Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
191 words
A method of controlling a nut runner for tightening a fastener, comprising the steps of: rotating an output shaft of the nut runner with a predetermined first torque at a predetermined first speed; detecting said predetermined first torque of said output shaft; interrupting the rotating of said output shaft when said predetermined first torque reaches a preset switching torque immediately before said fastener is seated on a surface; thereafter, rotating said output shaft with a second torque, said second torque being greater than said predetermined first torque, and at a second speed, said second speed being slower than said predetermined first speed; interrupting the rotation of said output shaft when said second torque reaches a preset snug torque when said fastener is seated on the surface; thereafter, rotating said output shaft with a third torque, said third torque being greater than said predetermined first torque and said second torque, and at a third speed, said third speed being slower than said predetermined first speed and said second speed; and stopping the rotating of said output shaft when said third torque reaches a preset final torque when said fastener is completely tightened.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
191 words
A method of controlling a nut runner for tightening a fastener, comprising the steps of: rotating an output shaft of the nut runner with a predetermined first torque at a predetermined first speed; detecting said predetermined first torque of said output shaft; interrupting the rotating of said output shaft when said predetermined first torque reaches a preset switching torque immediately before said fastener is seated on a surface; thereafter, rotating said output shaft with a second torque, said second torque being greater than said predetermined first torque, and at a second speed, said second speed being slower than said predetermined first speed; interrupting the rotation of said output shaft when said second torque reaches a preset snug torque when said fastener is seated on the surface; thereafter, rotating said output shaft with a third torque, said third torque being greater than said predetermined first torque and said second torque, and at a third speed, said third speed being slower than said predetermined first speed and said second speed; and stopping the rotating of said output shaft when said third torque reaches a preset final torque when said fastener is completely tightened.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method according to claim 1, further including the step of: removing torque from said output shaft when interrupting the rotation of said output shaft immediately before said fastener is seated on the surface and also when interrupting the rotation of said output shaft when said fastener is seated on the surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method according to claim 2, further including the step of: reversing the rotation of said output shaft, thereby braking the output shaft, and thereby removing torque from said output shaft.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein said snug torque is about 20% of said final torque and said switching torque is about 70% of said snug torque.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined first speed ranges from 600 rpm to 800 rpm, said second speed ranges from 100 rpm to 200 rpm, and said third speed ranges from 10 rpm to 30 rpm.