Downhole portable anti-explosion shell screw automatic tightening and loosening tool

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of tightening and loosening tools, and discloses an underground portable anti-explosion shell screw automatic tightening and loosening tool which comprises a gearbox, a driven gear, a sensing mechanism, a universal flexible shaft and a driving assembly. A magnetic adsorption component is mounted at the bottom of the gearbox, and a power storage control system and a travel switch are mounted at the top; a plurality of driven gears are rotationally connected into the gear box, and electronic clutches are mounted at the tops of the driven gears; the sensing mechanism comprises a plurality of fixed torque testers; the plurality of fixed torque testers are respectively mounted at the tops of the plurality of electronic clutches; the universal flexible shafts are installed at the tops of the fixed torque testers respectively, and the strong magnetic wrenches are installed at the ends, away from the fixed torque testers, of the universal flexible shafts. The device can simultaneously drive a plurality of bolts to fasten or dismount through one-time operation, and has the characteristics of independent torque setting, automatic shutdown, high space adaptability, safety, explosion prevention and the like, so that the operation efficiency is improved, the assembly quality is guaranteed, and the labor intensity of personnel is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of tightening and loosening tooling technology, and in particular to an automatic tightening and loosening tooling for portable explosion-proof screws used in underground wells. Background Technology

[0002] Coal mines and tunnels are high-risk environments due to the presence of explosive gases such as methane and coal dust (methane concentrations often reach 4%-15%), where traditional power tools can easily cause explosions. Furthermore, in confined working environments like underground coal mines, equipment maintenance and installation often involve the disassembly and assembly of multi-bolt connections. Due to the limited working space, humid environment, and high explosion-proof requirements, manual tools (such as ordinary wrenches and socket wrenches) have long been relied upon for tightening or disassembling bolts one by one. This method is inefficient, labor-intensive, and makes it difficult to ensure consistent preload on all bolts, thus affecting equipment safety.

[0003] Currently, although some electric or pneumatic torque wrenches are used in industrial applications, these tools are mostly single-headed, requiring individual bolt tightening and failing to meet the needs of simultaneous multi-bolt tightening. Furthermore, existing tools generally suffer from large size, heavy weight, lack of explosion-proof design, or inability to adapt to complex spatial layouts, hindering their widespread application in special environments such as underground coal mines. In addition, for multi-bolt connections with circular or symmetrical distributions (such as flanges and end caps), the process typically requires step-by-step tightening in a cross-sequence to avoid uneven loading and seal failure. Traditional manual operation relies on experience, easily leading to incomplete tightening, over-tightening, or incorrect sequence, and lacks automated and intelligent collaborative control methods.

[0004] To address this, a portable, explosion-proof casing screw tightening / loosening tool for downhole applications is proposed. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide an automatic tightening and loosening tool for portable explosion-proof shell screws in wells, which aims to solve or improve at least one of the above-mentioned technical problems.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following solution: The present invention provides a portable downhole explosion-proof shell screw automatic tightening and loosening tool, comprising: A gearbox, wherein a magnetic adsorption component is installed at the bottom of the gearbox and an energy storage control system and a limit switch are installed at the top; A plurality of driven gears are provided, and the plurality of driven gears are rotatably connected in the gearbox. An electronic clutch is installed on the top of the driven gear. The sensing mechanism includes a plurality of constant torque testers, which are respectively mounted on top of a plurality of electronic clutches; Universal flexible shafts are provided in a plurality of them, and the plurality of universal flexible shafts are respectively installed on the top of the plurality of constant torque testers. A strong magnetic wrench is installed on the end of the universal flexible shaft away from the constant torque tester. A drive assembly is mounted on the gearbox, and the output end of the drive assembly meshes with a plurality of driven gears through a gear set; The limit switch, several electronic clutches, and several constant torque testers are all electrically connected to the energy storage control system.

[0007] According to the present invention, a portable automatic screw tightening / loosening fixture for explosion-proof housings in wells is provided, wherein the driving assembly includes: A drive gear, which is rotatably connected inside the gearbox via a rotating shaft, the top of which extends outside the gearbox; A rocker arm, one end of which is fixedly connected to the top of the rotating shaft; A handle, the handle being mounted on the end of the rocker arm away from the pivot; The driving gear engages with several driven gears through the gear set for transmission.

[0008] According to the present invention, a portable downhole explosion-proof shell screw automatic tightening and loosening tool is provided, wherein the number of driven gears is six.

