Imaging environment testing fixture and methods thereof
Inventors
Topich, James Anthony • Doukas, Alexander Gregory • King, Geoffrey Allen • Hatton, Jeffrey Allen
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12222302-B2
Publication Date
2025-02-11
Expiration Date
Abstract
Systems and methods are provided for allowing users to safely and efficiently conduct repeatable dynamic experiments involving coordinated applications of force, motion, pressure, temperature, flow, dispersion and other physical events via a testing fixture positioned within an imaging environment.
Core Innovation
The invention provides an imaging-environment testing fixture and a control system for performing dynamic experiments while a digital image acquisition system performs X-ray or computed tomography (CT) scanning. The testing fixture includes a mounting assembly, a bottom plate, a linear actuator assembly, a motor, and a load cell communicatively coupled to the control system. The bottom plate remains stationary during translation along a longitudinal axis and during rotation about the longitudinal axis.
A linear actuator assembly facilitates selective translation of the mounting assembly along the longitudinal axis relative to the bottom plate while the bottom plate remains stationary. A motor facilitates selective rotation of the mounting assembly and the linear actuator assembly about the longitudinal axis relative to the bottom plate while the bottom plate remains stationary. The fixture includes one or more motion drivers that execute a motion profile.
A computing system is in communication with the testing fixture and provides a user interface for creating or receiving a motion profile for the mounting assembly. The computing system communicates with the control system to control the mounting assembly based on the motion profile and concurrently receives and uses data collected by the load cell for force-torque or positional feedback. Imaging occurs with an emitter and detector defining a target scan zone such that the testing fixture is positioned between the emitter and the detector, enabling real-time dynamic X-ray images during coordinated motion.
Claims Coverage
Independent claims are present for clm-00001, clm-00019, clm-00020, clm-00021, and clm-00022. Across these independent claims, the coverage centers on coordinated selective translation and selective rotation of a mounting assembly relative to a stationary bottom plate, coupled with a load cell communicating with a control system, and, in several claims, execution of a motion profile via a computing system and an imaging-enclosure context.
Stationary bottom plate with selective translation along longitudinal axis
The bottom plate remains stationary during selective translation of the mounting assembly along a longitudinal axis by a linear actuator assembly, with the linear actuator assembly operatively coupled to the mounting assembly and relative to the bottom plate.
Stationary bottom plate with selective rotation about longitudinal axis
The bottom plate remains stationary during selective rotation of the mounting assembly and the linear actuator assembly about the longitudinal axis by a motor, with the motor operatively coupled to the mounting assembly and relative to the bottom plate.
Load cell coupled to mounting assembly and communicatively coupled to control system
A load cell is operatively coupled to the mounting assembly and is communicatively coupled to the control system.
Motion profile executed by motion drivers including linear actuator and motor
One or more motion drivers execute a motion profile, where the one or more motion drivers comprise a linear actuator assembly that facilitates translation along the longitudinal axis relative to the stationary bottom plate and a motor that facilitates rotation about the longitudinal axis relative to the stationary bottom plate.
Imaging-enclosure system with digital image acquisition system and fixture positioned within enclosure
A digital image acquisition system defining an enclosure, where a testing fixture is positioned within the enclosure and the testing fixture comprises a control system, a mounting assembly, a load cell communicatively coupled to the control system, and a linear actuator assembly and motor configured for selective translation and selective rotation about the longitudinal axis.
Computing system providing motion profile to actuator for translation and rotation
A computing system in communication with the testing fixture, where linear actuator assembly executes a motion profile provided by the computing system, and the computing system is in communication with the testing fixture including the control system, load cell, and the rotatable mounting assembly/linear actuator assembly.
Rotating assembly with slip ring connector and power through slip ring
A rotating assembly selectively rotatable about a longitudinal axis, comprising a slip ring connector in electrical communication with a power source, in combination with a motor for selective rotation about the longitudinal axis and a load cell communicatively coupled to the control system.
The independent claims collectively cover a testing fixture and system that coordinate motion of a mounting assembly using a linear actuator assembly and a motor relative to a stationary bottom plate, with load-cell feedback communicated to a control system. Several claims further require that the motion drivers execute a motion profile provided by a computing system and, in some cases, integrate the fixture within an enclosure defined by a digital image acquisition system and specify a rotating assembly with a slip ring connector for electrical power.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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