US3686927A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vibration testing method and apparatus
Assignee: RTX BBN Technologies Corp
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Filing: 1967-03-24
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Granted: 1972-08-29
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Expires: 1987-03-24
Abstract
Abstract Vibration test methods and apparatus for qualifying equipment for use in aerospace vehicles. Multimodal vibration environments are produced for closely simulating in-flight vibration environments, to determine the capacity of the equipment to function in accordance with its intended purposes in operational vibration environments.
Inventors
- 👤 Terry D Scharton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 11:37
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01M; G01M7/00; G01M7/02; G01M7/04; G01M7/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
Apparatus for generating a diffuse, reverberant vibration field and for applying the generated vibration field to equipment under test, comprising the combination of: first means adapted to be coupled to the equipment under test and having structure for sustaining therein a diffuse, multiresonant vibration field and for applying said field to the equipment; second means coupled to said first means and adapted to cause said first means to vibrate simultaneously in a multiplicity of diffuse, resonant vibration modes when excited by applied oscillatory energy; and means for applying oscillatory energy to said second means and for thereby generating a multimodal vibration field in said first means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
106 words
Apparatus for generating a diffuse, reverberant vibration field and for applying the generated vibration field to equipment under test, comprising the combination of: first means adapted to be coupled to the equipment under test and having structure for sustaining therein a diffuse, multiresonant vibration field and for applying said field to the equipment; second means coupled to said first means and adapted to cause said first means to vibrate simultaneously in a multiplicity of diffuse, resonant vibration modes when excited by applied oscillatory energy; and means for applying oscillatory energy to said second means and for thereby generating a multimodal vibration field in said first means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, above, wherein: said first means has an inherent modal density and said second means alters said inherent modal density to create a predetermined modal density in said first means, the multimodal vibration field generated in response to applied oscillatory energy being characterized by said predetermined modal density.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
141 words
Apparatus for generating a vibration field and for applying the generated field to equipment under test, comprising the combination of: first means including a first flexible member adapted to be coupled to the equipment under test for applying a vibration field generated therein to the equipment; second means including a second flexible member of substantially similar contour to said first flexible member and positioned substantially parallel thereto, and a system of third flexible members, said system being positioned between said first and second flexible members and coupled thereto, said second means being coupled to said first means and adapted to cause said first means to vibrate simultaneously in a plurality of vibration modes when excited by applied oscillatory energy; and means for applying oscillatory energy to said second means and for thereby generating a multimodal vibration field in said first means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
141 words
Apparatus for generating a vibration field and for applying the generated field to equipment under test, comprising the combination of: first means including a first flexible member adapted to be coupled to the equipment under test for applying a vibration field generated therein to the equipment; second means including a second flexible member of substantially similar contour to said first flexible member and positioned substantially parallel thereto, and a system of third flexible members, said system being positioned between said first and second flexible members and coupled thereto, said second means being coupled to said first means and adapted to cause said first means to vibrate simultaneously in a plurality of vibration modes when excited by applied oscillatory energy; and means for applying oscillatory energy to said second means and for thereby generating a multimodal vibration field in said first means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus according to claim 3, above, wherein said first and second flexible members are flexible plates.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus according to claim 3, above, wherein said first flexible member is a first flexible cylinder, and said second flexible member is a second flexible cylinder concentric to said first cylinder.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 3, above, wherein said first flexible member is a section of an aerospace vehicle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 3, above, wherein said system of third flexible members includes an assemblage of flexible plates.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 3, above, wherein said system of third flexible members includes an assemblage of flexible beams.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
117 words
Apparatus for generating a vibration field when oscillatory energy is applied thereto, and for applying the generated field to equipment under test, comprising the combination of: first means adapted to be coupled to the equipment under test for applying a diffuse, reverberant vibration field generated therein to the equipment, said first means comprising a first flexible member; and second means coupled to said first means and adapted to cause said first means to vibrate simultnaeously in a plurality of vibration modes when excited by applied oscillatory energy, said apparatus generating a multimodal vibration field in said first means, said second means comprising a system of second flexible members, said system being coupled to said first flexible member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
117 words
Apparatus for generating a vibration field when oscillatory energy is applied thereto, and for applying the generated field to equipment under test, comprising the combination of: first means adapted to be coupled to the equipment under test for applying a diffuse, reverberant vibration field generated therein to the equipment, said first means comprising a first flexible member; and second means coupled to said first means and adapted to cause said first means to vibrate simultnaeously in a plurality of vibration modes when excited by applied oscillatory energy, said apparatus generating a multimodal vibration field in said first means, said second means comprising a system of second flexible members, said system being coupled to said first flexible member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus according to claim 9, above, wherein said first flexible member is a flexible plate.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus according to claim 9, above, wherein said first flexible member is a flexible cylinder.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 9, above, wherein said first flexible member is a section of an aerospace vehicle.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus according to claim 9, above, wherein said system of second flexible members includes at least one assemblage of flexible beams, each of said assemblages being coupled to said first flexible member.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus according to claim 9, above, wherein said system of second flexible members includes at least one assemblage of flexible plates, each of said second flexible members being coupled to said first flexible member.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
111 words
Apparatus for generating a vibration field and for applying the generated field to equipment under test, comprising the combination of: at least one source of oscillatory energy which includes a plurality of frequency components; and a flexible member coupled to each of said sources and adapted to be coupled to the equipment under test and to respond selectively to said energy by vibrating in a plurality of vibration modes excited by particular frequency components of said energy, for generating a multimodal vibration field in said member when said energy is applied thereto, and further adapted to be coupled to the equipment under test for applying the generated field to the equipment.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
111 words
Apparatus for generating a vibration field and for applying the generated field to equipment under test, comprising the combination of: at least one source of oscillatory energy which includes a plurality of frequency components; and a flexible member coupled to each of said sources and adapted to be coupled to the equipment under test and to respond selectively to said energy by vibrating in a plurality of vibration modes excited by particular frequency components of said energy, for generating a multimodal vibration field in said member when said energy is applied thereto, and further adapted to be coupled to the equipment under test for applying the generated field to the equipment.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
107 words
A method of testing equipment in vibration comprising the steps of: coupling the equipment to a fixture adapted to sustain therein a diffuse, multi-resonaNt vibration field including a multiplicity of vibration modes when oscillatory energy is applied thereto; applying oscillatory energy to said fixture and thereby generating in response to said energy a diffuse, multi-resonant vibration field on said fixture which is thereupon applied to the equipment; measuring a multi-resonant vibration level at a representative location on said fixture; and adjusting said applied oscillatory energy to modify said diffuse, multi-resonant vibration field for correspondence thereof to predetermined test specifications, while noting the functional integrity of the equipment.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
107 words
A method of testing equipment in vibration comprising the steps of: coupling the equipment to a fixture adapted to sustain therein a diffuse, multi-resonaNt vibration field including a multiplicity of vibration modes when oscillatory energy is applied thereto; applying oscillatory energy to said fixture and thereby generating in response to said energy a diffuse, multi-resonant vibration field on said fixture which is thereupon applied to the equipment; measuring a multi-resonant vibration level at a representative location on said fixture; and adjusting said applied oscillatory energy to modify said diffuse, multi-resonant vibration field for correspondence thereof to predetermined test specifications, while noting the functional integrity of the equipment.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method according to claim 16, above, wherein said oscillatory energy is applied to said fixture by means of a plurality of energy sources coupled thereto.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-08-29 | 1976-02-28 | 1976-08-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-29 | 1980-02-28 | 1980-08-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-29 | 1984-02-28 | 1984-08-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |