Thread forming fasteners for ultrasonic load measurement and control
US8037772B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 19, 2003 |
| Grant date | Oct 18, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 19, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16B2031/022
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An ultrasonic load measurement transducer (14) is mated with a thread-forming fastener (12) to provide a load indicating thread-forming fastener (10) that can be used for precise and reliable assembly of critical bolted joints, such as those in the automobile and aerospace industries, among others. Steps can then be taken to accurately measure and control the load in the thread-forming fastener (10) during tightening, and to inspect the load in the thread-forming fastener (10) after assembly. A similar result can be achieved for a thread-locking fastener by mating an ultrasonic transducer with the thread-locking fastener assembly.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.