Patents Assigned to Atlas Copco Tools AB
  • Publication number: 20050118034
    Abstract: A compressor unit intended for delivering a pressurised gaseous medium at a varying outlet flow volume to a consumer with varying load demands and comprises one or more rotors (K; 10, 11) forming one or more compressor stages and arranged to operate continuously at high speed thereby delivering a certain outlet flow volume, a drive motor (M; 19), a drive line assembly (N; 17, 18) mechanically coupling the compressor rotor or rotors (K; 10, 11) to the drive motor (M; 19), and a waste flow circuit connected to the outlet end of the compressor stages and incorporating at least one power recovery turbine (TR; 22, 23) mechanically coupled to the drive line assembly (N; 17, 18), and one or more valves (V; 25, 34, 35) controlling the waste flow through the waste flow circuit in response to the actual load demand, wherein the power recovery turbine or turbines (TR; 22, 23) are arranged to deliver power back to the drive line or drive lines (N; 17, 18) at consumer load demands smaller than the certain outlet flow volu
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2002
    Publication date: June 2, 2005
    Applicant: Atlas Copco Tools AB
    Inventor: Rolf Jacobsson
  • Patent number: 6899514
    Abstract: An overspeed safety device for a pneumatic rotation motor having a stator (10) with an air inlet passage (16), a rotor (12), and a speed governor for determining a maximum speed level, and comprising a speed responsive actuator (34) connected to the rotor (12) and a valve (33) shiftable by the actuator (34) from a normally open position to a closed position so as to block or substantially restrict the air flow through the inlet passage (16) at the attainment of motor speed levels exceeding a predetermined maximum level should the speed governor malfunction, wherein the actuator (34) comprises a spring biassed contact element (48) connected to the rotor (12) and responsive to centrifugal action, and the valve (33) comprises a disc-shaped valve element (36) pivotally supported in the inlet passage (16) and maintained in its open position by one magnet (42) and in its closed position by another magnet (43).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Atlas Copco Tools AB
    Inventors: Karl-Johan Lars Elsmark, Gunnar Christer Hansson, Anders Urban Jansson
  • Patent number: 6871711
    Abstract: A power tool of the type comprises a housing (10), a rotation motor (11), an output shaft (12) carrying and rotating a working implement, and a grease lubricated angle drive (13) coupling the output shaft (12) to the motor (11), wherein the angle drive (13) includes a gear chamber (30) containing lubricating grease, a pinion (16) connected to the motor (11), and a bevel gear (17) secured to the output shaft (12). An immovable wall element (24) located in a close vicinity to the bevel gear (17) forms a grease screen for preventing a great part of the grease volume in the gear chamber (30) from getting into direct contact with the bevel teeth and being hot agitated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Atlas Copco Tools AB
    Inventor: Gunnar Christer Hansson
  • Patent number: 6868742
    Abstract: A method and a device for determining the torque magnitude transferred to a threaded fastener at each one of a series of torque impulses delivered to the fastener, includes application of repeated torque impulses on the fastener by a power tool having a motor with a rotor and a pulse unit which intermittently couples the motor to an output shaft. The pulse unit includes an inertia drive member which is accelerated by the motor and transfers its kinetic energy to the output shaft at each torque impulse. A rotation detecting device indicates the instantaneous rotation movement of the inertia drive member. At each impulse generation, the inertia drive member is retarded, and the retardation magnitude as a function of time is calculated. The product of the retardation magnitude and the total inertia moment of the drive member and other rotating parts of the tool forming a rigid unit with the inertia drive member reflects the torque magnitude transferred to the fastener at each impulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Atlas Copco Tools AB
    Inventor: Knut Christian Schoeps
  • Publication number: 20050006615
    Abstract: A throttle valve device for a pneumatic power tool comprises a casing (10) with an air inlet passage (11), an air outlet passage (12), a valve chamber (13) with a main valve seat (14) and a main valve element (15), and a manually shiftable activating rod (21) which is sealingly guided in a lateral guide way (19) and arranged to engage and displace the main valve element (15) off the main seat (14), wherein the activating rod (21) has a valve portion (27,28) for co-operation with a secondary valve seat (24) in the guide way (19) for controlling a bypass passage (23,24,29) extending between the inlet passage (11) and the outlet passage (12) such that the activation rod valve portion (27,28) is separated from the secondary valve seat (24) and opens up the bypass passage (23,24,29) before the activation rod (21) engages and displaces the main valve element (15) off the main seat (14) when operating the activation rod (21) in the opening direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Publication date: January 13, 2005
