RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application No. 63/092,192, filed October 15, 2020, the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to industrial tools and, particularly, to hydraulic torque wrenches.

SUMMARY

[0003] Industrial tools, such as hydraulic torque wrenches apply large torques to fasteners (e.g., nuts and bolts) that hold together pieces of machinery, flanges, or other large structures. Failures in the fasteners used to secure large structures occur often and may result from a variety of sources. For example, failures in a fastener, such as a nut or bolt, may result from an inaccurate amount of torque being applied to the fastener during tightening, tightening the fastener in an incorrect sequence, steel failures, etc. Thus, it may be desirable to identify whether a fastener is failing prior to the occurrence of a failure, such as a complete break.

[0004] In one independent aspect, a method may be provided for determining a load exerted on a fastener. The fastener may include an antenna for receiving wirelessly transmitted power, a sensor, a wireless communication circuit, and a controller having an electronic processor and a memory. The method may generally include receiving, by the antenna, power transmitted wirelessly by an external device; generating, by the sensor, a signal indicative of the load exerted on the fastener; instructing, by the controller, the wireless communication circuit to transmit the signal indicative of the load to an external device; and transmitting, by the wireless communication circuit, the signal indicative of the load exerted on the fastener to the external device.

[0005] The fastener may be a nut. The external device may include a second wireless communication circuit, a power transmission circuit, and a second controller having a second electronic processor, and the method may further include receiving, by the second wireless communication circuit, the signal indicative of the load. The method may further include determining, by the second controller, the load exerted on the fastener based on the signal indicative of the load.

[0006] The power transmission circuit may include an infrared transmitter. The fastener may further include a printed circuit board (PCB). The PCB may be received by slots formed in a surface of the fastener. The controller and wireless communication circuit may be mounted on the PCB. The sensor may include a strain gauge, and the strain gauge may be mounted within slots formed in a surface of the fastener. The external device may be a smartphone.

[0007] In another independent aspect, a method may be provided for tightening a fastener with a fastening tool. The fastening tool may include a drive element, a power transmission circuit, a communication circuit, and a controller having an electronic processor. The method may generally include exerting a force on the drive element to tighten the fastener; transmitting, by the power transmission circuit, wireless power to the fastener; generating, by a sensor included in the fastener, a signal indicative of an amount of force applied on the fastener; receiving from the fastener, by the communication circuit, the signal indicative of the amount of force applied on the fastener; determining, by the controller, whether a target amount of force has been applied on the fastener based on the signal received from the fastener; and ceasing exertion of the force on the drive element in response to the target amount of force having been applied on the fastener.

[0008] The fastener may be a nut. The fastener may include an antenna for wirelessly receiving power from the power transmission circuit of the fastening tool. The sensor may include a strain gauge, and the strain gauge may be mounted in a slot formed in a surface of the fastener.

[0009] The method may further include transmitting, by the communication circuit, a completion signal indicating the target amount of force applied on the fastener. The nut may further include a second controller, having a second electronic processor and a second memory, and a second communication circuit, and the method may further include receiving, by the second communication circuit, the completion signal. The method may further include storing, by the second controller, the target amount of force applied on the fastener in the second memory.

[0010] The power transmission circuit may include an infrared transmitter. The method may further include receiving, by a user-interface of the fastening tool, the target amount of force.

The fastener may include a printed circuit board (PCB) received by a slot formed in a surface of the fastener.

[0011] The fastening tool may include a hydraulic torque wrench including a drive actuator. The method may further include exerting, by the drive actuator, a torque on the drive element to tighten the fastener. The method may further include deactivating, by the controller, the drive actuator in response to the target amount of force having been applied on the fastener.

[0012] In another independent aspect, a fastener may generally include a body defining a slot; a printed circuit board (PCB) received by the slot; a sensor configured to measure a load exerted on the fastener; a wireless communication circuit; and a controller having an electronic processor and a memory, the controller being supported by the PCB and configured to receive a signal indicative of the load exerted on the fastener from the sensor, and instruct the wireless communication circuit to transmit the signal indicative of the load to an external device.

[0013] The sensor may include a strain gauge. The fastener may further include a power supply circuit configured to supply power to the controller and the wireless communication circuit. The power supply circuit may include an antenna configured to wirelessly receive power from an external energy source. The external energy source may include a smartphone. The external energy source may include a fastening tool. The power supply circuit may include an internal energy storage device.

