Tool and associated methods for controllably applying torque to a fastener

A torque tool comprising:

• a motor for applying torque to a threaded fastener;
• a torque transducer for providing a measure of the torque applied to the threaded fastener;
• and
• a processing element for at least partially controlling operation of said motor, said processing element receiving the measure of torque applied to the threaded fastener from said torque transducer, said processing element configured to determine that the torque applied to the threaded fastener has reached a predefined threshold and to thereafter receive the measure of torque applied to the threaded fastener from said torque transducer at more frequent intervals.

A method of installing a threaded fastener with a portable torque tool, the method comprising:

• providing power to the portable torque tool with at least one battery;
• applying torque to the threaded fastener while power is provided to the portable torque tool by the at least one battery, thereby advancing the threaded fastener;
• determining when the torque applied to the threaded fastener has reached a predefined threshold;
• and
• slowing further advancement of the threaded fastener from a first rate to second rate once the torque applied to the threaded fastener is determined to have reached the predefined threshold, wherein slowing further advancement of the threaded fastener comprises reducing a speed of a motor of the portable torque tool that is otherwise capable of continuing to operate at a greater speed sufficient to advance the threaded fastener at the first rate such that the threaded fastener is thereafter advanced at the second rate that is slower than the first rate at which the threaded fastener was advanced prior to determining that the torque applied to the threaded fastener had reached the predefined threshold.

A method of installing a threaded fastener comprising:

• applying torque to the threaded fastener to thereby advance the threaded fastener;
• obtaining a measure of the torque applied to the threaded fastener;
• determining when the torque applied to the threaded fastener has reached a predefined threshold;
• and
• obtaining the measure of the torque applied to the threaded fastener at more frequent intervals once the torque applied to the threaded fastener is determined to have reached the predefined threshold.

A method of defining a mathematical relationship between a first measure provided by a torque transducer of torque applied to a threaded fastener and a second measure provided by a torque measurement reference device of torque applied to the threaded fastener, the method comprising:

• repeatedly installing at least one threaded fastener with different amounts of torque applied thereto during at least two installations;
• measuring the torque applied to the threaded fastener during each installation with both the torque transducer and the torque measurement reference device and providing first and second measures, respectively, of the applied torque during the respective installation;
• and
• determining the mathematical relationship between the first and second measures of torque provided the torque transducer and the torque measurement reference device, respectively, wherein the mathematical relationship permits a conversion from the first measure of torque provided by torque transducer to the second measure of torque provided by the torque measurement reference device.