Torque-angle instrument
First Claim
1. A method for measuring applied torque and applied angle to a workpiece either individually or simultaneously comprising the steps of:
- providing a wrench having a gripping section, a drive head, and internal circuitry coupled to the drive head, wherein the circuitry comprises a microprocessor having stored programming, input means, output means, and a power supply for powering the microprocessor, the input means and the output means, wherein the stored programming comprises wrench operation modes including at least torque calibration, angle calibration, torque measure, and torque and angle measure;
selecting one of operations modes through operation of the input means;
engaging the drive head of the wrench to a workpiece;
applying torque to the workpiece around the drive head;
operating the input means to create a first signal related to both instantaneous torque and angle values being applied to the workpiece during the step of applying torque to the workpiece around the drive head;
receiving the first signal into the microprocessor from the input means;
interpreting the first signal by the stored programming, including continuously calculating a bending beam correction factor by processing the first signal to determine a corrected angle value;
sending the interpreted signal to the output means;
displaying the interpreted signal, wherein the signal is displayed as both an accurate torque measure and an angle measure from the output means.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electronic torque-angle instrument including a generally tubular body having a gripping section and a pivoting head for engaging a workpiece, such as a nut or bolt, and a housing associated with the body and containing electronics, including a microprocessor, which permit individual or simultaneous measurement of torque and angle applied to the workpiece. The microprocessor includes stored programs which interpret a signal from an input, such as a gyroscopic sensor, and sends the interpreted signal to an output means. The signal is finally displayed as an accurate torque measure and/or angle measure from the output means.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method for measuring applied torque and applied angle to a workpiece either individually or simultaneously comprising the steps of:
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providing a wrench having a gripping section, a drive head, and internal circuitry coupled to the drive head, wherein the circuitry comprises a microprocessor having stored programming, input means, output means, and a power supply for powering the microprocessor, the input means and the output means, wherein the stored programming comprises wrench operation modes including at least torque calibration, angle calibration, torque measure, and torque and angle measure; selecting one of operations modes through operation of the input means; engaging the drive head of the wrench to a workpiece; applying torque to the workpiece around the drive head; operating the input means to create a first signal related to both instantaneous torque and angle values being applied to the workpiece during the step of applying torque to the workpiece around the drive head; receiving the first signal into the microprocessor from the input means; interpreting the first signal by the stored programming, including continuously calculating a bending beam correction factor by processing the first signal to determine a corrected angle value; sending the interpreted signal to the output means; displaying the interpreted signal, wherein the signal is displayed as both an accurate torque measure and an angle measure from the output means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An electronic torque-angle instrument comprising:
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a generally tubular body including a gripping section and a pivoting head for engaging a workpiece, such as a nut or bolt; and a housing associated with the body and containing electronics, including input means electronically coupled to a microprocessor for sending input signals, which permit individual and simultaneous measurement and display of both torque and angle applied to the workpiece and wherein the microprocessor comprises stored programs comprising wrench operation modes including at least torque calibration, angle calibration, torque measure, and torque and angle measure, each of which interprets the input signals from the input means to continuously calculate a bending beam correction factor by processing the input signals to determine a corrected angle value, thereby accurately determining both torque and angle applied to the workpiece. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification