U.S. patent number 3,834,467 [Application Number 05/304,149] was granted by the patent office on 1974-09-10 for power tool with torque control.
This patent grant is currently assigned to General Motors Corporation. Invention is credited to John R. Fuchs.
United States Patent |
3,834,467 |
Fuchs |
September 10, 1974 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
POWER TOOL WITH TORQUE CONTROL
Abstract
The drawings illustrate a power tool whose torque output may be
continuously measured and controlled by the torque reaction on a
rotatably mounted planetary ring gear, with transducer means
associated therewith for converting the torque reaction to a fluid
pressure signal to cut off the fluid flow to the motor rotor at a
predetermined torque.
Inventors: |
Fuchs; John R. (Leawood,
KS) |
Assignee: |
General Motors Corporation
(Detroit, MI)
|
Family
ID: |
23175279 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/304,149 |
Filed: |
November 6, 1972 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
173/176;
73/862.23; 73/862.31; 192/150 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B25B
23/1456 (20130101); B25B 23/145 (20130101); B25B
23/14 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B25B
23/14 (20060101); B25B 23/145 (20060101); B25b
023/14 () |
Field of
Search: |
;173/12 ;192/150
;73/136R,136D |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Purser; Ernest R.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Moran; John P.
Claims
I claim:
1. A rotary power tool for use with a source of fluid under
pressure, said rotary power tool comprising a housing including a
fluid-actuated motor rotor, passage means communicating between
said source of fluid and said motor rotor, valve means operatively
mounted in said passage means for controlling the flow of said
fluid therethrough, a motor shaft extending from said motor rotor,
at least one planetary unit including a ring gear rotatably mounted
in said housing, a sun gear operatively connected to and driven by
said motor shaft, a carrier member, a plurality of pinion gears
rotatably mounted on said carrier member and meshing with said sun
and ring gears, rotary output means operatively connected to said
carrier member, a bellows unit operatively connected between said
ring gear and a fixed wall of said housing and having a
predetermined initial internal pressure, said ring gear rotatably
reacting to increasing output torque on said rotary output means to
increase said internal pressure of said bellows unit, and signal
means responsive to said increased pressure to cause said valve
means to cut off said fluid flow through said passage means upon
the attainment of a predetermined output torque.
2. The rotary power tool described in claim 1, and an indicating
means operatively connected to said bellows unit, said internal
pressure of said bellows unit being continuously monitored by said
indicating means.
3. A rotary power tool for use with a source of fluid under
pressure, said rotary power tool comprising a housing including a
fluid-actuated motor rotor, passage means communicating between
said source of fluid and said motor rotor, valve means operatively
mounted in said passage means for controlling the flow of said
fluid therethrough, a motor shaft extending from said motor rotor,
at least one planetary unit including a ring gear rotatably mounted
in said housing, a sun gear formed on said motor shaft, a carrier
member, a plurality of pinion gears rotatably mounted on said
carrier member and meshing with said sun and ring gears, rotary
output means operatively connected to said carrier member, ramp
means splined to said housing, roller means mounted on said ramp
means and operatively connected to said ring gear so as to be
caused to roll along said ramp means in response to rotary motion
of said ring gear, pressure-reacting means mounted intermediate
said ramp means and a fixed wall of said housing, said ring gear
rotatably reacting to increasing output torque on said rotary
output means to axially actuate said ramp means through said roller
means to increase the pressure of said pressure-reacting means, and
signal means responsive to said increased pressure to cause said
valve means to cut off said fluid flow through said passage means
upon the attainment of a predetermined output torque.
