Bolt Axial Force Measurement via Dynamic Echo Gate Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bolt axial force measurement methods face challenges in accurately measuring axial force due to variations in the thickness of the ultrasound propagating medium and distortion of the bolt head, leading to inaccurate elongation calculations and contact status changes during tightening.
Innovation Solution
A bolt axial force measurement apparatus that includes an echo detection section for detecting both head and bottom echoes of ultrasonic pulses and an axial force calculation section, which calculates the axial force based on the time difference between predetermined positions of the echoes, with independently shifting echo gates to maintain accurate tracking during tightening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the thickness of the ultrasound propagating medium between the ultrasonic sensor and the bolt head varies, then the distance measurement becomes inaccurate, but maintaining a fixed distance requires additional mechanical structures that increase device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the echo gate positions variable rather than fixed. The echo detection section dynamically adjusts the gate positions to track the actual positions of head echo and bottom echo signals, allowing the measurement system to adapt to varying distances without requiring mechanical adjustment structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of gate position from fixed to variable. By allowing the gate positions to be shifted based on detected echo signal positions, the system maintains measurement accuracy despite variations in propagating medium thickness, without adding mechanical complexity.
2Device complexity
If only the bottom echo is received for measurement, then the measurement process is simple, but the axial force measurement accuracy deteriorates due to ignoring head part distortion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the echo signal into two distinct components: head echo from the bolt head and bottom echo from the bolt bottom. By separately detecting and processing both echoes with independent gate positions, the system captures both the head distortion and the elongation information, enabling accurate axial force measurement while maintaining a relatively simple measurement process.
3Duration of action of moving object
If the contact status of the bolt head and ultrasonic sensor changes during fastening, then the measurement can be performed continuously, but the measurement accuracy deteriorates due to varying contact conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by using the detected echo signal positions to dynamically adjust the gate positions for subsequent measurements. This feedback mechanism allows the system to continuously adapt to changing contact conditions during fastening, maintaining measurement accuracy throughout the entire tightening process rather than requiring re-calibration or stopping measurements.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables more secure and accurate measurement of bolt axial force by accounting for echo gate shifts and amplitude corrections, improving measurement precision and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
measuring an elongation of the bolt with high accuracy by utilizing a B echo (bottom echo) of an ultrasound emitted from a head of the bolt toward a bottom face of a shank of the bolt
Data Source
AI summary
A bolt axial force measurement apparatus of the present invention includes an echo detection section and an axial force calculation section. The echo detection section sets a head echo gate for the head echo and sets a bottom echo gate for the bottom echo, and executes tracking for a plurality of ultrasonic pulses emitted during tightening of the bolt so that the head echo gate and bottom echo gate are shifted independently to include the predetermined positions at the same position in the head echo gate and bottom echo gate.