The State of Florida, Department of Transportation

Other

Rodney G Powers

Robert M Langley

John E Bennett

Barry L Martin

A method and testing fixture for toughness-testing corrugated high density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe. The method includes the steps of preparing a test sample, attaching the test sample in the testing fixture, and providing an impact load to the test sample. The test sample is cut from a section of corrugated HDPE pipe so as to have a clamped portion and a loading member extending outwardly therefrom. The clamped portion includes two sidewalls with a trough therebetween. A hole is bored in the loading member near the end of the loading member. The testing fixture includes a vertical clamp which is configured to grip the clamped portion of the test sample so as to retain the clamped portion in a stationary position when the test sample is loaded. The loading member of the test sample projects outwardly from the vertical clamp. A guide rod is attached to the loading member through the bore in the loading member. One or more masses are slidably situated on the guide rod so that they can fall from a first position to a second position. A stop collar is attached near the second end of the guide rod to arrest the freefall of the masses, causing an impact load to be transmitted up the guide rod to the loading member.

Testing fixture and method for determining toughness of molded plastic components

A mechanical inspection sled which can be pushed through a pipeline using a series of connecting rigid rods. Mechanical measuring devices are mounted on the sled. These devices deflect when the pipe's internal diameter decreases. The deflection is visually observable by the user through a series of reflective indicators. The measuring devices are sufficiently pliable to allow the sled to pass beyond distorted areas and complete a full inspection of the pipeline. The measurement devices are adjustable to allow the sled to be used in many different pipe sizes. Because the device is purely mechanical, it is quite rugged and able to withstand harsh environments.

Deflection measurement device for flexible piping

A catalytically-coated valve metal reference electrode is used to measure the potential of reinforcing members in concrete in a system to cathodically protect the same.

Growing community of inventors

Gainesville, FL, United States of America

Rodney G Powers