Abstract:
A portable torque verification system for testing the accuracy of hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical, and manual torque wrenches. A first torque sensor is utilized for hydraulic, pneumatic, and electrical torque wrenches. A preferred second torque sensor measures the torque of manual torque wrenches. The second torque sensor is preferably supported by a support the height of which is preferably adjustable. Hydraulic connections to an external source of hydraulic fluid are provided so that the housing preferred for the components of the system may be closed for safety when an hydraulic wrench is tested. Electrical connections permit the use of an external torque meter. Within the housing the system additionally includes a reaction point, preferably removable and slidable, and a hydraulic pressure gauge. Also preferably, a rigid base plate is attached to the bottom of the housing and holds, inter alia, the first torque sensor, the support cylinder, and the reaction point.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    This invention relates to a device for verifying the torque exerted by a manual torque wrench, an hydraulic torque wrench, a pneumatic torque wrench, or an electrical torque wrench; the device also preferably has the ability to verify the accuracy of the pressure gauge on a pump when such pump is utilized to supply hydraulic fluid to the device. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Systems are known which verify the torque exerted by a manual wrench, but the inventor knows of none which are portable and can verify the torque provided by a manual torque wrench as well as an hydraulic torque wrench in relation to hydraulic pressure, a pneumatic torque wrench, or an electrical torque wrench. 
         [0005]    Examples of patents for machines which verify the torque exerted for only a manual wrench are U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,691,295; 3,364,725; 3,456,485; 3,675,464; 3,979,942; 4,171,647; 4,517, 821; 4,759,225; 5,181,425; 5,703,277; 5,911,154; and 7,757,540. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The Portable Torque Verification System of the present invention preferably comprises a housing with one open or openable side, which is preferably the top. Also in one side of the housing are a connector for a first interior hydraulic hose and another connector for a second interior hydraulic hose to place such interior hydraulic hoses in fluid communication with external hydraulic hoses in fluid communication with a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid. A pressure gauge is also in fluid communication with the first interior hydraulic hose and its associated connector. As used herein, the term “pressure gauge” shall mean any device known in the art for measuring pressure, including, but not necessarily limited to, a device providing an analog readout or a sensor with a digital output. 
         [0007]    Also inside the housing is located a first torque sensor, such as a torque transducer, for determining the torque exerted by an hydraulic torque wrench, a pneumatic torque wrench, or an electrical torque wrench. Additionally within the housing is a reaction plate against which the reaction arm of an hydraulic torque wrench, a pneumatic torque wrench, or an electrical torque wrench presses when such hydraulic torque wrench, pneumatic torque wrench, or electrical torque wrench is being tested. The reaction plate is preferably removable, preferably slidable, and preferably rotatable. 
         [0008]    A second torque sensor, such as a torque transducer, for determining the torque exerted by a manual torque wrench, is also preferably placed, preferably vertically adjustably and even more preferably rotatably, within the housing. As this suggests, the position of the second torque sensor can optionally be vertically fixed. 
         [0009]    Preferably, a rigid base plate, preferably a metal plate (and, even more preferably, an aluminium plate), is attached with vibrational insulators, preferably rubber legs, to the housing in order to isolate components on the rigid base plate from physical shocks. 
         [0010]    On the rigid base plate are preferably mounted the first torque sensor, the second torque sensor, and either a reaction plate or a base for removably, preferably slidably, and preferably rotatably holding a reaction plate against which the reaction arm of an hydraulic torque wrench, a pneumatic torque wrench, or an electrical torque wrench presses when such hydraulic torque wrench, pneumatic torque wrench, or electrical torque wrench is being tested. The components on the rigid base plate can optionally be attached to the bottom of the housing, but then the shock protection does not exist. 
