Embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure are directed to external sensor kits that may be included in new injection molds or retrofitted into existing injection molds in order to approximate conditions within a mold, such as pressure or the location of a melt flow front. Such kits are designed to amplify meaningful measurements obtained by the external sensor kit so that noise measurements do not prevent the approximation of conditions within a mold. In some embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure, an external sensor kit includes a strain gauge sensor, a coupon, a support bracket, and a hammer. The strain gauge sensor is placed on a surface of the coupon and measures the strain in the coupon.

An impact test fixture capable of applying preload on a composite laminate, which is composed of a base, a clamping mechanism and a loading mechanism, where the clamping mechanism is positioned on an upper surface of the base and fixedly connected to the base through a bolt, and the loading mechanism is installed at an end of the base. A composite laminate is placed in a rectangular groove of the base. A first wedge block and a second wedge block are positioned in a base sliding groove between a pressing block and a baffle plate, and inclined planes of the two wedge blocks are oppositely installed; the baffle plate is matched with the base through a first fixing bolt and a second fixing bolt, a loading bolt passes through a screw hole at a side end of the base and is matched with the first wedge block.

A collision simulation test apparatus including a table to which a test piece is to be attached, the table being movable in a predetermined direction, a toothed belt for transmitting power to drive the table, a drive module capable of driving the toothed belt, and a control part capable of controlling the drive module. The control part is capable of controlling the drive module to generate an impact to be applied to the test piece, and the impact generated by the drive module is transmitted to the table by the toothed belt.

A collision simulation test apparatus including a table to which a test piece is to be attached, the table being movable in a predetermined direction, a toothed belt for transmitting power to drive the table, a drive module capable of driving the toothed belt, and a control part capable of controlling the drive module. The control part is capable of controlling the drive module to generate an impact to be applied to the test piece, and the impact generated by the drive module is transmitted to the table by the toothed belt.

Methods of detecting pipeline weakening are described herein. The methods include creating a pressure wave in a fluid flowing in a pipeline using an input transducer located at a first position along the pipeline; measuring the pressure wave using an output transducer positioned at a second position along the pipeline that is spaced from the first position, and generating an output signal based on the pressure wave; analyzing the output signal to determine a stiffness of a sidewall of the pipeline positioned between the input transducer and output transducer; and determining if the sidewall includes a defect based on the stiffness of the sidewall, including analyzing a frequency response of the output signal to detect the defect.

Methods of detecting pipeline weakening are described herein. The methods include creating a pressure wave in a fluid flowing in a pipeline using an input transducer located at a first position along the pipeline; measuring the pressure wave using an output transducer positioned at a second position along the pipeline that is spaced from the first position, and generating an output signal based on the pressure wave; analyzing the output signal to determine a stiffness of a sidewall of the pipeline positioned between the input transducer and output transducer; and determining if the sidewall includes a defect based on the stiffness of the sidewall, including analyzing a frequency response of the output signal to detect the defect.

An apparatus and a method for measuring a creep crack growth property using a small specimen with a micro groove are provided. The apparatus for measuring a creep crack growth property includes a lower die on which an edge of the specimen is mounted and which includes a lower die hole formed in the center thereof, an upper die coupled to an upper portion of the lower die so as to fix the specimen, and a punching unit inserted into an upper die hole formed in the center of the upper die so as to press an upper surface of the specimen, wherein a semielliptical micro groove is formed in a lower surface of the specimen to measure a creep crack growth property.

An apparatus and a method for measuring a creep crack growth property using a small specimen with a micro groove are provided. The apparatus for measuring a creep crack growth property includes a lower die on which an edge of the specimen is mounted and which includes a lower die hole formed in the center thereof, an upper die coupled to an upper portion of the lower die so as to fix the specimen, and a punching unit inserted into an upper die hole formed in the center of the upper die so as to press an upper surface of the specimen, wherein a semielliptical micro groove is formed in a lower surface of the specimen to measure a creep crack growth property.

A system for measuring loading on a test specimen. The system includes the test specimen arranged between a first loading bar and a second loading bar. The system further includes a first loading unit and a second loading unit configured to apply a first load and a second load to the first and second loading bars, respectively. The system further includes a first clamp and a second clamp configured to hold the first and second loading bars against the first and second loads, respectively. The system further includes a clamp actuating unit configured to selectively release at least the first clamp. The clamp actuating unit further includes a controller configured to electrically actuate at least one first electromechanical transducer from a retained state to a released state to release the first clamp, such that the first loading bar applies a first loading wave to the test specimen.

A system for measuring loading on a test specimen. The system includes the test specimen arranged between a first loading bar and a second loading bar. The system further includes a first loading unit and a second loading unit configured to apply a first load and a second load to the first and second loading bars, respectively. The system further includes a first clamp and a second clamp configured to hold the first and second loading bars against the first and second loads, respectively. The system further includes a clamp actuating unit configured to selectively release at least the first clamp. The clamp actuating unit further includes a controller configured to electrically actuate at least one first electromechanical transducer from a retained state to a released state to release the first clamp, such that the first loading bar applies a first loading wave to the test specimen.