[0014] In another independent aspect, a fastening tool may generally include a power transmission circuit; a wireless communication circuit; and a controller having an electronic processor and a memory, the controller being configured to transmit, by the power transmission circuit, wireless power to a fastener, receive from the fastener, by the communication circuit, a signal indicative of an amount of force applied to the fastener, and determine a force exerted on the fastener based on the signal. [0015] The fastening tool may further include a drive element and a drive actuator for exerting a torque to the drive element to tighten the fastener. The controller may further be configured to determine whether a target amount of force has been applied to the fastener based on the signal received from the fastener, and cease exertion of torque on the drive actuator in response to the target amount of force having been applied to the fastener.

[0016] The fastening tool may further include a user-interface configured to receive the target amount of force as an input. The controller may further be configured to store the amount of force applied to the fastener in the memory. The power transmission circuit may include an infrared transmitter.

[0017] In another independent aspect, an electronic device may generally include a userinterface; a power transmission circuit; a wireless communication circuit; and a controller including an electronic processor and a memory, the controller being configured to transmit, by the power transmission circuit, wireless power to a fastener; receive from the fastener, by the wireless communication circuit, a signal indicative of a load exerted on the fastener; determine the load exerted on the fastener based on the signal; and display, by the user-interface, the load exerted on the fastener.

[0018] The controller may further be configured to transmit to the fastener, by the wireless communication circuit, a second signal requesting information associated with the load on the fastener. The controller may further be configured to store, in the memory, a record of the load exerted on the fastener over time. The power transmission circuit may include an infrared transmitter. The electronic device may be one selected from a group consisting of a smartphone, a handheld scanner, a tablet, and a laptop.

[0019] Other independent aspects may become apparent by consideration of the detailed description, claims, and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] FIG. l is a perspective view of a fastener, such as a nut.

[0021] FIG. 2 is an exploded schematic view of the nut of FIG. 1. [0022] FIG. 3 A is a block diagram of a control system of the nut of FIG. 1.

[0023] FIG. 3B is a block diagram of an alternative control system of the nut of FIG. 1.

[0024] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a communication system.

[0025] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a control system of an external device.

[0026] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a process or operation of determining a load exerted on the nut of FIG. 1.

[0027] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a hydraulic torque wrench.

[0028] FIG. 8 is a block diagram of the control system of the wrench of FIG. 7.

[0029] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a process or operation of tightening the nut of FIG.

1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] Before any independent embodiments are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The disclosure is capable of other independent embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0031] Use of “including’ and “comprising” and variations thereof as used herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Use of “consisting of’ and variations thereof as used herein is meant to encompass only the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof. Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms “mounted,” “connected,” “supported,” and “coupled” and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings.

[0032] Relative terminology, such as, for example, “about”, “approximately”, “substantially”, etc., used in connection with a quantity or condition would be understood by those of ordinary skill to be inclusive of the stated value and has the meaning dictated by the context (for example, the term includes at least the degree of error associated with the measurement of, tolerances (e.g., manufacturing, assembly, use, etc.) associated with the particular value, etc.). Such terminology should also be considered as disclosing the range defined by the absolute values of the two endpoints. For example, the expression “from about 2 to about 4” also discloses the range “from 2 to 4”. The relative terminology may refer to plus or minus a percentage (e.g., 1%, 5%, 10% or more) of an indicated value.

[0033] In addition, it should be understood that embodiments may include hardware, software, and electronic components or modules that, for purposes of discussion, may be illustrated and described as if the majority of the components were implemented solely in hardware. However, one of ordinary skill in the art, and based on a reading of this detailed description, would recognize that, in at least one embodiment, the electronic-based aspects may be implemented in software (e.g., stored on non-transitory computer-readable medium) executable by one or more processing units, such as a microprocessor and/or application specific integrated circuits (“ASICs”). As such, it should be noted that a plurality of hardware and software based devices, as well as a plurality of different structural components, may be utilized to implement the embodiments. For example, “servers” and “computing devices” described in the specification can include one or more processing units, one or more computer-readable medium modules, one or more input/output interfaces, and various connections (e.g., a system bus) connecting the components.

[0034] Also, the functionality described herein as being performed by one component may be performed by multiple components in a distributed manner. Likewise, functionality performed by multiple components may be consolidated and performed by a single component. Similarly, a component described as performing particular functionality may also perform additional functionality not described herein. For example, a device or structure that is “configured” in a certain way is configured in at least that way but may also be configured in ways that are not listed.

[0035] FIG. 1 illustrates a fastener, such as nut 100, used to fasten a workpiece (e.g., a flange). The nut 100 includes a nut body 105 having a polygonal (e.g., hexagonal) side surface 110, a front surface 115, and a rear surface 120 and defining a central bore 125 (FIG. 2) through which a bolt 130 is threaded.

[0036] In the illustrated construction, a printed circuit board (PCB) 135 extends outwardly from the front surface 115. The PCB 135 is received in one or more slots 140 (see FIG. 2) defined in the front surface 115 of the nut body 105. The PCB 135 supports one or more electronic components of a control system of the nut 100. The electronic component(s) may be mounted on a surface of the PCB 135 or received by slots 140 in the front surface 115.

