Portable gravel impact damage simulator

摘要

An improved device for simulating gravel impact damage on panels, such as protected and unprotected areas of painted vehicle panels, is disclosed. The gravel impact damage simulator includes an enclosure, a gravel inlet port having an extension spout, a motor-driven rotatable impeller below the inlet port, a downwardly angled baffle between the inlet port and the impeller, and a test panel slot through which a test panel may be inserted into the enclosure. During operation, gravel is introduced through the extension spout and inlet port. The gravel drops into the angled baffle, where it is directed toward the rotating impeller. The rotating impeller strikes the gravel and projects it toward the test panel.

主权项

1. A gravel impact damage simulator comprising:
an enclosure; a gravel inlet port extending through a wall of the enclosure, wherein the gravel inlet port comprises an extension spout extending from the wall of the enclosure; a motor-driven rotatable impeller below the inlet port within the enclosure, wherein the rotatable impeller has an axis of rotation that is offset at an angle measured from a vertical direction; a downwardly angled baffle positioned in a gravel flow path between the gravel inlet port and the rotatable impeller; and a test panel slot through a wall of the enclosure structured and arranged to receive a test panel to be positioned in the gravel flow path.