Rock Sample Fixing Device with Position-Limit Spring for Cyclic Tension-Compression
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current rock sample fixing devices are limited to unidirectional compression or tension tests, leading to inaccurate results, sample damage, and high labor intensity, and cannot conduct cyclic alternate compression and tension load tests.
Innovation Solution
A rock sample fixing device with position-limit spring components and hydraulic mechanisms is developed, allowing for cyclic tension and compression tests by ensuring consistent loading rigidity and alignment with the testing machine, using a lower and upper clamp with central position-limit mechanisms and hydraulic systems to facilitate accurate and efficient testing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a unidirectional compression test or tension measurement is conducted using a rock sample fixing device, then the test can be performed, but the test results are not accurate and the device cannot conduct cyclic alternate compression and tension load tests
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing device is designed with dual hydraulic mechanisms (tension hydraulic mechanism and compression hydraulic mechanism) that can be switched between different working states, enabling the device to perform both unidirectional compression tests, unidirectional tension tests, and cyclic alternate compression-tension tests. The position-limit spring components provide consistent positioning functionality across all test types, making the device universally applicable for various rock mechanics tests.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydraulic mechanisms are designed to be dynamically switchable between tension and compression states. The position-limit springs can dynamically adjust their constraint force based on the loading direction, providing appropriate positioning in both tension and compression phases of cyclic tests, thereby enabling accurate measurement across different test conditions.
2Ease of operation
If a unidirectional tension test is conducted, then the test can be performed, but it is easy to damage rock samples with low tensile strength and the labor intensity is relatively high
Solution Approach 1:
The device enables cyclic alternate compression-tension loading where the rock sample first undergoes compression pre-loading to strengthen its structural integrity, then transitions to tension testing. This periodic compression-tension action allows the sample to better withstand tensile loads, reducing sample damage while providing more comprehensive mechanical property data.
Solution Approach 2:
The compression hydraulic mechanism performs compression pre-loading on the rock sample before the tension test phase. This preliminary compression action strengthens the sample's internal structure and reduces micro-defects, thereby reducing the likelihood of sample damage during subsequent tension testing and improving overall operational success rate.
3Force
If a unidirectional compression test is conducted, then samples can bear compression load, but the samples can't bear direct tension load and cyclic alternate compression and tension load tests can't be conducted
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing device incorporates both tension hydraulic mechanism and compression hydraulic mechanism with position-limit spring components that function in both loading directions. The hydraulic mechanisms can be independently activated or combined, enabling the device to apply pure compression, pure tension, or cyclic alternate compression-tension loads, thus providing full load type flexibility for comprehensive rock mechanics testing.
4Measurement precision
If a rock sample fixing device is used for cyclic tests, then accurate cyclic alternate tension and compression load tests can be conducted, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The tension hydraulic mechanism and compression hydraulic mechanism are designed with asymmetric structural characteristics optimized for their respective loading directions. The position-limit springs have asymmetric constraint features that provide precise positioning in tension while maintaining stability in compression. This asymmetric design allows each mechanism to be highly optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall system precision for cyclic testing.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing device is segmented into independent functional modules: upper clamp assembly, lower clamp assembly, tension hydraulic mechanism, compression hydraulic mechanism, and position-limit spring components. Each module can be independently designed, adjusted, and maintained. This modular segmentation manages device complexity by allowing each component to be optimized separately while working together to achieve accurate cyclic test measurements.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables accurate cyclic alternate tension and compression load tests on rock samples, ensuring consistent loading rigidity and protecting samples with low tensile strength, thereby improving test accuracy and reducing labor intensity.
Implementation Method 1
The three position-limit springs are arranged on the three screws respectively; one ends of the springs contact the position-limit bodies arranged on the screws; and the other ends of the springs contact the internal wall of the circular support base
Implementation Method 2
The first hydraulic mechanism and the second hydraulic mechanism have the same structure, which both comprise a circular piston and a circular oil cylinder assembled with the circular piston
Data Source
AI summary
A rock sample fixing device with position-limit spring components for cyclic tension and compression tests including: a lower clamp and an upper clamp; the lower clamp including a lower connector connected to a loading base at a bottom of a testing machine, a lower end cap for fixing samples, a lower chain connecting the lower connector and the lower end cap, a first central position-limit mechanism, a second central position-limit mechanism, and a first hydraulic mechanism; the upper clamp including an upper connector connected to a loading base at a top of the testing machine, an upper end cap for fixing samples, an upper chain connecting the upper connector and the upper end cap, a third central position-limit mechanism, a fourth central position-limit mechanism, and a second hydraulic mechanism.