US 8,505,387 B2 · Apparatus and method for applying a cyclical load to an elongate specimen

Abstract

An apparatus for applying at least one cyclical load to an elongate specimen, comprising at least two reciprocating mass means 1 each comprising a mass (6) and an actuator (16), wherein the actuator (16) is (5) operatively associated with the mass (6) to move the mass (6) along a linear displacement path, mounting means (2) for mounting each actuator (16) to a specimen, and a control system operatively associated with each actuator (16), the control system operating each actuator (16) to reciprocate its corresponding mass (6) along its respective linear displacement path, wherein the reciprocating mass means (1) are spaced apart such that the actuators (16) move their corresponding masses (6) on separate, and substantially parallel, linear displacement paths is disclosed.

Claims26

Dependent claims

An apparatus for applying at least one cyclical load to an elongate specimen, comprising:

a first pair of reciprocating mass means each comprising a mass and an actuator, wherein the actuator is operatively associated with the mass to move the mass along a linear displacement path;
the first pair of reciprocating mass means laterally spaced apart and mounted at opposing lateral sides of the elongated specimen whereby the linear displacement paths are oriented in a first direction and substantially parallel to one another;
and
a control system operatively associated with each actuator, the control system operating each actuator to reciprocate its corresponding mass along its respective linear displacement path to apply a cyclical load to the elongate specimen in the first direction.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Apparatus and method for applying a cyclical load to an elongate specimen

Life of this patent

Apparatus and method for applying a cyclical load to an elongate specimen

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims26