Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for an electric tool (e.g., a power tool) that includes an output driver for receiving an accessory, and an accessory-type detector. A motor of the electric tool is coupled to the output driver for driving the accessory. The power tool also includes an operation trigger for activating the motor and a motor controller. The motor controller includes an electronic processor that is coupled to the accessory-type detector, the motor, the operation trigger, and a memory. The memory stores instructions that when executed by the electronic processor cause the motor controller to detect a characteristic of the accessory from output of the accessory-type detector. The motor controller determines an operational characteristic for the accessory based on the detected characteristic, and controls operation of the motor to drive the accessory according to the operational characteristic when the operation trigger is activated.

Abstract: A programmable power tool and method and systems of programming a power tool using wireless communication. An external device having a processor and a transceiver establishes a communication link with the power tool. The external device receives, with the transceiver, a first mode profile stored on the power tool. The first mode profile is defined by a profile type and a first value associated with a parameter for executing the profile type. The external device displays a control screen including the profile type and the parameter at the first value, and receives a user input. The external device generates, in response to the user input, a second mode profile by modifying the parameter to be at a second value. The external device transmits, with the transceiver, the second mode profile to the power tool.

Abstract: A power tool includes a housing and a sensor, a machine learning controller, a motor, and an electronic controller supported by the housing. The sensor is configured to generate sensor data indicative of an operational parameter of the power tool. The machine learning controller includes a first processor and a first memory and is coupled to the sensor. The machine learning controller further includes a machine learning control program configured to receive the sensor data, process the sensor data using the machine learning control program, and generate an output based on the sensor data using the machine learning control program. The electronic controller includes a second processor and a second memory and is coupled to the motor and to the machine learning controller. The electronic controller is configured to receive the output from the machine learning controller and control the motor based on the output.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for an electric tool (e.g., a power tool) that includes an output driver for receiving an accessory, and an accessory-type detector. A motor of the electric tool is coupled to the output driver for driving the accessory. The power tool also includes an operation trigger for activating the motor and a motor controller. The motor controller includes an electronic processor that is coupled to the accessory-type detector, the motor, the operation trigger, and a memory. The memory stores instructions that when executed by the electronic processor cause the motor controller to detect a characteristic of the accessory from output of the accessory-type detector. The motor controller determines an operational characteristic for the accessory based on the detected characteristic, and controls operation of the motor to drive the accessory according to the operational characteristic when the operation trigger is activated.

Abstract: A bolt tensioning tool includes a housing, an electric motor positioned within the housing, a hydraulic pump positioned within the housing, the pump being driven by the motor to pressurize hydraulic fluid stored within the housing or a remote reservoir, and a tensioning assembly connectable to a bolt for applying tension thereto in response to an applied force by the pressurized hydraulic fluid.

Abstract: Kickback control methods for power tools. One power tool includes a movement sensor configured to measure an angular velocity of the housing of the power tool, and an orientation sensor configured to measure an orientation of the housing. The power tool includes an electronic processor coupled to a switching network and a trigger. To implement the kickback control, the electronic processor is configured to receive measurements of the angular velocity of the housing, receive measurements of the orientation of the housing, determine a binding condition of the power tool based on the measurements of the angular velocity and the measurements of orientation, and control the switching network to cease driving of the brushless DC motor.

Abstract: Kickback control methods for power tools. One power tool includes a movement sensor configured to measure an angular velocity of the housing of the power tool about the rotational axis. The power tool includes an electronic processor coupled to the switching network and the movement sensor and configured to implement kickback control of the power tool. To implement the kickback control, the electronic processor is configured to control the switching network to drive the brushless DC motor, receive measurements of the angular velocity of the housing of the power tool from the movement sensor, determine that a plurality of the measurements of the angular velocity of the housing of the power tool exceed a rotation speed threshold, and control the switching network to cease driving of the brushless DC motor in response to determining that the plurality of the measurements of the angular velocity exceed the rotation speed threshold.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing vibration in power tool. One system includes a power tool that includes a housing and a motor. The power tool further includes a magnetically susceptible fluid located within the housing. The power tool further includes an inductor configured to introduce a magnetic field to the magnetically susceptible fluid. The power tool further includes a sensor configured to indicate an amount of vibration experienced by the power tool. The power tool further includes an electronic processor coupled to the sensor and to the inductor. The electronic processor is configured to receive a user-selected sensitivity level for vibration control, to receive an input signal from the sensor indicating the amount of vibration, to generate a control signal based on the input signal, and to provide the control signal to the inductor to control the magnetic field.

Abstract: A programmable power tool and method and systems of programming a power tool using wireless communication. An external device having a processor and a transceiver establishes a communication link with the power tool. The external device receives, with the transceiver, a first mode profile stored on the power tool. The first mode profile is defined by a profile type and a first value associated with a parameter for executing the profile type. The external device displays a control screen including the profile type and the parameter at the first value, and receives a user input. The external device generates, in response to the user input, a second mode profile by modifying the parameter to be at a second value. The external device transmits, with the transceiver, the second mode profile to the power tool.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing vibration in power tool. One system includes a power tool that includes a housing and a motor. The power tool further includes a magnetically susceptible fluid located within the housing. The power tool further includes an inductor configured to introduce a magnetic field to the magnetically susceptible fluid. The power tool further includes a sensor configured to indicate an amount of vibration experienced by the power tool. The power tool further includes an electronic processor coupled to the sensor and to the inductor. The electronic processor is configured to receive an input signal from the sensor indicating the amount of vibration, to generate a control signal based on the input signal, and to provide the control signal to the inductor to control the magnetic field.