4. A rotary power tool for use with a source of fluid under
pressure, said rotary power tool comprising a housing including a
fluid-actuated motor rotor, passage means communicating between
said source of fluid and said motor rotor, valve means operatively
mounted in said passage means for controlling the flow of said
fluid therethrough, a motor shaft extending from said motor rotor,
at least one planetary unit including a ring gear rotatably mounted
in said housing, a sun gear formed on said motor shaft, a carrier
member, a plurality of pinion gears rotatably mounted on said
carrier member and meshing with said sun and ring gears, rotary
output means operatively connected to said carrier member, an
arcuate pocket formed in said ring gear, a shoe having a seat
formed in a face thereof, a torque-link member abutted against said
seat and extending therefrom for converting the rotary motion of
said ring gear to tangential motion, pressure-reacting means
mounted intermediate said torque-link member and a fixed wall of
said housing, said ring gear rotatably reacting to increasing
output torque on said rotary output means to actuate said
torque-link member via said pocket and shoe to increase the
pressure of said pressure-reacting means, and signal means
responsive to said increased pressure to cause said valve means to
cut off said fluid flow through said passage means upon the
attainment of a predetermined output torque.
5. A rotary power tool for use with a source of fluid under
pressure, said rotary power tool comprising a housing including a
fluid-actuated motor rotor, passage means communicating between
said source of fluid and said motor rotor, valve means operatively
mounted in said passage means for controlling the flow of fluid
therethrough, a motor shaft extending from said motor rotor, cam
means operatively mounted in said housing, a plurality of bellows
mounted intermediate said cam means and a fixed wall of said
housing, at least one planetary unit including a ring gear formed
on said cam means, a sun gear formed on said motor shaft, a carrier
member, a plurality of pinion gears rotatably mounted on said
carrier member and meshing with said sun and ring gears, rotary
output means operatively connected to said carrier member, said
ring gear rotatably reacting to the output torque on said rotary
output means to cause said cam means to compress said bellows and
increase said pressure thereof, and signal means responsive to said
pressure to cause said valve means to cut off said fluid flow
through said passage means upon the attainment of a predetermined
output torque.
6. A rotary power tool for use with a source of fluid under
pressure, said rotary power tool comprising a housing including a
fluid-actuated motor rotor, an inlet port for receiving fluid from
said source of fluid under pressure, passage means communicating
between said inlet port and said motor rotor, valve means
operatively mounted in said passage means for controlling the flow
of said fluid therethrough, a motor shaft extending from said motor
rotor, a cam follower rotatably mounted in said housing around said
motor shaft, a cam spline member slidably mounted in said housing
around said motor shaft, a plurality of bellows mounted
intermediate said cam spline member and a fixed wall of said
housing and having a predetermined initial internal pressure, at
least one arcuate ramp formed on said cam spline member, at least
one roller rotatably mounted on said cam follower and positioned on
said at least one arcuate ramp, a first planetary ring gear formed
on said cam follower, a first sun gear formed on said motor shaft,
a first carrier member, a first plurality of pinion gears rotatably
mounted on said first carrier member and meshing with said first
sun and ring gears, a second sun gear formed on said first carrier
member, a second ring gear secured to said housing, a second
carrier member, a second plurality of pinion gears rotatably
mounted on said second carrier member and meshing with said second
sun and ring gears, rotary output means operatively connected to
said second carrier member, said first ring gear rotatably reacting
to increasing output torque on said rotary output means to rotate
said cam follower and said at least one roller to roll said roller
toward the high point of said at least one ramp and thereby force
said cam spline member to move axially to compress said bellows and
increase said internal pressure thereof, and signal means
responsive to said internal pressure to cause said valve means to
cut off said fluid flow through said passage means upon the
attainment of a predetermined output torque.
7. The rotary power tool described in claim 6, wherein said signal
means includes second valve means for providing a fluid signal to
close said first-mentioned valve means.
