Test method and device for screwers

• US 5,886,246 A
• Filed: 07/14/1997
• Issued: 03/23/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Atlas Copco BLM S.R.L. (Atlas Copco AB)
• Original Assignee: BLM SAS di L Bareggi and Co (Atlas Copco AB)
• Inventors: Bareggi, Luigi, Chiapuzzi, Angelo
• Primary Examiner(s): Williams, Hezron
• Assistant Examiner(s): FAYYAZ, NASHMIYA SAQIB
• Application Number:
  US08/891,828
• Time in Patent Office: 617 Days
• Field of Search: 73/1.12, 73/1.09, 73/1.11, 73/761, 73/865.9
• US Class Current: 73/1.09
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 25/003 for measuring torque

Abstract

A test method for a screwer performs the steps of connecting the screwer to a rotatable attachment element, screwing down the screwer, measuring the attachment element speed, power-supplying an electric motor to bring it to a speed close to the measured speed, connecting the shaft of the electric motor to the attachment element, and causing the motor to follow a braking ramp while the torque transmitted from the screwer to the driving shaft is measured. A device in accordance with this method includes a rotatable attachment element to which the screwer to be tested is applied, and an electric motor connected to the attachment element through a releasable coupling connecting the motor to the attachment element on achievement of a motor speed close to that of the attachment element. The motor is controlled for following a braking ramp based on a predetermined law, while a transducer measures the transmitted torque between the attachment element and braking element.

Claims

1. A test method for a screwer comprising the steps of:

connecting the screwer to a rotatable attachment element;

powering the screwer to rotate the attachment element;

measuring the attachment element speed;

power-supplying an electric motor to bring the electric motor to a speed close to said measured speed of the attachment element;

connecting a driving shaft of the electric motor to the attachment element;

causing the motor to follow a braking ramp while the torque transmitted from the screwer to the driving shaft is measured.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the braking ramp is controlled to have a linear torque variation against a rotation angle of the screwer.

3. A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the braking ramp is carried out with a time-controlled torque gradient, based on a predetermined characteristic torque-time curve against a desired braking angle for a particular screwer being tested.

4. A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein also the rotation angle of the screwer is measured and the braking ramp is varied for keeping the relation between the measured torque and measured angle linear.

5. A test device for a screwer comprising a rotatable attachment element to which the screwer to be tested is applied, a braking element connected to the attachment element, which attachment element undergoes controlled braking according to a predetermined law and torque measuring means connected for measurement of the transmitted torque between the attachment element and braking element, wherein the braking element is an electric motor connected to the attachment element by releasable coupling means connecting the motor to the attachment element upon achieving a motor speed close to that of the attachment element.

6. A device according to claim 5, further comprising a speed sensor connected to the attachment element to detect the speed of the attachment element, a control device for the motor which receives speed signals from the sensor and powers the motor to bring the motor to said speed close to that of the attachment element.

7. A device according to claim 5, further comprising a sensor for measuring the angular rotation of the attachment element.

8. A device according to claim 5, wherein the torque measuring means comprises a torque transducer disposed between the attachment element and releasable means.

9. A device according to claim 5, wherein the releasable means comprises a freewheel mechanism disposed between the attachment element and a motor shaft of the motor.

10. A device according to claim 6, wherein the releasable means comprises a fitting joint electrically operated by the control device for fitting between a driving shaft of the motor and the attachment element.

11. A device according to claim 10, wherein the fitting joint is an electromagnetic claw clutch.

12. A device according to claim 5, wherein a freewheel is present on a driving shaft of the motor for preventing the driving shaft from rotating in a direction contrary to a normal rotation of the attachment element.

13. A device according to claim 5, wherein the motor is a brushless motor.