Abstract: An impact tool is provided which includes a drive source configured to rotate an output drive. A hammer is movable in a first direction to apply a rotational impact force on an anvil which rotates the output drive. A first hammer angle sensor set to a first signal channel and located proximate to a surface of the hammer. A plurality of regularly spaced targets are located on the surface of the hammer. Each of the plurality of regularly spaced targets are detectable by the first hammer sensor. And detection of one or more of the plurality of regularly spaced targets by the first hammer sensor indicates movement of the hammer.

Abstract: A power tool and method of determining torque is provided. The method of determining torque uses the energy output by the drive mechanism and the angle of rotation of the output shaft to estimate torque. The energy is determined by subtracting efficiency losses (or gains) from a nominal energy of the drive mechanism in order to improve the torque estimation.

Abstract: An impact tool is provided which includes a drive source configured to rotate an output drive. A hammer is movable in a first direction to apply a rotational impact force on an anvil which rotates the output drive. A first hammer angle sensor set to a first signal channel and located proximate to a surface of the hammer. A plurality of regularly spaced targets are located on the surface of the hammer. Each of the plurality of regularly spaced targets are detectable by the first hammer sensor. And detection of one or more of the plurality of regularly spaced targets by the first hammer sensor indicates movement of the hammer.

Abstract: An impact tool is provided which includes a drive source configured to rotate an output drive. A hammer is movable in a first direction to apply a rotational impact force on an anvil which rotates the output drive. A first hammer angle sensor set to a first signal channel and located proximate to a surface of the hammer. A plurality of regularly spaced targets are located on the surface of the hammer. Each of the plurality of regularly spaced targets are detectable by the first hammer sensor. And detection of one or more of the plurality of regularly spaced targets by the first hammer sensor indicates movement of the hammer.

Abstract: An impact tool is provided which includes a drive source configured to rotate an output drive. A hammer is movable in a first direction to apply a rotational impact force on an anvil which rotates the output drive. A first hammer angle sensor set to a first signal channel and located proximate to a surface of the hammer. A plurality of regularly spaced targets are located on the surface of the hammer. Each of the plurality of regularly spaced targets are detectable by the first hammer sensor. And detection of one or more of the plurality of regularly spaced targets by the first hammer sensor indicates movement of the hammer.

Abstract: In one illustrative embodiment, a grinder may comprise an arbor configured to rotate about a first axis and to support a grinding wheel for rotation therewith, a gear surrounding a first portion of the arbor and having a slip fit with the first portion of arbor, a motor configured to drive rotation of a drive train including the gear, a collar surrounding a second portion of the arbor and having an interference fit with the second portion of the arbor such that the collar is constrained for rotation with the arbor about the first axis, and at least one spring disposed between the gear and the collar and configured to exert a biasing force along the first axis such that one or more resulting friction forces cause the arbor to rotate with the gear when a torque exerted on the gear is less than a threshold torque.

Abstract: In one illustrative embodiment, a grinder may comprise an arbor configured to rotate about a first axis and to support a grinding wheel for rotation therewith, a gear surrounding a first portion of the arbor and having a slip fit with the first portion of arbor, a motor configured to drive rotation of a drive train including the gear, a collar surrounding a second portion of the arbor and having an interference fit with the second portion of the arbor such that the collar is constrained for rotation with the arbor about the first axis, and at least one spring disposed between the gear and the collar and configured to exert a biasing force along the first axis such that one or more resulting friction forces cause the arbor to rotate with the gear when a torque exerted on the gear is less than a threshold torque.

Abstract: A locking assembly for the spindle of a tool includes a locking member, a biasing member interconnected with the locking member, and a collar surrounding a portion of the spindle. The spindle includes a spindle slot that receives the locking member to lock the spindle with respect to the tool housing. The collar may be rotated into an unlocked position in which the biasing member holds the locking member out of engagement with the spindle slot. The collar may also be rotated into a locked position in which a cam surface in the collar acts on the biasing member to apply a biasing force on the locking member toward engagement with the spindle slot. The biasing member may deflect to accommodate rotation of the collar into the locked position with the spindle slot not aligned with the locking member.

Abstract: A locking assembly for the spindle of a tool includes a locking member, a biasing member interconnected with the locking member, and a collar surrounding a portion of the spindle. The spindle includes a spindle slot that receives the locking member to lock the spindle with respect to the tool housing. The collar may be rotated into an unlocked position in which the biasing member holds the locking member out of engagement with the spindle slot. The collar may also be rotated into a locked position in which a cam surface in the collar acts on the biasing member to apply a biasing force on the locking member toward engagement with the spindle slot. The biasing member may deflect to accommodate rotation of the collar into the locked position with the spindle slot not aligned with the locking member.

Abstract: A fluid driven tool has an outer housing and an inner motor housing nested in the outer housing and defining a cavity therebetween that has a first end with a first exhaust passageway and a second end with a second exhaust passageway. The inner motor housing has a motor chamber with an inlet port for a fluid driven motor and fluid inlet, and an inlet manifold disposed in the cavity. The inlet manifold has a recessed portion with a surrounding seal that engages the inner motor housing and connects the fluid inlet to the at least one inlet port of the inner motor housing. An inner surface of the outer housing and an outer surface of the inner motor housing have portions that mate upon nesting the inner motor housing in the outer housing and provide reinforced areas for clamping regions of the outer housing located over the reinforced areas.

Abstract: A flow guide configured for insertion in a cavity defined between an outer housing and a nested inner motor housing of a fluid driven tool. The flow guide defines a longitudinal axis and includes at least two longitudinal portions disposed parallel to the longitudinal axis and defining a longitudinal channel therebetween, and a rib being substantially circumferential and connecting the longitudinal portions at points defining a plane substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis. The rib defines a recess that permits fluid communication in the longitudinal channel across the rib.

Abstract: An improved torque control and fluid shut-off mechanism for a fluid operated tool includes a driving clutch member and a driven bit holder connected by ball bearings retained by the clutch member which engages in pockets in the bit holder. The pockets include a specific ramp construction which insures that the threshold torque level of the tool in the forward direction is less than the threshold level in the reverse direction.

Abstract: An improved torque control and fluid shut-off mechanism for a fluid operated tool includes a driving clutch member and a driven bit holder connected by ball bearings retained by the clutch member which engages in pockets in the bit holder. The pockets include a specific ramp construction which insures that the threshold torque level of the tool in the forward direction is less than the threshold level in the reverse direction.

Abstract: An improved torque control mechanism for a rotary vane, air motor tool includes acceleration and speed responsive slidable elements positioned in grooves that lie in a plane transverse to the spin axis of the motor and which form an angle with the radii extending from the spin axis. The elements cooperate with a cam plate which operates a fluid supply valve to close off air supply to the tool whenever torque of the tool causes the speed of the motor to decrease below a threshold level. A bypass valve and passage is manually operable to initiate operation of the air motor. An auxiliary low volume, low pressure valve and passage permits an operator to provide minor adjustments of the orientation of the output shaft of the tool. For reverse operation, the speed and acceleration control is eliminated by operation of a reverse operation control mechanism.