[0009] According to the present invention, a portable automatic tightening and loosening tool for explosion-proof shell screws in wells is provided. The gear set includes two intermediate gears, which mesh with the two sides of the driving gear respectively. Each intermediate gear meshes with three driven gears.

[0010] According to the present invention, a portable automatic tightening and loosening tool for explosion-proof screws in wells is provided, wherein the strong magnetic wrench is a strong magnetic hexagonal wrench, and the strong magnetic hexagonal wrench is magnetically attracted to the head groove of the hexagonal bolt.

[0011] According to the present invention, a portable explosion-proof housing screw automatic tightening and loosening tool for underground mining is provided. The magnetic adsorption component includes several magnets, which are respectively installed at the four corners of the bottom surface of the gearbox. The magnets are used to magnetically adsorb onto the surface of metal equipment.

[0012] According to the present invention, a portable automatic screw tightening and loosening fixture for explosion-proof housings in wells is provided, wherein the power storage control system includes a battery and a CPU module; the battery, the limit switch, a plurality of electronic clutches and a plurality of constant torque testers are all electrically connected to the CPU module; The CPU module is used to acquire the torque signal of the constant torque tester in real time, and when any of the magnetic wrenches reaches the rated torque, the CPU module controls the electronic clutch at the bottom of the corresponding magnetic wrench to disengage and cut off the power transmission.

[0013] According to the present invention, a portable automatic tightening and loosening fixture for explosion-proof shell screws in wells is provided. The CPU module is connected to a host computer via an RS485 communication bus, and the host computer is used to transmit the rated torque to the CPU module.

[0014] The present invention provides an automatic tightening and loosening tool for portable explosion-proof shell screws in wells, wherein the CPU module adopts an MSP430 CPU microcontroller.

[0015] The present invention discloses the following technical effects: This invention uses a magnetic adsorption component to magnetically attach the device to the equipment, providing strong spatial adaptability and ensuring the device remains stable and does not shift during operation. Simultaneously, the limit switch generates an electrical signal upon impact, activating the energy storage control system. The drive assembly and gear set drive several driven gears to rotate, which in turn drive several universal flexible shafts and strong magnetic wrenches. Multiple strong magnetic wrenches can simultaneously apply force to multiple bolts. A torque tester collects torque signals and transmits them to the energy storage control system. When the strong magnetic wrench in a given branch reaches its rated torque, the energy storage control system controls the electronic clutch at the bottom of the corresponding strong magnetic wrench to disengage, cutting off power transmission. This achieves automatic stopping of each corresponding branch, enabling multi-position synchronous and independent torque control. This invention allows for adjustment of the length and bending angle of the universal flexible shaft according to the position of each bolt, preventing excessive bending that could lead to transmission failure. Once all the strong magnetic wrenches are accurately aligned and attracted to the corresponding bolts, operation can begin. This invention is suitable for portable multi-position synchronous torque-controlled wrench devices in special working conditions such as underground coal mines. It enables multiple bolts to be tightened or loosened simultaneously in one operation and features independent torque control, automatic shutdown, strong spatial adaptability, and explosion-proof safety, thereby improving work efficiency, ensuring assembly quality, and reducing the labor intensity of personnel. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the adsorption process of the present invention.

[0018] Among them, 1. driven gear; 2. driving gear; 3. electronic clutch; 4. constant torque tester; 5. magnet; 6. energy storage control system; 7. rocker arm; 8. universal flexible shaft; 9. handle; 10. strong magnetic hex wrench; 11. hex bolt; 12. intermediate gear; 13. gearbox; 14. limit switch. Detailed Implementation

