Apparatus and methods for testing tension-elongation or cross-sectional properties of single fibers and multiple fiber bundles

US5203206A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Zellweger Uster, Inc. · CH

Inventors

• Fred M. Shofner · Knoxville, US
• Youe-Tsyr Chu · Knoxville, US
• Christopher K. Shofner · Knoxville, US
• Mark G. Townes · Knoxville, US
• Joseph C. Baldwin · Knoxville, US
• David B. Patelke · Knoxville, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 23, 1992
• Grant date: Apr 20, 1993
• Expiry date: Sep 23, 2012

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01N2203/0623
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An apparatus for testing fibers includes a single fiber preparation and separation device for separating fibers from a sample of multiple fibers and producing an output of single fibers. A fiber transport means, preferably an air conduit, receives the single fibers and transports them to a removed location where at least one fiber is sampled from the transport means. In the preferred embodiment, the sampler is a hook that is inserted into, and removed from, an air conduit to hook and remove single fibers carried in a stream of air inside the air conduit. A testing apparatus associated with the sampler then determines at least one characteristic of the sampled fiber, such as strength, tension as a function of elongation, or cross sectional characteristics.