IP Library Granted Patent US 12699039
Granted Patent B2
US 12699039 · App. 18/417,087 · Granted Aug 4, 2026

Flexural corrosion machine advance model

Inventors: Bruno Zamorano Senderos (Huntsville, AL); Ethan L. Moore (Madison, AL); Kristen S. Williams (Madison, AL)
Assignee: The Boeing Company
G01N17/002G01M5/0075G01N3/18G01N3/20G01N17/02G01N2203/024G01N2203/0242G01N2203/0476
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12699039
App. No.
18/417,087
Granted
Aug 4, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

In one aspect, a material testing apparatus includes an enclosure configured to control one or more of humidity, pressure, or temperature. The enclosure includes a jaw, a plate, a first planar wall disposed on top of the plate, and a second planar wall parallel to the first planar wall separated by a vertical wall. A motor or actuator is disposed exterior to the enclosure, in which the motor includes a drive shaft coupled to a plurality of guide rods that are in contact with the vertical wall.

Claims (41)

1 . A material testing apparatus comprising:

an enclosure configured to control one or more of humidity, pressure, or temperature, the enclosure comprising;

a jaw;

a plate;

a first planar wall disposed on top of the plate; and

a second planar wall parallel to the first planar wall separated by a vertical wall; and

a motor or actuator disposed exterior to the enclosure, wherein the motor comprises a drive shaft coupled to a plurality of guide rods that are in contact with the vertical wall.

2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the enclosure is configured to control each of humidity, pressure, and temperature using a fog nozzle.

3 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:

a first guide rod coupled at a first end with the vertical wall and coupled at a second end with a block; and

a second guide rod coupled at a first end with the vertical wall and coupled at a second end with the block.

4 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the vertical wall comprises a plurality of jaws secured at a plurality of attachment locations on a face of the vertical wall.

5 . The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein each attachment location of the plurality of attachment locations are configured to mount each jaw of the plurality of jaws.

6 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein each the jaw comprises one or more securing screws disposed on a top portion and a bottom portion of the jaw.

7 . The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the securing screws are symmetrically oriented along the jaw.

8 . The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the first planar wall, second planar wall, and the vertical wall form an I-beam.

9 . A method for determining material performance comprising:

exposing a material system to a relative humidity of from 0% to 100% in a material testing apparatus and flexing the material system using a jaw in the apparatus at a first temperature in an enclosure of the apparatus, and a motor or actuator disposed exterior to the enclosure, wherein the motor comprises a drive shaft coupled to a plurality of guide rods that are in contact with a vertical wall connecting a first planar wall and a second planar wall located within the enclosure; and

operating the motor or the actuator at a second temperature different from the first temperature during the flexing,

the apparatus further comprising:

a jaw secured to the vertical wall comprising one or more securing screws oriented symmetrically along the jaw and configured to clamp the material system in the jaw.

10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein a first guide rod and a second guide rod are in contact with the vertical wall connecting the first planar wall and the second planar wall.

11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein a first guide rod is coupled at a first end with the vertical wall and coupled at a second end with a block, and a second guide rod is coupled at a first end with the vertical wall and coupled at a second end with the block.

12 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the jaw is configured to apply a uniform pressure to the material system.

13 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the securing screws are located on a top portion and a bottom portion of the material system.

14 . A material testing apparatus comprising:

an enclosure for controlling at least one of humidity, pressure, or temperature;

a plate within the enclosure;

a structural assembly on the plate comprising:

a first planar wall,

a second planar wall parallel to the first planar wall, and

a vertical wall extending between the first planar wall and the second planar wall;

at least one jaw mounted to the vertical wall;

a motor or actuator disposed exterior to the enclosure; and

a plurality of guide rods coupled to the motor or actuator and bearing against the vertical wall.

15 . The material testing apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the first planar wall, the second planar wall, and the vertical wall form a beam.

16 . The material testing apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the vertical wall forms a web of the beam and the first planar wall and the second planar wall form flanges of the beam.

17 . The material testing apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the plurality of guide rods contact opposing sides of the vertical wall.

18 . The material testing apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the guide rods extend through apertures in the vertical wall.

19 . The material testing apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the jaw is mounted to a face of the vertical wall between the first planar wall and the second planar wall.

20 . The material testing apparatus of claim 19 , wherein the jaw comprises securing screws disposed on a top portion and a bottom portion of the jaw.