A test fixture for collecting particulate matter carried in the exhaust gas stream of an engine has a pair of coaxially aligned mounting plates, each having a filter cartridge holder mounted thereon. One of the mounting plates is moveable with respect to the other along a predefined longitudinal axis of the test fixture between an open position, whereat a filter cartridge is easily placed or removed, and a closed position at which a filter media mounted in the filter cartridge is sealed during a prescribed test sequence. An actuator mounted on a third coaxially aligned mounting plate has an extendable rod connected to the second mounting plate to effect movement of the second mounting plate between the open an closed positions.
Ernest M. Krueger; Timothy L. Travis