Patent ID: 6691580
Filing Date: 2004-02-17
Classification: G01M

Abstract:
In a method of testing the effect of distributed pressure loadings on test panels having opposing first and second sides bounded by a perimetral edge bordering adjacent flat edge portions of said sides in a testing machine for inducing a compound bend deflection in a test panel and having relatively movable parts which define a first relatively spread position and a second more closed position; a liquid filled self-contained bladder formed of pliant somewhat elastic membranes with membrane edge portions and adapted to be received on one of said parts for engaging said first side of a test panel and deflecting said test panel upon said relative movement of said parts; a fixture supported by the other of the parts incorporating a continuously extending edge movement restraint frame for receiving and contacting said adjacent edge portions of the sides of the test panel perimetrally inboard and adjacent the test panel's perimetral edge around both sides of the panel being tested, and a measuring device for measuring the deflection of said panel perimetrally inboard of said edge portions of the sides of the test panel as the latter is deflected under bladder distributed load upon said relative movement;the improvement comprising: providing a substantially rigid partition with flat perimeter edge portions sandwiched between said membrane edge portions to reduce the shear force-induced inward buckle of said bladder and avoid liquid leak, prior to moving said parts toward said second more closed position at a controlled rate of speed to apply a distributed load to said test panel progressively in two dimensions along two axes simultaneously while measuring the amplitude of the said deflection of said test panel with said measuring device.