Patent ID: 6595034
Filing Date: 2003-07-22
Classification: G01L

Abstract:
Apparatus for calibrating rotary power assembly impulse tools, comprising:a variable rate simulated test joint in which a rotary shaft is braked by brake shoes in direct contact with the shaft under the control of a computer; means for gradually increasing the braking torque applied to the shaft by the braking shoes while the shaft is driven at free-running speed by the tool being calibrated; means for monitoring the pulsed output of the impulse tool; means for recognizing from the monitored pulsed output a periodic stream of output pulses from the impulse tool and for identifying the first pulse of that periodic stream; and means for increasing the magnitude of the braking torque as a linear function of time with a predefined gradient representative of the torque rate of the joint being simulated, commencing with the identified first pulse.