Introduction

The TE 90 Multi-Station Reciprocating Tribometer is a modular machine providing features drawn from a range of established test machines including the TE 77 High Frequency Friction Machine, the TE 80 Fuel Lubricity Tester and the TE 57 Pressurized Lubricity Tester.

Single station multi-function and multi-range test machines may be able to perform a wide variety of different tests, but they can still only perform one experiment at a time. Simpler multi-station test rigs can provide a means for increasing test capacity at a substantially lower cost per test station than the single station solution. The TE 90 is a two, four, eight or twelve station reciprocating tribometer with test stations configured to meet a range of standard reciprocating test applications.

Reciprocating Drive Assembly

The reciprocating drive assembly incorporates a splined shaft and two eccentric cams, each driving a scotch yoke assembly. The cams are arranged 180 degrees out of phase, so that primary balancing of the reciprocating assembly is achieved. The assembly is a fixed stroke device with the stroke length dependent on the eccentricity of the cams. Cams for strokes of up to a maximum of 10 mm may be accommodated. Moving specimen carriers are attached to one or both sides of each scotch yoke.

A single reciprocating assembly thus provides the basis for a two or four station test machine. In order to create eight, twelve or indeed higher numbers of test stations reciprocating assemblies may be attached together in series on a common splined shaft.

Test Assemblies

Four types of test assembly are currently available, each based on both existing tribometers and existing test standards.

Four Station Non-instrumented Wear Head

Atmospheric Pressure – 1 mm Stroke

Two Station Non-instrumented Wear Head

Pressurized – 1 mm Stroke

Two/Four Station Instrumented Test Assembly – 10 mm Stroke

Four Station Instrumented Test Assembly – 2 mm Stroke

Load Control Options – Instrumented Machines

MANUAL 1-2:

One regulator and one load force transducer for master test station:

Manual control of master test station load by precision regulator, with resulting master test station load measured by force transducer. Slave test station cylinder connected in parallel to master test station with no slave test station load measurement.

MANUAL 2-2:

Two regulators and two load force transducers, one per test stations:

Manual control of both test station loads by independent precision regulators, with resulting test station loads measured by force transducers.

SERVO 1-2:

One servo valve and one load force transducer for master test station:

Automatic control of master test station load by servo valve with force transducer feedback. Slave test station cylinder connected in parallel to master test station with no slave test station load measurement.

SERVO 2-2:

Two servo valves and two load force transducers, one per test station:

Automatic control of both test station loads by independent servo valves, each with force transducer feedback.

MANUAL 1/4:

One regulator and one load force transducer for master test station:

Manual control of master test station load by precision regulator, with resulting master test station load measured by force transducer. Slave test station cylinder connected in parallel to master test station with no slave test station load measurement.

MANUAL 4/4:

Four regulators and four load force transducers, one per test stations:

Manual control of test station loads by independent precision regulators, with resulting test station loads measured by force transducers.

SERVO 1/4:

One servo valve and one load force transducer for master test station:

Automatic control of master test station load by servo valve with force transducer feedback. Slave test station cylinders connected in parallel to master test station with no slave test station load measurement.

SERVO 4/4:

Four servo valves and four load force transducers, one per test station:

Automatic control of test station loads by independent servo valves, each with force transducer feedback.