Wireless Collection of Fastener Data

摘要

Data is remotely collected from a plurality of fasteners in response to a query signal wirelessly transmitted by a reader. Each of the fasteners includes a sensor for measuring a parameter related to the stress on the fastener. A device adapted to be attached to each of the fasteners receives the query signal, activates the sensor to measure the parameter and wirelessly transmits the data including the parameter to the reader.

主权项

1. A system, comprising:
a fastener, adapted to mechanically join at least two separate structural members together, having a fastener head with a recess containing a sensor for measuring stress on the fastener; a removable cap, having a cap head and sides surrounding the fastener head, wherein the removable cap is configured to be attached to the fastener and to wirelessly transmit data related to the measured stress, having a set of electrical contacts that are brought into contact with the sensor and the fastener when the cap is attached to the fastener, whereby sensor data is transmitted from the sensor to the cap; and a reader, configured for wirelessly reading the data transmitted by the cap.