Methods and apparatus for conducting high g-force testing
AssigneeHoneywell International Inc.
InventorsLisa P. Koland, Owen D. Grossman
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Abstract
A high-g shock-producing device for testing a sample specimen is described which includes a beam and a shock column. The beam is of predetermined length and has at least one end substantially rigidly fixed with the specimen mounted thereon at a position remote from the one end. The shock column is positioned to apply a force causing said beam to bend in a direction transverse to the length. The column is configured to have a buckling failure when exposed to a pressure which is sufficient to bend the beam an amount to provide the desired high-g force to the specimen. The buckling failure causes the force to be suddenly removed from the beam so as to release the beam and produce the high-g shock on the specimen.
Claims25
A mechanical shock producing device for testing a sample specimen compnsing:
- a beam having a predetermined length and a first end and a second end, at least one of said first beam end and said second beam end having a substantially rigidly fixed position, with the specimen mounted on said beam at a position separated by a distance from the fixed position;
- and
- a shock column positioned to apply a force to said beam, the force causing said beam to bend in a direction transverse to the length, said column comprising a buckling failure formed therein, said buckling failure configured to cause said column to buckle when a specific force is applied to said beam through said column.
A method for releasing a beam of a mechanical force testing apparatus, said method comprising:
- selecting a shock column with a buckling failure point, the buckling failure point being at a pressure;
- inserting the shock column between a beam rigidly mounted at least at one end and a pressure producing device;
- and
- applying a pressure through the shock column to bend the beam to a desired point, the pressure needed to bend the beam to the desired point being equal to the buckling failure point pressure of the shock column.
A shock column for a mechanical testing device comprising:
- a top cap;
- a bottom cap;
- and
- a column portion extending between said top cap and said bottom cap, said column portion comprising a buckling failure formed therein, said buckling failure configured to cause said column to buckle when a specific pressure is applied between said top cap and said bottom cap.
A mechanical shock producing device for testing a specimen comprising:
- a beam having a first end and a second end, and capable of flexing, said beam rigidly mounted at said first end and said second end;
- a fastener for mounting the specimen atop said on said beam proximate the center thereof;
- a shock column comprising a top cap, a bottom cap, and a column portion extending therebetween, and positioned such that said top cap bears is against said beam, said column portion comprising a feature which causes said column portion configured to buckle at a specified pressure;
- and
- a hydraulic ram positioned to produce an upwardly directed force on said bottom cap of said column to cause said beam to bend to a position where the pressure is sufficient to cause said column portion to buckle, the buckling causing removal of the upwardly directed force thereby allowing said beam to suddenly unbend and apply a g force return to an unbent position thereby applying a mechanical force to the specimen.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.