Lever load-amplifying fatigue testing machine with a load cycle frequency of 100 to 900 cycles per minute applies the load through true axial motion. Pivot friction and bearing wear are eliminated by replacing these parts with flex plates and bars

Hengstenberg, T. F.

Kurinko, C. D.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

L 
Flex 
Suppor 
Colum r 
Flex Pta
Flex Bar 
April 1966	 Brief 66-10164 
NASA TECH BRIEF 
NASA Tech Briefs are issued to summarize specific innovations derived from the U. S. space 
program and to encourage their commercial application. Copies are available to the public from 
the Clearinghouse for Federal Scientific and Technical Information, Springfield, Virginia 22151. 
Fatigue Tester Achieves True Axial Motion Through Flex Plates and Bars 
Drive Cam 
The problem: 
To design an inexpensive lever load-amplifying fa-
tigue testing machine with a load cycle frequency of 
100 to 900 cycles per minute that will apply the load 
through true axial motion. Pivot friction and bearing 
wear introduce inaccuracies in present devices. 
The solution: 
A tester that replaces pivots and bearings with flex 
plates and bars to achieve true axial motion.
How it's done: 
A variable speed motor and commercially available 
cam operate the lever arm. The arm applies an axial 
load to the specimen under test through two friction-
less flex plates, one to take the place of the usual knife 
blade pivot, and the other to take the place of the 
usual bearing on the load bar. Parallel flex bars link a 
loading yoke and the flex plates with a support col-
umn to achieve true axial motion of the load against 
the test specimen. 
-	 (continued overleal) 
This document was prepared under the sponsorship of the National
	 Government assumes any liability resulting from the use of the 
Aeronautics and Space Administration. Neither the United States
	 information contained in this document, or warrants that such use 
Government nor any person acting on behalf of the United States
	 will be free from privately owned rights.
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19660000163 2020-03-11T17:31:02+00:00Z
Notes:	 Patent status: 
I. In this design, a load amplification ratio of 5 to I 	 No patent action is contemplated by NASA. 
has been obtained.	 Source: C. D. Kurinko and T. F. Hengstenberg 
2. Inquiries concerning this innovation may be di- 	 of Westinghouse Astronuclear Laboratory 
rected to:	 under contract to 
Technology Utilization Officer	 Space Nuclear Propulsion Office 
AEC-NASA Space Nuclear Propulsion	 (NU-0021)
Office 
U.S. Atomic Energy Commission 
Washington, D.C., 20545 
Reference: B66-10164 
Brief 66-10164	 Category 01


Fatigue tester achieves true axial motion through flex plates and bars

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