Tool monitor and assembly qualifier
AssigneeC.E. Electronics, Inc.
InventorRichard G. Lysaght
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
This counting apparatus is a tool monitor and assembly qualifier that verifies that the correct number of fasteners have been properly installed into an assembly. When used in conjunction with a pressure tool, proper fastener torque and count can be verified. The device monitors internal tool pressures and has the ability to "learn" the pressure characteristics of the tool during the assembly process. This assembly qualifier is a device that monitors either the pressure of an air tool, the current of an electrical tool or the torque of a mechanical wrench to determine if the tool shut off at a target torque. The qualifier also determines if some unknown means shuts off the tool.
Claims12
A system for monitoring a compressed air driven tool comprising:
- a transducer for measuring air inlet pressure to the tool and converting the air pressure into an electrical signal representative of the air pressure;
- means for electrically computationally processing the electrical signal into another signal representing at least one parameter corresponding to a condition of the tool being monitored which is a function of the air pressure, wherein the means for electrically processing the signal includes a programmed microprocessor configured to Identify a portion of the signal representative of the air pressure corresponding to the parameter;
- and
- a means for displaying the parameter, wherein the programmed microprocessor is configured to count a completed cycle when the measured air pressure is the same as the identified and stored parameter, wherein the programmed microprocessor is configured to identify a portion of the signal representative of the air pressure of the tool driving a fastener to its target torque and successfully completing a cycle, and wherein the programmed microprocessor is configured to count a completed cycle, store the count and generate signals when the measured air pressure is the same as the identified and stored parameter.
A system for monitoring a compressed air driven tool comprising:
- a transducer for measuring air inlet pressure to the tool and converting the air pressure into an electrical signal representative of the air inlet pressure;
- a transducer for measuring air exhaust outlet pressure from the tool and converting the air pressure into an electrical signals representative of the air exhaust outlet pressure;
- means for electrically computationally processing the electrical signals into other signals representing at least one parameter corresponding to a condition of the tool being monitored which is a function of the air pressures, wherein the means for electrically processing the signals includes a programmed microprocessor configured to identify a portion of the signal representative of the air pressure corresponding to the parameter;
- and
- a means for displaying the parameter, wherein the programmed microprocessor is configured to count a completed cycle when the measure air pressures are the same as the identified and stored parameter, wherein the programmed microprocessor is configured to identify a portion of the signal representative of the air pressures of the tool driving a fastener to its target torque and successfully completing a cycle, and wherein the programmed microprocessor is configured to count a completed cycle, store the count and generate signals when the measured air pressures is the same as the identified and stored parameters.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.