System for dynamically controlling the torque output of a pneumatic tool
First Claim
1. An apparatus for dynamically controlling output power of a pneumatic tool used to tighten a fastener during a tightening cycle, wherein the pneumatic tool is operated responsive to pressurized air delivered to the pneumatic tool at a supplied pressure, and wherein the apparatus comprises:
- an electronic control circuit coupled with the pneumatic tool, for receiving electrical signals from the pneumatic tool for making load measurements in the fastener; and
an air pressure regulator coupled with the pneumatic tool, for regulating the air pressure of the pressurized air delivered to the pneumatic tool;
wherein the electronic control circuit is coupled with the air pressure regulator for dynamically controlling the air pressure of the pressurized air delivered to the pneumatic tool during tightening of the fastener, and for stopping the pneumatic tool when the fastener has been tightened, responsive to the load measurements made in the fastener.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Pneumatic tightening tools can be used for high speed assembly of critical bolts to precise loads by dynamically controlling the output power of the pneumatic tool during a tightening cycle using an electronically controlled air pressure regulator to reduce the tightening rate, or the load increase per impact for impact or impulse tools, to enable the tool to be stopped precisely at a specified stopping load or torque. For prevailing torque fasteners, the output power of the pneumatic tool is dynamically controlled to minimize the speed of rotation during rundown, to minimize the heating effects associated with such torque fasteners, and to then increase the power from the tool, as required, to provide the torque to reach the specified stopping load or torque. The maximum air pressure supplied to the pneumatic tool can be limited, depending on the expected torque required to tighten the fastener to the specified load or torque.
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Citations
63 Claims
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1. An apparatus for dynamically controlling output power of a pneumatic tool used to tighten a fastener during a tightening cycle, wherein the pneumatic tool is operated responsive to pressurized air delivered to the pneumatic tool at a supplied pressure, and wherein the apparatus comprises:
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an electronic control circuit coupled with the pneumatic tool, for receiving electrical signals from the pneumatic tool for making load measurements in the fastener; and an air pressure regulator coupled with the pneumatic tool, for regulating the air pressure of the pressurized air delivered to the pneumatic tool; wherein the electronic control circuit is coupled with the air pressure regulator for dynamically controlling the air pressure of the pressurized air delivered to the pneumatic tool during tightening of the fastener, and for stopping the pneumatic tool when the fastener has been tightened, responsive to the load measurements made in the fastener. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for dynamically controlling output power of a pneumatic tool used to tighten a fastener during a tightening cycle, wherein the pneumatic tool is operated responsive to pressurized air delivered to the pneumatic tool at a supplied pressure, and wherein the method comprises the steps of:
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coupling an electronic control circuit with the pneumatic tool, and receiving electrical signals from the pneumatic tool for making load measurements in the fastener; coupling an air pressure regulator with the pneumatic tool, and regulating the air pressure of the pressurized air delivered to the pneumatic tool; and coupling the electronic control circuit with the air pressure regulator, and dynamically controlling the air pressure of the pressurized air delivered to the pneumatic tool by the air pressure regulator responsive to signals received from the electronic control circuit for making the load measurements in the fastener. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 58, 59, 60)
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27. A method for dynamically controlling output power of a pneumatic tool used to tighten a fastener during a tightening cycle, wherein the pneumatic tool is operated responsive to pressurized air delivered to the pneumatic tool at a supplied pressure, and wherein the method comprises the steps of:
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receiving electrical signals from the pneumatic tool, and making load measurements in the fastener responsive to the received electrical signals; regulating the air pressure of the pressurized air delivered to the pneumatic tool responsive to the load measurements made in the fastener; and dynamically controlling operation of the pneumatic tool during tightening of the fastener responsive to the regulated air pressure and the load measurements made in the fastener. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 61, 62, 63)
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Specification