Integrated moisture, length, and strength tester

US7143642B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• Uster Technologies AG · CH

Inventors

• Preston S. Baxter · Friendsville, US
• James T. Wender · Knoxville, US
• Muhammad Imran Sharafat · Knoxville, US
• Youe-Tsyr Chu · Knoxville, US
• Joe Mansfield · Alcoa, US
• Michael E. Galyon · Knoxville, US
• Hossein M. Ghorashi · Knoxville, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 1, 2005
• Grant date: Dec 5, 2006
• Expiry date: Aug 3, 2025

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01N33/362
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A fiber testing station. Electrically conductive first fiber retaining means engage first ends of fibers, where the fibers extend in substantially one direction from the first fiber retaining means to distal second ends of the retained fibers. The first fiber retaining means are electrically isolated from the fiber testing station. First length measurement means measure first relaxed lengths of the retained fibers between the first fiber retaining means and the second ends of the retained fibers. Electrically conductive second fiber retaining means engage the second ends of the retained fibers. The second fiber retaining means are electrically isolated from the fiber testing station. Moisture measurement means take electrical measurements along the retained fibers between the first fiber retaining means and the second fiber retaining means, and thereby determine a moisture content of the retained fibers. Tension means pull the first fiber retaining means and the second fiber retaining means away from one another, and thereby stretch the retained fibers until the retained fibers break at a fracture point.