Powered driver and methods for reliable repeated securement of threaded connectors to a correct tightness
First Claim
1. A method for reliable repeated securement of threaded connectors that include a nut and a body to a correct tightness utilizing a powered driver that includes a nut engaging head and an associated connector body engaging unit, said head and engaging unit movable relative to one another, said method comprising the steps of:
- setting a selected rotational limitation at the driver relating to fitting characteristics;
engaging the nut and the body of the connector at the head and engaging unit, respectively;
operating the driver to cause relative rotation of the nut and the body;
sensing said relative rotation;
monitoring sensed relative rotation for controlled indexing of the nut engaging head; and
causing the driver to cease operating when an event related to either one of rotational limitation setting and driver operation occurs.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A powered driver and methods are disclosed, the driver including a head having a gapped jaw and housing a motor driven drive transfer assembly for operating a rotatable split socket engageable at a threaded connector. A reaction unit is movably maintained through the head, and a probe is associated with the reaction unit. The methods of this invention include setting a selected rotational limitation at the driver relating to fitting characteristics, operating the driver to cause relative rotation of a connector nut located in the socket and connector body engaged by the reaction unit. One of a plurality of operational modes for driver operations is selected and relative movement of the head and reaction unit are monitored during driver operation. The driver is controlled so that driver operation ceases when a selected combination of events related to operational mode selected and at least one of rotational limitation setting, monitored relative movement or driver operation occurs.
111 Citations
21 Claims
-
1. A method for reliable repeated securement of threaded connectors that include a nut and a body to a correct tightness utilizing a powered driver that includes a nut engaging head and an associated connector body engaging unit, said head and engaging unit movable relative to one another, said method comprising the steps of:
-
setting a selected rotational limitation at the driver relating to fitting characteristics; engaging the nut and the body of the connector at the head and engaging unit, respectively; operating the driver to cause relative rotation of the nut and the body; sensing said relative rotation; monitoring sensed relative rotation for controlled indexing of the nut engaging head; and causing the driver to cease operating when an event related to either one of rotational limitation setting and driver operation occurs. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
-
-
7. A driver for reliable repeated securement of threaded fittings to a correct tightness comprising:
-
a driver head; a rotatable socket at said driver head for engaging the fitting; means for rotating said socket associated with said driver head; a reaction unit at said driver head movable relative to said socket and engageble with the fitting; and control means for user input of at least one of a selected socket rotational limitation and a selected operational mode from a plurality of modes including pulse mode and swage mode, and for precision cessation of socket rotation in accord with said user input. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
-
13. A method for reliable repeatable gauging of correct tightness of threaded fittings that include a nut and a body secured utilizing a powered driver that includes a gear tooth surface associated with a nut engageable socket for nut rotation and movement toward the fitting body during driver operation, said method comprising the steps of:
-
maintaining a count of teeth of the gear tooth surface passing a location at the driver during a selected interval of operation of the driver; gauging relative location of the socket and fitting body during movement toward the fitting body; and selectively utilizing said maintained count and said gauging to control driver operation. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
-
Specification