[0019] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0020] To make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0021] Reference Figures 1-2 This invention provides an automatic tightening and loosening fixture for portable explosion-proof housing screws in wells, comprising: The gearbox 13 has a magnetic adsorption component installed at its bottom and an energy storage control system 6 and a limit switch 14 installed at its top. Driven gear 1, there are several driven gears 1, several driven gears 1 are rotatably connected in the gearbox 13, and an electronic clutch 3 is installed on the top of the driven gear 1; The sensing mechanism includes several constant torque testers 4, which are respectively mounted on top of several electronic clutches 3. Universal flexible shaft 8, there are several universal flexible shafts 8, and several universal flexible shafts 8 are respectively installed on the top of several constant torque testers 4. A strong magnetic wrench is installed at the end of the universal flexible shaft 8 away from the constant torque tester 4. A drive assembly is mounted on a gearbox 13, and the output end of the drive assembly meshes with several driven gears 1 through a gear set for transmission. Among them, the limit switch 14, several electronic clutches 3 and several constant torque testers 4 are all electrically connected to the energy storage control system 6; With this configuration, the present invention is magnetically attached to the equipment via a magnetic adsorption component, providing strong spatial adaptability and ensuring the stability of the device during operation. Simultaneously, the limit switch 14 generates an electrical signal upon impact, activating the energy storage control system 6. The drive assembly and gear set drive several driven gears 1 to rotate, thereby driving several universal flexible shafts 8 and strong magnetic wrenches. Multiple strong magnetic wrenches can simultaneously apply force to multiple bolts. The torque signal is collected by the constant torque tester 4 and transmitted to the energy storage control system 6. When the strong magnetic wrench of a branch reaches the rated torque, the energy storage control system 6 controls the electronic clutch 3 at the bottom of the corresponding strong magnetic wrench to disengage, cutting off the power transmission. This achieves automatic stopping of each corresponding branch, realizing the function of multi-position synchronization and independent constant torque. This invention allows for adjustment of the length and bending angle of the universal flexible shaft 8 according to the position of each bolt, preventing excessive bending that could lead to transmission failure. Once all the strong magnetic wrenches are accurately aligned and attracted to the corresponding bolts, operation can begin. This invention is suitable for portable multi-position synchronous torque-controlled wrench devices in special working conditions such as underground coal mines. It enables multiple bolts to be tightened or loosened simultaneously in one operation and features independent torque control, automatic shutdown, strong spatial adaptability, and explosion-proof safety, thereby improving work efficiency, ensuring assembly quality, and reducing the labor intensity of personnel.

[0022] Further optimization of the solution, the driving components include: The driving gear 2 is rotatably connected inside the gearbox 13 via a rotating shaft, with the top of the rotating shaft extending outside the gearbox 13. Joystick 7, one end of which is fixedly connected to the top of the rotating shaft; Handle 9 is mounted on the end of the joystick 7 away from the pivot. Among them, the driving gear 2 is driven by a gear set meshing with several driven gears 1; During operation, the operator holds handle 9 and rotates rocker arm 7. Rocker arm 7 drives the rotating shaft and drive gear 2 to rotate synchronously. Drive gear 2 meshes with several driven gears 1 through a gear set, converting the operator's manual power into rotational power for each branch. This structure does not require electric drive, making it suitable for underground coal mines where there is no power supply or where strict explosion protection is required. At the same time, the cooperation between rocker arm 7 and handle 9 increases the lever arm, reduces the force required by the operator, and improves the ease of operation.

[0023] In a further optimized design, a spiral spring energy storage assembly is installed at the connection between the rocker arm 7 and the rotating shaft. The spiral spring energy storage assembly includes a spiral spring, a one-way clutch, and an energy storage housing. The energy storage housing is fixed to the top of the gearbox 13, the spiral spring is located inside the energy storage housing, and the one-way clutch is fixedly connected to the rotating shaft.

[0024] When the operator holds handle 9 and rotates rocker arm 7, the one-way clutch compresses the spiral spring to store energy. When rocker arm 7 rotates to its limit position and then reverses to reset, the one-way clutch disengages, and the spiral spring does not reverse with the shaft. When rocker arm 7 is rotated forward again, the spiral spring releases its stored energy, assisting in driving the shaft and drive gear 2 to rotate, reducing the intensity of continuous force applied by the operator. This is especially suitable for high-torque bolt tightening scenarios in underground wells, avoiding decreased work efficiency due to operator fatigue from prolonged force application. At the same time, the one-way clutch prevents the rocker arm 7 from reversing and causing injury when the spring is released, thus improving operational safety.

[0025] The scheme is further optimized so that the number of driven gears 1 is six. The six driven gears 1 are synchronously driven with the driving gear 2 through the gear set, which can simultaneously drive six strong magnetic wrenches to tighten or loosen six bolts. Compared with a smaller number of driven gears, the efficiency of multi-position synchronous operation is greatly improved. It is especially suitable for equipment such as explosion-proof shells with multiple evenly distributed bolts, reducing the number of operations and further reducing the labor intensity of personnel.

