Gary C Stewart

US Patent:

6733294, May 11, 2004

Filed:

Sep 24, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/961794

Inventors:

Robin Tuluie - Minneapolis MN
Paul J. Carroll - Maple Grove MN
Gary Stewart - Raleigh NC

Assignee:

MTS Systems Corporation - Eden Prairie MN

International Classification:

G09B 904

US Classification:

434 61

Abstract:

A testing machine and method are provided for simulating cornering loads on at least a vehicle component. This testing machine and method includes an actuator having an actuator rod oriented at an angle with respect to a level support surface, the angle being selected as a function of a cornering angle of the vehicle during operation.

US Patent:

7607357, Oct 27, 2009

Filed:

Feb 15, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/675165

Inventors:

Gary Stewart - Raleigh NC, US

Assignee:

Enepay Corporation - Raleigh NC

International Classification:

G01N 3/08

US Classification:

73827

Abstract:

The testing systems can incorporate one or more of: (a) side-insertion peel clamps for faster operator loading of film specimens; (b) integral calibration platforms in the peel grip assemblies for convenient calibration of the peel force transducers; and (c) a positioning assembly to hold in place aged specimens in preparation for peeling tests.

US Patent:

20100154518, Jun 24, 2010

Filed:

Feb 20, 2007

Appl. No.:

12/279919

Inventors:

Gary Stewart - Raleigh NC, US

International Classification:

G01M 3/00

US Classification:

73 52

Abstract:

An automated packaging-film testing systems are configured to perform at least one of a Hot Tack Test, Heat Seal Test, and an Aged Seal Test. The systems include at least one of the following components: (a) side-insertion peel clamps that are configured to releasably grip film specimens using a resilient fluid-expandable member that cooperates with a side insertion finger to releasably clamp a film specimen; (b) at least one film specimen positioning clip configured to releasably hold film specimens in position prior to initiation of a test sequence, (c) a motion assembly comprising a single drive system attached to one end portion of an arm that supports and moves all lower seal jaws at each testing station substantially in concert to thereby allow for faster extraction of film specimens from the seal jaws; (d) seal jaw pressure control using a closed-loop pressure system comprising a pressure regulator valve in fluid communication with a pressurized air source without load cells; (e) at least one seal jaw clip configured to releasably slidably mount a seal jaw to a heater block, (f) an upper heater block release mechanism configured to releasably mount a heater block assembly to a reaction frame allow fast operator replacement of heaters and temperature transducers without tools, and (g) an integrated film guide and film cooling system.