US4026369A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Yield torque apparatus
Assignee: Ingersoll Rand Co
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Filing: 1975-10-06
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Granted: 1977-05-31
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Expires: 1995-10-06
Abstract
Abstract A wrenching apparatus for torquing a fastener to its yield point and automatically shutting off once the yield point is reached. The yield point is sensed by having the wrenching apparatus resiliently restrained and creating a pulse signal in response to an increment of restraint. Rotational output of the wrenching apparatus also creates a pulse for each increment of rotation chosen. The rotational pulses are counted and the restraint pulses are utilized to cancel the sum of the rotational pulses. The yield point is detected when the sum of the rotational pulses exceeds a predetermined number without having received a restraint pulse cancellation. The count system is activated only after a predetermined level of total restraint is achieved thereby assuring the fastener is seated and the fastener tension is increasing in its linear range.
Inventors
- 👤 Walter C. Vliet
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:13
CPC Classifications
B; B25; B25B; B25B23/00; B25B23/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
199 words
A wrenching apparatus for simultaneously tightening a fastener and sensing the stress-strain relationship in the fastener to determine when yield has occurred in the fastener unit comprising: a wrench including a wrench body for tightening a fastener having its rotational and torque output on a wrench spindle; a wrench mounting means for allowing at least some rotation of the wrench body in reaction to the torque output on said wrench spindle; a resilient means for restraining the rotation of said wrench body; a first measurement means for determining the magnitude of restraint required to prevent rotation of said wrench body and produce a torque pulse signal in response to an increment of said magnitude of restraint; a second measurement means for determining the rotation of said wrench spindle and producing a rotation pulse signal in response to an increment of spindle rotation; means for receiving and totaling the number of rotation pulse signals; means for receiving the torque pulse signal and for cancelling the total number of rotation pulse signals in response to a torque pulse signal received; and means for shutting off said wrench in response to a preselected total of said rotation pulse signal having been exceeded.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
199 words
A wrenching apparatus for simultaneously tightening a fastener and sensing the stress-strain relationship in the fastener to determine when yield has occurred in the fastener unit comprising: a wrench including a wrench body for tightening a fastener having its rotational and torque output on a wrench spindle; a wrench mounting means for allowing at least some rotation of the wrench body in reaction to the torque output on said wrench spindle; a resilient means for restraining the rotation of said wrench body; a first measurement means for determining the magnitude of restraint required to prevent rotation of said wrench body and produce a torque pulse signal in response to an increment of said magnitude of restraint; a second measurement means for determining the rotation of said wrench spindle and producing a rotation pulse signal in response to an increment of spindle rotation; means for receiving and totaling the number of rotation pulse signals; means for receiving the torque pulse signal and for cancelling the total number of rotation pulse signals in response to a torque pulse signal received; and means for shutting off said wrench in response to a preselected total of said rotation pulse signal having been exceeded.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: said second measurement means is an angular position encoder of the type that produces a pulse for an increment of rotation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: said means for receiving and totaling the number of rotation pulse signals is activated after a preselected magnitude of restraint is obtained.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein: said resilient means allows rotation of said wrench only after a preselected magnitude of restraint is achieved.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: said wrench body is rotatively mounted.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein: said resilient means is a spring means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: said first measurement means is a torque transducer means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein: said torque transducer means is also the resilient means for restraining the rotation of said wrench.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
134 words
A wrench apparatus for simultaneously tightening a threaded fastener and sensing the stress-strain relationship in the fastener to determine when yield has occurred and shut the wrench off comprising: a rotatively mounted wrench having a rotational output on a spindle for driving a fastener; means for restraining the rotation of said wrench and producing a first incremental pulse in proportion to the restraint; means for creating a second pulse in response to an increment of rotation of said spindle; means for receiving and counting said second pulse in response to a predetermined total restraint; said means for receiving and counting said second pulse being reset to zero by receiving said first incremental pulse; and means for shutting off said wrench in response to a preselected total count of said second pulse greater than one.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
134 words
A wrench apparatus for simultaneously tightening a threaded fastener and sensing the stress-strain relationship in the fastener to determine when yield has occurred and shut the wrench off comprising: a rotatively mounted wrench having a rotational output on a spindle for driving a fastener; means for restraining the rotation of said wrench and producing a first incremental pulse in proportion to the restraint; means for creating a second pulse in response to an increment of rotation of said spindle; means for receiving and counting said second pulse in response to a predetermined total restraint; said means for receiving and counting said second pulse being reset to zero by receiving said first incremental pulse; and means for shutting off said wrench in response to a preselected total count of said second pulse greater than one.
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) | 1980-05-30 | 1980-11-29 | 1981-05-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-05-30 | 1984-11-29 | 1985-05-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-05-30 | 1988-11-29 | 1989-05-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |