US3643501A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Wrenching system and method
Assignee: Ingersoll Rand Co
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Filing: 1969-11-18
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Granted: 1972-02-22
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Expires: 1989-11-18
Abstract
Abstract A wrenching system and method including a wrench for tightening a threaded fastener, measuring the torque placed on the fastener by the wrench, measuring the angle through which the fastener is rotated simultaneously with the measurement of the torque, simultaneously comparing the torque and the rotation angle of the fastener and determining when the rotation angle begins increasing at a nonlinear rate relative to the increase of torque, thereby indicating that the strain on the fastener is exceeding its elastic limit. A signal is created in response to the exceeding of the elastic limit of the fastener, and actuates a shutoff means to stop the wrench.
Inventors
- 👤 Reginald W Pauley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 10:23
CPC Classifications
B; B25; B25B; B25B23/00; B25B23/14; B25B23/147
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
A wrenching system for simultaneously tightening a fastener and measuring the stress-strain relationship in the fastener, said system comprising: a wrench for tightening a fastener; means for measuring the torque placed on the fastener by the wrench; means for measuring the angle through which the fastener is rotated; means for simultaneously comparing the torque and the rotation angle of the fastener and determining when the rotation angle begins increasing at a nonlinear rate relative to the increase of torque thereby indicating that the strain is exceeding the elastic limit of the fastener; and signal means for creating a signal in response to the strain exceeding the elastic limit of the fastener.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
111 words
A wrenching system for simultaneously tightening a fastener and measuring the stress-strain relationship in the fastener, said system comprising: a wrench for tightening a fastener; means for measuring the torque placed on the fastener by the wrench; means for measuring the angle through which the fastener is rotated; means for simultaneously comparing the torque and the rotation angle of the fastener and determining when the rotation angle begins increasing at a nonlinear rate relative to the increase of torque thereby indicating that the strain is exceeding the elastic limit of the fastener; and signal means for creating a signal in response to the strain exceeding the elastic limit of the fastener.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The wrenching system of claim 1 including: means for stopping said wrench in response to the creation of said signal by said signal means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 1 including: means for automatically activating said means for measuring said angle during a wrenching cycle after the stress-strain relationship on the fastener is increasing at a linear rate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
90 words
A wrenching method for simultaneously tightening a fastener and measuring the stress-strain relationship in the fastener, said system comprising: tightening a fastener; measuring the torque on the fastener as it is tightened; simultaneously comparing the torque and the rotation angle of the fastener and determining when the rotation angle begins increasing at a nonlinear rate relative to the increase of torque thereby indicating that the strain is exceeding the elastic limit of the fastener; and creating a signal in response to the exceeding of the elastic limit of the fastener.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
90 words
A wrenching method for simultaneously tightening a fastener and measuring the stress-strain relationship in the fastener, said system comprising: tightening a fastener; measuring the torque on the fastener as it is tightened; simultaneously comparing the torque and the rotation angle of the fastener and determining when the rotation angle begins increasing at a nonlinear rate relative to the increase of torque thereby indicating that the strain is exceeding the elastic limit of the fastener; and creating a signal in response to the exceeding of the elastic limit of the fastener.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 4 including: the step of stopping the tightening of the fastener in response to said signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 4 wherein: the measurement of the fastener rotation angle is delayed during a wrenching operation until the stress-strain relAtionship on the fastener is increasing at a linear rate.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-02-21 | 1975-08-23 | 1976-02-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-02-21 | 1979-08-23 | 1980-02-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-02-21 | 1983-08-23 | 1984-02-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |