Torque transducer assembly

Abstract

A torque transducer assembly includes a first shell having a threaded neck and a distal end. A second shell is also provided. A sensor module includes a first frame member, a second frame member, and a sensor. The first frame member is attached to the first shell and the second frame member is attached to the second shell such that the first and second shells are coupled to one another. A method of manufacturing a torque transducer assembly is also provided. A packaging system including a torque transducer assembly is additionally provided.

1 . A torque transducer assembly comprising: 
 a first shell comprising a threaded neck having a longitudinal axis and a distal end opposite the threaded neck;    a first frame member attached to the first shell adjacent to the distal end, the first frame member comprising a first engagement surface;    a second shell;    a second frame member attached to the second shell and comprising a second engagement surface, the second frame member rotatably coupled with the first frame member for rotation at least partially about the longitudinal axis;    a load cell positioned between the first and second engagement surfaces such that the load cell is compressed between the first and second engagement surfaces when the first shell is rotated with respect to the second shell; and    a monitoring circuit electronically connected with the load cell.    
   
   
       2 . The transducer assembly of  claim 1  wherein the monitoring circuit is disposed at least partially within at least one of the first and second shells.  
   
   
       3 . The transducer assembly of  claim 1  wherein the first frame member is disposed at least partially within a cavity in the first shell, and wherein the second frame member is disposed at least partially within a cavity in the second shell.  
   
   
       4 . The transducer assembly of  claim 1  further comprising a first filler material disposed at least partially between the first shell and the first frame member.  
   
   
       5 . The transducer assembly of  claim 1  further comprising a second filler material disposed at least partially between the second shell and the second frame member.  
   
   
       6 . The transducer assembly of  claim 1  wherein the monitoring circuit comprises a conditioning circuit in electrical communication with the load cell, a controller, and memory.  
   
   
       7 . The transducer assembly of  claim 6  wherein the monitoring circuit further comprises at least one of a clock and a timer, and the monitoring circuit is configured to provide data indicative of a capping torque profile as a function of time.  
   
   
       8 . The transducer assembly of  claim 7  wherein the monitoring circuit is configured to store multiple capping torque profiles as a function of time.  
   
   
       9 . The transducer assembly of  claim 1  wherein the monitoring circuit comprises a transmitter configured to transmit capping torque data.  
   
   
       10 . The transducer assembly of  claim 1  wherein the monitoring circuit is configured to provide data relating to at least one of: 
 a capping head which operates upon the torque transducer assembly; and    a time of day at which the torque transducer assembly is capped.    
   
   
       11 . The transducer assembly of  claim 1  wherein the transducer assembly is configured such that the first engagement surface is urged toward the second engagement surface when the first shell is rotated with respect to the second shell.  
   
   
       12 . A method for manufacturing a torque transducer assembly, the method comprising: 
 providing a container having a shell including a threaded neck and a base, the shell extending from the threaded neck to the base along a longitudinal axis;    severing the container in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, thereby separating the container into a first shell and a second shell, the first shell extending along the longitudinal axis from the threaded neck to a first severed end, and the second shell extending along the longitudinal axis from a second severed end to the base;    providing a sensor module comprising a first frame member, a second frame member, and a sensor; and    attaching the first frame member to the first shell and attaching the second frame member to the second shell, such that the first and second shells are coupled to one another.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the sensor comprises a load cell, the load cell being positioned between the first and second frame members such that the load cell is compressed between the first and second frame members when the first shell is rotated with respect to the second shell.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the sensor module is configured such that the first frame member is rigidly connected by at least one strut to the second frame member, and wherein the sensor comprises at least one strain gauge attached to said at least one strut.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the first frame member is attached to the first shell and the second frame member is attached to the second shell using at least one of an adhesive and a fastener.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising inserting a first filler material between the first frame member and the first shell, and inserting a second filler material between the second frame member and the second shell.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the first frame member is attached to the first shell such that the first frame member is disposed at least partially within a cavity in the first shell, and the second frame member is attached to the second shell such that the second frame member is disposed at least partially within a cavity in the second shell.  
   
   
       18 . A packaging system comprising: 
 a conveyor system configured to transport containers;    a capping system comprising at least one capping head disposed adjacent to the conveyor system, said capping head configured to install caps upon containers transported by the conveyor system;    at least one torque transducer assembly configured to be periodically inserted into the conveyor system for capping by the capping system, the torque transducer assembly comprising a first shell, a second shell coupled to the first shell, and a sensor module, the sensor module having a first frame member attached to the first shell, a second frame member attached to the second shell, and a sensor configured to generate electrical signals indicative of capping torque, the torque transducer assembly further comprising a transmitter configured to transmit data indicative of capping torque; and    a control system electrically connected with the capping system and comprising a receiver configured to receive the capping torque data from the transmitter, the control system being configured to adjust the amount of rotational torque applied by said capping head in response to the capping torque data received by the receiver.    
   
   
       19 . The packaging system of  claim 18  wherein the first frame member comprises a first engagement surface, the second frame member comprises a second engagement surface, and the sensor comprises a load cell positioned between the first and second engagement surfaces such that the load cell will be compressed between the first and second engagement surfaces when the first shell is rotated with respect to the second shell.  
   
   
       20 . The packaging system of  claim 18  wherein the first frame member is rigidly connected by at least one strut to the second frame member, and wherein the sensor comprises at least one strain gauge attached to said at least one strut.  
   
   
       21 . The packaging system of  claim 18  wherein the control system is configured to automatically adjust in real time the amount of rotational torque applied by said capping head in response to the data received by the receiver.  
   
   
       22 . The packaging system of  claim 18  wherein said packaging system comprises a plurality of said torque transducer assemblies, the receiver being configured to receive data from each of said transducer assemblies, and the control system being configured to automatically adjust the amount of rotational torque applied by said capping head in response to the data received by the receiver.  
   
   
       23 . The packaging system of  claim 18  wherein the capping system comprises a plurality of capping heads each being respectively disposed adjacent to the conveyor system, wherein said torque transducer assembly is configured to identify a particular capping head associated with capping torque data and is further configured to transmit the identity of the particular capping head, wherein the receiver is further configured to receive the identity of the particular capping head, and wherein the control system is configured to automatically adjust the amount of rotational torque applied by the particular capping head in response to capping torque data associated therewith.