Patent ID: 6011482
Filing Date: 2000-01-04
Classification: B21J,B23Q,B60W,B64F,Y10T

Abstract:
A protrusion sensor for determining the acceptability of a rivet within a component, said sensor comprising:a baseline detector which remains stationary;a movable detector which moves with a bucking bar module and produces a first signal proportionate to a distance between said baseline detector and said movable detector;a Computer Processing Unit (CPU) electronically connected to said movable detector and receiving said first signal, said CPU determining whether said rivet is acceptable by:inputting a first distance when said bucking bar module is clamping an inside surface of the component;inputting a second distance when said bucking bar module is seated against a shank of the rivet;subtracting the second distance from the first distance to determine a length of the shank protruding from the inside surface of the component; andcomparing the length of the shank against an internal table of rivet lengths to determine whether the proper rivet was loaded into the component or whether the rivet is within an acceptable tolerance.