A pallet impact station includes a frame, at least one pendulum swing arm rotatably coupled to the frame, and a carriage assembly carried by the at least one pendulum swing arm. A latching mechanism extends between the frame and the at least one pendulum swing arm, and engages the at least one pendulum swing arm when the carriage assembly is in a lowered position, raises the carriage assembly to a raised positon, and disengages the at least one pendulum swing arm at the raised positon so that the carriage assembly strikes a pallet. A sensor generates a signal corresponding to how high the carriage assembly is raised. A controller operates the latching mechanism, including disengaging the at least one pendulum swing arm when a height of the carriage assembly corresponds to a desired release height so that a predetermined impact force strikes the pallet.

A bipendulum impact test machine for imparting impact damage includes a frame of beams where a weighted sled swings from a pair of links extending from a carriage. The carriage and sled are vertically adjustable along a set of vertical shafts of the frame. The sled is permanently horizontally oriented and parallel with the carriage. Interchangeable impact tips are removably and adjustably engaged with the sled. The impact tips have a variety of shapes in order to simulate different impact scenarios. The device is mobile and capable of imparting impact damage to large aircraft parts even in an installed condition.

A bipendulum impact test machine for imparting impact damage includes a frame of beams where a weighted sled swings from a pair of links extending from a carriage. The carriage and sled are vertically adjustable along a set of vertical shafts of the frame. The sled is permanently horizontally oriented and parallel with the carriage. Interchangeable impact tips are removably and adjustably engaged with the sled. The impact tips have a variety of shapes in order to simulate different impact scenarios. The device is mobile and capable of imparting impact damage to large aircraft parts even in an installed condition.

A test device suitable for acceleratory oblique water entry of a wedge has a frame, a water tank placed below the frame, an accelerator installed above the frame, an obliquing device connected to the frame, a wedge connected to the obliuqing device and an observation system. The frame is provided with vertical slide rails and a transverse slide rail. The accelerator mainly includes an air cylinder and an air compressor. The wedge is a flexible wedge or a rigid wedge. The observation system includes a pressure sensor, a strain sensor, a velocity sensor, an acceleration sensor and a particle image velocimetry device. The repeatability of the test process can be ensured by controlling the output pressure of the air cylinder.

A test device suitable for acceleratory oblique water entry of a wedge has a frame, a water tank placed below the frame, an accelerator installed above the frame, an obliquing device connected to the frame, a wedge connected to the obliuqing device and an observation system. The frame is provided with vertical slide rails and a transverse slide rail. The accelerator mainly includes an air cylinder and an air compressor. The wedge is a flexible wedge or a rigid wedge. The observation system includes a pressure sensor, a strain sensor, a velocity sensor, an acceleration sensor and a particle image velocimetry device. The repeatability of the test process can be ensured by controlling the output pressure of the air cylinder.

A falling weight deflectometer (1) comprising a load plate (2) adapted to engage a test surface, force transmission means adapted to transmit a force to the load plate (2), buffer means (19), a drop weight (8). The drop weight (8) is adapted to impact said force transmission means via said buffer means (19) so as to provide a force to be transmitted to said load plate via said force transmission means. The falling weight deflectometer further comprises at least one linear electric motor (15) for lifting said drop weight (8) to a predetermined height above said force transmission means.

A falling weight deflectometer (1) comprising a load plate (2) adapted to engage a test surface, force transmission means adapted to transmit a force to the load plate (2), buffer means (19), a drop weight (8). The drop weight (8) is adapted to impact said force transmission means via said buffer means (19) so as to provide a force to be transmitted to said load plate via said force transmission means. The falling weight deflectometer further comprises at least one linear electric motor (15) for lifting said drop weight (8) to a predetermined height above said force transmission means.

Apparatus and methods of for measuring stress incurred by a cover glass of a handheld device when the cover glass contacts a surface during a drop event. A transparent solid piece of material with a drop surface and a back surface is provided and oriented to receive a dropped handheld device so that the cover glass contacts the drop surface. At least two optical detectors are directed at the back surface of the transparent material to obtain image data including a plurality of pixel points.

Apparatus and methods of for measuring stress incurred by a cover glass of a handheld device when the cover glass contacts a surface during a drop event. A transparent solid piece of material with a drop surface and a back surface is provided and oriented to receive a dropped handheld device so that the cover glass contacts the drop surface. At least two optical detectors are directed at the back surface of the transparent material to obtain image data including a plurality of pixel points.

Apparatus and methods for impact testing of a transparent substrate are provided. The apparatus includes a base (110) for receiving the transparent substrate (112), the base having a curved surface (124) about which the transparent substrate is bent by a first fixture (130) and a second fixture (132). An abrasive sheet (136) is disposed between the transparent substrate and an impacting object (138) which is released from above the substrate such that the force from the impacting object causes damage to the transparent substrate while the transparent substrate is bent about the curved surface.