Compression apparatus for automating specimen testing

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11879794-B2
Application number	US-202217578772-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 19, 2022
Priority date	Jan 21, 2021
Publication date	Jan 23, 2024
Grant date	Jan 23, 2024

Abstract

Described is a compression apparatus for a testing system having a load cell. The disclosed compression apparatus ensures proper seating relative to the load cell to yield accurate compression friction (CF) measurements. The disclosed compression apparatus includes a compression rod and at least one mechanical fastener. The compression rod has a first portion at a distal end and a second portion that defines a threaded bore at a proximal end. The first portion is configured to contact a specimen and the second portion is configured to couple to the load cell. The mechanical fastener is configured to mate with the threaded bore.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A compression apparatus for a testing system having a load cell, the compression apparatus comprising:
a compression rod having a first portion at a distal end and a second portion that defines a threaded bore at a proximal end, wherein the first portion is configured to contact a specimen and the second portion is configured to couple to the load cell; and
a mechanical fastener configured to mate with the threaded bore.

2. The compression apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first portion and the second portion are each cylindrical in shape.

3. The compression apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the first portion has a first diameter that is less than a second diameter of the second portion.

4. The compression apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first portion and the second portion are fabricated as a unitary structure.

5. The compression apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first portion and the second portion are permanently attached to one another.

6. The compression apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the second portion further comprises one or more alignment features.

7. The compression apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the one or more alignment features comprises a set of dowels configured to mate with a corresponding set of recesses of the load cell.

8. The compression apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the set of dowels are attached to the second portion via threads.

9. The compression apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the set of dowels and the second portion are fabricated as a unitary structure.

10. The compression apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the one or more alignment features comprises a clipped cylindrical protrusion configured to slip into a corresponding clipped cylindrical recess of the load cell.

11. The compression apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the clipped cylindrical protrusion and the second portion are fabricated as a unitary structure.

12. A test apparatus for a testing system, the test apparatus comprising:
a load cell configured to convert a compression force into an electrical signal, wherein the load cell comprises an elastic member and one or more strain gauges coupled to the elastic member;
a compression rod having a first portion at a distal end and a second portion at a proximal end that defines a threaded bore, wherein the first portion is configured to contact a specimen and the second portion is configured to couple to the elastic member; and
a mechanical fastener configured to couple the compression rod to the elastic member via the threaded bore.

13. The test apparatus of claim 12 , wherein elastic member comprises a proximal end and distal end, wherein the second portion of the compression rod is coupled to the distal end via the mechanical fastener.

14. The test apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the proximal end is configured to attach to a crosshead of the testing system via one or more mechanical fasteners.

15. The test apparatus of claim 12 , wherein elastic member is a cylindrical-shaped elastic member.

16. The test apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the elastic member is fabricated from a metal or a metal alloy.

17. The test apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the second portion further comprises one or more alignment features.

18. The test apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the one or more alignment features comprises a set of dowels configured to mate with a corresponding set of recesses formed at the distal end of the elastic member.

19. The test apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the one or more alignment features comprises a clipped cylindrical protrusion configured to slip into a corresponding clipped cylindrical recess formed at the distal end of the elastic member.

20. The test apparatus of claim 19 , wherein the clipped cylindrical protrusion and the second portion are fabricated as a unitary structure.

21. The test apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the first portion and the second portion are each cylindrical in shape, wherein the first portion has a first diameter that is less than a second diameter of the second portion.

Assignees

• Illinois Tool Works

Inventors

• Riddick Adrian
• Chouinard Daniel
• Salem Brian
• Hines Christopher

Classifications

• G01L1/2287 Primary

  constructional details of the strain gauges (adjustable resistors H01C10/00) · CPC title

• G01L1/2218

  the supports being of the column type, e.g. cylindric, adapted for measuring a force along a single direction · CPC title

• G01L1/2243 Primary

  the supports being parallelogram-shaped · CPC title

• G01N3/08 Primary

  by applying steady tensile or compressive forces (G01N3/28 takes precedence) · CPC title

• G01N33/445

  Rubber · CPC title