8. A rotary power tool for use with a source of fluid under
pressure, said rotary power tool comprising a housing including a
fluid-actuated motor rotor, an inlet port for receiving fluid from
said source of fluid under pressure, passage means communicating
between said inlet port and said motor rotor, valve means
operatively mounted in said passage means for controlling the flow
of said fluid therethrough, a motor shaft extending from said motor
rotor, a first planetary unit including a first ring gear secured
to said housing, a first sun gear formed on said motor shaft, a
first carrier member, and a first plurality of pinion gears
rotatably mounted on said first carrier member and meshing with
said first sun and ring gears, a second planetary unit including a
second sun gear formed on said first carrier member, a second ring
gear rotatably mounted in said housing, a second carrier member,
and a second plurality of pinion gears rotatably mounted on said
second carrier member and meshing with said second sun and ring
gears, rotary output means operatively connected to said second
carrier member, linkage means operatively connected for tangential
movement with said second ring gear, and a bellows unit mounted
intermediate said linkage means and a fixed wall of said housing
and having a predetermined initial internal pressure, said first
ring gear rotatably reacting to increasing output torque on said
rotary output means to tangentially move said linkage means to
compress said bellows and increase said internal pressure thereof,
and signal means responsive to said internal pressure to cause said
valve means to cut off said fluid flow through said passage means
upon the attainment of a predetermined output torque.
9. The rotary power tool described in claim 8, wherein said signal
means includes second valve means for providing a fluid signal to
close said first-mentioned valve means.
10. A rotary power tool for use with a source of fluid under
pressure, said rotary power tool comprising a housing including a
fluid-actuated motor rotor, an inlet port for receiving fluid from
said source of fluid under pressure, passage means communicating
between said inlet port and said motor rotor, valve means
operatively mounted in said passage means for controlling the flow
of said fluid therethrough, a motor shaft extending from said motor
rotor, a first planetary unit including a first ring gear secured
to said housing, a first sun gear formed on said motor shaft, a
first carrier member, and a first plurality of pinion gears
rotatably mounted on said first carrier member and meshing with
said first sun and ring gears, a second planetary unit including a
second sun gear formed on said first carrier member, a second ring
gear rotatably mounted in said housing, a second carrier member,
and a second plurality of pinion gears rotatably mounted on said
second carrier member and meshing with said second sun and ring
gears, rotary output means operatively connected for tangential
movement with said second ring gear, and a pressure-sensing load
cell mounted intermediate said linkage means and a fixed wall of
said housing, said first ring gear rotatably reacting to increasing
output torque on said rotary output means to tangentially move said
linkage means to apply pressure to said pressure-sensing load cell,
and signal means responsive to said pressure to cause said valve
means to cut off said fluid flow through said passage means upon
the attainment of a predetermined output torque.
11. The rotary power tool described in claim 10, wherein said
signal means includes a solenoid and means for providing an
electrical signal to cause said solenoid to close said valve means.
Description
This invention relates generally to power tools and, more
particularly, to torque-controlled tools.
At the present time torque-controlled power tools are known to
include valving actuated in response to torque output which serves
to block the exhaust and stall the motor. Other arrangements
include back pressure-sensing devices which upset a delicately
balanced poppet, in response to torque output, to cut off incoming
air. Still other present day arrangements include mechanical
linkage for controlling an incoming air-poppet valve in response to
torque output. Additional designs include spring-loaded clutches
which become disengaged at a predetermined spring tension in
response to output torque.
It should also be noted that the prior art torque-controlled tools
which include planetary gearing for reducing a fast motor speed to
a practical output speed for most applications, generally include a
planetary ring gear which is secured to the outer shell of the
tool.
An object of the invention is to provide an improved rotary power
tool whose output torque may be continuously controlled and/or
measured by resistance to the reactive torque of a ring gear of a
planetary drive unit thereof which ring gear is arranged to rotate
through a predetermined arc in response to output torque.
Another object of the invention is to provide an improved
torque-controlled power tool, wherein the ring gear of one of the
planetary drive units thereof is rotatably mounted, with transducer
means associated therewith for responding to the rotary reaction of
the planetary ring gear to output torque to provide a fluid
pressure signal, upon attainment of a predetermined torque, to cut
off the air supply to the motor.
