RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION ENABLED WRENCH SYSTEM AND A METHOD OF OPERATING THE SAME

• US 20080115636A1
• Filed: 11/17/2006
• Published: 05/22/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: DeRose, Lynn Ann, Forman, Douglas Roy, Richardson, Gregory Alan, Bratton, James Nelson, Cimini, Michael Orlando, Young, Craig Douglas, LaPierre, Lee Roy
• Application Number:
  US11/560,990
• Publication Number:
  US 20080115636A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 81/479
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 23/1425 by electrical means

Abstract

A radio identification enabled wrench system is disclosed. The system includes a template having multiple RFID tags. The template also corresponds to a part associated with a particular fastener that is associated with each of the multiple RFID tags. The system further includes a torque wrench having a RFID reader and a RFID antenna and a means for identifying what fastener the wrench is being used upon and whether the correct torque has been applied to the fastener and configured to provide a feedback for a user. The system includes a means for transferring data that may be either wired or wireless.

Claims

1. A radio frequency identification enabled wrench system comprising:

a template comprising a plurality of RFID tags, the template corresponding to a part associated with a particular fastener associated with each RFID tag;

a torque wrench comprising a RFID reader and a RFID antenna and a means for identifying what fastener the wrench is being used upon and whether the correct torque has been applied to the fastener and configured to provide a feedback for a user; and

a microprocessor configured to;

automate and record data received from the torque wrench; and

communicate information back and forth with the torque wrench and the user, the information comprising;

a desired amount of torque to be applied to the fastener;

a desired sequence of tightening; and

history of a plurality of fasteners previously tightened.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the template comprises a tape of polymer or nylon.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the torque wrench comprises a sensor configured to indicate when an appropriate torque has been applied.

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

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the feedback comprises display of a torque setting to the user.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the feedback comprises display of a location of the torque wrench to the user.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the feedback comprises display of the torque applied to the fastener by the torque wrench to the user.

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

4. (canceled)

10. A method of operation comprising:

locating a template on a part, the template having a plurality of tags disposed upon it and the part having a plurality of fasteners to be tightened, the template being disposed upon the part such that each of the plurality of tags is associated with a particular fastener;

placing a torque wrench onto a first fastener of the plurality of fasteners;

detecting the tag on the template associated with the first fastener using a reader attached to the torque wrench;

sending the information identifying the tag on the template from the reader to a microprocessor;

looking up a correct alignment of the torque wrench with the first fastener;

providing an indication of the correct alignment of the wrench with the first fastener;

providing an indication for the appropriate amount of torque;

that includes a reader capable of detecting the tag associated with the fastener;

determining the next fastener of the plurality of fasteners to be tightened in sequence; and

providing an indication of which fastener among the plurality is the next fastener to be tightened in sequence.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising recording data using the microprocessor.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein providing an indication for the correct alignment comprises displaying a specific color on a screen of a user.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein providing an indication for the correct alignment comprises playing a sound on a screen of a user.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein providing an indication for the appropriate amount of torque applied comprises displaying a specific color on a screen of a user.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein providing an indication for the appropriate amount of torque applied comprises displaying a specific message on a screen of a user.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein providing an indication for the appropriate amount of torque applied comprises playing a sound on a screen of a user.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein recording data comprises storing information regarding amount of torque applied and ID of plurality of fasteners already tightened on the microprocessor.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein recording data comprises maintaining history and configuration of an engine.