High throughput tribometer
| DWPI Title: High throughput tribometer for characterizing force e.g. friction and wear, has exchange drive motor for unthreading counterface from tribometer test head, and threads counterface into tribometer test head |
| Abstract: The present invention relates, in part, to systems for characterizing force (e.g., friction, and wear). In one embodiment, a tribometer allows for wear testing of samples in a high throughput manner. A counterface is used to apply force on the surface of the sample. A carousel provides for the rapid exchange of new for old counterfaces in the tribometer test head, thereby enabling the use of a new counterface for each new wear test without the need for operator interaction. |
| Use: High throughput tribometer for characterizing force e.g. friction and wear |
| Advantage: The system rapidly and automatically exchanges the counterface of the high throughput tribometer. The system facilitates wear testing of samples in a high throughput manner, thus increasing testing speed to increase throughput, and enhances resolution. |
| Novelty: The high throughput tribometer has a carousel for comprising multiple exchange tools. A selector motor rotates the carousel, and places the exchange tools in an exchange position with respect to a test head of the tribometer, where the carousel comprises a rotary carousel, and the carousel comprises a linear conveyor belt. An exchange drive motor unthreads a counterface from the tribometer test head, and threads the counterface into the tribometer test head. The exchange tool comprises a clutch to prevent overtightening of the counterface into the tribometer test head beyond torque limit. The exchange tool comprises a chuck to hold the counterface. A drive shaft comprises a clutch pad, where the clutch pad slidingly engages with a mating face of the chuck. A pressure plate holds a clutch pad to a mating face of the chuck, until torque limit is reached. |
| Filed: 11/1/2021 |
| Application Number: US17515815A |
| Tech ID: SD 14278.3 |
| This invention was made with Government support under Contract No. DE-NA0003525 awarded by the United States Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration. The Government has certain rights in the invention. |
| Data from Derwent World Patents Index, provided by Clarivate All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Clarivate content, including by framing or similar means, is prohibited without the prior written consent of Clarivate. Clarivate and its logo, as well as all other trademarks used herein are trademarks of their respective owners and used under license. |