A further object of the invention is to provide a torque-controlled
power tool including a rotatably mounted planetary ring responsive
to output torque, and transducer means responsive to such rotary
movement of the ring gear to cut off the air supply to the motor
section rotor, with the transducer being encased within the power
tool housing.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a
torque-controlled power tool including a rotatably mounted
planetary ring gear responsive to output torque and which is formed
integrally on a cam follower member having rollers associated
therewith and riding on camming ramps formed on a cam spline member
which is moved axially when the rollers move along the ramps, with
the axial movement thereof compressing a plurality of adjacent
bellows, for providing a fluid pressure signal indicative of output
torque to cut off the air supply to the motor section of the power
tool upon the attainment of a predetermined output torque.
A still further object of the invention is to provide a
torque-controlled power tool including a rotatably mounted
planetary ring gear responsive to output torque and having a shoe
and linkage member rotatable with the ring gear to tangentially
compresa a bellows or a pressure-sensing load cell, for example,
providing a fluid pressure signal to cut off the air supply to the
motor upon the attainment of a predetermined output torque.
These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be
apparent when reference is made to the following description and
accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rotary power tool embodying the
invention;
FIGS. 2a and 2b are cross-sectional views of the FIG. 1
structure;
FIG. 2c is a schematic view of a fluidal circuit which may be used
with the FIGS. 2a and 2b structures;
FIG. 3 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of a portion of the
FIG. 2a structure illustrating an operational position thereof;
FIG. 4 is a schematic view of selected operational conditions;
FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of an alternate embodiment
of the FIG. 1 structure;
FIG. 6 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of a portion of the
FIG. 5 structure;
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the plane of line 7--7
of FIG. 5, and looking in the direction of the arrows;
FIG. 8 is an end view taken along the plane of line 8--8 of FIG. 7,
and looking in the direction of the arrows;
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 7, illustrating an
operational position thereof;
FIG. 10 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view illustrating an
alternate embodiment of the FIG. 7 arrangement; and
FIG. 11 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view illustrating an
alternate embodiment of a portion of the FIG. 2b structure.
FIGURES 1-4 EMBODIMENT
Referring now to the drawings in greater detail, FIG. 1 illustrates
a power tool assembly 10, including generally a handle section 12,
a motor section 14, a transducer section 16, a planetary section
18, and a head section 20.
More specifically, as may be noted in FIG. 2b, the handle section
12 includes a valve assembly 21 mounted in a transverse opening 22
formed through a wall portion 24 in the handle section 12 adjacent
an air inlet chamber 26 to which air is communicated via an air
inlet fitting 28 (FIG. 1) mounted in the end of the handle section
12. The valve assembly 21 includes a sleeve member 30 secured in
the opening 22 and having a central chamber 31. A spring 32 is
mounted between the outer end face 34 of the sleeve member 30 and a
manual button 36. The button 36 is secured to a valve stem 38
having an O-ring seal 40 mounted therearound and slidably mounted
within the sleeve member 30. A frusto-conical valve 42 is formed on
the inner end of the valve stem 38 for cooperation with a valve
seat member 44 formed on the inner end 46 of the sleeve member 30.
An extension shaft 48 formed on the valve 42 extends across a
passage 50 adjacent the chamber 26 and is slidably mounted in an
opening 52 which may be formed in a plug member 54 threadedly
mounted in a threaded opening 56 formed in the handle section
axially aligned with the opening 22. An O-ring seal 57 is mounted
around the extension shaft 48 in the opening 52.
A plurality of ports 58 are formed in the fixed sleeve member 30
for communication with a passage 60 which, in turn, communicates
with a chamber 61 which is divided into two variable chambers 62
and 63 by a poppet valve 64 slidably mounted therein. A passage 66
communicates between the chambers 62 and 63 radially outwardly of
the poppet valve 64. A stem 67 is formed on the poppet valve 64,
extending away from the sleeve member 30. An axial passage 68 is
formed part-way through the stem 67, including a bleed plug 70
secured in the right end (FIG. 2b) of the axial passage 68. Radial
ports 72 and 74 are formed in the stem 67 a predetermined distance
apart, the ports 72 communicating between the axial passage 68 and
the chamber 62 to the left of the poppet valve 64. An opening 75
communicates between the left chamber 62 and a chamber 76 and,
thence, with a supply passage 77.