[0037] As also illustrated in FIG. 1, a cover or housing 145 having a complementary shape to the nut body 105 (illustrated as a hollow, polygonal (e.g., hexagonal) cylinder shape) is removably attachable to the nut body 105. In some constructions, the housing 145 encloses the side surface 110 and the PCB 135 when attached to the nut body 105. A hollow opening 150 defined in the housing 145 receives the nut body 105 and the PCB 135 as the housing 145 is slid over the nut body 105. In some constructions, the housing 145 is attached and/or fixed to the slots 140 formed in the front surface 115.

[0038] FIG. 3 A is a block diagram of a control system 200A of the nut 100. The illustrated control system 200A includes a controller 205, which may be mounted on a surface of the PCB 135. The controller 205 is electrically and/or communicatively connected to a variety of modules or electronic components of the nut 100. For example, the controller 205 is connected to a sensor (e.g., a strain gauge 210), a communication circuit 215, and a power supply circuit 220A.

[0039] The controller 205 includes a plurality of electrical and electronic components that provide power, operational control, and protection to the components and modules within the controller 205 and/or the nut 100. For example, the controller 205 includes, among other things, an electronic processor 225 and a memory 230.

[0040] The memory 230 includes, for example, a program storage area and a data storage area. The program storage area and the data storage area can include combinations of different types of memory, such as read-only memory (ROM) and random access memory (RAM). Various non-transitory computer readable media, for example, magnetic, optical, physical, or electronic memory may be used. The electronic processor 225 is communicatively coupled to the memory 230 and executes software instructions stored in the memory 230 or stored in another non-transitory computer readable medium such as another memory or a disc. The software may include one or more applications, program data, filters, rules, one or more program modules, and other executable instructions.

[0041] The strain gauge 210 is configured to measure the strain, or load, exerted on the nut 100 and/or a bolt 130 to which the nut 100 is attached. In particular, the strain gauge 210 is configured to convert various forces, such as compressions and tensions, acting on the nut 100 and/or the bolt 130 into a signal with an electrical characteristic (e.g., a variable resistance value) representative of a force, or load, exerted on the nut 100 and/or the bolt 130, hereinafter referred to as “the load exerted on the nut 100.” The electrical characteristic value generated by the strain gauge 210 may be stored in the memory 230 of the controller 205. For example, the memory 230 of the controller 205 may be configured to maintain a record over time of electrical characteristic values representative of the exerted load on the nut 100.

[0042] In some constructions, the electrical characteristic value generated by the strain gauge 210 is processed locally by the controller 205 to determine a value of the load exerted on the nut 100. In such constructions, the controller 205 may be configured to determine whether the nut 100 should be tightened by comparing the load on the nut 100 to a threshold. The controller 205 may be further configured to store, in the memory 230, a record over time of the load exerted on the nut 100.

[0043] In some constructions, the electrical characteristic value generated by the strain gauge 210 is transmitted by the communication circuit 215 for processing by an external device. In such constructions, the external device maintains a record over time of the load exerted on the nut 100. The strain gauge 210 is mounted on or within a surface of the nut 100. For example, in some constructions, the strain gauge 210 is mounted within the slot(s) 140 in front surface 115 of the nut 100. In other constructions, the strain gauge 210 may be mounted to the side surface 110 or an interior surface of the nut 100.

[0044] In some constructions, the strain gauge 210 is configured to measure a load exerted on nut 100 while the nut 100 is being tightened by a fastening tool, such as a hydraulic torque wrench. In some constructions, the strain gauge 210 is configured to measure a load exerted on nut 100 after the nut 100 has been tightened by the fastening tool. In some constructions, the strain gauge 210 is configured to measure a load exerted on the nut 100 while the nut 100 is loaded by tensioning. In some constructions, the nut 100 is a back nut on a joint which is tightened by applying torque to a front nut of the joint. In such constructions, the strain gauge 210 is configured to measure a load exerted on the nut 100 while the nut 100 is the back nut of a joint.

[0045] The communication circuit 215 enables the nut 100 to communicate with one or more external devices. In some constructions, the communication circuit 215 includes, among other things, a transceiver 240 that includes or is connected to an antenna 245. In some constructions of the communication circuit 215, the transceiver 240 is replaced with either a transmitter and/or a receiver. In some constructions, the communication circuit 215 is configured to wirelessly communicate with one or more external devices using radio-frequency (RF) based communication. In such constructions, the communication circuit 215 may be configured to transmit signals to and receive signals from one or more external devices. In some constructions, the communication circuit 215 is configured to transmit signals to, but not receive signals from one or more external devices.

