Patent classifications
G01M99/004
Devices, systems and methods, and sensor modules for use in monitoring the structural health of structures
A structural health monitoring system is provided comprising sensors and/or sensor modules attached to, or near to, one or more parts or regions of a structure that detect and measure data regarding physical or related features or phenomena associated with the structure before, during and after a load or other event impacting or otherwise affecting the structure. The sensor modules measure and convert the detected phenomena into digital data and transmit the data to a master station for data compilation, storage and analysis. The master station is configured to produce analytic work product based on sensed phenomena which is useful for assisting inspectors in determining what action to take with respect to a structure's health after an event.
System and method for optimizing the wrapping of palletized loads with film and wrapping method for a wrapping machine
A method determines a wrapping configuration of a film wrapped around products to form a palletized load to be moved along a path. The method includes using a defined wrapping configuration, measuring physical quantities acting on the load as a result of movements and/or stresses when the load is moved along different test paths, obtaining a path as a suitable composition of base elementary path stretches, obtaining physical quantities acting on the load along the path as physical quantities associated to the base elementary path stretches, positioning the load on a motion platform, operating the motion platform based on the physical quantities to simulate movements and/or stresses acting on the load moved along the path, checking if the load has remained stable and/or compact, modifying the wrapping configuration if the load did not remain stable and/or compact, and repeating the steps.
VIBRATION ISOLATION FOR CENTRIFUGE TESTBEDS
A method for isolating vibrations for centrifuge testing devices is provided. The method comprises coupling a test payload platform to a number of piezoelectric actuators and coupling the piezoelectric actuators to a reaction mass coupled to a centrifuge arm. A layer of vibration-absorbing material is sandwiched between the reaction mass and the centrifuge arm. The centrifuge arm is rotated around an axis, and the test payload platform is vibrated with the piezoelectric actuators as the centrifuge rotates, wherein the layer of vibration-absorbing material prevents vibrations from traveling down the centrifuge arm.
TIME OF FLIGHT BASED ROTARY SPEED SENSOR WITH EARLY FAULT DETECTION
Disclosed herein is a system for detecting rotational speed and early failures of an electronic device. The system includes a rotating disk affixed to a rotating shaft of the electronic device. The rotating disk has projections extending from its periphery. A time of flight ranging system determines distance to the projections extending from the rotating disk. Processing circuitry determines a rotational speed of the rotating shaft from the determined distances to the projections extending from the rotating disk, and detects whether the electronic device is undergoing an early failure from the determined distances to the projections extending from the rotating disk. Rotational speed is determined from the time between successive peaks in the determined distances, and early failures (for example, due to wobble of the shaft) are determined where the peaks vary unexpectedly in magnitude.
Shaft assembly for a high-speed test rig
A high-speed test rig is for rotationally testing articles such as seals, bearings, couplers, etcetera. The test rig includes a shaft extension sized to receive a test article annular body about an outer surface and a primary shaft including of a solid rod. The rod has two outer circumferential base surface sections each having an outside diameter and disposed within a separate bearing such that the shaft assembly is rotatable about an axis. The rod has a first end coupled with the shaft extension, such that a cantilever beam is defined between the shaft extension outer end and a first bearing, and a second end coupled with a motor shaft.
Soft collision target
A soft collision target, in particular for use within the framework of non-destructive collision tests, has an illumination device that comprises at least one illuminant and a covering structure, wherein the covering structure surrounds the illuminant and is configured to absorb forces acting on the illumination device on a collision and/or to conduct them at least partly past the illuminant.
TESTING APPARATUS FOR TESTING LEAD ACID BATTERIES AND THEIR COMPONENTS, AND METHODS AND SYSTEMS INCORPORATING THE SAME
In accordance with at least selected embodiments, the present disclosure or invention is directed to novel or improved testing apparatus for testing lead acid batteries and/or their components, and/or the efficacy of their components, testing tables, testing systems, and/or related methods. In accordance with at least certain embodiments, the present disclosure or invention is directed to novel or improved methods for testing lead acid batteries and/or their components, and/or the efficacy of their components. In accordance with at least certain selected embodiments, the present disclosure or invention is directed to novel or improved systems for testing lead acid batteries and/or their components, and/or the efficacy of their components. In accordance with at least particular selected embodiments, the present disclosure or invention is directed to novel or improved apparatus and methods for testing a lead acid battery or batteries whereby the battery or batteries are subjected to motion typical of that experienced by the battery or batteries in use or in the field.
METHOD FOR TESTING ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNITS OF AIRBAG PROTECTION DEVICES AND TESTING MACHINE DESIGNED TO IMPLEMENT SAID METHOD
The present invention relates to a method for testing electronic control units of airbag protection devices. The method comprises the steps of: a) providing a dataset (D) representing simulated movements in a space defined by three axes (X, Y, Z); b) filtering the linear acceleration measurements (Ax, Ay, Az) of said dataset (D) to remove low frequencies; c) uploading on the electronic control unit to be tested an activation algorithm capable of identifying a danger situation for the user; d) programming the electronic control unit to be tested to send and/or internally record an activation signal when the activation algorithm identifies a danger situation; e) moving the electronic control unit within a three-dimensional workspace (W) to replicate said dataset (D) as filtered in step b); f) verifying if an activation signal is sent and/or internally recorded by the electronic control unit when the activation algorithm identifies a danger situation. The invention also relates to a testing machine designed to implement said method.
System and method for estimating high bandwidth tower deflection for wind turbines
The present disclosure is directed to a method for estimating tower loads, such as tower deflection, of a wind turbine. The method includes receiving an estimate of slow variations in thrust of a tower of the wind turbine. The method also includes determining, via one or more sensors, tower accelerations of the tower of the wind turbine. Thus, the method also includes estimating the tower loads of the wind turbine as a function of the estimate of slow variations in thrust of the tower and the tower accelerations.
Shaft Assembly for a High-Speed Test Rig
A high-speed test rig is for testing articles at rotational speeds between 30,000 rpm and 41,000 rpm. The test rig includes a shaft extension sized to receive a test article annular body about an outer surface and a primary shaft including of a solid rod of a material having a specific modulus greater than twenty million. The rod has two outer circumferential base surface sections each having an outside diameter and disposed within a separate bearing such that the shaft assembly is rotatable about an axis. The rod has a first end coupled with the shaft extension, such that a cantilever beam is defined between the shaft extension outer end and a first bearing, and a second end coupled with a motor shaft. The rod is sized such that a ratio of the base surface section outside diameter to the rod overall axial length is between about 0.12 and 0.16.