    Applicant: Atlas Copco Tools AB
    Inventor: Anders Jansson
  • Patent number: 6840723
    Abstract: A working unit intended to be mounted on a movable machine operated tool support includes a casing which is attached to the tool support and which supports a pneumatic turbine motor with a rotor a shank end mill type machining tool with a cutter portion extending out of the casing and a shank portion rotatively journalled in the casing. The machining tool shank portion is rigidly integrated with a turbine wheel to form the turbine rotor. A flow control valve is arranged to deliver pressure air to the turbine motor. The turbine rotor is provided with a generator device for delivering a speed responsive output voltage to a control unit which is arranged to make the flow control valve adjust the power supply to the rotation motox so as to maintain the rotation speed at a desired predetermined level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Atlas Copco Tools AB
    Inventor: Rolf Alexis Jacobsson
  • Patent number: 6821157
    Abstract: A portable tool is connected to a remotely located operation controlling and/or monitoring control it via a multi-core cable. The multi-core cable is connected to the tool by a standard type multi-connector plug and jack connection to supply electric power and/or electric signals between the tool and the control unit. At least one signal producing element is provided on an upgrading module. The upgrading module is insertable between the tool and the multi-core cable via mating multi-connector plug and jack connections, and forms a readily exchangeable adapter. The upgrading module is individually designed to meet the demands of a particular operator, thereby adapting a standard type portable tool to a certain application without involving any re-building of the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Atlas Copco Tools AB
    Inventors: Ulf Roland Brändström, Carl Johan Erik Wallgren
  • Patent number: 6785591
    Abstract: A method is provided for determining the optimum control parameter values for a screw joint tightening process carried out by a power wrench which is controlled by a programmable control system utilizing the determined parameter values. The control system is provided with screw joint tightening characteristic parameter values and operation parameter values characteristic of the actually used power wrench. The tightening process is mathematically simulated by using the screw joint and power wrench characteristic parameter values as well as pre-chosen operation control parameter values. And the result of the simulated tightening process is evaluated in view of predetermined evaluation criteria, thereby determining the suitable operation control parameter values to be used during production tightening of the actual type of screw joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Atlas Copco Tools AB
    Inventor: Gunnar Christer Hansson
  • Publication number: 20040129090
    Abstract: A method and a device for determining the torque magnitude transferred to a threaded fastener (25) at each one of a series of torque impulses delivered to the fastener (25), including application of repeated torque impulses on the fastener (25) by a power tool having a motor (20) with a rotor (21) and a pulse unit (23) intermittently coupling the pulse unit (23) to an output shaft (24). The pulse unit (23) comprises an inertia drive member (27) which is accelerated by the motor (20) and arranged to transfer its kinetic energy to the output shaft (24) at each torque impulse, and a rotation detecting device (35, 38) is provided to indicate the instantaneous rotation movement of the inertia drive member (27).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Applicant: Atlas Copco Tools AB
    Inventor: Knut Christian Schoeps
  • Publication number: 20040086374
    Abstract: An overspeed safety device for a pneumatic rotation motor having a stator (10) with an air inlet passage (16), a rotor (12), and a speed governor for determining a maximum speed level, and comprising a speed responsive actuator (34) connected to the rotor (12) and a valve (33) shiftable by the actuator (34) from a normally open position to a closed position so as to block or substantially restrict the air flow through the inlet passage (16) at the attainment of motor speed levels exceeding a predetermined maximum level should the speed governor malfunction, wherein the actuator (34) comprises a spring biassed contact element (48) connected to the rotor (12) and responsive to centrifugal action, and the valve (33) comprises a disc-shaped valve element (36) pivotally supported in the inlet passage (16) and maintained in its open position by one magnet (42) and in its closed position by another magnet (43).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Applicant: Atlas Copco Tools AB