[0046] For example, the transceiver 240 of the communication circuit 215 may wirelessly transmit, to one or more external devices, signals that include the electrical characteristic value generated by the strain gauge 210. Signals transmitted by the communication circuit 215 may additionally include an identifier that identifies the nut 100 to which the communication circuit 215 is attached.

[0047] In some constructions, the transceiver 240 of the communication circuit 215 allows for short-range radio communication (e.g., Bluetooth®, Wi-Fi, NFC, ZigBee, etc.) between the nut 100 and one or more external devices. For example, the transceiver 240 may broadcast signals that include the electrical characteristic value to nearby devices. In some constructions, the transceiver 240 transmits the signal including the electrical resistance value only in response to a request by an external device. In some constructions, the transceiver 240 of the communication circuit 215 allows for long-range radio communication (e.g., cellular communication over a cellular network) between the nut 100 and one or more external devices.

[0048] In some constructions, the communication circuit 215 includes a transceiver that enables wired communication between the nut 100 and one or more external devices. In such constructions, the communication circuit 215 may communicate directly with an external device using one or more signal lines.

[0049] The power supply circuit 220A is configured to supply power to the controller 205 and/or other components of the control system 200A, such as the strain gauge 210 and the communication circuit 215. As shown, the illustrated power supply circuit 220 A does not include its own internal energy storage device (e.g., a battery, a supercapacitor, etc.). Rather, the power supply circuit 220A includes an antenna 250 for wirelessly receiving power transmitted by an external energy source (e.g., an infrared transmitter). The antenna 250 may be mounted on a surface of PCB 135 or mounted within the slot(s) 140 formed in the front surface 115 of the nut body 105.

[0050] In some constructions, the antenna 250 is different than the antenna 245 included in the communication circuit 215. In other constructions, the power supply circuit 220 A and the communication circuit 215 share a single antenna. The antenna 250 may be configured to receive power from an infrared transmitter included in an external device. The antenna 250 may also be configured to receive power from other RF-based transmitters included in external devices, such as Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) transmitters, NFC transmitter, ZigBee transmitters, etc.

[0051] Operation of the control system 200A is enabled in response to the antenna 250 of the power supply circuit 220A receiving power from an external energy source. That is, while the power supply circuit 220A is wirelessly receiving power from an external energy source, the communication circuit 215 is configured to transmit to one or more external devices signals that include an electrical characteristic value generated by the strain gauge 210. The communication circuit 215 may be configured to automatically transmit the signal in response to the power supply circuit 220A receiving power. [0052] In some constructions, the communication circuit 215 transmits the signal in response to receiving an instruction from the controller 205. In some constructions, the controller 205 is configured to store the generated electrical characteristic value in the memory 230 in response to the power supply circuit 220A receiving power from an external energy source. When the antenna 250 does not receive power from an external energy source, operation of the control system 200 is disabled. Accordingly, the control system 200A of the nut 100 remains dormant until the power supply circuit 220A wirelessly receives power from an external energy source.

[0053] The controller 205 may be configured to perform additional functions while the power supply circuit 220A receives power from an external energy storage device. For example, the controller 205 may be configured to calculate the load exerted on the nut 100 based on the signals received from the strain gauge 210. The controller 205 may be further configured to transmit a signal that includes information regarding the load exerted on the nut 100 and identifying information of the nut 100 to one or more external devices.

[0054] In some constructions, the controller 205 is configured to compare the determined load exerted on the nut 100 to a load threshold. In response to the controller 205 determining that the load exerted on the nut 100 traverses the load threshold, the controller 205 may transmit a signal, using the communication circuit 215, to an external device or a remote server that indicates that the nut 100 should be tightened or replaced.

[0055] FIG. 3B is a block diagram of an alternative control system 200B, that may be included in the nut 100. Similar to the control system 200A, the control system 200B includes the controller 205, the sensor (e.g., the strain gauge 210), and the communication circuit 215, as described above. However, unlike the power supply circuit 220A of the control system 200A, the power supply circuit 220B of the control system 200B includes, among other things, its own internal energy storage device, such as, for example, a battery 255. The battery 255 may be mounted within the slot(s) 140 formed in the front surface 115 of the nut body 105.

[0056] Because the power supply circuit 220B includes its own battery 255, operation of the control system 200B is not constrained by the absence of an external energy source.

Accordingly, the controller 205 may be configured to perform various functions when no external energy sources are present near the nut 100. [0057] For example, the controller 205 may be configured to periodically receive signals from the strain gauge 210 that include the electrical characteristic value representative of a load exerted on the nut 100. The controller 205 may be further configured to calculate, or determine, a load applied to the nut 100 based on the received signals and store the calculated load value in the memory 240.

