Apparatus and method for determining torque and presenting digital torque readout in a torque wrench system
AssigneeRaymond Engineering Inc.
InventorsJohn H. Bickford, Jesse R. Meisterling, Milton O. Smith
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Apparatus and a method are presented for determining the torque load applied to a fastening element by a fluid powered wrench, and displaying a digital readout of the torque. The operating pressure of the wrench, after compensation for the temperature of the pressure transducer, is converted to a torque measurement by programmed microprocessor and the torque value is displayed on a digital readout. The system is useable with and adjusts for wrenches of several sizes by an input selector switch connected to the microprocessor.
Claims17
An apparatus for determining torque and representing digital torque readout in a torque wrench system, the torque wrench system including a fluid powered torque wrench supplied by fluid from a pump and further comprising:
- pressure sensing means for sensing the pressure level of the pump and generating a pressure level voltage signal;
- converter means for converting said pressure level voltage signal from an analog signal to a digital signal;
- microprocessor means for receiving said converted digitized pressure level voltage signal;
- temperature sensing means for sensing the temperature of the pressure sensing means, and for generating a temperature compensation signal to said microprocessor means;
- wrench size selector switch means for delivering a wrench size signal to said microprocessor means wherein said wrench size signal is based on the size of the wrench used in the wrench system;
- and
- digital display means associated with said microprocessor means wherein said microprocessor means processes said pressure level voltage signal, temperature compensation signal and wrench size signal and wherein said microprocessor generates a digital output of the real time torque level of the torque wrench, said real time torque level being displayed on said digital display means.
A method for determining torque and presenting digital torque readout in a torque wrench system, the torque wrench system including a fluid powered torque wrench supplied by fluid from a pump and comprising the steps of:
- sensing the pressure level of the pump using pressure level sensing means and generating a pressure level voltage signal;
- converting said pressure level voltage signal from an analog signal to a digital signal;
- delivering said converted digitized pressure level voltage signal to microprocessor means;
- sensing the temperature at which the pressure level sensing means is operating using temperature sensing means, and generating a temperature compensation signal for delivery to said microprocessor means;
- delivering a wrench size signal to said microprocessor means wherein said wrench size signal is based on the size of the wrench used in the wrench system;
- processing said pressure level voltage signal, temperature compensation signal and wrench size signal in said microprocessor means wherein said microprocessor generates a ditigal output of the real time torque level of the torque wrench;
- and
- displaying and real time torque level on digital display means associated with said microprocessor means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.