Caterpillar Inc.

Alastair Cameron

David Anthony Cusac

Marcel R Hanard, Ii

Apparatus for accelerating the onset of wear related damage on a circumferential cam surface including a structure for supporting a camshaft including the circumferential cam surface, a plurality of rollers having respective circumferential roller surfaces, and structures supporting the rollers at respective locations adjacent the structure for supporting the camshaft for positioning the circumferential roller surfaces for circumferential rotating contact with the circumferential cam surface. The apparatus includes a mechanism operable for rotating the camshaft with the circumferential cam surface and the circumferential roller surfaces in the circumferential rotating contact. The apparatus further includes a mechanism for variably biasing the respective rollers against the camshaft during the circumferential rotating contact simulative of actual operating conditions. The apparatus has application for evaluating wear related conditions of cams, rollers and other followers used for fuel injector actuation for internal combustion engines, as well as other applications such as for operation of engine intake and exhaust valves and the like.

Apparatus for accelerating the onset of wear related damage and distress on a circumferential cam surface

Apparatus is disclosed for initiating fatigue related damage on a circumferential surface of a rotatable member resultant from application of a tensile stress condition and a superimposed contact stress condition. The apparatus includes structure for supporting the member for axial rotation, structure for applying a load to the member during the rotation thereof to create a bending moment at a predetermined axial location along the member and a resultant tensile stress condition on a circumferential surface thereof at a corresponding location. The apparatus further includes structure for creating a contact stress on the circumferential surface of the member at the predetermined location.

Apparatus for initiating fatigue related damage on a member

Apparatus for evaluating fuel lubricity under elevated pressure conditions is disclosed. The apparatus includes a housing including a sidewall defining an enclosed interior cavity adapted for receiving and holding a quantity of the fuel at the elevated temperature and pressure condition, and a port through the sidewall communicating with the interior cavity adapted for receiving a drive rod. A drive rod is positioned to extend through the port, the drive rod having a working end including a chuck adapted for supporting a ball for oscillating movement in the interior cavity of the housing, and an opposite drive end located externally of the housing adapted for connection to a power source operable for moving the drive rod to oscillate the chuck and the ball along a predetermined path of movement in the interior cavity. A seal member extends around the drive rod forming a sealed condition between the drive rod and the housing. A load applying member is located in the interior cavity along the predetermined path of movement, and structure is provided operable for biasing the load applying member against the ball during the oscillating movement thereof.

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Great Wilbraham, United Kingdom

Alastair Cameron