[0058] The controller 205 may also be configured to compare the determined load exerted on the nut 100 to a load threshold. In response to the controller 205 determining that the load on the nut 100 traverses the load threshold, the controller 205 may transmit a signal, using the communication circuit 215, to an external device or a remote server that indicates that the nut 100 should be tightened or replaced.

[0059] In some constructions, the controller 205, using the communication circuit 215, may periodically (e.g., once per day, week, month, etc.) beacon out a signal that includes information regarding the load exerted on the nut 100 and identifying information of the nut 100. The beacon signals may be received by one or more external devices and/or a remote server.

[0060] FIG. 4 illustrates a communication system 400 including the nut 100, which is fastened to a workpiece 405, an external device 410, and a power tool, such as a hydraulic torque wrench 415. The external device 410 and the wrench 415 are configured to wirelessly communicate with the nut 100. In addition, the external device 410 and the wrench 415 may be configured to wirelessly transmit power to the nut 100. In some constructions, the communication system 400 further includes a server configured to wirelessly communicate with the nut 100. In some constructions, the communication system 400 includes a handheld power transmitter used to wirelessly provide power to the nut 100.

[0061] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a control system 500 of the external device 410. The external device 410 may be, for example, a smartphone, a handheld scanner, a tablet, or any other mobile electronic device capable of wirelessly communicating with and transmitting power to the nut 100.

[0062] As shown, the control system 500 of the external device 410 includes a controller 505. The controller 505 is electrically and/or communicatively connected to a variety of modules or electronic components of the external device 410. For example, the controller 505 is connected to a power supply circuit 510, a communication circuit 515, a power transmission circuit 520, and a user-interface 525.

[0063] The controller 505 includes a plurality of electrical and electronic components that provide power, operational control, and protection to the components and modules within the controller 505 and/or the external device. For example, the controller includes, among other things, an electronic processor 530 and a memory 535.

[0064] The memory 535 includes, for example, a program storage area and a data storage area. The program storage area and the data storage area can include combinations of different types of memory, such as read-only memory (ROM) and random access memory (RAM). Various non-transitory computer readable media, for example, magnetic, optical, physical, or electronic memory may be used. The electronic processor 530 is communicatively coupled to the memory 535 and executes software instructions that are stored in the memory 535, or stored in another non-transitory computer readable medium such as another memory or a disc. The software may include one or more applications, program data, filters, rules, one or more program modules, and other executable instructions.

[0065] The power supply circuit 510 is configured to supply power to the controller 505 and/or other components of the external device 410. As illustrated, in some constructions, the power supply circuit 510 receives power from a power source (e.g., a battery) and provides regulated power to the controller 505 and/or other components of the external device 410. In some constructions, the power supply circuit 510 may include DC-DC converters, AC -DC converters, DC-AC converters, and/or AC-AC converters. In other constructions, the power supply circuit 510 may receive power from an AC power source (for example, an AC power outlet).

[0066] The communication circuit 515 enables the external device 410 to wirelessly communicate with the nut 100. The communication circuit 515 includes, for example, a transceiver that includes and/or is coupled to an antenna. The transceiver included in communication circuit 510 enables the external device 410 to wirelessly transmit signals to and receive signals from the communication circuit 215 included in the nut 100. [0067] For example, the communication circuit 515 may receive signals that include an electrical characteristic value generated by strain gauge 210 included in the nut 100. In response to receiving a signal that includes an electrical characteristic value generated by strain gauge 210, the controller 505 may be configured to determine a load exerted on the nut 100 based on the electrical characteristic value. In some instances, signals received by communication circuit 515 include a value of the load exerted on nut 100, with the value of the load having been determined by the controller 205 of the nut 100. Based on the value of the load exerted on the nut 100, the controller 505 may be configured to determine whether the nut 100 needs to be tightened or replaced.

[0068] In addition, the controller 505 may be configured to store the value of the load exerted of nut 100 in memory 235. The controller 505 may be further configured to maintain a record over time of the load exerted on the nut 100. In some constructions, the controller 505 may instruct the communication circuit 515 to request information regarding the load on the nut 100 from the nut 100. Accordingly, the communication circuit 515 transmits a signal to the nut 100 requesting information regarding the load on the nut 100.

[0069] The transceiver of communication circuit 515 may allow for short-range radio communication (e.g., Bluetooth®, Wi-Fi, NFC, ZigBee, etc.) and/or for long-range radio communication (e.g., cellular communication over a cellular network) between the external device 410 and the nut 100.

