Thermomechanical Test Rig With Thermal-Expansion Grips
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing biaxial and triaxial test rigs for thermomechanical loads are expensive and complex, especially under cryogenic conditions, due to the need for actuators and significant cryogenic liquid usage.
Innovation Solution
A test rig design utilizing grip portions with a higher thermal expansion coefficient than the frame, allowing mechanical loading through thermal deformation without actuators, enabling assembly outside a cryostat and reducing the need for cryogenic fluid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If actuators are used to apply mechanical load in conventional test rigs, then precise load control is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical actuator system with a thermally-driven mechanical system. The grip portions utilize thermal expansion/contraction to generate and apply mechanical load to the test specimen, eliminating the need for complex actuators while maintaining load application capability
Solution Approach 2:
The grip portions are made from materials with high thermal expansion coefficients that expand or contract in response to temperature changes, thereby generating mechanical force to load the test specimen. This thermal expansion mechanism substitutes for the traditional actuator-based mechanical force generation
2Reliability
If complete test rig arrangement is submerged in coolant for cryogenic testing, then accurate thermomechanical testing is achieved, but cryogenic liquid consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The test rig is segmented into two distinct thermal zones: the grip portions and test specimen are submerged in cryogenic coolant for accurate thermomechanical testing, while the frame and actuator components remain outside the coolant bath, significantly reducing cryogenic liquid consumption
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the test rig have different thermal requirements - the grip portions require cryogenic temperatures for accurate thermomechanical testing while other components do not. The patent applies cryogenic cooling only locally to where it is needed, optimizing both test accuracy and resource efficiency
3Adaptability or versatility
If actuators and link systems are used for biaxial testing, then multi-directional load application is achieved, but assembly effort and setup time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The same test rig configuration with thermally-driven grip portions can perform both uniaxial and biaxial testing by simply changing the specimen orientation and cooling configuration, eliminating the need for complex reassembly or additional actuator systems required by conventional approaches
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
Simplifies and reduces the cost of thermomechanical load testing by eliminating the need for actuators and minimizing cryogenic fluid consumption, while being adaptable to various specimen sizes and thicknesses.
Implementation Method 1
the thermal expansion coefficient of the grip portions being greater than the thermal expansion coefficient of the frame
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
The rig for testing thermomechanical loads comprises grip portions (3) for gripping a test specimen (2), and a frame (1) that join the grip portions (3) to each other, the thermal expansion coefficient of the grip portions (3) being greater than the thermal expansion coefficient of the frame (1). It permits to provide a test rig which is simplified with respect to the conventional test rigs, being cheaper than these known test rigs.