Probe for fastener identification and ultrasonic load measurement

• US 20090173161A1
• Filed: 05/24/2007
• Published: 07/09/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Innovation Plus, LLC
• Original Assignee: Innovation Plus, LLC
• Inventors: Kibblewhite, Ian E., Kotas, Donald E.
• Granted Patent: US 8,033,181 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/761
• 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: B25B 23/1475 for impact wrenches or screwdrivers
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 2031/022 using an ultrasonic transducer
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 2200/95 with markings, colours, indicators or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 1/255 using acoustic waves, or acoustic emission G01L1/10 and G01L1/16 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 5/246 using acoustic waves

Abstract

A system is provided for both reading an optical identification mark, such as a bar code, on a fastener and for making ultrasonic load measurements in the fastener using a single probe for use during fastener installation with assembly tools and for the inspection of load in preinstalled fasteners. The probe includes both a fiber optic imaging cable and at least one electrical conductor. The fiber optic imaging cable is optically coupled to an imaging device such as a bar code reader allowing the bar code reader to be located remote from the fastener. The electrical conductor provides an electrical connection from the ultrasonic transducer on the fastener to load measurement instrumentation. The probe is further capable of providing illumination of the bar code to facilitate reading of the bar code.

Claims

1. An apparatus for use with a fastener having an ultrasonic transducer coupled with the fastener and an optical identification mark coupled with the ultrasonic transducer, for reading the optical identification mark on the fastener and for making ultrasonic load measurements in the fastener using the ultrasonic transducer, the apparatus comprising:

a probe including an image coupling device, wherein the image coupling device is coupled to an imaging device for reading the optical identification mark, at least one electrical conductor associated with the image coupling device, wherein the electrical conductor provides an electrical connection between the ultrasonic transducer and equipment for measuring load in the fastener, and a light source for illuminating the optical identification mark, wherein the light source is coupled with the probe for indirect illumination of the optical identification mark.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the fastener is a threaded fastener.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the ultrasonic transducer is permanently coupled with the fastener.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the ultrasonic transducer is removably coupled with the fastener.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the electrical connection between the ultrasonic transducer and the equipment for measuring load in the fastener is a spring biased pin.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 which further includes a second electrical conductor associated with the image coupling device.

15. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the probe further includes a spring biased sheath for engaging the fastener to establish a second electrical connection with the fastener.

16. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the optical identification mark is a bar code.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the imaging device for reading the optical identification mark is a bar code reader.

20. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the light source further includes a reflector coupled with the light source, and an outer reflective surface coupled with the reflector for directing light onto the optical identification mark.

22. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the light source further includes an outer reflective surface coupled with the light source for directing light onto the optical identification mark.

23. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the light source further includes a lens coupled with the probe for illuminating the optical identification mark.

24. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the light source is located remotely from the probe.

25. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the probe includes illuminating fibers associated with the image coupling device for directing light from the light source to the optical identification mark.

26. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the light source is at least one light emitting diode coupled with an end of the probe adjacent to the ultrasonic transducer.

35. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the probe is coupled with the imaging device and the equipment for measuring load in the fastener, for inspecting a load in a preinstalled fastener.

36. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the probe is coupled with an assembly tool for installing the fastener.

37. The apparatus of claim 36 wherein the probe is fixed to the assembly tool so as not to rotate relative to the assembly tool, and which includes contact pins for rotationally sliding on surface portions of the ultrasonic transducer.

38. The apparatus of claim 36 wherein the assembly tool has a drive shaft, and wherein the probe is rotationally fixed on the drive shaft so as not to rotate relative to the fastener, and wherein the probe includes a rotating connection for communicating with the optical identification mark and the ultrasonic transducer.

5-9. -9. (canceled)

11-12. -12. (canceled)

14. (canceled)

18-19. -19. (canceled)

21. (canceled)

27-34. -34. (canceled)

39. A method for reading an optical identification mark on a fastener having an ultrasonic transducer coupled with the fastener, and for making ultrasonic load measurements in the fastener, wherein the optical identification mark is coupled with the ultrasonic transducer, and wherein the method comprises the steps of:

applying a probe to the fastener, wherein the probe includes an image coupling device and at least one electrical conductor associated with the image coupling device fiber;

optically coupling the optical identification mark on the fastener with an imaging device for reading the optical identification mark, using the image coupling device, while indirectly illuminating the optical identification mark with a light source coupled with the probe; and

electrically connecting the ultrasonic transducer with equipment for measuring load in the fastener, using the electrical conductor.

40. The method of claim 39 wherein the fastener is a threaded fastener.

41. The method of claim 40 which further includes the step of permanently coupling the ultrasonic transducer with the fastener.

42. The method of claim 40 which further includes the step of removably coupling the ultrasonic transducer with the fastener.

43. The method of claim 39 which further includes the step of simultaneously optically coupling the image coupling device with the optical identification mark, and electrically connecting the electrical conductor with the ultrasonic transducer.

45. The method of claim 39 wherein the optical identification mark is a bar code, and which further includes the step of reading the bar code with a bar code reader coupled with the image coupling device.

48. The method of claim 39 which further includes the step of coupling a light emitting diode with an end of the probe adjacent to the ultrasonic transducer, for illuminating the optical identification mark.

49. The method of claim 39 which further includes the step of illuminating the optical identification mark with a light source located remotely from the probe.

50. The method of claim 39 which further includes the step of inspecting a load in a preinstalled fastener, using the probe, by coupling the probe with the fastener and by communicating with the imaging device and the equipment for measuring load in the fastener.

51. The method of claim 39 which further includes the step of installing the fastener, using an assembly tool, while coupling the probe with the fastener and by communicating with the imaging device and the equipment for measuring load in the fastener.

52. The method of claim 51 which further includes the step of fixing the probe to the assembly tool so as not to rotate relative to the assembly tool, and rotationally sliding contact pins associated with the probe on surface portions of the ultrasonic transducer.

53. The method of claim 51 wherein the assembly tool has a drive shaft, and wherein the method further includes the step of rotationally fixing the probe on the drive shaft so as not to rotate relative to the fastener, and communicating with the optical identification mark and the ultrasonic transducer using a rotating connection associated with the probe.

44. (canceled)

46-47. -47. (canceled)