Patent ID: 7089803

Claim:
A panel performance testing system, comprising: a panel testing support frame assembly comprising first and second retaining assemblies for releasably retaining opposite end portions of a test panel in fixed position; a loading head assembly operable to impart a load to a first major face of a test panel between the retained opposite end portions of the panel; a load transfer assembly operable to mechanically couple at least one dead weight to the loading head assembly for load transfer therebetween; a sensor for measuring magnitude of deflection of the panel from an applied load and generating a signal indicative of the magnitude of panel deflection; a mobile loading platform assembly comprising a reciprocally vertically-movable platform for supporting the at least one dead weight, a linear actuator assembly comprising a motor controller and a linear actuator having an output shaft mechanically coupled to the platform, wherein the linear actuator assembly is operable to vertically move the platform at a controlled rate effective to load the load transfer assembly at a uniform rate with a progressively increasing amount of weight of the dead weight until the dead weight is fully transferred to the load transfer assembly and unsupported by the platform, a load cell for developing and transmitting load-indicating signals corresponding to amount of weight of the dead weight supported by the platform; a computerized control system operable to control actuation of the linear actuator assembly effective to control starting/stopping movement of the output shaft of the linear actuator, and receive and store the panel deflection signals and platform load-indicating signals and corresponding measurement times during initial loading of the load transfer assembly with the dead weight and during constant load conditions maintained thereafter for a period of time.