RFID torque sensing tag system for fasteners
US9483674B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 7, 2014 |
| Grant date | Nov 1, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 26, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01L5/243
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The present invention provides an RFID-based torque sensor that can be used to quickly monitor off the shelf fasteners including fasteners that are used in expensive satellites or other uses where fastener failure can be very costly. In one embodiment, an antenna, RFID ring and spring comprise a sensor tag that can be interrogated with an interrogation signal produced by an interrogator device. When sufficient torque is applied to the fastener, an RFID circuit is connected, and produces a radio frequency (RF) signal that can be read by the interrogator. In one embodiment, the RFID circuit does not transmit when the spring member is not compressed, thereby indicating insufficient tensioning of the fastener. The present invention offers the ability to remotely, quickly, and inexpensively verify that any number of fasteners are torqued properly upon initial installation. Where applicable, the present invention allows low cost monitoring over the life of the fastener.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.