Abstract: Kickback control methods for power tools. One power tool includes a movement sensor configured to measure an angular velocity of the housing of the power tool about the rotational axis. The power tool includes an electronic processor coupled to the switching network and the movement sensor and configured to implement kickback control of the power tool. To implement the kickback control, the electronic processor is configured to control the switching network to drive the brushless DC motor, receive measurements of the angular velocity of the housing of the power tool from the movement sensor, determine that a plurality of the measurements of the angular velocity of the housing of the power tool exceed a rotation speed threshold, and control the switching network to cease driving of the brushless DC motor in response to determining that the plurality of the measurements of the angular velocity exceed the rotation speed threshold.

Abstract: A programmable power tool and method and systems of programming a power tool using wireless communication. An external device having a processor and a transceiver establishes a communication link with the power tool. The external device receives, with the transceiver, a first mode profile stored on the power tool. The first mode profile is defined by a profile type and a first value associated with a parameter for executing the profile type. The external device displays a control screen including the profile type and the parameter at the first value, and receives a user input. The external device generates, in response to the user input, a second mode profile by modifying the parameter to be at a second value. The external device transmits, with the transceiver, the second mode profile to the power tool.

Abstract: A programmable power tool and method and systems of programming a power tool using wireless communication. An external device having a processor and a transceiver establishes a communication link with the power tool. The external device receives, with the transceiver, a first mode profile stored on the power tool. The first mode profile is defined by a profile type and a first value associated with a parameter for executing the profile type. The external device displays a control screen including the profile type and the parameter at the first value, and receives a user input. The external device generates, in response to the user input, a second mode profile by modifying the parameter to be at a second value. The external device transmits, with the transceiver, the second mode profile to the power tool.

Abstract: A programmable power tool and method and systems of programming a power tool using wireless communication. An external device having a processor and a transceiver establishes a communication link with the power tool. The external device receives, with the transceiver, a first mode profile stored on the power tool. The first mode profile is defined by a profile type and a first value associated with a parameter for executing the profile type. The external device displays a control screen including the profile type and the parameter at the first value, and receives a user input. The external device generates, in response to the user input, a second mode profile by modifying the parameter to be at a second value. The external device transmits, with the transceiver, the second mode profile to the power tool.

Abstract: A power tool with an impact mechanism and that is controlled based on a drive angle from impacting. The power tool includes a housing, a brushless direct current (DC) motor within the housing, an impact mechanism, and an output drive device. The brushless DC motor includes a rotor coupled to a motor shaft to produce a rotational output. The impact mechanism includes a hammer coupled to the motor shaft, and an anvil that receives impacts from the hammer and drives an output device. The power tool further includes a position sensor that senses a position of the rotor and a controller coupled to the position sensor. The controller detects an impact of the impact mechanism, calculates a drive angle of the anvil caused by the impact based on output from the position sensor, and controls the brushless DC motor based on the drive angle.

Abstract: A power tool includes a housing defining a grip portion, a motor having a motor drive shaft, a drive assembly coupled to the motor drive shaft and driven by the motor, an output assembly coupled to the drive assembly and having an output member that receives torque from the drive assembly, causing the output member to rotate about an axis, and a transducer assembly disposed between the grip portion and the output assembly to measure the amount of torque applied through the output member, when the motor is deactivated, in response to the power tool being manually rotated about the axis.

Abstract: Position sensing related to a component within a power tool. The component within the power tool is, for example, a hammer of an impact mechanism and can include one or more sensible features that allow a controller of the power tool to precisely determine the position, speed, and acceleration of the component. One or more sensors can be used to determine the rotational position of the hammer and the axial position of the hammer. The rotational position of the hammer can then be used to calculate, for example, rotational speed and acceleration of the hammer. With precise determinations of the rotational and axial position of the hammer, the controller of the power tool is able to precisely time the impact between the hammer and the anvil to optimize the impact between the hammer and the anvil (e.g., to maximize energy transfer between the hammer and the anvil).

Abstract: A power tool with an impact mechanism and that is controlled based on a drive angle from impacting. The power tool includes a housing, a brushless direct current (DC) motor within the housing, an impact mechanism, and an output drive device. The brushless DC motor includes a rotor coupled to a motor shaft to produce a rotational output. The impact mechanism includes a hammer coupled to the motor shaft, and an anvil that receives impacts from the hammer and drives an output device. The power tool further includes a position sensor that senses a position of the rotor and a controller coupled to the position sensor. The controller detects an impact of the impact mechanism, calculates a drive angle of the anvil caused by the impact based on output from the position sensor, and controls the brushless DC motor based on the drive angle.

Abstract: A power tool includes a housing defining a grip portion, a motor having a motor drive shaft, a drive assembly coupled to the motor drive shaft and driven by the motor, an output assembly coupled to the drive assembly and having an output member that receives torque from the drive assembly, causing the output member to rotate about an axis, and a transducer assembly disposed between the grip portion and the output assembly to measure the amount of torque applied through the output member, when the motor is deactivated, in response to the power tool being manually rotated about the axis.

Abstract: A trigger assembly, for use with a power tool having an electric motor, includes a trigger, a conductor coupled for movement with the trigger, and a printed circuit board. The printed circuit board has an inductive sensor thereon responsive to relative movement between the conductor and the inductive sensor caused by movement of the trigger. An output of the inductive sensor is used to activate the electric motor.