A method performed by a monitoring node associated with a tool communication network of monitoring energy flow in a tightening tool connected to the communication network includes receiving, from the tightening tool, parameter values relating to current fed (I) into the tightening tool, angle () of a rotor in the tightening tool and torque (T) applied to a joint by the tightening tool. The method also includes calculating energy input to the tightening tool based on the received parameter values, calculating energy transferred to the joint by the tightening tool based on the received parameter values relating to the torque applied to the joint by the tightening tool and the angle () of the rotor in the tightening tool. The method further includes detecting that the calculated energy input deviates from the calculated energy transferred to the joint by more than a predetermined value.

Improved techniques for remotely monitoring and managing fasteners and fastener driver conditions, are provided. In some aspects of the invention, conditions of a fastener and/or structural material(s) held by the fastener and/or connector, are monitored by a control system including sensor(s) at least partially embedded in, on or throughout the fastener and/or structural material(s). When an adverse condition is sensed, a torque may be remotely applied to the fastener, in some embodiments. In some embodiments, other remedial actions may be taken by the control system. In some embodiments, such sensor(s) include a magnetizable array, which may include one or more charge-carrying and/or otherwise magnetic wires or particles on, about, or embedded within, the fastener and/or structural material. In some embodiments, such remote monitoring includes testing a magnetic signature of the fastener and/or structural material (e.g., via remote scanning and/or testing).

The present invention seeks to protect Applicant's HYTORC LITHIUM SERIES Torque Gun Tools for tightening and/or loosening of industrial threaded fasteners. Such tools include: a drive input and output assembly; a turning force multiplication assembly; a dual drive output and reaction assembly; and a yoke-style shifting assembly for any torque mode from lower and/or higher resistance and/or speed. A preferred embodiment includes an electric motor of the drive input and output assembly powered by a battery pack. Advantageously, the yoke-style shifting assembly: improves and simplifies design and operation of shifting; reduces tool size and cost; and increases tool portability, efficiency, reliability and repeatability, all without sacrificing Applicant's many innovations in hand-held, multispeed torque intensifying tools.

A method for regulating a speed of an electric motor of a power tool, the speed of the electric motor being established as a function of an actuation of a control device, the control device being actuated in such a way that a speed is requested which is less than a maximum speed, the speed being set in such a way that, in a first speed range upon an increase of the torque output by the electric motor, the speed decreases with a first negative slope, the speed being set in a second speed range in such a way that the speed proceeds with a second slope upon an increase of the output torque, the second slope being greater than the first slope when considered mathematically.

An electric power tool in one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a motor, a hitting mechanism, a hitting detector, and a control unit. The control unit is configured to set a control amount of the motor so that the motor rotates at a lower speed than a speed in the target rotation state during an initial driving period, and switch the control amount to a final control amount corresponding to the target rotation state when the initial driving period elapses. The initial driving period is a period from when generation of a hitting force is detected by the hitting detector until a predetermined first time period elapses, after the motor is started driven.

A hand-held power tool which includes a shiftable transmission that is shiftable at least between a first gear and a second gear via a shifting member, in which the shifting member is coupled to a spring element, which for the gear shifting is indirectly or directly actuatable at least via a first and a second shifting element. A coupling element which is coupleable to the spring element is associated with the first shifting element, and the coupling element is configured for allowing gear shifting by actuating the first shifting element only for the case that the second shifting element is in a predefined gear shift position.

An adapter for a power tool including a housing, a tool-side connector, and a battery-side connector in electrical communication with each other. The tool-side connector is configured to couple to a power tool, and the battery-side connector is configured to couple to a battery pack. The adapter also includes a communication interface configured to couple with an external device, and a controller. The controller is configured to determine a state of the power tool, operate in a data transmission mode when the power tool is in the idle state, operate in a pass-through mode when the power tool is in the active state, and switch between the data transmission mode and the pass-through mode based on the state of the power tool.

A power tool has an electric motor driving a spindle and a rotary encoder for setting a torque limit. A control circuit is operatively connected to the rotary encoder for interrupting power supply to the motor when the torque limit has been reached. An actuator sleeve mounted to rotate about the spindle, and a detent holds the sleeve in a plurality of angular positions corresponding to positions of the contacts.

An adapter for a power tool including a housing, a tool-side connector, and a battery-side connector in electrical communication with each other. The tool-side connector is configured to couple to a power tool, and the battery-side connector is configured to couple to a battery pack. The adapter also includes a communication interface configured to couple with an external device, and a controller. The controller is configured to determine a state of the power tool, operate in a data transmission mode when the power tool is in the idle state, operate in a pass-through mode when the power tool is in the active state, and switch between the data transmission mode and the pass-through mode based on the state of the power tool.

Disclosed inventions include:integrated pneumatic flow pressure regulator assemblies with and/or without filters and/or swivels, per FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F, 1G, 1H, 1I, 1J, 1K, 1L, 1M and 1N for use with all of Applicant's pneumatic torque gun models;activation, or trigger, lock safety assemblies, per FIGS. 2A1, 2A2, 2B1 and 2B2, for use with all of Applicant's electric and pneumatic torque gun models;automatic torque gun shifting assemblies including:rotation speed-sensing centrifugal multi-speed automatic shifting assemblies, per FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C, for use with all of Applicant's electric and pneumatic torque gun models;torque-sensing centrifugal multi-speed automatic shifting assemblies, per FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E, 4F, 4G, 4H, and 4I, for use with all of Applicant's electric and pneumatic torque gun models;helical cam, or wobbling, turning force multiplication assemblies, per FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D, 5E, 5F and 5G, for use with all of Applicant's electric and pneumatic torque gun models;pneumatic pressure release, or burst, valve assemblies, per FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E, 6F, 6G, 6H, 6I and 6J, that allow bleeding of pressure to unstick a locked up tool for use with all of Applicant's pneumatic torque gun models;pneumatic fluid directional valve assemblies, per FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C, for use with all of Applicant's pneumatic torque gun models;pneumatic fluid directional and activation, or trigger, lock safety valve assemblies, per FIGS. 8A and 8B, for use with all of Applicant's pneumatic torque gun models; andpneumatic tool cycle counter, or odometer, assemblies, per FIGS. 9A and 9B, that recognize tool actuations as drops in pneumatic pressure for use with all of Applicant's pneumatic torque gun models.