The stem 67 is slidably mounted in and extends through an axial
opening 78 formed in a piston housing 80 secured in a central
opening or chamber 82 formed in the handle section 12. A piston 84
is secured to the end of the stem 67 opposite the poppet valve 64
and is slidably mounted in a chamber 86 of the piston housing 80,
dividing the chamber 86 into two variable chambers 87 and 88. A
suitable seal 89 is mounted around the outer periphery of the
piston 84 within the chamber 86. A spring 90 is mounted between the
piston 84 and an end wall 92 of the chamber 86. A signal inlet port
94 is formed in the handle section 12 communicating with the
chamber 86 to the right (FIG. 2b) of the piston 84, while a bleed
port 96 formed in the handle section 12 communicates the chamber 86
to the left (FIG. 2b) of the piston 84 to the atmosphere.
The motor section 14 includes a motor rotor 98 mounted within a
sleeve member 100 secured by pins 102 to the handle section 12. An
outer vane portion 103 of the motor rotor 98 receives air under
pressure in a conventional manner from the supply passage 77 via
suitable conduitry (not shown). A motor shaft 104 is formed on the
motor rotor 98 and rotatably mounted in bearings 106 (FIG. 2b), 108
(FIG. 2a), and 110 mounted in the handle section 12, the motor
section 14 and the planetary section 18, respectively. An annular
chamber 112 is formed around the sleeve member 100, with exhaust
ports 114 communicating with the atmosphere. Suitable seals 116 and
118 are mounted adjacent the respective ends of the annular chamber
112.
An outlet port 120 is formed in the transducer section 16,
communicating internally with an annular passage 112 which, in
turn, communicates with a pair of ports 124 formed in a fixed wall
125 of the motor section 14, and leading, respectively, to a pair
of bellows 126 located radially outwardly of an intermediate
portion of the motor shaft 104. The bellows 126 are mounted between
the fixed wall 125 and an end face 128 of a cam spline member 130,
the latter being slidably mounted on splines 132 formed in a
chamber 134 within the transducer section 16, and the open end of
the bellows 126 being sealed by an O-ring seal 133 mounted in a
groove 135 formed in the wall 125. A spring 136 is mounted around
the motor shaft 104 between the end face 128 and an annular groove
137 formed in the wall 125. A line 138 communicates between the
outlet port 120 (FIG. 2a) and a suitable adjustable valve means,
represented by 139. A line 141 communicates a fluid pressure signal
from the valve means 139 to the signal inlet port 94 and, thence,
to the chamber 87 once the pressure within the bellows 126 reaches
a predetermined level. As illustrated in FIG. 2c, air is supplied
from any suitable high pressure source, represented at 143, through
a line 145 including a pressure regulator 147 and a check valve
149, the latter providing a predetermined amount of preloading of
the bellows 126. Pressure within the line 138 may be measured on a
suitable gage 151 operatively connected thereto.
Ramps or cam surfaces 140 (FIG. 3) are formed on the opposite face
142 of the cam spline member 130, and are contacted by cam rollers
144 rotatably mounted in suitable bearings 146 mounted in a cam
follower or roller carrier 148 within the planetary section 18.
While two rollers and ramps are illustrated, one or more than two
roller-ramp combinations could be utilized.
The roller carrier 148 is mounted inwardly on the bearing 110 and
outwardly on a bearing 150 mounted around an internally toothed
ring gear 152 of a first planetary unit 154, the ring gear 152
being integrally formed on the roller carrier 148 for rotation
therewith. The bearing 150 is mounted within a stepped sleeve
member 156 mounted within the planetary section 18 and restrained
from movement therein by a fixed radial pin 158.
