Patent ID: 8037772

Claim:
An apparatus for precisely and reliably assembling a critical joint, in combination with a load measurement apparatus for making ultrasonic load measurements in a fastener, comprising: a thread-forming fastener including a head for engagement by a tool for appying a torque to the fastener, and a body portion extending from the head and including thread-forming portions; and an ultrasonic transducer coupled with the thread-forming fastener, for making precise and reliable ultrasonic load measurements in the thread-forming fastener; wherein the load measurement apparatus is electrically connected to the ultrasonic transducer to supply signals to the ultrasonic transducer and to receive signals from the ultrasonic transducer, and includes a monitor receiving signals from the ultrasonic transducer to provide an accurate measurement indicative of the load in the thread-forming fastener, and a compensator adjusting the measurement indicative of the load to compensate for effects of heating of the thread-forming fastener resulting from forming a thread in a mating component during installation.