US 7,024,746 B2 · Method and apparatus for monitoring blind fastener setting

Abstract

A method of monitoring the setting operation for a blind fastener comprising the step of measuring, as a function of time, an electronic signal indicative of the load being applied to the fastener during the setting operation and, from which, determining a mandrel entry load and associated mandrel entry time from this measured signal and an associated setting time, subsequently determining the time difference between the mandrel entry time and the setting time and comparing this time difference against a predetermined reference time difference associated with that particular fastener type to determine whether the set fastener complies with predetermined acceptable setting procedures.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method of monitoring a setting operation for a blind fastener, comprising the step of:

measuring, as a function of time, an electronic signal indicative of a load being applied to the fastener during the setting operation;
determining a mandrel entry load and an associated mandrel entry time from said signal;
determining a setting load and an associated setting time from said signal;
and
determining a time difference between said mandrel entry time and said setting time and comparing said time difference against a predetermined reference time difference associated with said fastener to determine whether the set fastener complies with a predetermined acceptable setting procedure.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and apparatus for monitoring blind fastener setting

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for monitoring blind fastener setting

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20