US 12,111,295 B2
System and method for high strain rate testing of material using gravity driven drop tower
Eric C. Schmitt, Boston, MA (US); Sean S. Teller, Mansfield, MA (US); Jorgen S. Bergstrom, Medfield, MA (US); and Dennis Beynor, Charlotte, NC (US)
Assigned to Veryst Engineering, LLC, Needham, MA (US)
Filed by Veryst Engineering, LLC, Needham, MA (US)
Filed on Sep. 15, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/476,354.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/082,240, filed on Sep. 23, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0091002 A1, Mar. 24, 2022
Int. Cl. G01N 3/303 (2006.01); G01N 3/06 (2006.01)
CPC G01N 3/303 (2013.01) [G01N 3/066 (2013.01); G01N 3/068 (2013.01); G01N 2203/001 (2013.01); G01N 2203/0014 (2013.01); G01N 2203/0033 (2013.01); G01N 2203/0623 (2013.01); G01N 2203/0641 (2013.01)] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A drop tower apparatus adapted to test tension or compression, the apparatus comprising:
a base having mounting features;
a frame extending from the base;
a top member disposed on the frame opposite the base, the top member having a winch;
rails extending from the base to the top member, the rails disposed within the frame;
a sled configured to slide vertically along a length of the rails and releasably connected to the winch, the sled configured to pass over a portion of a tension test fixture and having mounting features for securing an upper compression test fixture;
a triggering system; and
a test fixture configured to receive a sample for testing, the test fixture comprising:
a tension fixture for testing tension; or
a compression fixture;
wherein the drop tower apparatus is adapted to test tension by mounting the tension fixture to the base using the mounting features of the base or adapted to test compression by mounting the compression fixture on the base using the mounting features of the base and the sled using the mounting features of the sled; and
wherein the winch of the top member raises the sled to a desired height, the sled is released at the desired height and slides along the rails resulting in an impact on a sample placed in the test fixture.