Patent ID: 6460629
Filing Date: 2002-10-08
Classification: B25B

Abstract:
A system for applying torque to fasteners, said system comprising:(i) a pneumatically drivable tool comprising: a housing having a fluid path provided therein, said fluid path having an inlet end connectable to a supply of pressurized gas and being constructed and arranged to enable pressurized gas from the supply thereof to flow therethrough and exhaust from an outlet end thereof from said housing; a rotatable fastener engaging member constructed and arranged to be engaged with a fastener in a torque transmitting relation wherein rotation of said fastener engaging member applies torque to said fastener to affect rotation of said fastener; a pneumatically drivable motor positioned within said fluid path between said inlet and outlet ends, said motor being constructed and arranged such that said pressurized gas flowing through said fluid path flows through said motor to generate rotational power, said motor being operatively connected to said fastener engaging member such that said motor rotates said fastener engaging member using the rotational power generated by the pressurized gas flowing therethrough; an actuator valve positioned within said fluid path between said inlet end and said motor, said actuator valve being movable between an open position enabling the pressurized gas to flow through said path and a closed position preventing the pressurized gas from flowing through said path; an actuator constructed and arranged to be manually operated by a user of said tool, said actuator being connected to said actuator valve such that operation thereof by the user moves said actuator valve between said closed and open positions thereof; a shut-off valve positioned within said fluid path between said actuator valve and said motor, said shut-off valve being movable between an open position enabling the pressurized gas to flow through said path and a closed position preventing the pressurized gas from flowing through said path; a shut-off mechanism coupled to said shut-off valve, said shut-off mechanism being constructed and arranged to provide for movement of said shut-off valve from said open position thereof to said closed position thereof responsive to the torsional resistance being offered by a fastener during rotation thereof reaching a predetermined level; a first switch having a plurality of states, said first switch being adapted to change from a first of said states to a second of said states responsive to the pressurized gas flowing into a portion of said fluid path between said shut-off and actuator valves as a result of said actuator valve being in said open position thereof; a second switch having a plurality of states, said second switch being adapted to change from a first of said states to a second of said states responsive to the pressurized gas flowing into a portion of said fluid path between said shut-off valve and said motor as a result of both said shut-off and actuator valves being in said open positions thereof; fluidly sealed casing structure encasing said first and second switches to protect said switches from any lubricant present within said housing; (ii) a processor communicated with said first and second switches, said processor being operable to monitor the state changes of said first and second switches during the performance of a fastening job and to compare said state changes to pre-selected parameters to determine a status of the fastening job.