Patent ID: 9435724
Filing Date: 2016-09-06
CPC Classification: G01N

Claim Text:
1. A method for loading a circular test coupon, comprising: (a) placing a coolant ring made of metal alloy so that an inner circumferential portion of the coolant ring is disposed radially outward from and surrounding an outer circumferential portion of the test coupon, which coolant ring has a channel; and (b) initiating a flow through the channel of liquid coolant that has a temperature less than the temperature of the coolant ring, wherein the inner diameter of the coolant ring and the outer diameter of the test coupon are selected so that the inner circumferential portion of the coolant ring will exert radially inwardly directed compressive forces on the outer circumferential portion of the test coupon as the coolant ring is cooled by the liquid coolant.