Apparatus and method for measuring the torque applied to bolts

• US 20040073384A1
• Filed: 10/15/2002
• Published: 04/15/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mirion Technologies Incorporated (American Capital Limited)
• Original Assignee: Aquila Technologies
• Inventors: Kadner, Steven P.
• Granted Patent: US 6,925,395 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/41
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 23/1425 by electrical means

Abstract

An apparatus and method for measuring and recording the torque applied to a bolt. The present invention utilizes a piezoelectric compound disposed between an upper member and a lower member. When the bolt is tightened, the piezoelectric compound is physically distorted and a net electrical potential is created across the piezoelectric compound. A processor in the bolt measures the electrical potential and calculates the torque based on the potential. The bolt then transmits a data packet comprising the torque value and bolt information to a wrench, which later transmits the data packet to a computer and a database. Alternatively, the bolt can be configured with a transmitter so that the data packet can be transmitted directly from the bolt to the computer and database. The bolt can also be configured with energizing circuitry that acts as a power source for the bolt.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

an upper member;

a piezoelectric compound located next to said upper member;

a lower member located next to said piezoelectric compound;

wherein said upper member and said lower member physically deform said piezoelectric compound;

wherein said piezoelectric compound produces an electrical potential indicative of the force applied to said apparatus; and

wherein said apparatus secures a plurality of objects together.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a processor;

wherein said processor calculates the force applied to the apparatus based on said electric potential in said piezoelectric compound.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising:

a memory;

wherein said memory stores a data packet.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising:

an RF transmitter/receiver;

wherein said RF transmitter/receiver communicates with external devices.

5. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising:

energizing circuitry;

wherein said energizing circuitry is a power source for said apparatus.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said force is a torque.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said securement device is a bolt.

8. An apparatus for obtaining information from a securement device comprising:

a processor;

a memory electrically coupled to said processor;

wherein said processor communicates with a securement device containing a piezoelectric compound; and

wherein said apparatus applies a force to said securement device.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said processor obtains a data packet from said securement device and stores said data packet in said memory.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said processor transmits said data packet to a computer.

11. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said processor calculates said force based on an electric potential in said piezoelectric compound.

12. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said apparatus provides power to said securement device.

13. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said force is a torque.

14. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said securement device is a bolt.

15. A system for determining the amount of force applied to a securement device comprising:

a securement device comprising a piezoelectric compound;

a tool capable of applying a force to said securement device; and

wherein deformation of said piezoelectric compound produces an electric potential across said piezoelectric compound indicative of said force.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein said tool is a wrench.

17. The system of claim 15 wherein a processor calculates a force applied to said securement device based on said electric potential.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein said processor is located within said securement device.

19. The system of claim 17 wherein said processor is located within said tool.

20. The system of claim 17 wherein said processor is located within said computer.

21. The system of claim 15 wherein said securement device further comprises a memory;

wherein said memory stores a data packet.

22. The system of claim 15 wherein said securement device further comprises:

a RF transmitter/receiver;

wherein said RF transmitter/receiver communicates a data packet to external devices.

23. The system of claim 15 wherein said securement device further comprises:

energizing circuitry;

wherein said energizing circuitry is a power source for said securement device.

24. The system of claim 15 wherein said force is a torque.

25. The system of claim 15 wherein the securement device is a bolt.

26. A method of transmitting a signal indicative of a force comprising:

exerting a force on a securement device;

deforming a piezoelectric compound contained within said securement device;

measuring the electric potential across said piezoelectric compound;

calculating a value of said force based on said electric potential; and

communicating said force value to a computer.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein further comprising communicating said force value to a tool.

28. The method of claim 26 further comprising storing a data packet in a memory.

29. The method of claim 26 wherein said calculation is performed by a processor located within said securement device.

30. The method of claim 26 wherein said calculation is performed by a processor located within a tool.

31. The method of claim 26 wherein said calculation is performed by a processor located within said computer.

32. The method of claim 26 wherein said securement device comprises a RF transmitter/receiver and said RF transmitter/receiver communicates with external devices.

33. The method of claim 26 further comprising:

energizing a securement device;

wherein said securement device comprises said piezoelectric compound.

34. The method of claim 26 wherein said force is a torque.

35. The method of claim 26 wherein said securement device is a bolt.

36. A method of determining the force applied to a securement device comprising:

distorting a piezoelectric compound in a securement device;

obtaining an electric potential from said piezoelectric compound; and

calculating a force based on said electric potential.

37. The method of claim 36 transmitting said force value to a computer.

38. The method of claim 36 wherein further comprising communicating said force value to a tool.

39. The method of claim 36 further comprising storing a data packet in a memory.

40. The method of claim 36 wherein said calculation is performed by a processor located within said securement device.

41. The method of claim 36 wherein said calculation is performed by a processor located within a tool.

42. The method of claim 36 wherein said calculation is performed by a processor located within said computer.

43. The method of claim 36 wherein said securement device comprises a RF transmitter/receiver and said RF transmitter/receiver communicates with external devices.

44. The method of claim 36 further comprising:

energizing a securement device;

wherein said securement device comprises said piezoelectric compound.

45. The method of claim 36 wherein said force is a torque.

46. The method of claim 36 wherein said securement device is a bolt.