    Inventors: Karl-Johan Lars Elsmark, Gunnar Christer Hansson, Anders Urban Jansson
  • Patent number: 6725943
    Abstract: A method and a power wrench for detecting the attainment of a target torque level in a screw joint tightening process, wherein an override type torque responsive release clutch (17) is used in the power wrench for defining the target torque level, comprising a microphone (22) mounted in the power wrench for recording the “click” sound developed in the clutch (17) during the release movement, and a control unit (20) including motor operation governing means, and a signal identifying device is connected to the microphone (22) for recognizing the release “click” sound and delivering a stop signal for interrupting the power supply to and braking the power wrench motor (15) as the clutch (17) has released and the target torque level is reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Atlas Copco Tools AB
    Inventor: Thomas Klas Ginell
  • Publication number: 20040074652
    Abstract: A method and a power wrench for detecting the attainment of a target torque level in a screw joint tightening process are provided, wherein an override type torque responsive release clutch is used in the power wrench for defining the target torque level. A microphone is mounted in the power wrench for recording “click” sound(s) developed in the clutch during the release movement of the clutch, and a control unit including a signal identifying device is provided for recognizing the release “click” sound(s) and delivering a stop signal for interrupting the power supply to the motor and/or braking the motor as the clutch is released and the target torque level is achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Applicant: ATLAS COPCO TOOLS AB
    Inventor: Thomas Klas Ginell
  • Patent number: 6712157
    Abstract: A power tool of the type comprises a housing (10), a rotation motor (11), an output shaft (12) carrying and rotating a working implement, and a grease lubricated angle drive (13) coupling the output shaft (12) to the motor (11), wherein the angle drive (13) includes a gear chamber (30) containing lubricating grease, a pinion (16) connected to the motor (11), and a bevel gear (17) secured to the output shaft (12). An immovable wall element (24) located in a close vicinity to the bevel gear (17) forms a grease screen for preventing a great part of the grease volume in the gear chamber (30) from getting into direct contact with the bevel teeth and being hot agitated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Atlas Copco Tools AB
    Inventor: Gunnar Christer Hansson
  • Patent number: 6705834
    Abstract: An axial flow turbine machine intended for elastic fluid operation is provided which includes a rotor with two or more sections each carrying an array of radially directed drive blades, and a stator having a number of fluid inlet nozzles and one or more sections each carrying a circumferential array of guide vanes for directing motive fluid onto the drive blades. A rotor flow path is formed between every two adjacent drive blades in each rotor section and a stator flow path is formed between every two adjacent guide vanes in each stator section. A widened section is provided between the entrance section and the exit section of each rotor section flow path and each stator section flow path, such that the radial distance between the inner flow path defining surface and the outer flow path defining surface is larger in the widened section than in the exit section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Atlas Copco Tools AB
    Inventor: Rolf Alexis Jacobsson
  • Publication number: 20040040295
    Abstract: A speed governor for a pneumatic rotation motor having a pressure air inlet passage (15, 15′), an inlet valve (16; 56) including a flow controlling valve element (18; 58) located in the inlet passage (15, 15′), and a speed responsive activating device (24; 54) operatively connected to the inlet valve (16; 56), wherein the activating device (24, 54) comprises a pilot circuit with an activating surface (20; 70) on the valve element (18; 58), a restricted air supply opening (21, 72) communicating with the activating surface (20; 70), a bleed-off valve (24; 54) which communicates with the activating surface (20; 70) and which comprises an electromagnet actuator (27; 76), and a generator (30) driven by the motor and delivering to the actuator (27; 76) a voltage of a magnitude responsive to the actual motor speed to thereby make the bleed-off valve (24; 54) operate in response to the output voltage of the generator (30) and the actual motor speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2003
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Applicant: Atlas Copco Tools AB
