DEVICE FOR MONITORING TEMPERATURE AND TIGHTENING OF A SCREW

• US 20170089727A1
• Filed: 09/16/2016
• Published: 03/30/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Schneider Electric Industries SAS (Schneider Electric SE)
• Original Assignee: Schneider Electric Industries SAS (Schneider Electric SE)
• Inventors: LOPEZ, Josep, PERRIN, Alain
• Granted Patent: US 10,365,122 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 31/02 for indicating the attainment of a particular tensile load or limiting tensile load apparatus for, or method of, determining value of torque or twisting moment for tightening a nut or other member similarly stressed G01L5/24
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 5/145 influenced by the relative movement between the Hall device and magnetic fields see G01R33/06
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 7/22 the element being a non-linear resistance, e.g. thermistor G01K7/26 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/302 having means for preventing loosening of screw or nut, e.g. vibration-proof connection
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/34 Conductive members located under head of screw

Abstract

A device for monitoring the temperature and tightening of a screw includes a temperature detector positioned near the screw head for measuring the temperature of the screw, a detector of the tightening of the screw, including a sensor member including a first part, positioned on the screw head so as to be rotationally fixed to the screw, and a second part, fixed relative to the first part and arranged to generate a detection state representing a position of the first part relative to the second part, and a first detection unit connected to the sensor member and arranged to determine a degree of tightening of the screw as a function of the detection state of the sensor member.

Claims

1. A device for monitoring the temperature and tightening of a screw, said screw comprising at least a head and a shank and being designed to clamp one or more electrical conductors, said device comprising:

a temperature detector positioned near the screw head for measuring the temperature of the screw, and

a detector of the tightening of the screw, comprising a sensor member including a first part, positioned on the screw head so as to be rotationally fixed to said screw, and a second part, fixed relative to the first part and arranged to generate a detection state representing a position of the first part relative to the second part, and a first detection unit connected to the sensor member and arranged to determine a degree of tightening of the screw as a function of the detection state of the sensor member.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor member comprises a permanent magnet mounted on a cap fastened to the screw head.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the sensor member comprises a Hall effect sensor arranged to measure the magnetic field generated by said permanent magnet.

4. The device according to claim 2, wherein the sensor member comprises one or more magnetically actuated microswitches.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the temperature detector comprises a component of the thermistor type connected to a second detection unit.

6. The device according to claim 5, further comprising a signalling unit, connected to an output of the first detection unit and to an output of the second detection unit, and arranged to signal a screw tightening state supplied by the first detection unit and/or a temperature state supplied by the second detection unit.

7. The device according to claim 6, further comprising a main housing accommodating:

the first detection unit and the second detection unit, and

said signalling unit.

8. The device according to claim 7, wherein the temperature detector is fastened to said main housing.

9. The device according to claim 6, further comprising an electrical power supply system arranged to supply electricity to the temperature detector, to the first detection unit, to the second detection unit and to the signalling unit.

10. The device according to claim 9, wherein the power supply system comprises an inductive electrical energy generator comprising at least a current transformer having a core to be placed around said electrical conductor forming the primary of the transformer, and a winding provided around the core and forming the secondary of said transformer, to recover electrical energy when an electric current flows in the electrical conductor.

11. The device according to claim 10, wherein the core is shaped in the form of a torus designed to surround the electrical conductor.

12. The device according to claim 10, further comprising an electronic circuit connected to the secondary of the transformer, the electronic circuit having means for storing the generated electrical energy.