Wireless collection of fastener data
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A system, comprising:
- a cap;
a fastener that includes a sensor, wherein the cap is configured to couple to the fastener;
a signal receiver within the cap, the signal receiver configured to receive a signal from a reader;
an electronic converter configured to convert the signal from the reader into electrical energy;
an energy storage device configured to store electrical energy from the electronic converter;
a pulse generator configured to use electrical energy stored by the energy storage device to trigger the sensor to produce an ultrasonic pulse when the cap is coupled to the fastener, wherein the signal from the reader includes a series of pulses that include sufficient energy to initiate the ultrasonic pulse;
a pulse detector circuit configured to sense a reflected pulse due to the ultrasonic pulse;
a pulse measurement circuit configured to generate measurement data based on the reflected pulse; and
a signal transmitter configured to transmit the measurement data to the reader.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Data is remotely collected from a plurality of fasteners in response to a query signal wirelessly transmitted by a reader. Each of the fasteners includes a sensor for measuring a parameter related to the stress on the fastener. A device adapted to be attached to each of the fasteners receives the query signal, activates the sensor to measure the parameter and wirelessly transmits the data including the parameter to the reader.
94 Citations
9 Claims
-
1. A system, comprising:
-
a cap; a fastener that includes a sensor, wherein the cap is configured to couple to the fastener; a signal receiver within the cap, the signal receiver configured to receive a signal from a reader; an electronic converter configured to convert the signal from the reader into electrical energy; an energy storage device configured to store electrical energy from the electronic converter; a pulse generator configured to use electrical energy stored by the energy storage device to trigger the sensor to produce an ultrasonic pulse when the cap is coupled to the fastener, wherein the signal from the reader includes a series of pulses that include sufficient energy to initiate the ultrasonic pulse; a pulse detector circuit configured to sense a reflected pulse due to the ultrasonic pulse; a pulse measurement circuit configured to generate measurement data based on the reflected pulse; and a signal transmitter configured to transmit the measurement data to the reader. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
Specification