An apparatus for applying a force to a specimen is provided. The apparatus comprises: an output rotatable member comprising a plurality of connection points; a plurality of rigid connection means, each comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of each connection

means is pivotably coupled to one of the plurality of connection points of the output rotatable member; a plurality of guide members; and a plurality of specimen holders, each slidably mounted to one of the guide members and pivotably coupled to the second end of one of the plurality of connection means.

A method for creating a composite cable having at least one high-performance termination on at least one end. A high-performance termination is added to an end of a short synthetic tensile strength member. The strength of the tensile strength member and termination is then tested. Once tested satisfactorily, the short cable is spiced onto a long cable of the same type using prior art splicing techniques. The union of the short cable and the long cable creates a composite cable having a high-performance termination on at least one end. In most applications it is preferable to set the length of the short cable so that the interwoven splice will exist at a desired location.

An assembly for testing a quality of a weld joining a first section of tubing to a second section of the tubing includes a track, a first tubing engagement structure coupled to the track and translatable along the track, a second tubing engagement structure connected to the track, an actuator, and a load cell. The actuator is operable to translate the first tubing engagement structure along the track in a first direction toward the second tubing engagement structure and in a second direction away from the second tubing engagement structure. The load cell is operable to measure at least one of a compression load and a tensile load applied to the tubing by the first and second tubing engagement structures.

A method for creating a composite cable having at least one high-performance termination on at least one end. A high-performance termination is added to an end of a short synthetic tensile strength member. The strength of the tensile strength member and termination is then tested. Once tested satisfactorily, the short cable is spiced onto a long cable of the same type using prior art splicing techniques. The union of the short cable and the long cable creates a composite cable having a high-performance termination on at least one end. In most applications it is preferable to set the length of the short cable so that the interwoven splice will exist at a desired location.

A method and apparatus for geotechnical soil sampling in conjunction with the Cone Penetration Test (CPT) is provided. The apparatus involves a tubular whipstock cell affixed between push rods and the lower elements of a cone penetrometer. The whipstock cell includes a whipstock having a beveled face. The whipstock face is oriented towards a sampling window pre-formed in the whipstock cell. The apparatus also includes at least one push rod connected to the proximal end of the whipstock cell, and an elongated sampling rod dimensioned to be slidably moved through the at least one push rod en route to the whipstock cell. The apparatus additionally comprises a soil sampler residing at a distal end of the push rod. A method of taking soil samples is also provided herein.

A detection device includes a frame body and a main pipe positioning assembly, a branch pipe positioning assembly, and a first driving assembly disposed on the frame body. One side of the frame body is provided with an opening. The branch pipe positioning assembly is disposed inside the opening. The first driving assembly adjusts the branch pipe positioning assembly, so that the branch pipe positioning assembly is adapted to positions of the two branch pipes. During detection, the branch pipes are located in the opening, the main pipe positioning assembly connects two ends of the main pipe, and the branch pipe positioning assembly connects the two branch pipes. Two limiting members are slidably disposed on the frame body to open and close the opening, and the limiting members abut against an outer wall of the main pipe, such that the main pipe is located inside or outside the opening.

Described herein are examples of improved material (and/or universal) testing machines having a lower crossbeam that may be moved via a drive system of the material testing machine. In some examples, this may be accomplished via drive shafts with different threading in upper and lower portions, and/or independent drive systems for upper and lower crossbeams. The ability to dynamically adjust (e.g., raise) the lower crossbeam may allow an operator to interact with test samples at a more comfortable height, and reduce the need for an operator to repeatedly bend and/or kneel.

The invention provides for a material characterization system, method, and instrumentation for measuring the mechanical properties of nano-scale thin films. The thin film mechanical characterization system, method, and instrumentation of the present invention for ultra-thin films includes a motor and load cell. The instrumentation device includes a bath that can be filled or used with liquid so that a thin film can float via the surface tension and can be stretched until permanent deformation occurs, while recording the amount of force applied by the motor and other parameters. Further, the invention provides a process that transfers the nano-scale thin film to the tensile testing instrument and a process to obtain the physical mechanical properties of thin films that are at the nanoscale level.

In a material testing machine including a load actuator including a shaft configured to make a linear motion, and configured to apply a load to a test piece through the linear motion of the shaft, the load actuator includes a bearing configured to support the shaft, and the bearing serves as an air bearing.

A system includes: a tension member having a first end and a second end, where the first end of the tension member is connected to a first loading member and the second end of the tension member is connected to a second loading member; a first actuator configured to translate the first loading member, such that a tensile load is applied to the tension member along a first direction; a second actuator configured to translate the second loading member in two or more second directions that are substantially transverse to the first direction; and a control system that is configured to control the second actuator, such that the second loading member oscillates between the two or more second directions, where the oscillation of the second loading member causes the tension member to vibrate at a frequency.