[0026] The further optimized scheme includes two intermediate gears 12, which mesh with the two sides of the driving gear 2 respectively. Each intermediate gear 12 meshes with three driven gears 1. The two intermediate gears 12 of the gear set mesh on both sides of the driving gear 2, and each intermediate gear 12 meshes with three driven gears 1. When the driving gear 2 rotates, it synchronously drives the intermediate gears 12 on both sides to rotate, and then the two intermediate gears 12 drive the three driven gears 1 to rotate, realizing the synchronous rotation of the six driven gears 1. This transmission structure makes the power transmission more uniform, avoids the uneven force and transmission jamming problems caused by the driving gear 2 directly driving the six driven gears 1, and at the same time reduces the installation space of the gear set in the gearbox 13, improves space utilization, and adapts to the portable design requirements of tooling.

[0027] The design was further optimized by using a strong magnetic hexagonal wrench 10, which magnetically attracts the head groove of the hexagonal bolt 11. During operation, the head grooves of the strong magnetic hex wrench 10 and the hex bolt 11 are precisely engaged and firmly fixed by magnetic attraction. Magnetic attraction ensures that the strong magnetic hex wrench 10 does not detach from or slip with the hex bolt 11 during rotation, guaranteeing accurate torque transmission. The hexagonal structure has strong compatibility with the hex bolt 11, further improving the stability of the engagement and preventing bolt damage or torque deviation caused by wrench displacement during operation, thus ensuring assembly quality.

[0028] Further optimization of the scheme: the magnetic adsorption component includes several magnets 5, which are respectively installed at the four corners of the bottom surface of the gearbox 13. The magnets 5 are used to magnetically adsorb onto the surface of the metal equipment. Before operation, the gearbox 13 is magnetically fixed to the surface of the metal equipment using the four corner magnets 5. The four corners distribute the magnetic force more evenly, ensuring the overall force balance of the tooling and avoiding tilting or displacement of the tooling due to insufficient local magnetic force during operation. The magnetic attraction method of the magnets 5 is easy to operate, and the tooling can be quickly fixed and disassembled, which is suitable for the rapid deployment needs of complex underground working environments, while not damaging the surface of the equipment.

[0029] The scheme is further optimized. The energy storage control system 6 includes a battery and a CPU module. The battery, limit switch 14, several electronic clutches 3 and several constant torque testers 4 are all electrically connected to the CPU module. The CPU module is used to acquire the torque signal of the constant torque tester 4 in real time, and when any strong magnetic wrench reaches the rated torque, the CPU module controls the electronic clutch 3 at the bottom of the corresponding strong magnetic wrench to disengage and cut off the power transmission. The battery powers the CPU module, limit switch 14, electronic clutch 3, and constant torque tester 4, eliminating the need for an external power supply and improving the portability of the tooling. During operation, the CPU module collects torque signals from each constant torque tester 4 in real time. When the torque of a certain branch reaches the rated value, it immediately outputs a control signal to cut off the power to the corresponding electronic clutch 3, causing the electronic clutch 3 to disengage and cutting off power transmission. This core control logic enables independent constant torque for each branch and automatic shutdown, ensuring precise and consistent torque for all bolts and improving assembly quality.

[0030] In a further optimized solution, the CPU module is connected to the host computer via an RS485 communication bus, and the host computer is used to transmit the rated torque to the CPU module. Operators can preset and transmit rated torque parameters to the CPU module on a host computer on the ground or in a safe area, without having to manually set them at the downhole work site.

[0031] The RS485 communication bus features long transmission distance and strong anti-interference capability, making it suitable for the complex electromagnetic environment and long operating distance in underground coal mines. It improves the convenience and safety of parameter setting, and facilitates centralized management and unified parameter configuration of multiple tools.

[0032] The design has been further optimized, with the CPU module adopting an MSP430 CPU microcontroller. This invention is safe, reliable, and low-power, without the use of high-voltage or high-current devices, eliminating the need to consider explosion-proof issues, and is energy-saving, environmentally friendly.

[0033] The MSP430 CPU microcontroller features low power consumption, reducing battery power consumption and extending tooling endurance, making it suitable for underground operations without external power supplies. Simultaneously, the MSP430 CPU microcontroller does not require high voltage or high current drive, generating no electrical sparks during operation. This improves the explosion-proof safety of the tooling from a hardware perspective, eliminating the need for complex additional explosion-proof devices, simplifying the tooling structure, and achieving energy saving, consumption reduction, and environmental protection, thus meeting the stringent safety requirements of underground coal mine operations.

[0034] When the device is not in operation, the MSP430 microcontroller is in sleep mode with a power consumption of only 0.1μA. When the device is attracted to the surface of the metal equipment, the limit switch is activated and sends a level signal. This signal acts as an external interrupt source, causing an interrupt to wake up the MSP430 CPU and triggering a CPU interrupt. The MSP430 CPU immediately enters AM state and enters the interrupt service routine to monitor the torque of the constant torque tester 4.

