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US 7,024,938 B2Granted
Bolt tension gauging system
OwnerStuart M. Gleman, Geoffrey Keith Roweinventors
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OwnerStuart M. Gleman, Geoffrey Keith Roweinventors
Estimating the term…
An apparatus and method for measuring the tension in bolts, screws, rivets, and other fasteners, is disclosed wherein the deformation of the fastener head is measured (or the end of fastener in such cases as there is not a distinct formed head, for example stud bolts). The deformation generally is an analytic function of the tension in the fastener. The deformation is a continuous two-dimensional distribution over the surface of the fastener head, which allows redundant measurement and therefore more reliable measurement of fastener total axial tension, and also allows in some instances an evaluation of the bending stresses in the fastener from the distortion of the deformation pattern on the head. An advantage of the invention is that the length of the fastener or its temperature need not be known. The measurements can be determined by optical, capacitance, optical imaging, air gauging and piezoresistive techniques.
A method for comparing the contours of an end surface of a fastener for identifying any differences in tension state of the fastener, the method comprising the steps of:
A method for comparing the contours of an end surface of a fastener for identifying any differences in tension state of the fastener, the method comprising the steps of:
A method for comparing the contours of an end surface of a fastener for identifying any differences in tension state of the fastener, the method comprising the steps of:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.