MTS Systems Corporation Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20140260226 | SERVO ACTUATOR LOAD VECTOR GENERATING SYSTEM - A servo actuator system and method of operating the same includes a dual acting actuator comprising an actuator body and a movable member movable in the actuator body to define a first and second chamber on each side of the movable member. A first port is fluidly coupled to the first chamber and a second port is fluidly coupled to the second chamber. A fluid pump having a return is provided. A proportional valve assembly is fluidly coupled to the fluid pump, return and the first and second ports. The proportional valve assembly includes a plurality of metering orifices. A controller is operably coupled to the proportional valve assembly to control the plurality of metering orifices to generate a load vector having magnitude and direction and wherein an actual position of a movable member in an actuator body is indeterminate. | 09-18-2014 |
20140142759 | Testing machine with graphical user interface with situational awareness - A testing machine for testing a test specimen includes an actuator assembly configured to be coupled to the test specimen; and a computing device configured to control the actuator assembly, the computing device including a graphical user interface that renders at least a visual representation or a simulated visual representation of at least a parameter of the component or the component changing in accordance with changes of the actual corresponding component on the testing machine. | 05-22-2014 |
20140111041 | ASSEMBLY FOR TEST APPARATUS WITH COOLING AND VENTING ASSEMBLIES - A testing apparatus includes a crosshead and a head assembly. The head assembly includes a head cover having an interior volume. An electric actuator, controls and other electric components are located within the interior volume, wherein the motor, controls and other electric components generates heat when energized. A divider within the interior volume separates a first volume from a second volume. The first volume includes the heat generating electric motor, controls and electric components and the second volume contains substantially no heat generating components. The head assembly includes at least one fan within the second volume that draws cool air from outside the head cover and forces the cool air through the second volume and into the first volume to remove heat. | 04-24-2014 |
20140107962 | Method and systems for off-line control for simulation of coupled hybrid dynamic systems - Systems and methods are provided for controlling the simulation of a coupled hybrid dynamic system. A physical test rig configured to drive the physical structure component of the system and to generate a test rig response as a result of applying a test rig drive signal. A processor is configured with a virtual model of a complementary system to the physical structure component. The processor receives the test rig response and generates a response of the complementary system based on a received test rig response. The system can be driven with a random input. The processor compares the test rig response with the response of the complementary system, the difference being used to form a system dynamic response model. | 04-17-2014 |
20140103745 | LINEAR ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY - An electric linear displacement motor for use in a testing apparatus includes a stator assembly having a stator housing and a plurality of coils within the stator housing. An armature is positioned within the stator housing and includes a plurality of magnets along a length of the armature. A bearing assembly is attached to the first end of the stator housing and includes a bearing housing containing a bearing. A first end portion of the armature engages and is carried by the bearing. A brake assembly is coupled to the first end of the armature and the bearing housing. The brake assembly includes a moving portion coupled to the armature and a non-moving portion coupled to the bearing housing wherein the moving portion has less mass than the non-moving portion and therefore reduces the moving mass of the armature. | 04-17-2014 |
20130305840 | Transducer acceleration compensation using a delay to match phase characteristics - A method and system for correcting for the inertial error of a transducer as a function of frequency by applying a delay to a leading signal of the transducer to provide phase compensation. | 11-21-2013 |
20130219218 | Mobile Communication Platform for Test System Applications - A mobile communication platform for a test facility to monitor various testing devices. The mobile communication platform is configured to transmit data or information to a remote test platform remote from a test facility or laboratory. In embodiments described, the communication platform is configured to interface with the one or more controller units to receive input or output data from the one or more test devices and transmit the input output data to the remote test platform via a messaging protocol initiated by the communication platform coupled to the testing device. | 08-22-2013 |
20130212512 | Mobile Application Tool and Graphical User Interface - A mobile application tool is disclosed to provide remote access to data, and in particular test data. In embodiments disclosed, the mobile application tool includes a mobile test interface component configured to receive an access input associated with one or more testing devices and invoke an interface to a remote test platform to retrieve one or more testing device selections for the one or more testing devices associated with the access input. The tool includes a display function configured to receive the one or more testing device selections and invoke a graphical user interface to display the one or more test device selections and data associated with the one or more test device selections. | 08-15-2013 |