[0070] The communication circuit 515 may further include a network communication interface that enables the external device 410 to communicate with a remote server. In some constructions, the network may be an Internet network, a cellular network, another network, or a combination thereof. Accordingly, using the network interface, the communication circuit 515 may be configured to transmit signals including information about the load on nut 100 to a remote server.

[0071] The power transmission circuit 520 is configured to wirelessly transmit power to the nut 100. The power transmission circuit 520 includes a transmission device that receives power from the power supply circuit 520. The transmission device may be, for example, an infrared transmitter or any other RF-based transmitter, such as a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) transmitter, an NFC transmitter, a ZigBee transmitter, etc.

[0072] The user-interface 525 is configured to receive input from a user and/or output information to the user concerning the nut 100 and/or the external device 410. The user-interface 525 includes a display (for example, a primary display, a secondary display, etc.) and/or input devices (for example, touch-screen displays, a plurality of knobs, dials, switches, buttons, etc.). The display may be, for example, a liquid crystal display (“LCD”), a light-emitting diode (“LED”) display, an organic LED (“OLED”) display, an electroluminescent display (“ELD”), a surface-conduction electron-emitter display (“SED”), a field emission display (“FED”), a thin- film transistor (“TFT”) LCD, etc.

[0073] Via the input devices of user-interface 525, a user of the external device 410 may command the external device 410 to wirelessly transmit power to the nut 100 using power transmission circuit 520. In addition, using the input devices of user-interface 525, a user of the external device 410 may command the communication circuit 515 to transmit signals to the nut 100.

[0074] For example, the user-interface 525 enables a user to request information related to the load exerted on nut 100 from the nut 100. Furthermore, the display included in user-interface 525 may be configured to present information regarding the load on the nut 100 in response to the external device 410 receiving a signal from the nut 100. The display included in the userinterface 525 may be further configured to display information regarding the load exerted on the nut 100 in response to receiving an input from a user of the external device 410.

[0075] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a process, or operation, 600 for determining a load exerted on a nut 100. It should be understood that additional steps may be added and not all of the steps may be required.

[0076] An antenna 250 of the nut 100 wirelessly receives power from an external device (block 605). The strain gauge 210 of the nut 100 generates a signal indicative of the load exerted on the nut 100 (block 610). The controller 205 instructs the communication circuit 215 to transmit the signal indicative of the load exerted on the nut 100 to an external device 410 (block 615). The communication circuit 215 transmits the signal indicative of the load exerted on the nut to the external device (block 620).

[0077] FIG. 7 is perspective view of the hydraulic torque wrench. The illustrated wrench 415 includes a cassette or housing 705. The housing 705 includes a coupling interface 710 configured to engage a drive unit (not shown) for actuating a drive element (e.g., a socket 715).

[0078] In addition, the wrench 100 includes a reaction portion 720. In some constructions, the reaction portion 720 is integrally formed with housing 705. In some constructions, the reaction portion 720 is removably attached to the housing 705. The housing 705 may be constructed of metal (e.g., steel), a durable and light-weight plastic material, or a combination thereof.

[0079] The socket 715 is supported by the housing 705 and is driven by a drive system 725 disposed within housing 105. In the illustrated construction, the drive element is a socket 715 operable to receive nut 100 to apply a force (e.g., torque) on the nut 100; in other constructions (not shown), the drive element may include a drive shaft operable to be positioned within an opening of a workpiece to apply torque to the workpiece.

[0080] In some constructions, the drive system 725 includes a ratcheting lever arm (not shown) for engaging and rotating the socket 715. The lever arm is driven by a working end of a fluid actuator on the drive unit (not shown). The fluid actuator is in fluid communication (e.g., by one or more hoses (not shown)) with an external source of pressurized fluid (e.g., a hydraulic pump (not shown)) and may include a piston.

[0081] For illustrative purposes, operation of the wrench 415 will be described with respect to a drive unit that includes one fluid actuator; however, it is understood that the drive unit may include more pistons, additional fluid actuators, and/or additional lever arms. The piston is moveable between an extended position and a retracted position due to the pressurized fluid, and movement of the piston drives the working end.

[0082] While the drive unit is coupled to the wrench 415, the working end of the fluid actuator is operatively coupled to the lever arm. In some constructions (not shown), the lever arm includes a ratcheting pawl that engages a sprocket coupled to the drive element. When hydraulic pressure is applied to extend the working end, the lever arm is operable to rotate the socket 715 in the first direction. When the working end is retracted, the lever arm rotates in a second, opposite direction and ratchets relative to the socket 715.

[0083] FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a control system 800 of the wrench 415. The control system 800 includes a controller 805, which may be mounted on a surface of a PCB disposed within the housing 705. The controller 805 is electrically and/or communicatively connected to a variety of modules or components of the wrench 415. For example, the controller 805 is connected to a user-interface 810, a hydraulic pressure source or pump 815, a power supply 820, a power transmission circuit 825, a torque sensor 830, and a communication circuit 835.