         [0011]    Although not necessarily included as a component of the present invention, a torque meter is at least used in conjunction with such System. In either case, the torque meter is connected to and communicates with the torque sensors, preferably utilizing flexible electrical leads. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the overall Portable Torque Verification System which, for purposes of illustration only, depicts the sides as though they were transparent. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a plan view from above the bottom of the housing illustrating a first channel and a second channel in the bottom of the housing 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is an elevational view of the rigid base plate holding a first torque sensor, a cylinder supporting a second torque sensor, and a slidable reaction plate. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is an elevational view from the rear of the rigid base plate holding a first torque sensor, a cylinder supporting a second torque sensor, and a slidable reaction plate. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a plan view from above the rigid base plate holding a first torque sensor, a cylinder supporting a second torque sensor, and a slidable reaction plate. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  shows a pin and the reaction point having an aperture through which the pin can be placed to enter an aperture in the rigid base plate for maintaining the sliding reaction point at a given location. 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  depicts a reaction point comprising a block having a projection on a side which is accommodated by a channel in a side of the mating block constituting the base. 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  illustrates a reaction point comprising a block with a bottom having a C-channel to fit on top of the mating block constituting the base. 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  portrays two tension screws within a mount for the cylinder which supports the second torque sensor. 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  shows a worm gear located beneath the rigid base plate for rotating the cylinder which supports the second torque sensor. 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  depicts a handle of a manual wrench between two pins extending from the top of the side of the housing that supports such handle when the manual wrench is attached to the second torque sensor. 
           [0023]      FIG. 12  illustrates gear teeth on the cylinder that supports the second torque sensor. 
           [0024]      FIG. 13  is an elevation view of a torque meter. 
           [0025]      FIG. 14  is a plan view showing the bottom of a torque meter. 
           [0026]      FIG. 15  is a view of the screen on the torque meter. 
           [0027]      FIG. 16  shows anchors for a strap to restrain a torque wrench on the first torque sensor. 
           [0028]      FIG. 17  portrays a reinforced transparent plastic cover. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0029]    The present Portable Torque Verification System comprises, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , preferably a housing  1 , even more preferably a metal housing (and, even more preferably, a steel housing), for protection against damage caused by physical force. One side  2  of the housing  1 , preferably, the top  3 , is left uncovered or contains an aperture  4  of adequate size for accessing the components used for testing. As used herein, the term “open” shall mean either that a side  2  has no cover or contains an aperture  4  of adequate size for accessing the components used for testing. 
         [0030]    Although used with the present invention but not necessarily a component of it, two hydraulic hoses  5 ,  6  (termed the “advance hose” and the “retract hose,” respectively) are utilized within the housing  1 . Preferably the first end  7 ,  8  of each of the hydraulic hoses  5 ,  6  would be attached to connectors  9 ,  10  that would communicate with the exterior  11  of the housing  1  for connection to hydraulic hoses from an external source of hydraulic fluid; and the second end  12 ,  13  of each of the hydraulic hoses  5 ,  6  would have a connector  14 ,  15  for connecting directly to an hydraulic torque wrench intended to be tested. 
         [0031]    Optionally, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , within one of the six sides  2  (including the top  3  and the bottom  4 ) of the housing  1  are contained two channels  16 ,  17 . (Of course, any number of sides  2  could be used to create the housing  1 —even just one side  2  if, for example, the housing  1  were desired to be a sphere or an oblate spheroid.) When employed, the two channels  16 ,  17  replace the first portions  18 ,  19  of the portions of the hydraulic hoses,  5 ,  6 , which portions  18 ,  19  are, of course, attached to the first ends  7 ,  8  of the hydraulic hoses  5 ,  6 . The first end of the first channel  16 , termed the “advance channel,” communicates, through a side  2  of the housing  1 , with the exterior  11  of the housing  1  and incorporates, at the exterior  11  of the housing  1 , the connector  9  for the external hydraulic line; the second end  20  of the first channel  16  communicates with the interior  21  of the housing and incorporates a connector  22  for the first end  7  of the first flexible hydraulic line or hose  5 , which, when the first channel  16  is utilized, is preferably, a hose whip, which has a connector  14  on its second end  12  (to connect with an hydraulic torque wrench intended to be tested). The first end  23  of the second channel  17 , termed the “retract channel,” communicates, through a side  2  of the housing  1 , with the exterior  11  of the housing  1  and incorporates, at the exterior  11  of the housing  1 , the connector  10  for the external hydraulic line; the second end  24  of the second channel  17  communicates with the interior  21  of the housing  1  and incorporates a connector  25  for the first end  8  of the second flexible hydraulic line or hose  6 , which, when the second channel  17  is utilized, is preferably, a hose whip, which has a connector  15  on its second end  13  (to connect with an hydraulic torque wrench intended to be tested). Preferably, the connector  14  on the second end  12  of the first flexible hydraulic line or hose  5  is a male connector; and the connector  15  on the second end  13  of the second flexible hydraulic line or hose  6  is a female connector, in order to assist in assuring the proper connecting of the first and second flexible hydraulic lines  5 ,  6  and, consequently, the proper flow of hydraulic fluid. 
