Patent · US Expired

Method and apparatus for tightening threaded fastener assemblies

US4375123A · kind A · utility

34Cited by
11References
9Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateApr 7, 1980
Grant dateMar 1, 1983
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 7, 2000

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T29/53687
  • WIPO fieldMachine tools
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

Apparatus and method for tightening assemblies held together by threaded fasteners. Prior to tightening, the gradients of a selected number of possible torque-rotation curves for the assembly are established and stored along with the associated tightening torques required to induce a desired preload in the fastener when the assembly is tightened according to the selected torque-rotation curves. As torque and rotation are imparted to the fastener to tighten the assembly, the gradient of the actual torque-rotation curve through which the assembly is taken is calculated. The calculated gradient is compared with the stored gradients to derive that tightening torque which is associated with that stored gradient closest in magnitude to the calculated gradient. The derived tightening torque is used to control the torque applied to the fastener.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.