A plurality of pinion gears 160 are rotatably mounted on a shaft or
pin 162 by needle bearings 164. The shaft 164 is secured to a
pinion gear carrier 166 mounted at one end thereof within the cam
follower 148 on bearings 168. The pinion gears 160 mesh with the
ring gear 152 and with a sun gear 170 mounted on the end portion
172 of the motor shaft 104 by splines 174. A cylindrical spacer 176
is mounted around the motor shaft 104 between oppositely disposed
end faces of the sun gear 170 and the bearing 110, with the sun
gear 170 being retained against the spacer 176 by a retainer ring
178 secured to the shaft end portion 172.
A second planetary unit 180 includes an internally toothed ring
gear 182 formed integrally on the forward end portion of the
stepped sleeve member 156, a plurality of pinion gears 184
rotatably mounted on shafts or pins 186 by needle bearings 187 and
by a carrier 188 having a reduced forward end portion 189 rotatably
mounted on bearings 190 retained axially by a retainer ring 191
within the outer shell 193 of the head section 20. The pinion gears
184 mesh with the ring gear 182 and with a splined sun gear 192
formed on an end 194 of the carrier 166 of the first planetary unit
154.
A plurality of splines 196 are formed on the inner surface of the
carrier 188, radially inwardly of the bearings 190. The splines 196
mesh with splines 198 formed on an end 200 of a shaft 202 extending
into the head section 20, being rotatably supported therein on a
plurality of needle bearings 204.
A first bevel gear 206 is formed on the forward end of the shaft
202 for meshing with a second bevel gear 208 formed on a transverse
shaft 210 rotatably mounted on bearings 212 and 214 in the head
section 20. A square drive tool connector 216 is formed on the
shaft 202, extending through an opening 218 formed in the head
section 20, at right angles to the axis of the aligned planetary,
transducer, motor, and handle sections 18, 16, 14, and 12,
respectively. Any suitable tool fastener device (not shown) may be
connected to the square drive tool connector 216.
OPERATION
High pressure air enters the air inlet chamber 26 and the adjacent
passage 50 via the fitting 28 from any suitable source (not shown).
Once the valve button 36 is manually depressed, the high pressure
air is communicated from the passage 50 past the valve seat member
44 into the chamber 31, through the ports 58 into the passage 60
and the chamber 62, and, thence, through the passage 66, the
chamber 63, the opening 75, and the chamber 76, to the adjacent
supply passage 77 which communicates with the outer vane portion
103 of the motor rotor 98 to rotate the motor rotor 98 and its
shaft 104. The air is exhausted to the atmosphere via the annular
chamber 112 and the exhaust ports 114.
Rotation of the motor shaft 104 rotates the sun gear 170 of the
first planetary unit 154 therewith, for example, in a clockwise
direction as viewed from the right in FIG. 2a. Such rotation of the
sun gear 170 causes the pinion gears 160 to each rotate in a
counterclockwise direction about its respective shaft 162, while
meshing with the ring gear 152, with the carrier 166 being caused
to rotate in a counterclockwise direction about the axis of the
motor shaft 104. The ring gear 152 is initially restrained from
rotating by virtue of the rollers 144 on the cam follower 148 being
positioned at the low point or "start" position (FIG. 4) of the
fixed ramps 140.
Rotation of the carrier 166 at its end portion 194 causes the sun
gear 192 of the second planetary unit 180 to also rotate in the
counterclockwise direction, thereby rotating the pinion gears 184,
which are meshing with the fixed ring gear 182, in a clockwise
direction about their respective shafts 186, and the carrier 188 in
a clockwise direction about the axis of the carrier end portion
194. Such clockwise rotation of the carrier 188 directly rotates
the shaft 202 via the splines 196 and 198, thereby rotating the
bevel gears 206 and 208 and the tool drive connector 216.
