. a second mount spaced from the first mount to anchor the test item between the mounts,
- whereby varying the link lengths within the set moves the first mount, thereby exerting a force on a test item anchored between the mounts.
An apparatus for testing properties of a test item comprising:
- a. spaced first and second mounts wherebetween the test item is affixed,
- b. a first set of variable links wherein
- (1) each variable link in the first set has
- (a) spaced first and second pivot points thereon, and
- (b) adjustable length between the first and second pivot points,
- (2) the first pivot points of the variable links in the first set are pivotally affixed to at least one of the first and second mounts, and
- (3) the second pivot points of the variable links in the first set are fixed in locations with respect to each other,
- thereby defining a mobile truss wherein varying the variable link lengths between the first and second pivot points varies a position of the mount affixed to the first pivot points relative to the second pivot points in some maximum number of degrees of freedom N (where N>1).
An apparatus for testing properties of a test item in a testing environment comprising:
- a. a first set of links wherein
- (1) each link within the first set bears spaced first and second pivot points along a length thereof;
- (2) the first pivot points of the first set are fixed in locations with respect to each other;
- (3) the second pivot points of the first set are fixed in locations with sect to each other;
- and
- (4) at least some of the links within the first set have adjustable length between the first and second pivot points;
- b. a first mount pivotally affixed to the first pivot point of each link within the first set;
- c. a second set of links wherein
- (1) each link within the second set bears spaced first and second pivot points along a length thereof;
- (2) the first pivot points of the second set are fixed in locations with respect to each other;
- (3) the second pivot points of the second set are fixed in locations with respect to each other;
- (4) at least some of the links within the second set have adjustable length between the first and second pivot points;
- d. a second mount spaced from the first mount to anchor the test item between the mounts, wherein the second mount is pivotally affixed to the first pivot point of each link within the second set,
- whereby varying the link lengths within the first set moves the first mount, thereby exerting a force on a test item anchored between the mounts.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.