Title of Invention

A SYSTEM FOR EXPERIMENTAL MECHANICS APPLICATIONS

Abstract

This invention relates to a System for Experimental Mechanics Applications such as static, dynamic and non-destructive testing at an affordable cost. The system according to the invention comprises of a processor with an interface connected to conditioners and controllers. Transducers provide signals corresponding to the measured values to the conditioners. The processor provides control signal to the controller for controlling the motors and relays attached to the testing instruments. The processor is also provided with a multimedia system with audio and video features.

Full Text

The invention pertains to a system for experimental mechanics applications. Measurement during static and dynamic testing or non-destructive testing of mechanical structures, components and assemblies require selection of appropriate tools and methods to acquire the test data and analyze them. Since various instruments with compatible software and respective drivers are required for experimental mechanics applications, the cost of providing these tools and conducting the tests and the man-hours required are high. Therefore small industries and laboratories cannot afford to conduct such tests on a product. The invention provides a cost effective system for experimental mechanics applications such as static, dynamic and non-destructive testing. The apparatus according to the invention comprises a processor with an interface connected to conditioners and controllers. Transducers provide signals corresponding to the measured values to the conditioners. The processor provides control signal to the controller for controlling the motors and relays attached to the testing instruments. The processor is also provided with a multimedia system with audio and video features. Accordingly the present invention provides a Sysstem for experimental mechanics applications comprising a processor provided with a multimedia system being connected to receive signals from plurality of sensors used with testing instruments for experimental mechanics applications, said sensors being connected through signal conditioners and the said processor being connected to control a stepper motor and relay for controlling the measurements of said testing instruments. The apparatus for experimental mechanics applications according to the invention is described with reference to the accompanying drawing in which a schematic diagram of the system is shown in figure 1. A processor (1) provided with a multimedia system (2) is connected to receive signals from sensors (6, 7) used with testing instruments (11 to 20) for experimental mechanics applications. These testing instruments include universal testing machine (11), mechatronic hydraulic valve (12), material tester (13), automatic tensile tester (14), automatic static tester (15), mechatronic programmable voltage source (16), coin tap non destructive tester (17), vibration modal tester (18), hammer modal tester (19) and optical measurement system (20). The sensors used are generally load sensor (6) and temperature sensor (7). The signal from the sensors are received through signal conditioners (3, 4). The processor (1) controls the measurements of the stepper motor (8) and relays (9) and obtain results of measurements. A camera (10) is connected to the video card of a multimedia system. Automated tensile tester (11) used is a low capacity of the order of 500 Newton, which is a simple, low cost material test system with computer control for conducting tests like tension, compression, bending, shear, spring testing etc. This can be configured for any universal test need. The present model is configured as a spring tester. This uses stepper motors, load cells and associated conditioners. The computer can be any personal computer (PC). Mechatronic hydraulic valve (12) used is a low cost valve described in our Patent No: 182069 which replaces servo valve in a static hydraulic loading applications and makes use of the load cell with conditioner for load read out and control purposes. The loading control is obtained by use of two stepper motors connected to the stepper motor controller along with load cell conditioner. Material tester (13) can be retrofitted in any servo hydraulic loading system. This makes use of load conditioners and load cells for load acquisition through serial ports. Mechatronic programmable voltage source (16) is used for input command generation for electro-hydraulic servo system and ADC for the measurement of the load and/or stroke. Relay (9) is used for on/off control of the hydraulic pump. An improved universal testing machine (14) disclosed in Indian Patent No: 184705 is a low cost static loading machine making use of mechatronic hydraulic valve as the control valve. This makes use of load conditioners and load cells for load acquisition through serial ports. Stepper motors and stepper motor controller are used for operating the mechatronic hydraulic valve for loading control for static loading applications in load control mode. Relays are used for on/off control of the hydraulic pump of the mechatronic valve. Automated static tester (15) is a multi channel version mentioned above which can be used for static testing of large spacecraft structure or automobile structures etc. For multi-channel applications additional hydraulic actuators and respective instrumentation may be used. Mechatronic programmable voltage source (16) is used as a function generator for generation of ramp and low frequency triangular waves using assembly of assorted off-the-shelf items. This can be used as a low cost alternative for standard function generator where only the above-mentioned waveforms only are required. The output can be immediately brought down to zero by disabling the relay connected to it by means of another digital output line of parallel port. Coin tap non-destructive tester (17) is used for detection of poorly bonded areas of bonded honeycomb sandwich panels by instrumented tapping of the panels. The response is obtained from a force gauge. The system consists of a tapping head connected to a computer. A relay operated from the head drops a miniature force through a sensor and the audio card captures the tapping force. Calibrated quality of the bond is displayed as a color plot on the screen. This uses a sound card and a relay control. Modal parameters such as natural frequencies, mode shapes and damping are measured using the audio card. The time domain data obtained is sent to other software such as material laboratory or other modal test software for further detail analysis. There are two modules, namely, a vibration tester (18) and a hammer modal tester (19). The former uses a shaker while the latter uses transient impact hammer-hit. The optical measurement system (20) along with a web camera or video camera is used for static dynamic and non-destructive testing purposes. "The movie and image processor uses the video feature of the multimedia system. A frame grabber card with the scientific camera with an image subtraction software is used for interferometric applications. Also, the optical kit for displacement and slope measurements can be used for multi function measurements as mentioned below using the scientific camera and the image processor software. a). Deformation/slope measurement for static applications such as mechanical, thermal and pressure stressing. Non-destructive evaluation (NDE) of aerospace and industrial components such as honeycomb sandwich panels, composites etc., for the detection of de-bond, de-lamination, minute cracks etc. b). Mechanical measurements such as Young"s Modulus (E), Poissons ratio (n) and co-efficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of materials". We Claim: 1. A system for experimental mechanics applications comprising a processor (1) provided with a multimedia system (2) characterized in that said processor is connected to receive signals from a plurality of sensors (6, 7) used with testing instruments (11-20) for experimental mechanics applications, said sensors (6, 7) being connected through signal conditioners (3, 4) and the said processor (1) being connected to control a stepper motor (8) and relay (9) for controlling the measurements of said testing instruments (11 to 20). 2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the testing instruments are selected from universal testing machine (11), mechatronic hydraulic valve (12), material tester (13), automatic tensile tester (14), automatic static tester (15), mechatronic programmable voltage source (16), coin-tap non destructive tester (17), vibration modal tester (18), hammer modal tester (19) and optical measurement system (20). 3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensors are selected from a load sensor (6) and temperature sensor (7). 4. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said multimedia system (2) has a video card connected to a camera (10). 5. The system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the camera (10) is a video camera 6. The system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the camera (10) is a web camera.

Documents:

0376-mas-2001 abstract-duplicate.pdf

0376-mas-2001 abstract.jpg

0376-mas-2001 abstract.pdf

0376-mas-2001 claims-duplicate.pdf

0376-mas-2001 claims.pdf

0376-mas-2001 correspondence-others.pdf

0376-mas-2001 correspondence-po.pdf

0376-mas-2001 description (complete)-duplicate.pdf

0376-mas-2001 description (complete).pdf

0376-mas-2001 drawings.pdf

0376-mas-2001 form-1.pdf

0376-mas-2001 form-19.pdf

0376-mas-2001 form-26.pdf

0376-mas-2001 form-3.pdf

0376-mas-2001 form-5.pdf