ELECTRONIC TORQUE WRENCH WITH REPLACEABLE TORQUE SENSORS

• US 20110100170A1
• Filed: 03/12/2009
• Published: 05/05/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Atlas Copco Industrial Technique Ab (Atlas Copco AB)
• Original Assignee: Atlas Copco BLM S.R.L. (Atlas Copco AB)
• Inventors: Chiapuzzi, Angelo
• Granted Patent: US 8,794,114 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 81/479
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 23/1425 by electrical means

Abstract

An electronic torque wrench (10) comprising a grip body (11) with a user interface (12) and a control electronics (13) for controlling the wrench. From one extremity of the grip body protrudes a mechanical connection element (14) that terminates at one extremity with a tightening head (16). In the connection element are torque sensors (18) for determining the torque transmitted between the grip body and the head and the connection element (14) is connected in a removable and replaceable way to the grip body (11) and comprises memory means (19) containing data for calibrating the wrench to such connection element (14) and means for transferring such data to the control electronics.

Claims

1. Electronic torque wrench (10) comprising a grip body (11) having a user interface (12) and a control electronics (13) for controlling the wrench, from one extremity of the grip body protruding a mechanical connection element (14) terminating at one extremity with a tightening head (16), in the connection element being present torque sensors (18) for determining the torque transmitted between the grip body and the head, characterized in that the connection element (14) is connected in a removable and replaceable way to the grip body (11) and comprises memory means (19) that contain data for calibrating the wrench to such connection element (14) and means for transferring such data to the control electronics.

2. Wrench according to claim 1, characterized in that for the removable and replaceable connection, between the connection element and the grip body an axial coupling (21) is present.

3. Wrench according to claim 1, characterized in that the axial coupling has ring nut means (24) for screw or bayonet locking.

4. Wrench according to claim 2, characterized in that the axial coupling (21) comprises electric contacts (25, 26) for connecting the sensors and the memory means to the control electronics in the grip body.

5. Wrench according to claim 2, characterized in that the axial coupling comprises a locator (27, 28) of reference of the angular position between grip body and connection element.

6. Wrench according to claim 1, characterized in that the tightening head (16) can be coupled in a removable and replaceable way on the connection element (14).

7. Wrench according to claim 1, characterized in that the connection element (14) is made in the shape of a straight tubular element.

8. Wrench according to claim 1, characterized in that in the connection element (14) an angular rotation sensor (29) is also present.

9. Wrench according to claim 1, characterized in that the memory means (19) comprise an E²prom memory.

10. Wrench according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of interchangeable connection elements (14), each of different length and/or measurement sensors suitable for a different torque interval.