Method for tightening a fastener
First Claim
1. A method of controlling the position and speed of a mechanical apparatus comprising the steps of:
- (a) positioning a mechanical apparatus between a first and a second position,(b) measuring a reference parameter of said mechanical apparatus as said mechanical apparatus is urged between said first position and said second position,(c) comparing said reference parameter to a predetermined value to determine an optimum functioning speed for said mechanical apparatus,(d) adjusting the functioning speed of said mechanical apparatus in response to said comparison to maintain said mechanical apparatus at said optimum functioning speed, and(e) continuously repeating steps b-d until the mechanical apparatus is moved between said first position and said second position.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An improved and novel method for controlling the speed of a mechanical apparatus in relation to a reference parameter. The reference parameter can be torque, displacement or similarly measurable parameters. A preferred implementation of the improved and novel method is used for tightening fasteners which utilizes feedback torque to control the speed and sequence of a fastening tool. This feedback torque is constantly monitored to allow continuous adjustment of the speed of the fastening tool and thereby control the torque applied to the fastener. The method is implemented on a fastening tool used to tighten a retainer nut on a pinion gear shaft supported by bearings in a differential housing. The speed of a fastening tool is continuously monitored and changed in response to a rotational torque measurement taken from the pinion gear shaft and bearing assembly. As the rotational torque value of the pinion gear shaft and bearing assembly approaches a final preselected value the speed of the fastening tool is slowed to ensure the retainer nut is not over tightened.
37 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method of controlling the position and speed of a mechanical apparatus comprising the steps of:
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(a) positioning a mechanical apparatus between a first and a second position, (b) measuring a reference parameter of said mechanical apparatus as said mechanical apparatus is urged between said first position and said second position, (c) comparing said reference parameter to a predetermined value to determine an optimum functioning speed for said mechanical apparatus, (d) adjusting the functioning speed of said mechanical apparatus in response to said comparison to maintain said mechanical apparatus at said optimum functioning speed, and (e) continuously repeating steps b-d until the mechanical apparatus is moved between said first position and said second position.
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2. A method of tightening a fastener comprising the steps of:
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(a) positioning a fastening tool on a fastener, (b) measuring a reference parameter of said fastener as the fastening tool tightens the fastener, (c) comparing said reference parameter to a predetermined value to determine an optimum operating speed for said fastening tool, (d) adjusting the operating speed of said fastening tool in response to said comparison to maintain said fastening tool at said optimum operating speed, and (e) continuously repeating steps b-d until the fastener is tightened such that said reference parameter is within a preselected range. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5)
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6. A method of tightening a fastener comprising the steps of:
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(a) positioning a fastening tool on a fastener, (b) measuring the torque of said fastener as the fastening tool tightens the fastener, (c) comparing said torque measurement to a predetermined value to determine an optimum operating speed for said fastening tool, (d) adjusting the operating speed of said fastening tool in response to said comparison to maintain said fastening tool at said optimum operating speed, and (e) continuously repeating steps b-d until the fastener is tightened to a torque within a preselected range. - View Dependent Claims (7)
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8. A method of tightening a fastener comprising the steps of:
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(a) positioning a fastening tool on a fastener, (b) measuring the torque of said fastener as the fastening tool tightens the fastener, (c) inputting said torque measurement to a torque monitor and controller, (d) comparing said torque measurement to a predetermined value with said torque monitor and controller to determine an optimum operating speed for said fastening tool, (e) adjusting the speed of said fastening tool in response to the output of said torque monitor and controller to maintain said fastening tool at said optimum operating speed, and (f) continuously repeating steps b-e until the fastener is tightened to a torque within a preselected range. - View Dependent Claims (9)
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10. A method of tightening a fastener comprising the steps of:
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(a) positioning a fastening tool on a fastener disposed on a shaft supported on bearings and extending from a housing, (b) measuring the torque of said shaft and bearings and the torque of said fastener as the fastening tool tightens the fastener, (c) comparing said shaft and bearing torque measurement and said fastener torque measurement to predetermined values to determine an optimum operating speed for said fastening tool, (d) adjusting the speed of said fastening tool in response to said comparisons to maintain said fastening tool at said optimum operating speed, and (e) continuously repeating steps b-d until the fastener is tightened to a torque within a preselected range. - View Dependent Claims (11)
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12. A method of tightening a fastener comprising the steps of:
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(a) positioning a fastening tool on a fastener disposed on a shaft supported on bearings and extending from a housing, (b) measuring the torque of said shaft and bearings and the torque of said fastener as the fastening tool tightens the fastener, (c) inputting said shaft and bearing torque measurement and said fastener torque measurement to a torque monitor and controller, (d) comparing said shaft and bearing torque measurement and said fastener torque measurement to predetermined values with said torque monitor and controller to determine an optimum operating speed for said fastening tool, (e) adjusting the operating speed of said fastening tool in response to the comparisons of said torque monitor and controller to maintain said fastening tool at said optimum operating speed, and (f) continuously repeating steps b-e until the fastener is tightened to a torque within a preselected range. - View Dependent Claims (13)
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Specification