A ratchet type power wrench includes a housing, a pressure medium powered actuator, a ratchet mechanism included in the housing and coupled to the actuator, an open ended output socket with a constant cross sectional dimension throughout a length thereof, which is rotatably supported in the housing and engaged by the ratchet mechanism, and an angle encoder provided to indicate angular displacements of the output socket. The angle encoder has a form of a separate unit included in a casing, the casing being attachable to either side of the housing for connecting the angle encoder to either end of the output socket. The angle encoder includes a rotatable signal initiating part and a movement sensor rigidly mounted in the casing, the rotatable signal initiating part being provided with at least one coupling dog adapted to engage cavities located at both ends of the output socket.

A method for determining a tightening class of a tightening operation performed by a tightening tool is provided. The method comprises acquiring time-domain representations of sets of observed torque and angle values for fasteners having been tightened by the tightening tool, acquiring frequency-domain representations of the observed sets of torque values, associating a tightening class with each acquired time-domain and frequency-domain representation identifying a tightening operation, training a machine-learning model with the acquired time-domain representations and frequency-domain representations and the tightening class and supplying the trained machine-learning model with a further acquired time-domain representation frequency-domain representation for a fastener having been tightened by the tightening tool, wherein the trained machine-learning model outputs an estimated tightening class for the supplied set of observed torque and angle values.

A method for determining a tightening class of a tightening operation performed by a tightening tool is provided. The method comprises acquiring time-domain representations of sets of observed torque and angle values for fasteners having been tightened by the tightening tool, acquiring frequency-domain representations of the observed sets of torque values, associating a tightening class with each acquired time-domain and frequency-domain representation identifying a tightening operation, training a machine-learning model with the acquired time-domain representations and frequency-domain representations and the tightening class and supplying the trained machine-learning model with a further acquired time-domain representation frequency-domain representation for a fastener having been tightened by the tightening tool, wherein the trained machine-learning model outputs an estimated tightening class for the supplied set of observed torque and angle values.

A system for processing a workpiece, including a rotary drive having a path along which a flow of a fluid is established during operation, a sensor in communication with the path, to generate a signal responsive to the flow of the fluid and not to generate the signal responsive to an absence of the flow, and a controller communicatively coupled to the sensor to enable the operation of the rotary drive subsequent to a termination of the signal if a duration interval thereof is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, and to prevent the operation if the duration interval of the signal is less than the predetermined value. The rotary drive may include a drill.

An adaptive mechanical joint control and stabilization process and device having particular usefulness in mechanical joints employing U-bolts. The method and device monitors at least two predetermined metrics during a fastener tightening clampload cycle and compares the work expended in achieving a target limit value. Through examining the work expended through the monitored metrics, additional clampload cycles will automatically be run until the monitored work expended for all of the fasteners falls within predetermined values increasing the stabilization of the joint and further advantages of increased residual clampload. The process and device is useful in separating clampload cycles which form or yield the fastener from a final clampload cycle which properly elongates the fastener for a secure clampload and stabilized joint.

A system for processing a workpiece, including a rotary drive having a path along which a flow of a fluid is established during operation, a sensor in communication with the path, to generate a signal responsive to the flow of the fluid and not to generate the signal responsive to an absence of the flow, and a controller communicatively coupled to the sensor to enable the operation of the rotary drive subsequent to a termination of the signal if a duration interval thereof is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, and to prevent the operation if the duration interval of the signal is less than the predetermined value. The rotary drive may include a drill.

A hydraulic torque wrench comprises a ratchet link, a power head, and a signal carrying connector for connection to a controller. The ratchet link includes a housing and a drive plate mounted for rotation about an axis within the housing, the drive plate mounting one part of a first part of a ratchet drive. A socket is mounted for rotation within the housing, the socket providing a second part of the ratchet drive. During rotation of the drive plate in one direction the first and second part of the ratchet drive engage each other to cause rotation of the socket with the drive plate and during rotation of the drive plate in a second direction one of the first and second parts of the ratchet drive rides over the other such that the socket remains stationary while the drive plate rotates. The power head includes a piston and cylinder and hydraulic connections adapted for connection to a source of pressurised hydraulic fluid. The torque wrench mounts a proximity sensor connected to the signal carrying connector and configured to detect maximum extension of the piston. When maximum extension of the piston is detected the proximity sensor emits an electrical signal.

A hydraulic torque wrench and a method of determining a load exerted on a workpiece by a hydraulic torque wrench. The wrench may generally include a housing; a drive element for engaging the workpiece; a drive actuator for transmitting a torque to the drive element; and a gauge coupled to at least one of the housing and the drive actuator, the gauge being configured to detect a characteristic indicative of a torque exerted by the drive element to the workpiece. The wrench may include a sensor configured to detect rotation of the drive element.

A method of obtaining high clamp force accuracy at a threaded joint mounting process by a power tool includes: registering, during a certain interval of the mounting process, tightening and loosening torques applied on the joint, rotational movement of an output shaft relative to a housing, and housing angular displacements about a rotation axis and in relation to an immobile point; calculating output shaft true rotational movements by comparing its rotational movements relative to the housing with the registered housing angular displacements; comparing the applied tightening and loosening torques during the certain interval to determine a clamp force related tightening torque; relating the determined tightening torque to the calculated output shaft rotational movements to determine a clamp force coefficient of the threaded joint; and completing the mounting process by tightening the joint to a target clamp force level by applying a determined clamp force coefficient based torque.

A machine learning device for learning the fastening operation of a screw by a screwdriver includes a state observation unit for observing state variables consisting of at least one of a rotational speed of the screwdriver, a rotational direction of the screwdriver, a position of the screwdriver and an inclination of the screwdriver and at least one of a fastening quality of the screw fastened by the screwdriver and a fastening time for which the screw is fastened by the screwdriver, and a learning unit for learning at least one of the rotational speed, the rotational direction, the position and the inclination, observed by the state observation unit and at least one of a change of the fastening quality and a change of the fastening time, observed by the state observation unit in association with each other.