Abstract:
A radio identification enabled wrench system is disclosed. The system includes a template having multiple RFID tags. The template also corresponds to a part associated with a particular fastener that is associated with each of the multiple RFID tags. The system further includes a torque wrench having a RFID reader and a RFID antenna and a means for identifying what fastener the wrench is being used upon and whether the correct torque has been applied to the fastener and configured to provide a feedback for a user. The system includes a means for transferring data that may be either wired or wireless.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    The invention relates generally to radio frequency communication systems, and more particularly to automatic radio frequency identification systems. 
         [0002]    Radio frequency identification (RFID) is a technology of remotely storing and retrieving information using devices such as a RFID tag or a transponder that communicates via radio frequency. A RFID tag is a small object such as an adhesive sticker that may be attached to or incorporated into a product. Data from the RFID tag is read by a RFID reader and processed according to the needs of a particular application. The data transmitted by the RFID tag may provide identification or location information, or specifics about the tagged product, such as price, color and date of purchase. Chip based RFID tags contain multiple silicon chips and antennas. 
         [0003]    Assembly processes, such as assembly of aircraft engine parts, require tightening of nuts and bolts in a particular order or sequence. In order to tighten the nuts and bolts sequentially, the operator must keep track of which fasteners have been tightened already, and which fastener is next in sequence. In many assembly processes, it is necessary to retorque a nut or a bolt several times in the course of the sequence of tightening of fasteners. However, this technique is cumbersome and involves risks due to human error. 
         [0004]    Therefore, a need exists for an improved RFID system that may address one or more of the problems set forth above. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION 
       [0005]    In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a radio frequency identification enabled wrench system is provided. The system includes a template having multiple RFID tags. The template also corresponds to a part associated with a particular fastener that is associated with each of the multiple RFID tags. The system also includes a torque wrench having a RFID reader and a RFID antenna and a means for identifying what fastener the wrench is being used upon and whether the correct torque has been applied to the fastener. The system is configured to provide a feedback for a user. 
         [0006]    In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a method of operation is provided. The method includes providing a torque wrench and at least one reader associated with a part on a template. The method also includes providing an indication for correct alignment of the wrench with a fastener to be tightened. The method also includes providing an indication for an appropriate amount of torque applied to the fastener. The method further includes providing an indication for sequential tightening of the fasteners. 
     
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is a diagrammatical illustration of an exemplary torque wrench with a RFID reader; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a diagrammatical illustration of a section of an aircraft engine flange including fasteners and attached to a template including RFID tags; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a diagrammatical illustration of a RFID enabled torque wrench of  FIG. 1  tightening the fasteners of  FIG. 2 ; and 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a flow chart illustrating exemplary steps for a method of operation of a RFID enabled torque wrench system. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0012]    As discussed in detail below, embodiments of the present invention include a radio frequency identification (RFID) torque wrench system and a method of operating the same. Mechanical and digital torque wrenches are used throughout assembly and production facilities for assembly of various types of equipment, such as aircraft engine assemblies. A torque wrench is a wrench that can precisely set the torque used when tightening a fastener such as a nut or a bolt and provides a user with feedback in a manual form or a digital form to indicate when a desired amount of torque has been applied. 
         [0013]    In an illustrated embodiment of the invention as shown in  FIG.1 , a RFID torque wrench  10  is shown. The torque wrench  10  is of a type that is adapted to tighten fasteners to a specified torque with a high degree of accuracy. In an example, the torque wrench may be adapted to rotate fasteners to a torque within about plus or minus one percent of an indicated torque. In a particular embodiment, the torque wrench  10  may be a digital torque wrench. In another embodiment, the torque wrench  10  may be manual and configured to provide an analog output. The torque wrench  10  may include a sensor (not shown) inside a handle  12 . In a non-limiting example, the sensor may include a transducer. The sensor inside the handle  12  may provide feedback to a user as to when an exact amount of torque has been applied. A mounting tube  14  for a RFID transmitter antenna may be connected to a handle grip  16  providing an area for grasping of the torque wrench  10 . In order to facilitate gripping, the handle grip  16  may be etched or provided with an elastomeric or a tactile covering  18 . The torque wrench  10  includes a head  20  that is connected to the torque wrench  10 . A RFID reader antenna  24  may be attached onto the torque wrench  10  and is configured to retrieve ID of a RFID tag on a fastener. The RFID reader antenna  24  is connected via electrical wires  26  to an inlet  28  of a thin tube  30 . The RFID reader device (not shown) is embedded in the handle  12  of the torque wrench  10  and the electrical wires  26  attaching the antenna  24  pass through a thin tube  30  attached to the handle grip  16  at an opposite end and lead out of the handle grip  16 . The electrical wires  26  from the handle grip  16  may then be connected to a central database for measuring the output. In a particular embodiment, the handle  12  may also contain a wireless device to allow for wireless transmission of the data back to a central database. 
