US 10,843,250 B2Granted

Smart installation/processing systems, components, and methods of operating the same

AssigneeFatigue Technology, Inc.

InventorsJames Ryunoshin Ross, Timothy Howard Johnson, Doug R. Bakken, Kevin J. Dooley

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

A processing system employs a processing tool to process workpieces, for example cold working holes and/or installing expandable members into holes. Sensors sense various aspects of the processing. Information regarding performance of the process and/or materials may be stored, for example a hole-by-hole or a workpiece-by-workpiece basis, allowing validation of processing. Information also allows dynamic operation of the processing tool. Analysis of response relationships (e.g., pressure or force versus position or distance) may provide insights into the process and materials, and/or facilitate the real-time feedback including control, alerts, ordering replacement for consumable components.

Claims32

Dependent claims

A method of operating a system to process a number of workpieces, each having at least one hole, with a processing tool, the method comprising:

sensing by a number of sensors a number of operational parameters of each of a number of operational cycles of processing respective ones of the holes in the number of workpieces;
causing by at least one processor, storing of information to at least one nontransitory storage medium, the information indicative of characteristics of a number of manufacturing operations based on the sensed operational parameters, where the stored information represents a number of aspects of at least one of the processing or the materials and is stored to be retrievable on at least one of a hole-by-hole basis or a workpiece-by-workpiece basis,
wherein the sensing by the at least one sensor includes sensing the reaction force resulting from contact directly or indirectly with an interior surface of a respective one of the holes, and further comprising:
detecting by at least one processor an increase in the reaction force resulting from an initial contact of the segments directly or indirectly with the interior surface of the respective hole;
determining an initial size of the respective hole in the workpiece based at least in part on the detection of the increase in reaction force;
wherein causing storing of information to at least one nontransitory storage medium, includes causing storage of information indicative of the determined initial size of the respective hole retrievable on at least one of a hole-by-hole basis or a workpiece-by-workpiece basis, and
controlling, by the processor, the processing tool based on the determined initial size of the respective hole.

4 more elements

A workpiece processing system for processing workpieces having holes, comprising:

a processing tool to process a workpiece having a number of holes;
an expansion assembly detachable physically coupled to the processing tool;
at least one sensor responsive to a number of operational parameters of each of a number of operational cycles of processing respective ones of the holes in the number of workpieces;
at least one nontransitory processor-readable medium;
and
at least one processor communicatively coupled to at least one nontransitory processor-readable medium and the at least one sensor, the at least one processor which causes storage of information to at least one nontransitory storage medium, the information indicative of characteristics of a number of manufacturing operations based on the sensed operational parameters, where the stored information represents a number of aspects of at least one of the processing or the materials and is stored to be retrievable on at least one of a hole-by-hole basis or a workpiece-by-workpiece basis, wherein the at least one sensor is positioned to sense the reaction force resulting from contact directly or indirectly with an interior surface of a respective one of the holes, and the at least one processor is further configured to:
detect an increase in the reaction force resulting from an initial contact of the segments directly or indirectly with the interior surface of the respective hole;
determine an initial size of the respective hole in the workpiece based at least in part on the detection of the increase in reaction force;
and
cause storage of information to at least one nontransitory storage medium, including causing storage of information indicative of the determined initial size of the respective hole retrievable on at least one of a hole-by-hole basis or a workpiece-by-workpiece basis, and
the at least one processor controls the processing tool based on the determined initial size of the respective hole.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 16/183,504Filed 7 Nov 2018 · continuation
Priority: 30 Jan 2012
Published: US 2019/0070654 A17 Mar 2019
Granted: 24 Nov 2020
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification16 codes

B21D 31/04
Other methods for working sheet metal, metal tubes, metal profiles: expanding other than provided for in groups B21D1/00 - B21D28/00, e.g. for…
B23P 9/025
Treating or finishing by applying pressure, e.g. knurling: to inner walls of holes by using axially moving tools
B23P 11/005
Connecting or disconnecting metal parts or objects by metal-working techniques not otherwise provided for: by expanding or crimping
B29C 67/00
Shaping techniques not covered by groups b29c39/00 - b29c65/00, b29c70/00 or b29c73/00

Family

Application61/592,500Us provisional application · filed 30 Jan 2012
Application13/750,604Parent of this continuation · filed 25 Jan 2013
US 2019/0070654 A1Pre-grant publication · published 7 Mar 2019
US 10,130,985 B2Parent of this continuation
US 2013/0204422 A1Published application
US 10,843,250 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.