Patent EP0127146A2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5404643A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of monitoring threaded fastener tightening operations
Assignee: Ingersoll Cinetic Automatic Corp
•
Filing: 1994-08-29
•
Granted: 1995-04-11
•
Expires: 2014-08-29
Abstract
Abstract A crankshaft bearing inspection system for confirming the presence of bearing inserts and the proper amount of bearing crush during assembly of reciprocating machines accomplished by measuring a fastener tension related function and a function fastener rotation, and evaluating the curves thus obtained to confirm and identify a characteristic signature of the bearing presence as, for example, a first constant rate of tension increase followed by a second increased constant rate of tension increase falling within expected inspection limits.
Inventors
- 👤 Edwin E. Rice
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 09:32
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16C; F16C9/00; F16C9/02; B; B23; B23P; B23P19/00; B23P19/04; B23P19/06; B23P19/065; B23P19/066; B25; B25B; B25B23/00; B25B23/14; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49636; Y10T29/497; Y10T29/49764; Y10T29/49766; Y10T29/49771; Y10T29/49776
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
149 words
A method of inspection of a threaded fastener-secured, deformable machinery joint assembly during a threaded fastener tightening operation, said method comprising: measuring a first tension-related variable during a tightening sequence of a fastener of said machinery joint assembly; simultaneously measuring a second rotation-related variable during said tightening sequence of said fastener; determining a tightening rate of rise in terms of the measured first variable with respect to the second variable; determining from said tightening rate of rise a first constant rate of rise associated with initial tightening of said fastener during said tightening sequence, and a second constant rate of rise associated with continued fastener tightening, and the point of start of said second constant rate; and determining if said point of start of said second constant rate falls within predetermined prescribed limits of said first tension-related variable and said second rotation-related variable for an acceptable machinery joint assembly.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
149 words
A method of inspection of a threaded fastener-secured, deformable machinery joint assembly during a threaded fastener tightening operation, said method comprising: measuring a first tension-related variable during a tightening sequence of a fastener of said machinery joint assembly; simultaneously measuring a second rotation-related variable during said tightening sequence of said fastener; determining a tightening rate of rise in terms of the measured first variable with respect to the second variable; determining from said tightening rate of rise a first constant rate of rise associated with initial tightening of said fastener during said tightening sequence, and a second constant rate of rise associated with continued fastener tightening, and the point of start of said second constant rate; and determining if said point of start of said second constant rate falls within predetermined prescribed limits of said first tension-related variable and said second rotation-related variable for an acceptable machinery joint assembly.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method according to claim 1, further comprising determining if said first constant rate of rise is within predetermined prescribed limits for initial fastener tightening for an acceptable machinery joint assembly.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method according to claim 1, further comprising determining if said second constant rate of rise is within predetermined prescribed limits for continued fastener tightening for an acceptable machinery joint assembly.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method according to claim 1, further comprising determining if said first constant rate of rise and second constant rate of rise are within predetermined prescribed limits for initial fastener tightening and continued fastener tightening, respectively, for an acceptable machinery joint assembly.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
139 words
A method of controlling the assembly of threaded fastener-secured machinery during a threaded fastener tightening operation, said method comprising: measuring a first tension-related variable of a tightening sequence of a fastener of said machinery; simultaneously measuring a second variable associated with the tightening of said fastener during said tightening sequence; determining a tightening rate of rise in terms of the measured first variable with respect to the second variable; determining from said tightening rate of rise a first constant rate of rise associated with initial tightening of said fastener during said tightening sequence, and a second constant rate of rise associated with continued fastener tightening, and the point of start of said second constant rate; and modifying parameters controlling continued fastener tightening based upon the point of start of second constant rate to ensure proper assembly of said machinery.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
139 words
A method of controlling the assembly of threaded fastener-secured machinery during a threaded fastener tightening operation, said method comprising: measuring a first tension-related variable of a tightening sequence of a fastener of said machinery; simultaneously measuring a second variable associated with the tightening of said fastener during said tightening sequence; determining a tightening rate of rise in terms of the measured first variable with respect to the second variable; determining from said tightening rate of rise a first constant rate of rise associated with initial tightening of said fastener during said tightening sequence, and a second constant rate of rise associated with continued fastener tightening, and the point of start of said second constant rate; and modifying parameters controlling continued fastener tightening based upon the point of start of second constant rate to ensure proper assembly of said machinery.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method according to claim 5, wherein said first constant rate of rise is also used to modify parameters controlling said continued fastener tightening.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method according to claim 5, wherein said second constant rate of rise is also used to modify parameters controlling said continued fastener tightening.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method according to claim 5, wherein said fastener is tightened using a tool powered by an electric motor, and said tension-related variable is current applied to the motor during said tightening sequence of said fastener.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
129 words
A method of inspecting a threaded fastener-secured engine bearing assembly for the presence of split bearing shells, said method comprising: measuring a first tension-related variable of a tightening sequence of a fastener of said engine bearing assembly; simultaneously measuring a second variable associated with the tightening of said fastener during said tightening sequence; determining a tightening rate of rise in terms of the measured first variable with respect to the second variable; determining from said tightening rate of rise a first constant rate of rise associated with initial tightening of said fastener during said tightening sequence; and determining bearing shell presence by monitoring for a second rate of rise associated with continued fastener tightening that is at least a predetermined amount greater than said first constant rate of rise.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
129 words
A method of inspecting a threaded fastener-secured engine bearing assembly for the presence of split bearing shells, said method comprising: measuring a first tension-related variable of a tightening sequence of a fastener of said engine bearing assembly; simultaneously measuring a second variable associated with the tightening of said fastener during said tightening sequence; determining a tightening rate of rise in terms of the measured first variable with respect to the second variable; determining from said tightening rate of rise a first constant rate of rise associated with initial tightening of said fastener during said tightening sequence; and determining bearing shell presence by monitoring for a second rate of rise associated with continued fastener tightening that is at least a predetermined amount greater than said first constant rate of rise.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method according to claim 9, wherein bearing shell presence is further verified by determining if said first constant rate of rise is within predetermined limits for initial fastener tightening.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method according to claim 9, wherein bearing shell presence is further verified by determining if the incipient of said second rate of rise is within predetermined limits for said first and second variables.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3962910A
Cited
US4095325A
Cited
US4102182A
Cited
US4104778A
Cited
US4106176A
Cited
US4280380A
Cited
US4211120A
Cited
US4365402A
Cited
US4333220A
Cited
US4400785A
Cited
JPS58132426A
Cited
US4685050A
Cited
US4620450A
Cited
US4906980A
Cited
US4969105A
Cited
US5152046A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-04-10 | 1998-10-10 | 1999-04-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-04-10 | 2002-10-10 | 2003-04-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-04-10 | 2006-10-10 | 2007-04-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |