Patent GB-1318089-A (GB)
Title: Fluid operated tool having signal transmitting coupling attached to a pressure supply
IPC: H01H35/24
Filed: 1970-12-07
Abstract: 1318089 Fluid operated tools GARDNER DENVER CO 7 Dec 1970 [26 June 1970] 58091/70 Heading B3N A fluid operated tool is connected to a means for supplying a pressure fluid by a releasable coupling which has signal transmitting means operable to transmit a signal from a signal producing means in the tool to an indicating means. In operation of the embodiment of Figs. 1, la, 4 and 5 depression of button 62 causes air to flow from hose 46 through a supply passage 52 in the coupling 48 into area 54 and then through passages 56, 58 to an inlet port 26 of motor 16. A pressure signal is produced in passage 64 causing movement of plunger 110 to bias switch arm 106 to engage conductor 98. This causes an electrical signal to energise lamp 68 indicating that a tool operating cycle has commenced. At a predetermined torque clutch member 24 disengages from member 20 and blocks the flow of exhaust air from parts 28. This causes a pressure signal in passage 40 cavity 42 and passage 44. Plunger 112 is caused to move switch arm 108 to engage conductor 100 thereby closing the circuit to lamp 70. The coupling 48 comprises a first member 50 and a second member 66. Member 66 has a sleeve portion 72 which is slidable relative to a cylindrical member 92 of member 50, portion 72 and member 92 are made of electrical insulating material. Portion 72 has three grooves each containing an O-ring 82 retained therein by a sleeve 84. Each of the grooves has a slot portion 86 with an electrical contact member 88. Each member 88 is biased against one of the ringlike conductors 90, 94 and 96. The conductors are associated with longitudinal conductor portions 102, 98 and 100. Conductor portions 102 terminates in contact with a pressure responsive normally open switch 104. The coupling allows the tool to be rotated with respect to hose 46 and for the tool to be detached from the hose by disengagement of sleeve 72 and cylindrical member 92. In an alternative embodiment, Fig. 2, operation of button 290 produces a signal in passages 252, 248, 258 and in conduit 262 to activate pressure fluid indicator 284. Upon sensing a predetermined pressure in area 228, control valve 288 is operable to vent chamber 294 causing valve 226 to close and, at the same time, produce a pressure signal in passages 250, 246 and 256 to conduit 260 and thence indicator 286. Coupling 232 comprises a first member 236 and a second member 254. The first member 236 includes a cylindrical portion 240 to facilitate aligning passages 246, 248 with passages 250, 252. It also includes grooves 242, 244 which are in communication with passages 246, 248 respectively. Second member 254 is operable to be in sleeved relationship with portion 240 so that passages 256, 258 are in communication with grooves 242, 244 respectively. The first and second members are retained in engagement by member 268 being attached to hose 234 and including ball detents 270 co-operable with the first member and the second member. Disengagement is by axial movement of member 254 against the bias of spring 280 to allow ball detent 270 to move radially away from groove 282. The circuitry of Figs. 1a and 5 may be altered to produce a signal suitable for conversion and recording by an electronic tape recording device or other data acquisition system. The signals transmitted by conduits 260, 262 may be converted to an electrical signal in a manner similar to the embodiment of Figs. 1 and la or used to actuate a recording device.