         [0032]    Communicating with the first hydraulic line or hose  5  or the first channel  16  is a gauge  26  for measuring the pressure of hydraulic fluid within the first hydraulic line or hose  5  or the first channel  16 , when such hydraulic fluid is present in the first hydraulic line or hose  5  or the first channel  16 . Such a gauge  26  is preferably a calibrated digital gauge, such as those available from Crystal Engineering Corporation of San Luis Obispo, Calif. 
         [0033]    Preferably, a rigid base plate  27 , preferably a metal plate (and, even more preferably, an aluminum plate), is attached with vibrational insulators  28 , preferably rubber legs, to the housing  1  in order to isolate components on the rigid base plate  27  from physical shocks. In an embodiment with no housing  1  it is preferred not to have the vibrational insulators  28  or, indeed, any legs. 
         [0034]    As depicted in  FIGS. 3 ,  4 , and  5 , on the rigid base plate  27  are mounted a first torque sensor  29 , such as a torque transducer, for determining the torque exerted by an hydraulic torque wrench, a pneumatic torque wrench, or an electrical torque wrench; preferably a support  200 , which preferably utilizes any technology known in the art for having a lockably adjustable height, nonexclusive examples of which are (a) a lockably telescoping tube and (b) preferably a mount  30  for preferably slidably and lockably holding a column  31 , preferably a cylinder (As defined herein “column” means a hollow or solid elongate member, and “cylinder” means a cylindrical object which can be either hollow or solid.), within a cavity  32  substantially perpendicular to the plane of the rigid base plate  27  and located over an aperture  33  in the rigid base plate  27  that accommodates the column  31  (although, in a less preferred option, the support  200  is attached, with or without a mount  30 , at a fixed height to the rigid base plate  27 ), which support  200 , as its name suggests, supports (at the top  34  of the support  200 ) a second torque sensor  35 , such as a torque transducer, for determining the torque exerted by a manual torque wrench; and a base  36  (preferably a slidable base or a rotatable base or both a slideable and rotatable base) for holding, preferably removably holding, a reaction point  37  against which the reaction arm of an hydraulic torque wrench, a pneumatic torque wrench, or an electrical torque wrench presses when such hydraulic torque wrench, pneumatic torque wrench, or electrical torque wrench is being tested. (Any technology known in the art can be employed to make the base  36  slidable or rotatable; but, for creating slidability it is preferred to have a first L-shaped rail  38  creating a C-channel  39  in conjunction with the rigid base plate  27 , a second L-shaped rail  40  creating an opposed C-channel  41  in conjunction with the rigid base plate  27 , a first projection  42  near the bottom  43  of the base  36  on a first side  44  of the base  36  to slide within the C-channel  39 , and a second projection  45  near the bottom  43  of the base  36  on a second side  46  of the base  36  to slide within the opposed C-channel  41 . The base  36  can be held in a desired position on the rigid base plate  27  using any technology known in the art but, preferably, as illustrated in  FIG. 6 , a pin  47  slides into an aperture  48  in the base  36  and into the desired one of a series of apertures  49  in the rigid base plate  27 .) Optionally, two or more anchors  102  are attached, directly or indirectly, to the rigid base plate  27  near the first torque sensor  29 , as illustrated in  FIG. 16 , in order to accommodate a strap, preferably, a nylon strap, to restrain an hydraulic torque wrench or, optionally, a pneumatic torque wrench or an electrical torque wrench. The components on the rigid base plate  27  can optionally be attached to the bottom  4  of the housing  1 , but then the shock protection does not exist. And as indicated above the housing  1  is preferred but is not essential. The second torque sensor  35  is also preferred, but not essential. When there is a second torque sensor  35  but no support  200 , the second transducer may either be directly attached to the rigid base plate  27  or indirectly connected to the rigid base plate  27  with a mount  230 . 
