Wireless collection of fastener data

{
  "publication_number": "US8810370B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Wireless collection of fastener data",
  "abstract": "Data is remotely collected from a plurality of fasteners in response to a query signal wirelessly transmitted by a reader. Each of the fasteners includes a sensor for measuring a parameter related to the stress on the fastener. A device adapted to be attached to each of the fasteners receives the query signal, activates the sensor to measure the parameter and wirelessly transmits the data including the parameter to the reader.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A method of collecting data related to stress on a fastener having a fastener head with a recess containing a sensor, comprising: removably attaching a cap to the fastener, the cap having a cap head and sides configured to surround the fastener head; bringing a set of electrical contacts in the cap into engagement with the sensor and the fastener, whereby sensor data is transmissible from the sensor to the cap; sensing at least one temperature varying parameter on the fastener related to the stress on the fastener when the fastener mechanically joins at least two separate structural members together; sensing the temperature of the fastener; generating a data packet in the cap containing the sensed temperature varying parameter and the sensed temperature; wirelessly transmitting the data packet from the cap to a reader; receiving the data packet at the reader; and adjusting the temperature varying parameter at the reader using the sensed temperature.",
    "2. The method of claim 1, wherein sensing the temperature is performed using the sensor in the recess area of the fastener.",
    "3. The method of claim 1, further comprising: adjusting the sensed temperature varying parameter is performed at the fastener in response the adjusting of the parameter at the reader."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "This disclosure generally relates to structural fasteners, and deals more particularly with the remote wireless collection of data from the fasteners, such as the stress on a fastener.\n\nIt is sometimes necessary to periodically check the status of fasteners used to clamp structural joints. For example, in the case of vehicles such as aircraft, the clamping force applied by fasteners in certain mission critical structural joints and assemblies must be maintained within prescribed limits. Periodic monitoring of fastener clamping force may be necessary because of the tendency of some structures to relax over time, and physical changes in the fasteners such as work hardening and creep, all of which may result in a change in the preload applied by a fastener, and thus the stress on the fastener. Where fastener preload is found to be outside of the prescribed limits, it may be necessary to re-torque the fastener, or replace it. In the past, monitoring such fasteners was performed by maintenance technicians who would physically check and record the status of the fasteners, including the level of fastener preload. This manual process was time-consuming and labor intensive, and could sometimes be difficult to perform where the fasteners were located in areas not easily accessed.\n\nMore recently, fasteners have been devised that incorporate a sensor which measures the stress, and thus the preload, on the fastener.",
  "cpc": [
    "H04Q 9/00",
    "F16B 31/02",
    "F16B 37/14",
    "G08C 17/02",
    "H04Q 2209/40",
    "H04Q 2209/50",
    "H04Q 2209/886",
    "H04Q 9/14"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "F16B 31/02",
    "G01B 7/16",
    "H04Q 5/22"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "TILLOTSON BRIAN J",
    "MITCHELL BRADLEY J",
    "HERLEY PETER E",
    "CARLSON BRENDA K",
    "UNG KEVIN Y",
    "ROSS TAMAIRA E",
    "VENEMA STEVEN C",
    "CHINN KRISTINA A",
    "FARRICKER JAMES T",
    "HENDRICKS DANIEL A",
    "ROCKS RICHARD R",
    "SPINELLI CHARLES B",
    "BLACKWELL DAVID B",
    "BOEING CO"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "TILLOTSON BRIAN J",
    "MITCHELL BRADLEY J",
    "HERLEY PETER E",
    "CARLSON BRENDA K",
    "UNG KEVIN Y",
    "ROSS TAMAIRA E",
    "VENEMA STEVEN C",
    "CHINN KRISTINA A",
    "FARRICKER JAMES T",
    "HENDRICKS DANIEL A",
    "ROCKS RICHARD R",
    "SPINELLI CHARLES B",
    "BLACKWELL DAVID B"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2010-01-22",
  "publication_date": "2014-08-19",
  "grant_date": "2014-08-19",
  "priority_date": "2010-01-22",
  "application_number": "US-69179610-A",
  "family_id": "43500072",
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