As indicated above, the ring gear 152 of the first planetary unit
154 is initially restrained by virtue of being formed on the cam
follower 148 whose rollers 144 are initially seated against the low
portions of the respective ramps 140 of the fixed cam spline member
132, the latter being urged leftwardly in FIGS. 2a and 3 by the
spring 136. However, as torque at the output end of the tool drive
connector 216 increases under load conditions, the reaction sensed
by the ring gear 152 overcomes the force of the spring 136, causing
the ring gear 152 to move in the clockwise direction, as urged by
the pinion gears 160, thus rotating the cam follower 148 and the
rollers 144. Such rotation of the rollers 144 moves the latter
along the ramps 104 toward the "maximum pressure" position (FIG.
4), forcing the cam spline member 130 to slide axially along the
splines 132, compressing the pair of bellows 126 to build up the
pressure therein to a predetermined point.
As illustrated in FIG. 4, the maximum pressure or stop position of
each roller 144 is at some predetermined point adjacent the
elevated end of the respective ramps 140, say, for example, 135
degrees away from the low end or start position. Any point between
the start position and the maximum pressure position may be
selected as the release point for the transmission of the fluid
pressure signal and is determined by the adjustment of the valve
means 139. At this point, the pressure within the bellows 126,
transmitted via the line 138 to the valve means 139, will be
relayed as a fluid pressure signal through the line 141 to the
signal inlet port 94. This fluid pressure signal is communicated
from the inlet port 94 to the chamber 87, moving the piston 84 to
the left in FIG. 2b, against the force of the spring 90, and
pulling the poppet valve 64 to the left, seating the valve 64
adjacent the opening 75, thereby closing off the passage 66 and its
communication via the chamber 63 with the chamber 76 and the supply
passage 77. Hence, the air supply to the motor rotor 98 is cut off
and the rotation of the tool drive connector 216 is stopped. The
valve 64 is held in seated position by high pressure in the chamber
61, and the high pressure in the chamber 87 is reduced by air
escaping through the motor 98 and the exhaust outlet 114, which
allows the valve means 139 to close and the bellows 126 to return
to starting preload position. After the motor rotor 98 is stopped
by the seating of the valve 64, the valve button 36 is released.
High pressure air in the chamber 61 is released through the bleed
plug 70 and the radial ports 72 into the chamber 77, then through
the motor rotor 98 and the exhaust outlet 114, allowing the spring
88 to return the valve 64 to its original position. It should be
noted that preloading, although not essential to the operation of
the control and monitoring circuit, provides a conveniently
variable means of regulating the rotational movement of the roller
carrier 148 and the ring gear 152 (FIGS. 2a and 3) by limiting the
displacement of the bellows 126. The mechanical force exerted
against the bellows 126 is balanced by the air pressure within the
bellows 126 at the time the maximum torque output, as preset by the
adjustable valve means 139, is reached. A pressure-monitoring
means, such as the gage 151, may be provided to allow observation
and/or recording of both the preload pressure and the output torque
pressure developed within the control circuit. This output torque
pressure will be an accurate measure of the torque produced at the
square drive tool connector 216.
FIGURES 5-9 EMBODIMENT
The alternate embodiment of a power tool assembly 220 shown in
FIGS. 5-9 includes a transducer section 222 in lieu of the bellows
126, the cam spline member 130, the ramps 140, the rollers 144, and
the cam follower 148. In this arrangement, the ring gear 224 (FIG.
6) of the first planetary unit 226 is secured to a wall of the
planetary section 18 by a fixed pin member 228. The ring gear 230
of a second planetary unit 232 is rotatably mounted within a
cylindrical bearing member 233 secured in the transducer section
222, meshing with pinion gears 234 on bearings 236 around pinion
shafts 238 supported by a carrier 240. The pinion gears 234 also
mesh with a sun gear splines 242 formed on an extended end 244 of
the carrier 246 of the first planetary unit 226. Splines 248 are
formed on an inner surface of the carrier 240 to drivingly connect
with splines 250 formed on the output shaft 252. The carrier 240 is
supported in bearings 253 retained in the outer shell 254 of the
head section 20 by a retainer ring 255.
A cylindrical spacer member 256 supports bearings 257 for the first
planetary carrier 246 and is mounted within the outer shell 254 of
the head section 20 between oppositely disposed end faces of the
bearing member 233 and the first ring member 224.