[0084] In some constructions, the controller 805 includes a plurality of electrical and electronic components that provide power, operational control, and protection to the components and modules within the controller 805 and/or the wrench 415. For example, the controller 805 includes, among other things, an electronic processor 840 and a memory 845.

[0085] The memory 845 includes, for example, a program storage area and a data storage area. The program storage area and the data storage area can include combinations of different types of memory, such as read-only memory (ROM) and random access memory (RAM). Various non-transitory computer readable media, for example, magnetic, optical, physical, or electronic memory may be used. The electronic processor 840 is communicatively coupled to the memory 845 and executes software instructions that are stored in the memory 845, or stored in another non-transitory computer readable medium such as another memory or a disc. The software may include one or more applications, program data, filters, rules, one or more program modules, and other executable instructions.

[0086] The user-interface 810 is configured to receive input from a user and/or output information to the user concerning the nut 100 and the wrench 415. The user-interface 810 may include a power switch for controlling flow of pressurized fluid from the hydraulic pump 815 to the wrench 415. In other constructions, the user-interface 810 includes, in addition to or in lieu of a power switch, a display (for example, a primary display, a secondary display, etc.) and/or input devices (for example, touch-screen displays, a plurality of knobs, dials, switches, buttons, etc.). The display may be, for example, a liquid crystal display (“LCD”), a light-emitting diode (“LED”) display, an organic LED (“OLED”) display, an electroluminescent display (“ELD”), a surface-conduction electron-emitter display (“SED”), a field emission display (“FED”), a thin- film transistor (“TFT”) LCD, etc. In some constructions, the user-interface 810 is a pendant. In other constructions, the user-interface is a remote device such as a smartphone.

[0087] The user-interface 810 may additionally be configured to receive an input from a user indicating a target torque to apply to the nut 100 during a tightening operation. In some constructions, the user-interface 810 may be further configured to receive, from a user, a command to wirelessly transmit power to the nut 100 using the power transmission circuit 825.

[0088] The user-interface 810 may further include an indicator (not shown) configured to display conditions of, or information associated with, the nut 100 and/or the wrench 415. For example, the user-interface 810 may be configured to display a value of the load exerted on the nut 100 that is included in a signal received the communication circuit 215 of the nut 100. The indicator may be further configured to alert a user to a change in the condition of the nut 100 (e.g., when the nut 100 requires further tightening) or the wrench 415. In some constructions, the indicator may include one or more lights (for example, light emitting diodes), varying in color and orientation. In some constructions, the indicator may include elements to convey information to a user through audible or tactile outputs (for example, a speaker and/or vibration motor).

[0089] The power supply circuit 820 is configured to supply power to the controller 805 and/or other components of the control system 800. In some constructions, the power supply circuit 820 receives power from an internal power source (e.g., a coin cell battery, battery cell, or battery pack) and provides regulated power to the controller 805 and/or other components of the control system 800. In some constructions, the power supply circuit 820 may include DC-DC converters, AC -DC converters, DC-AC converters, and/or AC-AC converters. In other constructions, the power supply circuit 820 may receive power from an AC power source (for example, an AC power outlet).

[0090] The power transmission circuit 825 is configured to wirelessly transmit power to the nut 100. The power transmission circuit 825 includes a transmission device that receives power from the power supply circuit 820. The transmission device may be, for example, an infrared transmitter or any other RF-based transmitter, such as a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) transmitter, an NFC transmitter, a ZigBee transmitter, etc. The power transmission circuit 825 may be configured to transmit power to the nut 100 in response to a user input received by userinterface 810. The power transmission circuit 825 may be further configured to automatically transmit power to the nut 100 when the wrench 415 is tightening the nut 100.

[0091] The torque sensor 830 is configured to sense the amount of torque applied by the wrench 415 to the nut 100 during a tightening operation. The torque sensor 830 can generate signals corresponding to the magnitude of torque which are subsequently sent to and interpreted by the controller 805. The controller 805 may be configured to indicate to a user, using the indicators included in the user-interface 810, in response to a predetermined torque having been reached. In some constructions, the controller 805 is configured to deactivate the wrench 415 in response to the predetermined torque having been reached.

[0092] The communication circuit 835 enables the wrench 415 to wirelessly communicate with the nut 100. The communication circuit 835 includes, for example, a transceiver that includes and/or is coupled to an antenna. The transceiver included in the communication circuit 835 enables the wrench 415 to wirelessly transmit signals to and receive signals from the communication circuit 215 included in the nut 100.