         [0014]    In a particular embodiment, the torque wrench  10  may include different types of sensors for signaling when a torque has been achieved such as a ratchet type of assembly wherein each rotation or click of the ratchet represents a discrete level of torque being applied. In another embodiment, the torque wrench  10  may include a bendable beam type wrench having a strain gauge, whereby a user is provided with an indication as to a torque being applied by observing degree of deflection of the bendable beam relative to the strain gauge. In another example, the torque wrench  10  may be handheld. In an embodiment, the torque wrench  10  may include a sensor configured to indicate when an appropriate amount of torque has been applied. 
         [0015]    In another illustrated embodiment of the invention as shown in  FIG. 2 , a RFID fastener assembly  40  is depicted. The RFID fastener assembly  40  may include a section of an engine flange  42  with a series of fasteners  44 . Some non-limiting examples of fasteners may include nuts and bolts. A template  46  may be attached to the flange  42  as shown. The template  46  includes a series of RFID tags  48  such that each RFID tag  48  corresponds to a fastener  44 . In this embodiment, the template  44  is shown semi-circular. Various shapes of the template  46  may be included in other embodiments. In one example, the template  46  may be made of polyvinyl chloride. In another example, the template  46  may include a tape of polymer or nylon. 
         [0016]      FIG. 3  is a diagrammatical illustration of a RFID enabled torque wrench system  60 . The RFID wrench system  60  includes a RFID torque wrench  10  as referenced in  FIG. 1  that is used to tighten a series of fasteners  44  as referenced in  FIG. 2  on a section of flange  42  as referenced in  FIG. 2 . A template  46  as referenced in  FIG. 2  with a series of RFID tags  48  is attached on an outside of the flange  42 . As head  20  as referenced in  FIG. 1  of the torque wrench  10  approaches the fastener  62 , the RFID reader of  FIG. 1  in the torque wrench  10  identifies the ID of the particular fastener  62  using information stored in the corresponding RFID tag  64 . Output from the torque wrench  10  identifying the fastener  62  is transmitted to a microprocessor  66  at a workspace. The microprocessor  66  outputs to a user if the fastener  62  is in a desired sequence. In addition, when the torque wrench  10  tightens the fastener  62 , an output of amount of torque being applied is sent to the microprocessor  66 . The microprocessor  66  also outputs an appropriate amount of torque to be applied to the torque wrench  10  and informs the user when appropriate amount of torque has been applied. The microprocessor  66  may also record information data concerning the fasteners  44  that have already been tightened. The user may retrieve the recorded data to get an update about a next fastener  44  that needs to be bolted in a sequence. In addition, the microprocessor  66  may maintain an engine configuration and history automatically that can be referenced at a later time if needed. This enables the user to know where one is in a sequence of tightening the fasteners  44  in case of any interruption. 
         [0017]      FIG. 4  is a flow chart representing exemplary steps involved in an exemplary method  80  of operation of a RFID torque wrench system. The method  80  includes providing a torque wrench with a RF reader associated with a part of a template including a series of RFID tags in step  82 . As the torque wrench including the RF reader is positioned near a fastener, a microprocessor provides an indication for correct alignment of the wrench with a fastener that is to going be tightened in step  84 . In a particular embodiment, the indication is provided by displaying a specific color on a screen of a microprocessor used by a user. In another embodiment, the indication may be provided on the screen. Once the alignment is correct, an indication is provided to the user to apply an appropriate amount of torque to the fastener in step  86 . In a particular embodiment, the indication is provided by displaying a specific color on a screen of a microprocessor used by a user. In another embodiment, the indication may be provided by displaying a specific message on the screen. In another example, the indication when an appropriate amount of torque is applied may be provided on the screen. Further, after providing the appropriate amount of torque to the fastener, an indication is provided to the torque wrench as to the next fastener to be tightened in a sequential manner in step  88 . In a particular embodiment, the method  80  may further include recording data of events on a microprocessor. In an example, recording data may include storing information regarding amount of torque applied and storing information regarding fasteners that have already been tightened. 
         [0018]    The various embodiments of a radio frequency identification enabled wrench system and a method for operating the same described above thus provide a way to achieve a precise way of tightening fasteners in an aircraft engine assembly. These techniques and systems also allows for exact measurement of tightness of the fastener. 
         [0019]    Of course, it is to be understood that not necessarily all such objects or advantages described above may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the systems and techniques described herein may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other objects or advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. 
         [0020]    Furthermore, the skilled artisan will recognize the interchangeability of various features from different embodiments. For example, the use of a torque wrench with a wireless RFID reader described with respect to one embodiment can be adapted for use with a template made of nylon and including RFID tags described with respect to another. Similarly, the various features described, as well as other known equivalents for each feature, can be mixed and matched by one of ordinary skill in this art to construct additional systems and techniques in accordance with principles of this disclosure. 
         [0021]    While only certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications and changes will occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the invention.