An arcuate pocket 258 (FIG. 7) is formed in part on the outer
periphery of the second ring gear 230, and in part in the adjacent
cylindrical ring gear bearing member 233 secured within the
transducer section 222. A shoe 260, having an arcuate seating
surface 262 formed thereon, is slidably mounted in the arcuate
pocket 258. A flat side or end face 264 is formed on the shoe 260
for at times abutting against both respective edges 266 and 268
(FIG. 7) of the ring gear 230 and the fixed bearing member 233. A
transverse groove or slot 270 is formed on the side of the shoe 260
opposite the flat side 264, suitable for the seating thereagainst
of an end of a torque link member 272. The torque link member 272
extends through a tangentially extending opening 274 formed in the
transducer section 222, abutting against a disc 276 slidably
mounted in a chamber 278. A bellows 280 is mounted in the chamber
278 intermediate the disc 276 and an end cover 282, the latter
being secured to the transducer section 222 by bolts 284, and the
open end of the bellows 280 being sealed by an O-ring seal 285
mounted in a groove 287 formed in the end cover 282. A port 286
formed in the end cover 282 communicates between the interior of
the bellows 280 and an outlet passage 288 formed in the end cover
282.
In operation, as torque builds up under load at the tool drive
connector 216, the second ring gear 230 is caused to rotate against
the force of the bellows 280, moving the shoe 260, the torque link
member 272 and disc 276 to the right as illustrated in FIG. 9,
compressing the bellows 280 and providng a pressure change in the
outlet passage 288 which may be transmitted to any suitable
pressure-actuated means, such as the valve means 139 of FIG. 2a, to
cut off the supply of air to the motor rotor 98 as explained
above.
The inherent springiness of the bellows 280 will return the disc
276, the torque link member 272 and the shoe 260 to the respective
positions illustrated in FIG. 7 once the rotation of the tool drive
connector 216 is stopped.
FIGURE 10 EMBODIMENT
FIG. 10 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the transducer
section 222 including a pressure-sensing load cell 290 adjacent the
disc 276, in lieu of the bellows of the FIG. 7 structure. It should
be noted that an arcuate pocket 292 is included which is
substantially shorter than the arcuate pocket 258 of FIG. 7. An end
cover 294, secured to the transducer section 222 by bolts 296, has
an outlet opening 298 formed therein suitable for the extension
therethrough of a plurality of electrical conductors 300. This
arrangement provides a signal-generating means involving a minimum
of movement of the ring gear 230, the shoe 260, the torque link
member 272, and the disc 276.
FIGURE 11 EMBODIMENT
FIG. 11 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the valving portion
of the handle section 12 which may be used in conjunction with the
load cell arrangement of FIG. 10. In this structure, a solenoid 302
is mounted in the chamber 86 and has an axial passage 303 formed
therein for the slidable mounting therein of the poppet valve stem
67 in lieu of the piston 84 illustrated in FIG. 2b, and the signal
is communicated thereto via leads 304 rather than by the fluid
pressure inlet 94 and the chamber 87 associated with the piston 84.
A spring 306 is mounted intermediate a fixed wall 308 and the
adjacent face 310 of the poppet valve 64. Once the torque build-up
signal is transmitted via the leads 304 through suitable
amplification and electrical interface means to the solenoid 302,
the latter is energized and pulls the valve stem 67 farther into
the axial passage 303, against the force of the spring 306, thereby
pulling the poppet valve 64 past the passage 66 to thus cut off the
air supply to the motor supply passage 77.
It should be apparent that the invention provides an improved
torque-controlled rotary power tool wherein a rotatable planetary
ring gear and an adjacent transducer section combine to efficiently
control and/or provide a means of continuously measuring output
torque in proportion to the pressure developed on the transducer by
rotation of the ring gear as it reacts to operational output
torque.
While several embodiments of the invention have been shown and
described, other modifications thereof are possible.
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