         [0035]    Two examples of a removable reaction point  37  are (1) a block  50 , as shown in  FIG. 7 , having a projection  51  on a side  52  that is accommodated by a channel  53  in a side  54  of the mating block  55  constituting the base  36 , which is attached to the rigid base plate  27  (or the bottom  4  of the housing  1  in an embodiment having no rigid base plate  27 ) and (2) a reaction point  37 , as depicted in  FIG. 8 , comprising a block  56  with a bottom  57  having a C-channel  58  to fit on the top  59  of the mating block  60  constituting the base  36 , with the thickness of the portion  61  of the block  56  on the side  62  of the block  56  intended to be contacted by a reaction arm of an hydraulic torque wrench, a pneumatic torque wrench, or an electrical torque wrench preferably being thicker than the portion  63  of the block  56  of the reaction point  37  on the side  64  of the block  56  opposite to the side  62  of the block  56  intended to be contacted by a reaction arm of an hydraulic torque wrench, a pneumatic torque wrench, or an electrical torque wrench, and most preferably being twice as thick as the portion  63  of the block  56  of the reaction point  37  on the side  64  of the block  56  opposite to the side  62  of the block  56  intended to be contacted by a reaction arm of an hydraulic torque wrench, a pneumatic torque wrench, or an electrical torque wrench. 
         [0036]    The size, including thickness, and shape of each reaction point  37  is selected (1) to maximize the surface area of the reaction arm that contacts the reaction point  37  (Preferably, at least three fourths of the length of the reaction arm should contact the reaction point  37 .) and (2) to allow the reaction arm to push uniformly against the portion  65  of the face  66  of the reaction point  37  which the reaction arm contacts. Generally, the face  66  of the reaction point  37  is planar; optionally, however, it can be curved to conform to the exterior surface of the torque wrench which is to be tested. 
         [0037]    In order to lock the cylinder  31  in a desired position within the cavity  32  of the mount  30 , preferably one or more (and, most preferably, two) tension screws  67  threadably located within the mount  30  are, as portrayed in  FIG. 9 , screwed against the cylinder  31 . (Of course, any other locking means known in the art could optionally be utilized.) 
         [0038]    The support  200  is raised to such an elevation (and locked into position at such elevation) that a manual torque wrench  68  removably attached to the second torque sensor  35  will have the handle  69  of such manual torque wrench  68  supported by the top  70  of a side  2  of the housing  1  in order to avoid side loading the manual torque wrench  68 . An hydraulic torque wrench, a pneumatic torque wrench, or an electrical torque wrench is supported by the first torque sensor  29  (used to measure the torque exerted by the hydraulic torque wrench, a pneumatic torque wrench, or an electrical torque wrench), itself. Preferably, a wear sleeve  71  (and, even more preferably, a TEFLON wear sleeve) caps the first torque sensor  29  but has an aperture  72  situated so as to provide access to the first torque sensor  29  by the hydraulic torque wrench, pneumatic torque wrench, or electrical torque wrench. In an embodiment having no housing  1  but having a second torque sensor  35  and a support  200 , an auxiliary support  201  which has either a fixed or lockably variable height just as does the support  200  and which is attached to the rigid base plate  27  is preferably available to support the handle  69  of a manual torque wrench  68 . 
