Optical qualifier for clamping tool
AssigneeC.E. Electronics, Inc.
InventorsJames William Kruse, Thomas Wayne Manges
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
This clamping tool uses optical distance verification with a laser. Clamping tools, like all tools, are known to be operated improperly. Many tools verify process completion by monitoring the pressure within the pneumatic tool. Previous qualifiers use pressure to determine many things. However, it often misses if a small object impedes a full stroke. With the addition of an optical laser sensor, we are able to determine if a clamping tool reaches full stroke.
Claims3
1-11. (canceled)
A system for monitoring and controlling a clamping tool comprising:
- an air pressure gauge for measuring air pressure in the tool and converting the air pressure into an electrical signal representative of the air pressure;
- a means for electrically computationally processing the electrical signal into another signal corresponding to the tool being monitored which is a function of air pressure;
- a programmed microprocessor configured to identify the signal representative of the air pressure;
- wherein the programmed microprocessor is configured to identify and store the parameter of a target air pressure to count a completed cycle when the measured air pressure is in the same as the target air pressure;
- wherein the tool has a body defining a cavity wherein the body has a pressure access port to the cavity and a laser emitter access port to the cavity;
- wherein the laser emitter access port houses a laser emitter;
- wherein the laser emitter is a means for measuring a variable distance of measurement;
- and
- wherein the programmed microprocessor is configured to identify and store the parameter of a target distance of measurement to count a completed cycle when the measured distance is the same as the target distance of measurement.
A system for monitoring and controlling a clamping tool comprising:
- a programmed microprocessor communicating with the clamping tool;
- wherein the clamping tool has an air pressure gauge for measuring air pressure;
- wherein the programmed microprocessor is configured to identify and store a target air pressure to count a first completed cycle when the measured air pressure is equal to the target air pressure;
- wherein the clamping tool has a body defining a cavity wherein the body has a pressure access port to the cavity and a laser emitter access port to the cavity;
- wherein the laser emitter access port houses the laser emitter;
- wherein the laser emitter is a means for measuring a variable distance of measurement;
- and wherein the programmed microprocessor is configured to identify and store a target distance of measurement to count a second completed cycle when the measured distance is equal to the target distance of measure, wherein the system further comprises an optical distance verifier.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.