Patent ID: 6550343
Filing Date: 2003-04-22
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
An apparatus for measuring a shear strength of rubber bonded to a metal insert in a valve seal, said apparatus comprising:(a) an upper fixture; (b) a radially opposed lower fixture, at least one of said upper fixture and said lower fixture being movable in a longitudinal direction with respect to one another; (c) a mounting device disposed in one of said lower fixture and said upper fixture for retaining such valve seal; (d) a shearing means disposed in an opposing one of said upper fixture and said lower fixture for shearing such rubber bonded to such metal insert in said valve seal, said shearing means having an arcuate edge for contacting said valve seal closely adjacent an interface between such rubber and such metal insert; (e) a first means engageable with said shearing means for controlling movement of said shearing means in one of a direction for shearing said valve seal and an opposite direction for returning said shearing means to its starting position; and (f) a second means in communication with said first means for recording such movement of said shearing means and for recording a force that is applied by said first means until a bond between such rubber and such metal insert of said valve seal is broken.