         [0039]    As its name suggests, the manual torque wrench  68  is normally turned by a human operator, preferably maintaining the handle  69  of the manual wrench on the top  70  of a side  2  of the housing  1 . Optionally, however, when the support  200  is a cylinder, any means known in the art for rotating a cylinder, preferably a worm gear  73  and preferably located below the rigid base plate  27  as depicted in  FIG. 10 , would turn the cylinder  31  supporting the second torque sensor  35  and thereby turn the second torque sensor  35  while the handle  69  of the manual torque wrench  68  is prevented from moving by a first projection  74 , preferably a pin, extending from the top  70  of the side  2  of the housing  1  that supports such handle  69 , which would be near (and during the turning, adjacent) to the handle  69  of the manual torque wrench  68  while a second projection  75 , preferably a pin, extending from the side  2  would be on the opposite side of the handle  69  of the manual torque wrench  68  in order to stabilize the handle  69  on the top  70  of the side  2  of the housing  1 , as illustrated in  FIG. 11 . In an embodiment having no housing  1 , such first projection  74  and such second projection  75  are preferably located on the top  202  of the auxiliary support  201  when such auxiliary support  201  is utilized; and in an embodiment having a second torque sensor  35  but no support  200 , such first projection  74  and such second projection  75  are preferably present, on the rigid base plate  27 . When the support  200  is other than a cylinder (or, even optionally, when the support  200  is a cylinder, the mount  30  is optionally any rotatable mount known in the art. Thus, the support  200  can optionally be rotated either directly, in the case when the column  31  is a cylinder, or indirectly, in the case when the support  200  is other than a cylinder or, optionally, a cylinder. As used herein, the term “rotatable support” shall mean and include both a support  200  rotatated directly (e.g., by gears or friction in conjunction with a motor) and a support  200  rotated by a rotatable mount. And when there is a second torque sensor  35  but no support  200 , the second transducer is preferably indirectly attached to the rigid base plate  27  with a mount  230  which mount is any rotatable mount known in the art. 
         [0040]    In the version with a rotating column  31 , four further options exist. In the first option, the System would include removable columns  31  of various lengths for having the second torque sensor  35  at the desired height above the rigid base plate  27 . For the second option, the distance from the rigid base plate  27  at which the column  31  is attached could, using any structure known in the art, be manually adjusted. With the third option, such distance would, using any motorized device known in the art, be remotely (e.g., electrically) adjusted. And the fourth option applies only when a cylinder  31  us utilized: the workable area of contact between the rotating means and the surface  75  of the cylinder  31  would be extended (for example, by having the length of gear teeth  76  on the cylinder  31  increased, as portrayed in  FIG. 12 ) so that the cylinder  31  could be raised and lowered while still having the workable area of contact in a proper position for the rotating means to turn the cylinder  31 . For the first three options, a separate means for locking the cylinder would not be necessary. And in the case of the fourth option a separate locking means would only be necessary if there is insufficient frictional contact between the cylinder and the rotating means. If a separate locking means is either necessary or desirable, any rotatable mount known in the art, such as a bearings and bearing races, having locking (tension) screws (or other locking means) attached to it could be located adjacent to the aperture in the rigid base plate  27 . 
         [0041]    Although not necessarily included as a component of the Portable Torque Verification System, a torque meter  77 , which is illustrated in  FIGS. 13 ,  14 , and  15 , is at least used in conjunction with such System. In either case, the torque meter  77  is connected to and communicates with the first torque sensor  29  and the second torque sensor  35 , preferably utilizing flexible electrical leads that are well known in the art. Preferably, the torque meter  77  has the ability to display its measurement in either foot-pounds or newton-meters. 
         [0042]    Similarly, the pressure gauge  26  preferably is attached to and communicates with the first hydraulic line or hose  5  or the first channel  16  through an hydraulic hose  78 . Optionally, when the output from the pressure gauge  26  is digital, a single display can show both pressure and torque. 
         [0043]    Preferably, a holder  79 , preferably a magnetic holder, is, as shown in  FIG. 1 , located on an interior side  80  of the housing  1  in order to retain the pressure gauge  26 ; and, optionally, another holder  81 , preferably a magnetic holder, is located on an interior side of the housing for the torque meter  77 . 
