Patent ID: 6467330
Filing Date: 2002-10-22
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
An apparatus for testing rolling contact fatigue resistance of materials comprising:a loading unit capable of reciprocating motion, said loading unit having a freely rotatable testing ball for rolling along a testing surface of a tested object, said loading unit having a bearing surface positioned opposite of said tested object, said bearing surface further comprising a groove defining a rolling position of said testing ball, said groove positioned upon said bearing surface in the direction of said tested object such that said groove extends parallel to said testing surface of said tested object, said testing ball being partially surrounded by said bearing surface of said loading unit when said testing ball is placed within said groove, placement of said testing ball within said groove allowing rotational motion of said testing ball along said testing surface to be facilitated by 1) friction forces between said testing ball and said groove and 2) friction forces between said testing ball and said testing surface; a driving assembly connected to said loading unit, said driving assembly capable of driving said loading unit; and a clamping unit for holding said tested object in a stationary position during testing.