Pull testing inspection tools for wires or other components under test

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2022244150-A1
Application number	US-202117456920-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Nov 30, 2021
Priority date	Feb 1, 2021
Publication date	Aug 4, 2022
Grant date	—

Abstract

An apparatus includes a portable device, which includes a connector configured to contact or grasp a portion of a component and to apply a force on the component during a pull test of the component. The portable device also includes a handle configured to be pulled to apply the force on the component during the pull test of the component. The portable device further includes an indicator configured to at least one of: (i) identify the force being applied to the component during the pull test and (ii) identify when a specified amount of force has been applied to the component during the pull test.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . An apparatus comprising:
a portable device comprising:
a connector configured to contact or grasp a portion of a component and to apply a force on the component during a pull test of the component;
a handle configured to be pulled to apply the force on the component during the pull test of the component; and
an indicator configured to at least one of: (i) identify the force being applied to the component during the pull test and (ii) identify when a specified amount of force has been applied to the component during the pull test.

2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
a connecting wire attaching the connector to the indicator or the handle; and a hollow sleeve configured to receive at least a portion of the connecting wire.

3 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the indicator comprises at least one of:
an analog or digital tension gauge configured to present the force being applied to the component; and an analog or digital scale configured to present the force being applied to the component.

4 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the indicator comprises at least one of:
a force meter configured to provide feedback when the specified amount of force has been applied to the component; and a fuse configured to break or separate when the specified amount of force has been applied to the component.

5 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the indicator is configured to provide audible or tactile feedback in response to at least the specified amount of force being applied to the component.

6 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the connector comprises one of multiple interchangeable connectors.

7 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the connector is configured to release the component during the pull testing to protect the component from excessive force.

8 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
a second connector, the connectors configured to clamp onto the component; and a slide or lever configured to move at least one of the connectors.

9 . The apparatus of claim 8 , further comprising:
a spring configured to bias the slide or lever and pull one of the connectors towards the handle.

10 . The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein:
the connector comprises a hook; the second connector comprises an inverted hook; and the hook and the inverted hook are configured to contact opposite sides of the component.

11 . A method comprising:
contacting or grasping a component to be tested during a pull test of the component with a connector of a portable device; pulling on a handle of the portable device to cause the connector to apply a force on the component during the pull test of the component; and using an indicator of the portable device to at least one of: (i) identify the force being applied to the component during the pull test and (ii) identify when a specified amount of force has been applied to the component during the pull test.

12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein:
a connecting wire attaches the connector to the indicator or the handle; and a hollow sleeve receives at least a portion of the connecting wire.

13 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the indicator comprises at least one of:
an analog or digital tension gauge configured to present the force being applied to the component; and an analog or digital scale configured to present the force being applied to the component.

14 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the indicator comprises at least one of:
a force meter configured to provide feedback when the specified amount of force has been applied to the component; and a fuse configured to break or separate when the specified amount of force has been applied to the component.

15 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the indicator provides audible or tactile feedback in response to at least the specified amount of force being applied to the component.

16 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the connector comprises one of multiple interchangeable connectors.

17 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising:
releasing the component during the pull testing to protect the component from excessive force.

18 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising:
using a slide or lever to move at least one of the connector and a second connector, the connectors configured to clamp onto the component.

19 . The method of claim 18 , further comprising:
using a spring to bias the slide or lever and pull one of the connectors towards the handle.

20 . The method of claim 18 , wherein:
the connector comprises a hook; the second connector comprises an inverted hook; and the hook and the inverted hook are configured to contact opposite sides of the component.

Assignees

• Raytheon Co

Inventors

• Pinti Richard M
• Cogliandro John A
• Adams Heather A

Classifications

• G01M99/007 Primary

  by applying a load, e.g. for resistance or wear testing (G01M99/001 takes precedence; testing the elasticity of structures G01M5/00) · CPC title

• G01M99/00

  Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass · CPC title

• G01N2203/04

  Chucks, fixtures, jaws, holders or anvils · CPC title

• G01N3/08 Primary

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

• G01N2203/0017

  Tensile · CPC title