Apparatus and method of determining torque, presenting digital torque readout and automatic cycling and termination of wrench operation

摘要

Apparatus and a method are presented for determining the torque load applied to a fastening element by a fluid powered wrench, and displaying a digital readout of the torque. The operating pressure of the wrench, after compensation for the temperature of the pressure transducer, is converted to a torque measurement by a programmed microprocessor and the torque value is displayed on a digital readout. The system is useable with and adjusts for wrenches of several sizes by an input selector switch connected to the microprocessor. Apparatus and method are also presented for automatic cycling of a ratcheting hydraulic powered wrench and automatic termination of the tightening process when a predetermined torque has been delivered to the fastening element.