Geoffrey K Rowe

US Patent:

6829944, Dec 14, 2004

Filed:

Oct 8, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/266894

Inventors:

Stuart M. Gleman - Titusville FL 32780
Geoffrey Keith Rowe - Winter Springs FL 32708

International Classification:

F16B 3102

US Classification:

73761

Abstract:

An apparatus and method for measuring the tension in bolts, screws, rivets, and other fasteners, is disclosed wherein the deformation of the fastener head is measured, (or the end of fastener in such cases as there is not a distinct formed head, for example stud bolts). The deformation generally is an analytic function of the tension in the fastener. The deformation is a continuous two-dimensional distribution over the surface of the fastener head, which allows redundant measurement and therefore more reliable measurement of fastener total axial tension, and also allows in some instances an evaluation of the bending stresses in the fastener from the distortion of the deformation pattern on the head. An advantage of the invention is that the length of the fastener or its temperature need not be known. The measurements can be determined by optical, capacitance, optical imaging, air gauging and piezoresistive techniques.

US Patent:

7024938, Apr 11, 2006

Filed:

Dec 3, 2004

Appl. No.:

11/003090

Inventors:

Stuart M. Gleman - Titusville FL, US
Geoffrey Keith Rowe - Winter Springs FL, US

International Classification:

F16B 31/02

US Classification:

73761

Abstract:

An apparatus and method for measuring the tension in bolts, screws, rivets, and other fasteners, is disclosed wherein the deformation of the fastener head is measured (or the end of fastener in such cases as there is not a distinct formed head, for example stud bolts). The deformation generally is an analytic function of the tension in the fastener. The deformation is a continuous two-dimensional distribution over the surface of the fastener head, which allows redundant measurement and therefore more reliable measurement of fastener total axial tension, and also allows in some instances an evaluation of the bending stresses in the fastener from the distortion of the deformation pattern on the head. An advantage of the invention is that the length of the fastener or its temperature need not be known. The measurements can be determined by optical, capacitance, optical imaging, air gauging and piezoresistive techniques.

US Patent:

20060225484, Oct 12, 2006

Filed:

Apr 10, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/279199

Inventors:

Stuart Gleman - Titusville FL, US
Geoffrey Rowe - Winter Springs FL, US

International Classification:

G01C 25/00
B23Q 17/00

US Classification:

073001750, 029407010, 029407020

Abstract:

An apparatus and method for measuring the tension in bolts, screws, rivets, and other fasteners, is disclosed wherein the deformation of the fastener head is measured (or the end of fastener in such cases as there is not a distinct formed head, for example stud bolts). The deformation generally is an analytic function of the tension in the fastener. The deformation is a continuous two-dimensional distribution over the surface of the fastener head, which allows redundant measurement and therefore more reliable measurement of fastener total axial tension, and also allows in some instances an evaluation of the bending stresses in the fastener from the distortion of the deformation pattern on the head. An advantage of the invention is that the length of the fastener or its temperature need not be known. The measurements can be determined by optical, capacitance, optical imaging, air gauging and piezoresistive techniques.

US Patent:

59707984, Oct 26, 1999

Filed:

Sep 25, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/936788

Inventors:

Stuart M. Gleman - Titusville FL
Geoffrey K. Rowe - Winter Park FL

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration - Washington DC

International Classification:

F16B 3102

US Classification:

73761

Abstract:

An ultrasonic bolt gage is described which uses a cross-correlation algorithm to determine a tension applied to a fastener, such as a bolt. The cross-correlation analysis is preferably performed using a processor operating on a series of captured ultrasonic echo waveforms. The ultrasonic bolt gage is further described as using the captured ultrasonic echo waveforms to perform additional modes of analysis, such as feature recognition. Multiple tension data outputs, therefore, can be obtained from a single data acquisition for increased measurement reliability. In addition, one embodiment of the gage has been described as multi-channel, having a multiplexer for performing a tension analysis on one of a plurality of bolts.

US Patent:

20170276555, Sep 28, 2017

Filed:

Jun 13, 2017

Appl. No.:

15/621924

Inventors:

Geoffrey K. Rowe - Winter Springs FL, US

International Classification:

G01L 1/04
G01G 5/04
G01L 5/24

Abstract:

A reversible force measuring device for ascertaining the magnitude and/or direction of an applied load and having a cavity containing an indicating material such as a fluid, with the cavity configured such that when a load is applied to the device, it causes a reversible volumetric change to the cavity. This change causes the indicating material to move in or out of the cavity in a quantity which corresponds to the magnitude and/or direction of the applied load. By measuring the movement of the indicating material, a user can determine the magnitude and/or direction of the applied load. The device may include a component which generates an electrical signal from the measured movement and transmits this signal to another device to control the tensioning of one or more fastener components and or make other analytical measurements by combining this measurement with other measurements like torque and or angle.

US Patent:

20160202130, Jul 14, 2016

Filed:

Aug 26, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/915786

Inventors:

Geoffrey K Rowe - Winter Springs FL, US

International Classification:

G01L 1/02
G01G 5/04

Abstract:

A reversible force measuring device that can comprise at least one cavity, at least one load receiving area, and at least one indicating material; wherein the indicating material moves in or out of the at least one cavity as its volume changes to indicate the magnitude and/or direction of the applied loads. A reversible force measuring device that can comprise at least one cavity, at least one load receiving area, and at least one indicating material; a fastener causes the indicating material to move in and out of the at least one cavity to indicate the magnitude and/or direction of the applied loads. A reversible force measuring device comprising at least two independent cavities, at least one load receiving area, and at least one indicating material; wherein the difference in volume changes indicates the force as the indicating material moves in or out of the at least two cavities.