Wireless qualifier for monitoring and controlling a tool
First Claim
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1. A wireless qualifier for monitoring and controlling a compressed air driven tool comprising:
- a pressure transducer for measuring air pressure within a pneumatic tool and converting of the air pressure;
into an electrical signal representative of the air pressure;
a programmed microprocessor configured to identify a portion of the signal representative of the air pressure;
a self-contained internal power supply located in the transducer housing;
a wireless transceiver for receiving and transmitting remote signals between the transducer and the microprocessor;
wherein the microprocessor is configured to monitor the pressure of air in response the signal received from the pressure transducer;
wherein the microprocessor is configured to wake up and come out of its low-current sleep state when a conditioned signal from the transducer is greater than a reference signal; and
wherein the microprocessor is configured to monitor the pressure of the pneumatic tool when the microprocessor is awake.
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Abstract
This device is a wireless tool qualifier that verifies that the correct number of fasteners have been properly installed into an assembly. When used in conjunction with a wireless tool, proper fastener torque and count can be verified. In another embodiment, the wireless qualifier is used with a tool having a self-contained internal power supply (battery). The qualifier is configured to wake up and come out of its low-current sleep state when a conditioned signal is greater than a reference signal. The qualifier is configured to monitor the tool when the tool is awake.
24 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A wireless qualifier for monitoring and controlling a compressed air driven tool comprising:
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a pressure transducer for measuring air pressure within a pneumatic tool and converting of the air pressure;
into an electrical signal representative of the air pressure;a programmed microprocessor configured to identify a portion of the signal representative of the air pressure; a self-contained internal power supply located in the transducer housing; a wireless transceiver for receiving and transmitting remote signals between the transducer and the microprocessor; wherein the microprocessor is configured to monitor the pressure of air in response the signal received from the pressure transducer; wherein the microprocessor is configured to wake up and come out of its low-current sleep state when a conditioned signal from the transducer is greater than a reference signal; and wherein the microprocessor is configured to monitor the pressure of the pneumatic tool when the microprocessor is awake. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A wireless qualifier for monitoring and controlling a wireless, electrically driven tool having current flow through the tool comprising:
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a current transducer for measuring and converting the currents into electrical signals representative the measured currents; a programmed microprocessor configured to identify a portion of the signal representative of the electrical signals; a self-contained internal power supply located in the electrically driven tool; a wireless transceiver for receiving and transmitting remote signals between the transducer, the microprocessor and the power supply; wherein the microprocessor is configured to control the electrical current response the signal received from the transducer; wherein the microprocessor is configured to wake up and come out of its low-current sleep state when a conditioned signal from the transducer is greater than a reference signal; and wherein the microprocessor is configured to monitor the electrical current of the tools when the microprocessor is awake.
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21. A wireless qualifier for monitoring and controlling a wireless, a mechanical torque wrench with torque switch comprising:
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a means for electrically stimulating the switch wherein the torque switch can provide an electrical signal upon reaching target torque; a programmed microprocessor configured to identify a portion of the signal representative of the mechanical torque; a self-contained internal power supply located in the tool; a wireless transceiver for receiving and transmitting remote signals between the transducer, the microprocessor and the power supply; wherein the microprocessor is configured to control the torque in response the signal received from the torque switch; wherein the microprocessor is configured to wake up and come out of its low-current sleep state when a conditioned signal from the transducer is greater than a reference signal; and wherein the microprocessor is configured to monitor the torque of the tool when the microprocessor is awake.
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22. A wireless, manufacturing line control comprising:
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a wireless tool monitor assembly line interface configured to identify signals from a plurality of wireless qualifiers for monitoring and controlling a plurality of wireless tools; a plurality of wireless qualifiers for monitoring and controlling a plurality of wireless tools wherein the wireless qualifiers are configured to send wireless signals to the wireless interface; a plurality of wireless tools configured to send wireless signals to the wireless qualifiers; and a self-contained internal power supplies located in the wireless tools. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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Specification