Patent ID: 7788780
Filing Date: 2010-09-07
Classification: B21J,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A monitoring device for use with a fastener placing tool for placing fasteners of the type comprising a shell and a mandrel to which progressively increasing relative force is applied to progressively move the relative positions of the mandrel and shell thereby to deform the shell, which tool comprises a tool trigger mechanism, shell-contacting means for contacting the shell, mandrel-gripping means for gripping the mandrel, and force-applying means for applying a progressively increasing force to the mandrel-gripping means with respect to the shell-contacting means, thereby to progressively move the mandrel with respect to the shell, the force applying means comprising a hydraulic piston; which monitoring device comprises; an assembly body attachable to the tool between the force-applying means and the shell-contacting means; a force-sensor carried by the assembly body for sensing the force applied by the force-applying means to the mandrel-gripping means with respect to the shell-supporting means; and a non-contact stroke-sensor carried by the assembly body for sensing the position of the mandrel-gripping means relative to the shell-contacting means, the stroke-sensor operating without physical contact with the mandrel-gripping means or any part of the tool or assembly moving therewith, wherein the device includes an adapter to be sensed by said non-contact stroke sensor and positioned between the mandrel-gripping means and the hydraulic piston to move with the mandrel-gripping means and the hydraulic piston.