Monitoring fastener preload
First Claim
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1. A method of monitoring the preload of fasteners installed on a vehicle, comprising:
- measuring the value of fastener preload of each of the fasteners;
electronically transmitting the measured preload values from each of the fasteners to a monitoring station;
using a programmed computer to monitor the measured preload values at the monitoring station; and
assessing the health of the vehicle based on comparing the measured preload values with reference values.
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Abstract
The health of a structural joint clamped by fasteners is monitored by directly measuring the preload of the fasteners. The preload is measured by a transducer on the fastener and electronically transmitted to a monitoring station where the preload values may be analyzed to assess the health of the joint.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method of monitoring the preload of fasteners installed on a vehicle, comprising:
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measuring the value of fastener preload of each of the fasteners; electronically transmitting the measured preload values from each of the fasteners to a monitoring station; using a programmed computer to monitor the measured preload values at the monitoring station; and assessing the health of the vehicle based on comparing the measured preload values with reference values. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 21)
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5. A method of monitoring the preload of fasteners installed on an airplane, comprising:
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reading an identifier on the fastener that uniquely identifies the fastener; associating each identifier with a corresponding preload value; measuring the values of preload on each of the fasteners; using a transducer on each of the fasteners to sense the preload of the fastener; reading the value of the sensed preload from the transducer; generating an electronic data file containing the measured values of preload; and using the electronic data file to display the measured values of preload. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 20)
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9. A method of monitoring the health of a vehicle, comprising:
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electronically measuring the preload of each of a plurality of fasteners on the vehicle; and
,using the measured preloads to assess the health of the vehicle, wherein using the measured preloads includes comparing the measured preloads with a set of reference values related to the health of the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (10, 18, 19)
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11. A fastener installation and preload measurement method, comprising:
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specifying a set of fasteners to be installed on a structure; providing the set of fasteners; providing a set of preload measurement transducers; affixing the transducers to the fasteners; generating a set of unique identifiers respectively linking the fasteners to the transducers; installing the fasteners on the structure; and using the transducers affixed to the fasteners to measure the preloads on the fasteners installed on the structure. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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15. Apparatus for monitoring the preload on fasteners installed on a structure, comprising:
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a transducer on each of the fasteners for sensing the preload on the fastener and generating a signal related to the sensed preload; an identifier on each of the transducers that uniquely identifies the transducer; a monitoring station for monitoring the signals generated by the transducers, including a computer for analyzing the sensed preloads; and means for transmitting the signals from each of the transducers to the monitoring station, the transmitting means is operable for transmitting each of the identifiers to the monitoring station. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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Specification