| CPC G01N 3/38 (2013.01) [G01N 3/317 (2013.01); G01N 2203/005 (2013.01)] | 17 Claims |
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1. An exciter device, the exciter device comprising:
a piston, wherein a first end of the piston is couplable to a surface of a device-under-test;
a permanent ring magnet fixedly coupled to the piston;
a moveable housing positioned around the piston, wherein the moveable housing is linearly moveable relative to the piston;
an electromagnet coupled to the moveable housing and configured to receive an electrical signal input to generate a magnetic field impinging the permanent ring magnet,
wherein the exciter device is configured to apply a vibrational force to the device-under-test when the electrical signal input causes the electromagnet to generate an alternating magnetic field, wherein the alternating magnetic field applied to the permanent ring magnet causes a linear reciprocating movement of the moveable housing relative to the piston, and
wherein the exciter device is configured to apply an impact force to the device-under-test when the electrical signal input causes the electromagnet to generate a magnetic field that, when applied to the permanent ring magnet, causes a linear movement of the moveable housing sufficient to cause contact between a first location that is fixed relative to the piston and a second location that is fixed relative to the moveable housing;
a bottom support plate with a bottom opening positioned to align with the linear movement axis of the piston such that the first end of the piston passes through the bottom opening;
an axial suspension magnet coupled to the moveable housing proximate to the bottom opening and positioned with a magnetic polarity in opposition to a magnetic polarity of the permanent ring magnet such that opposing magnetic forces between the axial suspension magnet and the permanent ring magnet dampen movement of the moveable housing relative to the piston as the axial suspension magnet approaches the permanent ring magnet; and
a radial guide bushing positioned proximate to the bottom opening and surrounding a circumference of the piston, wherein the radial guide bushing is formed of a flexible and compressible material and restricts radial movement of the moveable housing relative to the piston.
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