Torque angle sensing system and method with angle indication

• US 6,965,835 B2
• Filed: 09/28/2001
• Issued: 11/15/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: SPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: SPX Corporation
• Inventors: Ribeiro, Durval, Kochie, Robert, McGee, Phillip
• Primary Examiner(s): Barlow, John
• Assistant Examiner(s): Walling, Meagan S
• Application Number:
  US09/964,470
• Publication Number:
  US 20030065456A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,509 Days
• Field of Search: 702/33, 702/41, 702/113, 702/150, 702/151, 737/61, 738/620.8, 738/622.1, 738/622.3
• US Class Current: 702/41
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 23/14 Arrangement of torque limiters or torque indicators in wrenches or screwdrivers couplings for transmitting rotation or clutches F16D; devices for measuring torque per se G01L
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 23/1425 by electrical means
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 5/24 for determining value of torque or twisting moment for tightening a nut or other member which is similarly stressed

Abstract

A device used for measuring the angle of torque beyond a specific reference point. The device is comprised of a tool that applies torque to a fastener, an adapter that is attached to the fastener to transfer the torque from the tool, and an apparatus that connects a first end to the tool and a second end to the adapter. The apparatus comprises an angle selector that is adjustable to the desired torque angle, an angle rate sensor that measures the speed and direction of the torque applied, a processor which calculates the current angle from the rate sensor measurements, a zero point indicator that serves as the basis point for the processor to calculate the selected angle, and an angle indicator that indicates the current angle of rotation.

Claims

1. A method for determining an angle of rotation of a fastener, comprising:

measuring the angle of rotation, as applied to the fastener by a tool, with a device, which comprises a housing that includes a shaft and an angle rate sensor, the housing is configured to be positioned between the fastener and tool such that the shaft is directly connected to an end of the tool and directly to the fastener, the shaft is linked to an angle rate sensor that measures the speed and direction of the rotation applied;

wherein the step of measuring the angle of rotation comprises;

selecting a desired angle using an angle selector located on the housing, which further comprises a processor, a zero point indicator and an angle indicator;

indicating a zero point to the processor;

applying torque to the fastener with the tool to which the device is attached to rotate the fastener;

measuring the rate and speed of the rotation with the angle rate sensor starting from the zero point; and

calculating an angle of rotation using the processor.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising indicating that the processor has accepted the zero point.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of alerting that the desired selected angle of rotation has been reached.

4. A system for measuring an angle of rotation at a fastener beyond a specific reference point comprising:

a tool that applies torque to a fastener;

an apparatus that measures the angle of rotation beyond a specific reference point, the apparatus comprises a housing that includes an angle rate sensor that measures the speed and direction of the rotation applied and is configured to be located between the tool and fastener such that the shaft is directly connected to an end of the tool and the fastener; and

an angle indicator located away from and linked to the apparatus

wherein the housing further comprises;

an angle selector adjustable to a desired angle of rotation;

a processor that calculates a current angle of rotation from the rate sensor measurements; and

a zero point indicator that sets a zero point for the processor to calculate the selected angle.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the tool comprises a ratchet.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein the tool comprises a socket.

7. The system of claim 4, wherein the angle selector comprises a potentiometer.

8. The system of claim 4, wherein the angle selector comprises a resistance ladder.

9. The system of claim 4, wherein the processor comprises a microcontroller.

10. The system of claim 4, wherein the angle indicator is a digital multimeter.

11. The system of claim 4, wherein the angle indicator is a digital multimeter and a sound generating device that activates when the selected angle of rotation has been reached.