    Inventor: Rolf Alexis Jacobsson
  • Publication number: 20040042864
    Abstract: A working unit intended to be mounted on a movable machine operated tool support comprises a casing (10) which is attached to the tool support and which supports a pneumatic turbine motor (23, 24, 51) with a rotor (19), and a shank end mill type machining tool (22,21) with a cutter portion (21) extending out of the casing (10) and a shank portion (22) rotatively journalled in the casing (10), whereing the machining tool shank portion (22) is rigidly integrated with a turbine whell (24) to form the turbine rotor (19), a flow control valve (48) is arranged to deliver pressure air to the turbine motor (23, 24, 51), and the turbine rotor (19) is provided with a generator device for delivering a speed responsive output voltage to a control unit (55) which is arranged to make the flow control valve 848) adjust the power supply to the rotation motor (23, 24, 51) so as to maintain the rotation speed at a desired predetermined level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2003
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Applicant: Atlas Copco Tools AB
    Inventor: Rolf Alexis Jacobsson
  • Patent number: 6698533
    Abstract: A portable power tool is provided which includes a housing having an angle drive chamber, a rotation motor, an output spindle, and a grease lubricated angle drive that is located in the angle drive chamber and that includes a drive pinion connected to the motor and a bevel gear connected to the output spindle. The portable power tool also includes an output spindle arresting device which includes a number of recesses in the bevel gear and a latch pawl movably supported in the housing for movement between an inactive position and an active position to engage the recesses in the bevel gear, wherein a grease moving element is connected to the latch pawl to be moved and displace grease from one part of the angle drive chamber to another as the latch pawl is shifted from its inactive position to its active position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Atlas Copco Tools AB
    Inventor: Tobias Axel Lindback
  • Patent number: 6662882
    Abstract: A power nut runner with a torque responsive shut-off capacity includes a housing (11,12,13), and a rotation motor (10) connected to an output shaft (28) via a torque responsive release clutch (26) in which torque is transferred via a cam mechanism (31, 35, 36) between a driving clutch half (25) and a driven clutch half (27, 30, 39). A spring (32) is arranged to bias and displace a first one of the clutch halves (27, 30, 39) towards the other in an engagement direction, and a signal emitting release detecting sensor (46), is provided in the housing (11, 12, 13). An activation element (40) is arranged to be thrown off an abutting contact with the spring biassed clutch half (27, 30, 39) to reach an active position beyond its inactive low torque position as the spring biassed clutch half (27, 30, 39) is abruptly returned to its engagement position after an axial release movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Atlas Copco Tools AB
    Inventor: Gunnar Christer Hansson
  • Publication number: 20030217853
    Abstract: A power tool of the type comprises a housing (10), a rotation motor (11), an output shaft (12) carrying and rotating a working implement, and a grease lubricated angle drive (13) coupling the output shaft (12) to the motor (11), wherein the angle drive (13) includes a gear chamber (30) containing lubricating grease, a pinion (16) connected to the motor (11), and a bevel gear (17) secured to the output shaft (12). An immovable wall element (24) located in a close vicinity to the bevel gear (17) forms a grease screen for preventing a great part of the grease volume in the gear chamber (30) from getting into direct contact with the bevel teeth and being hot agitated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2003
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Applicant: Atlas Copco Tools AB
    Inventor: Gunnar Christer Hansson
  • Publication number: 20030217854
    Abstract: A power tool of the type comprises a housing (10), a rotation motor (11), an output shaft (12) carrying and rotating a working implement, and a grease lubricated angle drive (13) coupling the output shaft (12) to the motor (11), wherein the angle drive (13) includes a gear chamber (30) containing lubricating grease, a pinion (16) connected to the motor (11), and a bevel gear (17) secured to the output shaft (12). An immovable wall element (24) located in a close vicinity to the bevel gear (17) forms a grease screen for preventing a great part of the grease volume in the gear chamber (30) from getting into direct contact with the bevel teeth and being hot agitated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2003
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Applicant: Atlas Copco Tools AB
    Inventor: Gunnar Christer Hansson