WIRELESS-ENABLED TIGHTENING SYSTEM FOR FASTENERS AND A METHOD OF OPERATING THE SAME

• US 20080115589A1
• Filed: 11/17/2006
• Published: 05/22/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Intrator, Morgan Fredric, DeRose, Lynn Ann, Good, Brandon Stephen, Forman, Douglas Roy, Richardson, Gregory Alan, Bratton, James Nelson, Cimini, Michael Orlando, Bennett, Janet Sue, Young, Craig Douglas, LaPierre, Lee Roy
• Granted Patent: US 7,984,657 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/862.23
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 21/00 Portable power-driven screw or nut setting or loosening tools; details or components, e.g. casings, bodies, of portable power-driven tools not particularly related to the operation performed B25F5/00; for mounting or dismounting wheels B60B29/006; Attachments for drilling apparatus serving the same purpose machines B23P19/06
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 23/14 Arrangement of torque limiters or torque indicators in wrenches or screwdrivers couplings for transmitting rotation or clutches F16D; devices for measuring torque per se G01L
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 31/02 for indicating the attainment of a particular tensile load or limiting tensile load apparatus for, or method of, determining value of torque or twisting moment for tightening a nut or other member similarly stressed G01L5/24

Abstract

A wireless-enabled tightening system for fasteners is disclosed. The system includes a visual designator configured to project an indicator onto a workpiece. The system also includes a torque wrench comprising a wireless transmitter and a means for identifying whether the correct torque has been applied to a fastener on the workpiece and configured to provide a feedback for a user. The system also includes a camera configured to capture an image of the workpiece when an appropriate amount of torque has been applied to the fastener. The system further includes a microprocessor for determining sequence of the fastener and identifying the tightened fastener.

Claims

1. A wireless-enabled tightening system comprising:

a visual designator configured to project an indicator onto a workpiece, the indicator identifying a fastener to be tightened;

a torque wrench comprising a wireless transmitter and a means for identifying whether the correct torque has been applied to the fastener on the workpiece and configured to provide a feedback for a user;

a camera configured to capture an image of the workpiece when an appropriate amount of torque has been applied to the fastener; and

a microprocessor for identifying the fastener from a sequence of fasteners to be tightened and determining the next fastener to tighten.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the visual designator comprises a laser.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the indicator comprises a spotlight on the fastener to be tightened.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the indicator comprises a line traced from a reference point to the fastener to be tightened.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the reference point comprises a center of an engine hub.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the indicator comprises one of a plurality of colors, each color in the plurality corresponding to a different number of times a fastener has been tightened in the sequence.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the fastener comprises a bolt.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the wireless transmitter is configured to transmit a radio frequency signal.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit an ultrasonic signal.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit a low power radio signal.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit a WiFi signal.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the workpiece comprises a turbine engine.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the torque wrench is handheld.

14. A method of operation comprising:

applying a torque to a fastener on a workpiece via a torque wrench until a set torque is reached;

sending a trigger signal from the torque wrench once the set torque is reached;

capturing an image of the workpiece when the signal is received;

comparing the image of the workpiece with a generic matched image of the workpiece to identify the position of the torque wrench on the workpiece;

identifying the fastener on the workpiece that has been tightened based on the position of the torque wrench in the captured image; and

designating a next fastener in a sequence of fasteners to be tightened via a visual designator.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein sending a trigger signal comprises sending via a wireless transmitter in the torque wrench.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein capturing an image comprises capturing an image via a camera.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein designating a next fastener comprises projecting a light spot from the visual designator onto the next fastener.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein designating a next fastener comprises using the visual designator to indicate the number of times the next fastener has been tightened in the sequence.

19. The method of claim 14, further comprising recording data using a microprocessor.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein recording data comprises maintaining history and configuration of a workpiece.