         [0044]    For testing of a pneumatic torque wrench, an electrical torque wrench, and a manual torque wrench, a side  2 , preferably the top  3 , of the housing  1  is, as noted above preferably left open or contains an aperture  4  of adequate size for accessing the component used for testing. This can also be done for an hydraulic torque wrench; but, for safety, a cover  79  is preferably removably, and even more preferably, lockably, attached to the housing  1  in order to close the open side  2  of the housing  1 . Similarly, an embodiment without the housing  1  can be used to test all four types of torque wrenches, although because of safety concerns this would be less preferred for an hydraulic torque wrench. 
         [0045]    With the cover  79  in place, if either the pressure gauge  26  and the torque meter  77  is inside the housing  1 , the cover  79  must be transparent. Preferably, the cover  79  in such a situation is a transparent plastic, most preferably, LEXAN produced by SABIC Innovative Plastics of Pittsfield, Mass. An additional preference is to reinforce the transparent plastic, e.g., by placing such plastic  100  in a steel frame  101 , as illustrated in  FIG. 17 . 
         [0046]    Optionally, the cover  79  is not transparent; and the pressure gauge  26 , as well as the torque meter  77 , is remote from the housing  1 . (In fact, this is preferred for the torque meter  77 .) In such a situation, the housing  1  may have one or more small apertures  82  to accommodate the flexible electrical leads and the hydraulic hoses  5 ,  6 . Preferably, however, electrical leads communicating with the first torque sensor  29  and, optionally, the second torque sensor  35  each have a first end connected to the torque sensor  29 ,  35  and a second end communicating, through a side  2  of the housing  1 , with the exterior  11  of the housing  1 , by having the second end of each electrical lead being attached to a connector that is well known in the art, at the exterior  11  of the housing  1  and communicating with the exterior  11  of the housing  1 , for an electrical lead from the torque meter, as depicted in  FIG. 13 . Also preferably, the hydraulic hose  78  intended for use by the pressure gauge  26  in communicating with the first hydraulic line or hose  5  or the first channel  16  comprises two portions—a first portion has a first end attached to and communicating with the first hydraulic line or hose  5  or the first channel  16  and has a second end communicating, through a side  2  of the housing  1 , with the exterior  11  of the housing  1 , with the second end of the first portion of the hydraulic hose  78  being attached to a connector known in the art, at the exterior  11  of the housing  1 , for accommodating a mating connector known in the art and attached to the first end of the second portion of the hydraulic hose  78 , which second portion is attached to and communicates with the pressure gauge  26 . 
         [0047]    Also optionally, any portable cart known in the art with a drawer for accessories is employed to hold and move the housing  1  and other components of the System. 
         [0048]    In operation, the desired setting on the torque wrench is selected; the torque wrench is connected to the appropriate torque sensor  29 ,  35 ; and the torque meter  77  shows the actual torque that is achieved by the torque wrench. If the torque wrench does not meet the torque specification range, the torque wrench is determined to be defective and, presumably, sent by its owner for repairs. 
         [0049]      FIG. 15  shows the screen  83  of the torque meter  77  with available information and input ports. Using any technology known in the art, the torque meter  77  preferably can store and display torque as well as pressure and serial numbers of wrenches and sources of pressure. Using technology known in the art the torque meter  77  can connect to a bar code reader known in the art to obtain bar codes identifying serial numbers of wrenches and sources of pressure. Again utilizing technology known in the art, the torque meter  77  can record this information and even transfer a copy of such information to a portable storage medium, for example, a micro chip that can be employed to record and retain the test history for a torque wrench. 
         [0050]    Where, electrical leads are utilized, one of ordinary skill in the art will understand that such leads can be replaced with electrical transmitters and receivers, such as BLUETOOTH technology. 
         [0051]    As used herein, the term “substantially” indicates that one skilled in the art would consider the value modified by such terms to be within acceptable limits for the stated value. Also as used herein the term “preferable” or “preferably” means that a specified element or technique is more acceptable than another but not that such specified element or technique is a necessity.