System for performing predefined fastener installation procedures
First Claim
1. An apparatus for assembling a joint including plural fasteners comprising:
- an assembly tool;
an electronically controllable unit coupled with the assembly tool; and
an electronic control circuit configured to make ultrasonic load measurements coupled with the assembly tool and the electronically controllable unit;
wherein the electronic control circuit and the electronically controllable unit operate to dynamically control operation of the assembly tool, and to precisely stop the assembly tool at a specified stopping load; and
wherein the electronic control circuit includes machine implemented and predefined procedures performing a plurality of desired tightening operations on at least one of the fasteners, and wherein each of the desired tightening operations operate in combination with the electronically controllable unit to dynamically control the assembly tool to tighten said one of the fasteners.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Complex assembly procedures for joining components with plural fasteners are accomplished using predefined procedures for performing a multi-step assembly of a joint using a dynamically controllable assembly tool, or to inspect an assembled joint. An assembly tool is coupled with an electronically controlled regulator for reducing the tightening rate, or the load increase per impact for an impact or impulse tool, so the tool can be stopped precisely at a specified stopping load or torque. The predefined procedures for performing the desired tightening operation are established in a controller coupled with the electronically controlled regulator, for dynamically controlling the assembly tool. The system can be used to assemble joints involving multiple fasteners and which are subject to elastic interaction between the fasteners, rocking, or joint relaxation, and in assembly or inspection operations in which an operator is to be guided through a particular sequence of instructions.
103 Citations
30 Claims
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1. An apparatus for assembling a joint including plural fasteners comprising:
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an assembly tool; an electronically controllable unit coupled with the assembly tool; and an electronic control circuit configured to make ultrasonic load measurements coupled with the assembly tool and the electronically controllable unit; wherein the electronic control circuit and the electronically controllable unit operate to dynamically control operation of the assembly tool, and to precisely stop the assembly tool at a specified stopping load; and wherein the electronic control circuit includes machine implemented and predefined procedures performing a plurality of desired tightening operations on at least one of the fasteners, and wherein each of the desired tightening operations operate in combination with the electronically controllable unit to dynamically control the assembly tool to tighten said one of the fasteners. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 22, 23, 24)
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8. A method for assembling a joint including a plurality of fasteners using an assembly tool coupled with an electronically controllable unit, and an electronic control circuit configured to make ultrasonic load measurements coupled with the assembly tool and the electronically controllable unit, the method comprising the steps of:
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operating the electronic control circuit and the electronically controllable unit to dynamically control operation of the assembly tool, and to precisely stop the assembly tool at a specified stopping load and following predefined instructions stored in memory associated with the electronic control circuit, for performing a plurality of desired tightening operations on at least one of the fasteners responsive to prompts supplied by the electronic control circuit, wherein each of the desired tightening operations operate in combination with the electronically controllable unit to dynamically control the assembly tool to tighten said one of the fasteners. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 25, 26, 27)
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- 20. A backup wrench assembly for combination with a fastener coupled with a joint, to limit rotation of the fastener relative to the joint, wherein the backup wrench assembly includes a wrench body for engaging the fastener, and a retaining bracket coupled with the wrench body for engaging portions of the joint.
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28. An apparatus for assembling a joint including plural fasteners comprising:
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an assembly tool; an electronically controllable unit coupled with the assembly tool; and an electronic control circuit configured to make ultrasonic load measurements with the assembly tool and the electronically controllable unit; wherein the electronic control circuit and the electronically controllable unit operate to control operation of the assembly tool, and to precisely stop the assembly tool at a specified stopping load; wherein the electronic control circuit includes machine implemented and predefined procedures performing a plurality of desired tightening operations on at least one of the fasteners, and wherein each of the desired tightening operations operate in combination with the electronically controllable unit to dynamically control the assembly tool; and wherein the assembly tool is a pneumatic assembly tool, and the electronically controllable unit is an electronically controlled air pressure regulator. - View Dependent Claims (29)
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30. An apparatus for assembling a joint including plural fasteners comprising:
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an assembly tool; an electronically controllable unit coupled with the assembly tool; and an electronic control circuit responsive to ultrasonic load measurements coupled with the assembly tool and the electronically controllable unit; wherein the electronic control circuit and the electronically controllable unit operate to control operation of the assembly tool, and to precisely stop the assembly tool at a specified stopping load; wherein the electronic control circuit includes machine implemented and predefined procedures performing a plurality of desired tightening operations on the plural fasteners; and wherein a multiplexer simultaneously couples each of the plural fasteners with the electronic control circuit to switch between the plural fasteners to selectively measure load in at least one of the plural fasteners during tightening or to selectively inspect at least one of the plural fasteners which has been tightened.
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Specification