20130212149 | Cloud Computing Platform for Managing Data - A cloud computing platform is disclosed that utilizes a messaging platform configured to receive input message from one or more remote testing devices identifiable via one or more codes and generate a reply message to request test data or information from the one or more remote testing devices. The messaging platform is configured to interface with one or more remote or mobile computing devices to transmit the test data or information for the one or more testing devices to the one or more remote computing devices. The platform also includes a data storage platform configured to receive the test data or information from the one or more testing devices and store the test data or information to one or more data storage devices. | 08-15-2013 |
20130104670 | TEST SYSTEM FOR MEASURING AND EVALUATING DYNAMIC BODY FORCES | 05-02-2013 |
20130030751 | Methods and systems for off-line control for simulation of coupled hybrid dynamic systems - Systems and methods are provided for controlling the simulation of a coupled hybrid dynamic system. A physical test rig configured to drive the physical structure component of the system and to generate a test rig response as a result of applying a test rig drive signal. A processor is configured with a virtual model of the system. The processor receives the test rig response and generates a model response of the system based on the received test rig response and a virtual drive input. The system is driven with a random input. The processor compares the test rig response with the model response, the difference being used to form a system dynamic response model for generating the test drive signal. An inverse of the system dynamic response model is used to iteratively reduce the difference between the model response and the test rig response below a defined threshold. | 01-31-2013 |
20110023629 | WIND TURBINE DRIVE TRAIN TEST ASSEMBLY - One aspect of the invention is a test assembly comprising a prime mover, an actuator assembly and a torque transfer coupling. The actuator assembly has an end configured to be attached to a shaft of a portion of a test specimen such as a wind turbine assembly. The actuator assembly has a shaft supported for rotation by hydraulic bearings. The torque transfer coupling connects the primer mover to the actuator assembly. | 02-03-2011 |
20110013970 | SYSTEM HAVING A HIGH AXIAL STIFFNESS SWIVEL JOINT - A system includes a support, an actuator and a swivel joint coupling the actuator to the support. The swivel joint includes a first base member, a second base member, and a spider positioned between the first and second base members. The spider includes a center support and first and second bearing support elements. Each bearing support element has an arcuate surfaces adapted to form joints with the first and second base members. In one embodiment, at least one shim element disposed is between at least one of the first and second bearing support elements and the center support. | 01-20-2011 |
20100326206 | PLATFORM BALANCE - The present disclosure is directed to a platform balance that is suitable for transmitting forces and moments in a plurality of directions. The platform balance is adapted to support a test specimen, such as a large vehicle, in a test environment such as a wind tunnel. The platform balance includes a frame support and at least three spaced-apart transducers coupled to the frame support. Each of the transducers is sensitive about two orthogonal sensed axes. The transducers cooperate to provide signals indicative of forces and moments with respect to at least two orthogonal axes. Each transducer includes a transducer body having a support coupled to a sensor body along an axis of compliance. The sensor body is adapted to deflect about the two orthogonal sensed axes where the sensed axes are mutually orthogonal to the axis of compliance. | 12-30-2010 |
20100236336 | MULIPLE DEGREE OF FREEDOM DISPLACEMENT TRANSDUCER - A multiple degree of freedom displacement transducer and body thereof is used to measure linear displacements along and/or rotational or pivotal displacements about up to three orthogonal axes. In one embodiment, a displacement transducer body includes a first pivoting assembly and a second pivoting assembly. Each pivoting assembly has a support member pivotable relative to another portion about two orthogonal axes. A structure joins said another portion of each pivoting assembly together. In another embodiment, a displacement transducer includes a first support member, a second support member, and a cross flexure assembly joining the first support member to the second support member. The cross flexure assembly is arranged to allow the first support member to pivot relative to the second support member about two intersecting orthogonal axes. An angular sensing device is arranged to provide an output signal related to angular movement of the first support member relative to the second support member about at least one of the orthogonal axes. | 09-23-2010 |
20100219812 | ISOLATED MAGNETOSTRICTIVE BUFFERED LIQUID LEVEL SENSOR - A magnetostrictive application probe is disclosed wherein the probe includes a preassembled sensor element mounted as an application housing installation as an installable unit. The modular nature allows interchanging with various electronic assemblies, and may be an explosion proof installation. | 09-02-2010 |
20100212439 | SELF-FLUSHING BOTTLE IN-LINE FLUID SAMPLER - A hydraulic fluid sampler and a method for obtaining a hydraulic fluid sample includes a sample container holder configured to support a sample container mounted thereto in an inverted position and a non-inverted position. In the inverted position, the sample container holder is configured to flush the sample container with hydraulic fluid so as to flush away any contaminates that may be present. In the non-inverted position, the sample container holder is configured to fill the sample container with hydraulic fluid. | 08-26-2010 |
20100077260 | TESTING MACHINE WITH WORKFLOW BASED TEST PROCEDURE - A test machine system and a method for operating a test machine system includes using a readily available workflow program to a test procedure created using a graphical user interface to arrange test procedure elements. | 03-25-2010 |
20100070126 | AUTOPILOT SYSTEM FOR USE IN A WIND TUNNEL - A roadway system for a vehicle and a method for testing a vehicle on a roadway system are provided. The roadway system and/or method include a platform having at least one movable endless belt configured to support a vehicle. A sensor assembly is configured to provide an output signal indicative of position, displacement, velocity and/or acceleration of the vehicle on the belt with respect to at least one reference axis. An autopilot system is configured to operate a component of the vehicle to control the vehicle on the belt with respect to the reference axis based on the output signal. | 03-18-2010 |
