Sustained Load Fixture for Tension Specimen Testing

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is currently no conventionally available testing equipment that can provide a sustained tension load to a specimen, which is necessary for consistent and verifiable testing results.

Innovation Solution

A sustained load fixture is designed, comprising a force applicator within an outer housing, a first specimen mount secured to the outer housing, and a second specimen mount secured to an inner housing. The inner housing is movable relative to the outer housing, allowing the force applicator to apply a force that translates into tension on the specimen.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional testing equipment is used, then the equipment structure is simple and easy to operate, but it cannot provide sustained tension load to the specimen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to provide sustained tension loadVSAvoidfixture structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fixture is divided into distinct functional components: an outer housing, an inner housing that moves independently, a force applicator mechanism, and specimen mounting elements. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while contributing to the overall capability of applying sustained tension load.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The inner housing acts as an intermediary element between the force applicator and the specimen. It translates the force applied by the force applicator into sustained tension on the specimen through its movable connection, enabling the transmission and maintenance of tension load.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the specimen remains in the load applying machine during testing, then sustained tension load can be maintained, but the specimen cannot be removed for environmental exposure testing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to test under environmental conditionsVSAvoidmaintenance of known tension during removal

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The fixture is pre-loaded with the force applicator engaged before specimen removal. This preliminary action ensures that the tension load is already established and will be maintained during the removal and transportation process, allowing the specimen to be exposed to environmental conditions while under known tension.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The inner housing is designed to move dynamically while maintaining the tension relationship. This dynamic capability allows the specimen to be removed from the load applying machine and transported to environmental chambers while the fixture maintains the known tension through the movable inner housing connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If a movable inner housing is used to apply tension, then sustained tension load can be applied, but the fixture structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconsistency of tension loadVSAvoidinner and outer housing structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The inner housing is nested within the outer housing, with the force applicator positioned inside the inner housing. This nested arrangement allows the movable inner housing to apply tension through the specimen while being contained within the outer housing structure, creating a compact yet functional design that maintains tension consistency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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

The sustained load fixture effectively applies a consistent and verifiable sustained tension load to the specimen, ensuring accurate and reliable testing results, even when the specimen is removed from the load applying machine.

Implementation Method 1

A force is applied to the inner housing using a force applicator within an outer housing to change the distance between the far end of the inner housing and a first specimen mount

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForce application and translation: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentUS20250172468A1Sustained Load Fixture and Methods of Placing a Specimen in Tension

Publication Date: 2025.05.29 THE BOEING CO

AI summary

Sustained load fixture and methods of use. The sustained load fixture comprises a force applicator within an outer housing; a first specimen mount secured to the outer housing and configured to hold a first end of a specimen to be loaded; a second specimen mount secured to an inner housing and configured to hold a second end of the specimen to be loaded; and the inner housing movable relative to the outer housing to apply a tension to the specimen through the second specimen mount, the force applicator positioned to apply a force to the inner housing such that the inner housing translates the force from the force applicator into the tension on the specimen.