James F Lenz

US Patent:

6817223, Nov 16, 2004

Filed:

Apr 8, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/409467

Inventors:

James R. Lenz - Canton MI

Assignee:

Tecumseh Products Company - Tecumseh MI

International Classification:

G01N 1902

US Classification:

73 10, 73 9, 73 5305, 73 5401, 73866

Abstract:

An apparatus for testing properties of materials under operating conditions of the materials. The apparatus includes a hermetically sealed vessel in which a tribology tester is mounted. The tribology tester includes a pair of lever arms having first and second ends with the first end of each lever being pivotally connected. A spring is located between the second end of each of the lever arms with a test block assembly being mounted between the lever arms in a position between the pivotal connection and the spring. The test block assembly includes a pair of test blocks and a pin with the spring biasing the test blocks into contact with the pin. Drive means, such as a motor, is magnetically coupled to the tribology tester to rotatively drive the pin against the test blocks to test the properties of the materials.