Patent ID: 11858096
Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA
Field: Machine tools (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC B  G | IPC B  G

Claim 0:
1. A method for determining a joint preload, the method comprising:
identifying a thread pitch of a first fastener element to be used to secure two components together;
passing the first fastener element through the two components;
threading a second fastener element onto the first fastener element until the second fastener element contacts one of the two components;
applying a tightening torque to the second fastener element and measuring that torque as the tightening torque;
applying a loosening torque to the second fastener element and measuring that torque as a removal torque; and
computing the joint preload using only the thread pitch, the tightening torque, and the removal torque,
wherein computing the joint preload comprises applying a following equation:, F
   p
  
  =
  
   
    π
    p
   
   ⁢
   
    (
    
     
      T
      t
     
     -
     
      T
      r
     
    
    )
   
  
 

wherein Fp is the joint preload, p is the thread pitch, Tt is the tightening torque, and Tr is the removal torque.