Patent ID: 8863591

Claim:
A method of accurately measuring applied torque in a hydraulic breakout machine, the hydraulic breakout machine comprising a tailstock end and a headstock end mounted to a horizontal bed, wherein torque is applied to the tailstock end, the method comprising: anchoring the headstock end to the horizontal bed of the hydraulic breakout machine using a reactive torque bracket, the reactive torque bracket comprising a first sensor for measuring reactive torque applied in a first direction, and a second sensor for measuring reactive torque applied in a second direction, the reactive torque bracket permitting limited rotation in the first direction and the second direction prior to loading the sensor that measures torque in the direction of rotation to unload the sensor that measures torque in the opposite direction; applying torque to a workpiece at the tailstock end of the hydraulic breakout machine; measuring reactive torque in the direction of rotation using the loaded sensor; and accepting the reactive torque reading as measured by the loaded sensor as being an accurate indication of applied torque.