Abstract:
A high temperature extensometer system (10) carries specimen contact rods (50, 51) of substantial length which pass through openings in a furnace (12) to engage a specimen (11) in such furnace (12). The rods (50, 51) are supported at the exterior of the furnace (12) on a parallelogram linkage support frame (60) made to provide an output indicating specimen strain as the contact rods (50, 51) separate and also made with parallel beams (61, 62, 63, 64) which shift so the rods (50, 51) can move differentially in longitudinal axial direction. The rods (50, 51) shift axially when the specimen (11) and test loading grips (13, 16) shift in position, for example when the grips (13, 16) and specimen (11) are initially heated.
Abstract:
A hydraulic press (15) has smooth columns (26) that mount relatively movable mold support platens (20, 22) on a bed (16) and a ram or crosshead (18). The bed (16) and ram (18) are rigid, low deflection fabricated members mounted on the columns (26). The clamps (120) that clamp the movable ram (18) in molding position have integrated pressing and stripping cylinders (133) for performing the actual molding operation. The movable ram member (18) is opened and closed with actuators (35) separate from the molding force cylinders (133). The construction permits making a lighter weight press without a heavy crown at the top of the press.
Abstract:
A circuit (110, 129, 143, 145) for obtaining higher accuracy and total system response for complex mechanical impedance loads, such as earthquake simulators, and in particular to compensate for limitations in controlling the actual valve spool (44A) displacement and adequately stabilizing and controlling it at high frequencies. The improvement circuit includes a first state variable filter (110) to extend the band width of servovalve actuation frequencies by adding a lead compensation signal compensating for servovalve hydraulic responses. The output of the first filter circuit (110) then in turn feeds a summing junction (107) where the spool displacement feedback (17) is provided, and the output of the summing junction or circuit (107) is summed (133) with the output from an additional filter (129) which cleans up the signal by filtering out noise and which insures that the phase of stabilizing signals is proper. The final input signal (141) is then fed into a unique drive system utilizing two amplifiers (143, 145) connected as current pumps to independently drive the electrical motor coils (60, 61) that in turn drive the valve spool (44A) to insure adequate current for driving the spool (44A) in opposite directions at high frequencies.
Abstract:
A load dynamic compensation circuit (70) for a servohydraulic control system for fixtures (10) and specimens (15) being tested operating in various degrees of freedom, for example in an environment to simulate earthquakes to test building specimens, or to provide road profile simulation for rail and automobile vehicles, or wind buffet loads for aircraft. The compensation circuit (70) compensates for specimen displacement disturbances in the control loop that are a function of the force (F) exerted from the specimen and the acceleration (A) of the test mass (M). This specimen disturbance factor may be provided by adding only a differential pressure transducer (71) to measure the force on the actuator, and an accelerometer (72) to measure the mass acceleration, to obtain the necessary electrical signals, which after being modified by factors including the oil column compliance spring factor (K), the piston area (A) and the servovalve flow gain (GS/V), is differentiated (S) to compensate for the piston integration, and is then added in a summing junction (80) into the servovalve command signal loop. The compensation signal (78) is an anticipatory signal compensating for load dynamics on the specimen.
Abstract:
Table couplings for coupling hydraulic actuators (20) to large shaking (22) tables (10), such as earthquake simulator tables are preloaded under gaseous psressure to permit the couplings to be nontension carrying couplings, which in turn permits use of hydrostatic slip bearings (47) between the side surfaces and the bottom surface of the table and the actuators. The hydrostatic bearings (47) in turn reduce the need for swivels, links and yokes that carry both tension and compression. The use of compression only loading such as that permitted with the present device, also reduces the problem of making a satisfactory table foundation, because only compression loads are carried to the foundation rather than alternating tension-compression loads.
Abstract:
A test system (10) uses the four square principle for loading front wheel drive hubs (161) of automobiles under torque, and provides the necessary loads on the front wheel drive unit for adequate testing. The unit under test may be subjected to "steering" loads, and to torque through load and drive frame assemblies (20, 21); to axial loads using a frame (194, 201) and actuator (220); and to "jounce" through a frame (50) and actuator (52) which simulates vertical loads on front wheel drives of automobiles caused by road irregularities, holes or other obstacles. The present device permits application of all of these loads into four separate front-wheel drive-steering hubs (161) for efficient testing. The mechanical configuration insures the ability to precisely control the loads in the various modes of operation.
Abstract:
A robot arm and wrist assembly (10) provides a plurality of movable arm sections (20, 31) having a tool supporting wrist (49) at the outer end. The arm has two sections (20, 31) that are pivotally mounted together for movement about horizontal axes (23, 32), and it can be rotated about a vertical axis. The wrist (49) is all hydraulically operated (89, 103), and provides movement about three mutually perpendicular axes (45, 94, 106) which intersect at a common point (114). The overall assembly (10) is light, reliable, and easily programmed for remote control. The robot arm sections (20) can be controlled by external force, velocity or position sensors in a closed loop system.
Abstract:
Un agencement à transducteur (50) délivre un signal de réaction qui indique la position d'une première partie (30, 33) par rapport à une base (12) et lorsqu'une deuxième partie mobile (13, 34) est positionnée à proximité de la première partie le transducteur (50) délivre un signal indiquant l'écartement entre les deux parties (33, 34). D'une manière spécifique le transducteur permet d'obtenir une commande de l'écartement entre les deux moitiés d'un moule (33, 34) monté dans une presse où une équerre (13) se déplace sur une distance considérable et porte une partie du moule (34) (la moitié supérieure) par rapport à la partie inférieure du moule (33). Deux dispositifs d'actionnement hydrauliques (32) agissent sur la partie inférieure du moule pour exercer la force de moulage lorsque les parties du moule sont réunies ensemble. Le transducteur (50) est monté dans un boîter (51) et agencé de manière à délivrer le signal utilisé pour la commande des dispositifs d'actionnement hydraulique (32) servant à commander l'écartement des deux parties du moule (33, 34) jusqu'à ce que ces parties soint écartées d'une valeur connue, après quoi les dispositifs d'actionnement hydrauliques (32) sont commandés en détectant l'écartement d'une moitié du moule (32) par rapport à la base (12) de la presse (10).