US 12,241,903 B2
System, method, and apparatus for automating specimen testing
Adrian Riddick, Norwood, MA (US); Daniel Chouinard, Norwood, MA (US); Brian Salem, Norwood, MA (US); and Christopher Hines, Norwood, MA (US)
Assigned to Illinois Tool Works Inc., Glenview, IL (US)
Filed by Illinois Tool Works Inc., Glenview, IL (US)
Filed on Jan. 19, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/578,821.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/140,069, filed on Jan. 21, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2022/0229079 A1, Jul. 21, 2022
Int. Cl. G01N 35/00 (2006.01)
CPC G01N 35/00029 (2013.01) [G01N 35/00613 (2013.01); G01N 2035/00277 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A testing system for performing an automated specimen test, the testing system comprising:
a column supported by a base structure;
a load cell supported by said column, wherein the load cell is configured to move along the column toward and away from the base structure via a crosshead coupled to a first actuator;
a specimen plate configured to receive a plurality of specimens, said plurality of specimens comprising a first specimen and a second specimen;
a second actuator configure to adjust a position of said specimen plate;
a rotating platen assembly comprising a base plate configured to support the specimen plate, wherein:
the specimen plate is removably coupled to the base plate via one or more dowels;
the second actuator comprises an electric motor configured to drive the rotating platen assembly via a driving pulley;
the base plate comprises a driven pulley that is drivingly coupled to the driving pully; and
the electric motor is configured to rotate the base plate about an axis of rotation; and
a controller operatively coupled to each of the load cell, the first actuator, and the second actuator, wherein the controller is configured to:
position the specimen plate in a first position that situates the first specimen at a testing position of the testing system;
advance, via the first actuator, the crosshead along the column toward the base structure to compress the first specimen;
determine, via a processor operatively coupled to the load cell, a residual seal force or a compression friction of the first specimen;
retract, via the first actuator, the crosshead along the column away the base structure;
position, via the second actuator, the specimen plate in a second position that situates the second specimen at the testing position;
advance, via the first actuator, the crosshead along the column toward the base structure to compress the second specimen; and
determine, via the processor operatively coupled to the load cell, a residual seal force or a compression friction of the second specimen.