Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
65 words
A method of tightening a threaded fastener sequentially through regions of relatively free rotation, incipient clamp up, and increasing fastener stress toward a region of plastic deformation, comprising applying torque to and threadably advancing the fastener; sensing applied torque and producing an output signal representative thereof; and filtering the output signal in one region to a greater extent than in a second region of tightening.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
65 words
A method of tightening a threaded fastener sequentially through regions of relatively free rotation, incipient clamp up, and increasing fastener stress toward a region of plastic deformation, comprising applying torque to and threadably advancing the fastener; sensing applied torque and producing an output signal representative thereof; and filtering the output signal in one region to a greater extent than in a second region of tightening.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the filtering step comprises filtering the torque signal in a first region and filtering the torque signal in a second region to a greater extent than in the first region.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the filtering step comprises filtering the torque signal at the onset of tightening to the greater extent, identifying the region of increasing fastener stress and filtering the torque signal to the lesser extent in response to the attainment of the region of increasing fastener stress.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
94 words
Apparatus for tightening a threaded fastener sequentially through regions of relatively free rotation, incipient clamp up, and increasing fastener stress toward a region of plastic deformation, comprising means for applying torque to the fastener and threadably advancing the same; means having an output for sensing applied torque and producing a signal representative thereof on the output; and means in circuit with the output for filtering the torque signal to remove noise therefrom including means filtering the torque signal in one region of tightening to a greater extent than in a second region of tightening.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
94 words
Apparatus for tightening a threaded fastener sequentially through regions of relatively free rotation, incipient clamp up, and increasing fastener stress toward a region of plastic deformation, comprising means for applying torque to the fastener and threadably advancing the same; means having an output for sensing applied torque and producing a signal representative thereof on the output; and means in circuit with the output for filtering the torque signal to remove noise therefrom including means filtering the torque signal in one region of tightening to a greater extent than in a second region of tightening.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the filtering means comprises a first filter of predetermined capacity, a second filter of predetermined capacity substantially greater than the first filter and means for alternatively placing the first and second filters in circuit with the output.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
68 words
The apparatus of claim 5 comprising means for identifying the region of increasing fastener stress and wherein the placing means includes a switch positioning the second filter in circuit with the output at the onset of tightening and means responsive to the identifying means for manipulating the switch for positioning the second filter in circuit with the output at a location intermediate the region of increasing fastener stress.