[0035] This patented device is available in products with different numbers of bolts and different torque values ​​according to actual needs. For products with a fixed number of bolts, the torque value can be maintained in advance. That is, before work, the host computer transmits the rated torque of the bolts to be tightened to the MSP430CPU via RS485 communication bus. The MSP430CPU will then collect and judge the torque of each hexagonal bolt according to the stored rated torque. When the rated torque is reached, the MSP430CPU will disconnect the power source to avoid bolt damage caused by over-tightening.

[0036] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "longitudinal", "lateral", "up", "down", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this invention, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this invention.

[0037] Obviously, the above embodiments of the present invention are merely examples for clearly illustrating the present invention, and are not intended to limit the implementation of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other variations or modifications can be made based on the above description. It is neither necessary nor possible to exhaustively describe all embodiments here. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A portable, explosion-proof housing screw automatic tightening / loosening fixture for downhole applications, characterized in that, include: The gearbox (13) has a magnetic adsorption component installed at the bottom and an energy storage control system (6) and a limit switch (14) installed at the top. Driven gear (1), the driven gear (1) is provided in a plurality of them, the plurality of driven gears (1) are rotatably connected in the gearbox (13), and an electronic clutch (3) is installed on the top of the driven gear (1). The sensing mechanism includes a plurality of constant torque testers (4), which are respectively mounted on the top of a plurality of electronic clutches (3); Universal flexible shaft (8), there are several universal flexible shafts (8), and several universal flexible shafts (8) are respectively installed on the top of several constant torque testers (4). A strong magnetic wrench is installed at the end of the universal flexible shaft (8) away from the constant torque tester (4). A drive assembly is mounted on the gearbox (13), and the output end of the drive assembly meshes with a plurality of driven gears (1) through a gear set; The limit switch (14), several electronic clutches (3) and several constant torque testers (4) are all electrically connected to the energy storage control system (6).

2. The portable explosion-proof shell screw automatic tightening and loosening tool for downhole applications according to claim 1, characterized in that: The driving component includes: The driving gear (2) is rotatably connected to the gearbox (13) via a rotating shaft, the top of which extends out of the gearbox (13); A rocker arm (7), one end of which is fixedly connected to the top of the rotating shaft; A handle (9) is mounted on the end of the rocker arm (7) away from the pivot. The driving gear (2) engages with several driven gears (1) through the gear set for transmission.

3. The portable explosion-proof shell screw automatic tightening and loosening tool for downhole applications according to claim 2, characterized in that: The number of driven gears (1) is six.

4. The portable explosion-proof shell screw automatic tightening and loosening fixture for downhole applications according to claim 3, characterized in that: The gear set includes two intermediate gears (12), which mesh with the two sides of the driving gear (2) respectively, and each intermediate gear (12) meshes with three driven gears (1).

5. The portable explosion-proof shell screw automatic tightening and loosening fixture for downhole applications according to claim 1, characterized in that: The strong magnetic wrench is a strong magnetic hexagonal wrench (10), and the strong magnetic hexagonal wrench (10) is magnetically attracted to the head groove of the hexagonal bolt (11).

6. The portable explosion-proof shell screw automatic tightening and loosening tool for downhole applications according to claim 1, characterized in that: The magnetic adsorption component includes several magnets (5), which are respectively installed at the four corners of the bottom surface of the gearbox (13). The magnets (5) are used to magnetically adsorb onto the surface of the metal equipment.

7. The portable explosion-proof shell screw automatic tightening and loosening tool for downhole applications according to claim 1, characterized in that: The energy storage control system (6) includes a battery and a CPU module; the battery, the limit switch (14), several electronic clutches (3) and several constant torque testers (4) are all electrically connected to the CPU module; The CPU module is used to collect the torque signal of the constant torque tester (4) in real time, and when any of the magnetic wrenches reaches the rated torque, the CPU module controls the electronic clutch (3) at the bottom of the corresponding magnetic wrench to disconnect and cut off the power transmission.

8. The portable explosion-proof shell screw automatic tightening and loosening tool for downhole applications according to claim 7, characterized in that: The CPU module is connected to the host computer via an RS485 communication bus, and the host computer is used to transmit the rated torque to the CPU module.

9. The portable explosion-proof shell screw automatic tightening and loosening tool for downhole applications according to claim 7, characterized in that: The CPU module uses an MSP430 CPU microcontroller.

Images