Method for determining the magnitude of the output torque and a power wrench

• US 10,639,770 B2
• Filed: 01/19/2016
• Issued: 05/05/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 01/21/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Atlas Copco Industrial Technique Ab (Atlas Copco AB)
• Original Assignee: Atlas Copco Industrial Technique Ab (Atlas Copco AB)
• Inventors: Elsmark, Karl Johan Lars
• Primary Examiner(s): Desai, Hemant
• Assistant Examiner(s): Smith, Jacob A
• Application Number:
  US15/543,022
• Publication Number:
  US 20180001446A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• Field of Search: 173100
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 23/141 Mechanical overload release couplings
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 23/1422 torque indicators or adjustable torque limiters
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 23/1456 having electrical components
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 23/147 specially adapted for electrically operated wrenches or screwdrivers
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 5/24 for determining value of torque or twisting moment for tightening a nut or other member which is similarly stressed

Abstract

A method of verifying a magnitude of a delivered output torque during a tightening operation of a threaded joint performed by a hand held power wrench including a housing, a motor, an output shaft, and a power transmission connecting the motor to the output shaft. The method includes: tightening the threaded joint; monitoring a magnitude of a direct torque acting along the power transmission during the tightening by at least one direct torque indicating sensor; monitoring a magnitude of a reaction torque transferred via the housing during the tightening by at least one reaction torque sensor; comparing the monitored magnitude of the direct torque with the monitored magnitude of the reaction torque; and determining, based on the comparison, whether the accuracy of the delivered output torque is acceptable.

Claims

1. A method of verifying a magnitude of a delivered output torque during a tightening operation of a threaded joint performed by a hand held power wrench comprising a housing, a motor, an output shaft, and a power transmission connecting the motor to the output shaft, wherein the method comprises:

tightening the threaded joint;

monitoring a magnitude of a direct torque acting along the power transmission during said tightening by at least one direct torque indicating sensor;

monitoring a magnitude of a reaction torque transferred via the housing during said tightening by at least one reaction torque sensor;

comparing the monitored magnitude of the direct torque with the monitored magnitude of the reaction torque; and

determining, based on said comparison, whether a difference between the monitored magnitude of the direct torque and the monitored magnitude of the reaction torque is within predetermined limit values.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the magnitude of the monitored direct torque along the power transmission is monitored by sensing a torque transferred from the power transmission to the housing.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the magnitude of the reaction torque transferred via the housing is monitored by a measurement of a strain on the housing of the power wrench.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein the magnitude of the reaction torque transferred via the housing is monitored by a measurement of a strain on the housing of the power wrench.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the magnitude of the reaction torque transferred via the housing is monitored by measurement of a strain on a reaction bar connected to the housing of the power wrench.

6. The method according to claim 2, wherein the magnitude of the reaction torque transferred via the housing is monitored by measurement of a strain on a reaction bar connected to the housing of the power wrench.

7. A power wrench comprising:

a housing;

a motor;

an output shaft;

a power transmission connecting the motor to the output shaft; and

at least one direct torque indicating sensor provided in the power transmission to monitor a magnitude of a direct torque delivered by the power wrench during a tightening operation,

wherein;

at least one reaction torque sensor is arranged to monitor a magnitude of a reaction torque during the tightening operation, and

a control unit is arranged to compare the monitored direct torque with the monitored reaction torque, and based on said comparison, to determine whether a difference between the monitored magnitude of the direct torque and the monitored magnitude of the reaction torque is within predetermined limits.

8. The power wrench according to claim 7, wherein the at least one reaction torque sensor is arranged on the housing and configured to monitor the magnitude of the reaction torque transferred via the housing.

9. The power wrench according to claim 7, further comprising a reaction bar, wherein the at least one reaction torque sensor is arranged on the reaction bar and configured to monitor the magnitude of a reaction torque acting in the bar.

10. The power wrench according to claim 7, wherein the at least one direct torque indicating sensor is provided between a part of the transmission and the housing and is configured to monitor a torque transferred from the power transmission to the housing.

11. The power wrench according to claim 8, wherein the at least one direct torque indicating sensor is provided between a part of the transmission and the housing and is configured to monitor a torque transferred from the power transmission to the housing.

12. The power wrench according to claim 9, wherein the at least one direct torque indicating sensor is provided between a part of the transmission and the housing and is configured to monitor a torque transferred from the power transmission to the housing.