[0093] For example, communication circuit 835 may receive signals that include an electrical characteristic value generated by the strain gauge 210 included in the nut 100. In response to receiving a signal that includes an electrical characteristic value generated by strain gauge 210, the controller 805 may be configured to determine a load exerted on the nut 100 based on the electrical characteristic value. In some instances, signals received by the communication circuit 835 include a value of the load exerted on nut 100, with the value of the load having been determined by the controller 205 of the nut 100. Based on the value of the load on the nut 100, the controller 805 may be configured to determine whether nut 100 needs to be tightened or replaced.

[0094] In addition, the controller 805 may be configured to store the value of the load exerted on the nut 100 in the memory 835. The controller 805 may be further configured to maintain a record over time of the load exerted on the nut 100. In some constructions, the controller 805 may instruct the communication circuit 835 to request information regarding the load on the nut 100 from the nut 100. Accordingly, the communication circuit 815 transmits a signal to the nut 100 that requests information regarding the load exerted on the nut 100.

[0095] The transceiver of communication circuit 835 may allow for short-range radio communication (e.g., Bluetooth®, Wi-Fi, NFC, ZigBee, etc.) and/or for long-range radio communication (e.g., cellular communication over a cellular network) between the wrench 415 and the nut 100. The communication circuit 835 may further include a network communication interface that enables the wrench 835 to communicate with a remote server. In some constructions, the network may be an Internet network, a cellular network, another network, or a combination thereof. Accordingly, using the network interface, the communication circuit 835 may be configured to transmit signals including information about the load on the nut 100 to a remote server.

[0096] In some constructions, while the wrench 415 is tightening the nut 100, the power transmission circuit 825 of the wrench 415 is configured to wirelessly transmit power to the nut 100. Alternatively, another device, such as the external device 410 may be used to transmit power to the nut 100 when the nut 100 is being tightened. Alternatively, the nut 100 may be powered by its own internal battery 255.

[0097] While being tightened and supplied with power, the strain gauge 210 of the nut 100 may be configured to generate an electrical characteristic value representative of the force applied to, or load exerted on, the nut 100. The nut 100 may further be configured to transmit a signal including the electrical characteristic value to the wrench 415.

[0098] While tightening the nut 100, the controller 805 of the wrench 415 may be configured to determine the fastening torque that was applied to the nut 100 based on the signal received from the nut 100. In response to the controller 805 determining that a desired, or target, torque has not been applied to the nut 100, the controller 805 enables the wrench 415 to continue tightening the nut 100. In response to the controller 805 determining that a target torque has been applied to the nut 100, the controller 805 determines that the tightening operation is complete. In response to completion of the tightening operation, the controller 805 may be configured to transmit, using the communication circuit 835, a completion signal indicating the amount of torque that was applied to the nut 100 during the tightening operation. In response to the nut 100 receiving the completion signal from the wrench 415, the controller 205 of the nut 100 may be configured to store, in the memory 240, the value of torque applied to the nut 100 during the tightening operation. This torque value may be transmitted to either the wrench 415 and/or the external device 410 upon request.

[0099] Fig. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a process, or operation, 900 for tightening a nut 100 with a fastening tool (e.g., the wrench 415). It should be understood that additional steps may be added and not all of the steps may be required.

[0100] The process 900 begins with exerting a force (e.g., a torque) on the drive element of the fastening tool (e.g., drive element, or socket, 715 of the wrench 415) to tighten the nut 100 (block 905). The power transmission circuit of the fastening tool (e.g., power transmission circuit 825 of the wrench 415) transmits power to the nut 100 (block 910). A strain gauge 210 of the nut 100 generates a signal indicative of an amount of force applied on the nut 100 (block 915). A communication circuit of the fastening tool (e.g., the communication circuit 835 of the wrench 415) receives a signal including the amount of force applied on nut 100 from the nut 100 (block 920). The controller of the fastening tool (e.g., the controller 805 of the wrench 415) determines whether a target amount of force has been applied on the nut 100 based on the signal received from the nut 100 (block 925). In response to the controller determining that the target amount of force has been applied on the nut 100, the exertion of the force on the drive element of the fastening tool is stopped, thereby stopping the tightening of nut 100 (block 930). Otherwise, exertion of the force on the drive element of the fastening tool is continued, thereby continuing the tightening of nut 100 (block 935).

[0101] Thus, the application may provide, among other things, a fastener having one or more embedded sensors.

[0102] The embodiment(s) described above and illustrated in the figures are presented by way of example only and are not intended as a limitation upon the concepts and principles of the present disclosure. As such, it will be appreciated that variations and modifications to the elements and their configuration and/or arrangement exist within the spirit and scope of one or more independent aspects as described. [0103] One or more features and/or advantages of the application may be set forth in the following claims: