SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FASTENER INSTALLATION
First Claim
1. A system for fastener installation at a location using a fastener installation tool, comprising:
- a torque measurement circuit configured to measure the torque applied to a fastener being installed;
a position sensor configured to determine a rotational position of the fastener with respect to a fastener mate; and
a processor configured to receive data indicative of the torque and rotational position throughout the torquing of the fastener, the processor further configured to compare the received data with a stored fastener torque signature to thereby determine whether the fastener was properly installed.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for monitoring installation of fasteners in an assembly process utilizes printed symbology, such as a barcode, to uniquely identify the location at which a fastener will be installed. An installation tool includes torque measuring capability and further includes a reader capable of reading the printed symbology. The output of the reader and the torque measurement values are provided to a computer communicatively coupled thereto. The computer contains stored fastener torque signatures that correspond to each fastener. Based on the printed symbology identification, the computer can determine the type of fastener to be installed at that precise location. During installation, torque measurements from the installation tool are compared against the fastener torque signature to determine whether the proper fastener was installed at that location and, additionally, whether the fastener was properly installed. Based on the torque measurement and rotational position of the fastener, the system can identify a number of different types of defects, such as improper selection of the fastener; thread defects, cross threading, and the like.
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Citations
53 Claims
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1. A system for fastener installation at a location using a fastener installation tool, comprising:
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a torque measurement circuit configured to measure the torque applied to a fastener being installed; a position sensor configured to determine a rotational position of the fastener with respect to a fastener mate; and a processor configured to receive data indicative of the torque and rotational position throughout the torquing of the fastener, the processor further configured to compare the received data with a stored fastener torque signature to thereby determine whether the fastener was properly installed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A method for fastener installation at a location using a fastener installation tool, comprising:
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measuring the torque applied to a fastener being installed; determining a rotational position of the fastener with respect to a fastener mate; and comparing data indicative of the torque and data indicative of the rotational position throughout the torquing of the fastener with a stored fastener torque signature to thereby determine whether the fastener was properly installed. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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42. A method for fastener installation at a location using a fastener installation tool, comprising:
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taking measurements of the fastener installation during installation of the fastener at a fastener mate location to thereby generate installation data; comparing the installation data with stored data representative of a satisfactory installation; and generating an indication whether the fastener was satisfactorily installed. - View Dependent Claims (43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53)
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Specification