20090301183 | FLAT BELT ROADWAY SIMULATOR WITH STEER AND/OR CAMBER ADJUSTMENT AND METHOD FOR ASCERTAINING ROLLING LOSS - A testing machine includes a frame and a roadway assembly. The roadway assembly includes an endless belt and a carriage supporting the endless belt for rotation on the carriage and providing flat portion in the endless belt. The carriage is pivotally coupled to the frame to move relative to the frame about at least one axis. The carriage includes a bearing arranged to support an inner surface of the flat portion of the endless belt. A spindle carriage has a spindle arranged to support a tire and wheel assembly. The spindle carriage is movably mounted on the frame to move the spindle toward and away from the flat portion. A drive is operably coupled to the roadway assembly or the spindle. An actuator controls pivotal movement of the roadway assembly about said at least one axis. A method of ascertaining rolling loss of a tire mounted to such a machine is also provided. | 12-10-2009 |
20090217775 | RESTRAINT SYSTEM - A test system includes a platform having a movable endless belt. A restraint is configured to restrain a test article in a selected vertical position relative to the moveable belt. The restraint includes at least a pair of axially rigid supports wherein at least one rigid support is provided on each side of the movable belt and has an end configured to be secured to the test article, and wherein each support extends from a stationary portion, relative to the belt, of the platform over at least a portion of the movable belt. | 09-03-2009 |
20090217746 | STRUT ASSEMBLY - A test system and method includes a platform having a movable endless belt. A test article is disposed on the belt has wheel assemblies rotated by the endless belt. At least one strut has a first end coupled to the test article and a second end configured to engage the belt as it moves so as to transfer force between belt and the test article. | 09-03-2009 |
20090154292 | MAGNETOSTRICTIVE DISPLACEMENT TRANSDUCER WITH SUPPRESSION OF SWITCHING POWER SUPPLY NOISE - A transducer senses repetitive pulses on a magnetostrictive element and provides transducer output bursts. A transducer circuit detects the transducer output bursts. An energy storage device couples to a power input of the transducer circuit. A switching power supply couples to the energy storage device and has repetitive suppressed states during which switching in the switching power supply is suppressed. A sequence circuit provides synchronization of the repetitive suppressed states of the switching power supply with the transducer output bursts. | 06-18-2009 |
20090153135 | MAGNETOSTRICTIVE DISPLACEMENT TRANSDUCER WITH PHASE SHIFTED BIAS BURST - An assembly includes a magnetostrictive transducer that provides a transducer output. Amplifier circuitry receives the transducer output and generates a transducer output burst and a bias output burst. The transducer output burst and bias output burst overlap in time and differ by a phase difference. A burst processor receives the transducer output burst and the bias output burst. The burst processor provides a displacement output that is a function of a time when the transducer output burst and the bias output burst are at the same voltage level. | 06-18-2009 |
20090041534 | HIGH AXIAL STIFFNESS SWIVEL JOINT - A swivel joint is provided comprising a first base member, a second base member, and a spider positioned between the first and second base members. The spider includes a center support and first and second bearing support elements. Each bearing support element has an arcuate surfaces adapted to form joints with the first and second base members. In one embodiment, at least one shim element disposed is between at least one of the first and second bearing support elements and the center support. | 02-12-2009 |
20090012763 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR TIRE EVALUATION AND TUNING WITH LOADING SYSTEM AND VEHICLE MODEL - A method and system for evaluating and tuning tires includes a test rig on which one or more physical tires are mounted. A full vehicle model and a road description are used with the test rig to test and evaluate the tire as would be conducted on a real test track. The full vehicle model is modified to remove the characteristics of the tire or tires under test. The remainder of the full vehicle model produces output signals in the form of displacements or loads that are transmitted as inputs to the test rig to apply those signals. The test rig measures output signals in the form of complementary displacements or loads that will become inputs to the vehicle model in place of the removed model of the tire under test. In this manner, the physical tire under test is inserted into a real time model of the full vehicle, road and driver. | 01-08-2009 |
20080271542 | METHOD TO EXTEND TESTING THROUGH INTEGRATION OF MEASURED RESPONSES WITH VIRTUAL MODELS - A system and method to expand capabilities of simulation and durability testing of a specimen under test utilizing a virtual signal that is generated by combining the actual measured signal from a transducer with a supplemental or simulated signal created by a function based on position, load or another known or measurable parameter. This virtual signal may then be inserted into a control loop to adapt the system to this new, calculated or combined signal. | 11-06-2008 |
20080217380 | Method and apparatus to relieve residual stress or distortion in a heat processed article - The application discloses a method and apparatus to apply pressure to a heated or weld region of a workpiece to relieve residual stress and distortion. In illustrated embodiments, heat is supplied via a probe that traverses a workpiece to heat a region of the workpiece. Pressure is applied to the heated region following the application of heat. In illustrated embodiments, pressure is supplied via a roller assembly, which is configured to traverse the workpiece to apply pressure to the heated or weld regions. | 09-11-2008 |