Reaction ring

Abstract

A reaction washer (30) includes a body (30') defining an inner diameter (30'') that slidably receives an associated threaded element passing through it to define a rotation axis (112b). The body (301) includes a top surface (30a) and a bottom surface (30b) facing opposite directions. The reaction washer (30) also includes a first raised friction-inducing surface (30d) extending from at least one of the top surface (30a) and the bottom surface (30b) so that it is non-concentric with respect to the rotation axis (112b).

Description

Background Technology

[0001] The nut or bolt head can be tightened by a tool, while simultaneously transmitting a counter-torque to a washer beneath the nut or bolt head. This provides a balanced, localized overall torque transfer that is self-centering and requires no manual resistance to the actuating torque or eccentric support of the tool via a reaction member.

[0002] The reaction washer transmits the received reaction torque to the flange below it. The reaction torque is then transmitted from the flange to the threaded element, which counteracts the actuating torque. To prevent slippage and to effectively transmit the reaction torque to the flange, the reaction washer typically has serrations on its bottom (first side) to engage with the flange.

[0003] For these serrations to engage, a contact force must be generated during the initial tightening process. This contact force must be large enough for the given total contact area of ​​the bottom serrations to penetrate into the flange. Only in this way will the reaction washer not slip and rotate when the tool secures itself via a concentric reaction sleeve on the reaction washer and begins to apply torque to the nut and / or bolt head.

[0004] The friction on the top (second side) of the reaction washer must be lower than the friction on the bottom of the reaction washer to prevent the reaction washer from rotating with the nut during initial manual tightening instead of engaging with the flange. Therefore, a reaction washer is needed that maximizes engagement on the first side during initial tightening and provides low friction on its top, and secures the nut and / or bolt head after it is fully tightened.

[0005] Because reaction washers are very convenient for tightening and / or loosening nuts and / or bolt heads, there is a need for reaction washers that engage with flanges more effectively. Summary of the Invention

[0006] According to one aspect, the reaction washer includes a body defining an inner diameter that slidably receives an associated threaded element passing through it to define an axis of rotation. The body includes a top surface and a bottom surface facing opposite directions. The reaction washer also includes a first raised friction-inducing surface extending from at least one of the top and bottom surfaces, such that it is non-concentric with respect to the axis of rotation.

[0007] According to one aspect, the reaction washer includes a body defining an inner diameter that slidably receives an associated threaded element passing through it to define an axis of rotation. The body includes a top surface and a bottom surface facing opposite directions along the axis of rotation. The reaction washer also includes a first raised friction-inducing surface extending from at least one of the top and bottom surfaces. The first raised friction-inducing surface is arranged in a circumferential pattern to define an inner friction diameter and an outer friction diameter. The radial distance between the inner friction diameter and the axis of rotation varies based on an angular orientation about the axis of rotation. Attached Figure Description

[0008] Figure 1 It is a three-dimensional view of the reaction gasket in the overall schematic form of the environmental setting;

[0009] Figure 2A This is a front view of a reaction washer, presented in a general schematic form;

[0010] Figure 2B This is a front view of a reaction washer, presented in a general schematic form;

[0011] Figure 3A A reaction washer having a circular periphery with multiple tangents, comprising a friction-inducing surface having a single off-axis knurled tilt feature;

[0012] Figure 3B A reaction washer having a triangular perimeter with rounded corners, comprising a friction-inducing surface having a single off-axis knurled tilt feature;

[0013] Figure 3C A reaction washer having a square perimeter with rounded corners, comprising a friction-inducing surface with a single off-axis knurled tilt feature;

[0014] Figure 3D A reaction washer having a gear tooth periphery, wherein the radii of curvature of the top tooth surface and the bottom tooth surface are matched, the reaction washer comprising a friction-inducing surface having a single off-axis knurled tilt feature;

[0015] Figure 3E A reaction washer having a gear tooth periphery, wherein the bottom tooth surface is concave, the reaction washer including a friction-inducing surface having a single off-axis knurled tilt feature;

[0016] Figure 3F A reaction washer having a gear tooth periphery, wherein the top tooth surface is convex and the bottom tooth surface is concave, the reaction washer including a friction-inducing surface having a single off-axis knurled tilt feature;

[0017] Figure 4AA reaction washer having a circular periphery with multiple tangents, comprising a friction-inducing surface having one or more off-axis knurled tilt features;

[0018] Figure 4B A reaction washer having a triangular perimeter with rounded corners, comprising a friction-inducing surface having one or more off-axis knurled tilt features;

[0019] Figure 4C A reaction washer having a square perimeter with rounded corners, comprising a friction-inducing surface having one or more off-axis knurled tilt features;

[0020] Figure 4D A reaction washer having a gear tooth periphery, wherein the radii of curvature of the top tooth surface and the bottom tooth surface are matched, the reaction washer comprising a friction-inducing surface having one or more off-axis knurled tilt features;

[0021] Figure 4E A reaction washer having a gear tooth periphery, wherein the bottom tooth surface is concave, the reaction washer comprising a friction-inducing surface having one or more off-axis knurled tilt features;

[0022] Figure 4F A reaction washer having a gear tooth periphery, wherein the top tooth surface is convex and the bottom tooth surface is concave, the reaction washer comprising a friction-inducing surface having one or more off-axis knurled tilt features;

[0023] Figure 5A A reaction washer having a circular periphery with multiple tangents, comprising a friction-inducing surface with an off-axis helical ramp feature;

[0024] Figure 5B A reaction washer having a triangular perimeter with rounded corners, comprising a friction-inducing surface with an off-axis helical ramp feature;

[0025] Figure 5C A reaction washer having a square perimeter with rounded corners, comprising a friction-inducing surface with an off-axis helical ramp feature;

[0026] Figure 5D A reaction washer having a gear tooth periphery, wherein the radii of curvature of the top tooth surface and the bottom tooth surface are matched, the reaction washer including a friction-inducing surface having an off-axis helical ramp feature;

[0027] Figure 5E A reaction washer having a gear tooth periphery, wherein the bottom tooth surface is concave, the reaction washer including a friction-inducing surface having an off-axis helical ramp feature;

[0028] Figure 5FA reaction washer having a gear tooth periphery, wherein the top tooth surface is convex and the bottom tooth surface is concave, the reaction washer including a friction-inducing surface having an off-axis helical ramp feature;

[0029] Figure 6A A reaction washer having a circular periphery with multiple tangents, comprising a friction-inducing surface having off-axis radially extending knurled features or “V” shaped notch features;

[0030] Figure 6B A reaction washer having a triangular perimeter with rounded corners, comprising a friction-inducing surface having off-axis radially extended knurled features or “V” shaped notch features;

[0031] Figure 6C A reaction washer having a square perimeter with rounded corners, comprising a friction-inducing surface having off-axis radially extended knurled features or “V” shaped notch features;

[0032] Figure 6D A reaction washer having a gear tooth periphery, wherein the radii of curvature of the top tooth surface and the bottom tooth surface are matched, the reaction washer including a friction-inducing surface having an off-axis radially extended knurled feature or a "V" shaped notch feature;

[0033] Figure 6E A reaction washer having a gear tooth periphery, wherein the bottom tooth surface is concave, the reaction washer including a friction-inducing surface having an off-axis radially extending knurled feature or a "V" shaped notch feature;

[0034] Figure 6F A reaction washer having a gear tooth periphery, wherein the top tooth surface is convex and the bottom tooth surface is concave, the reaction washer including a friction-inducing surface having an off-axis radially extending knurled feature or a "V" shaped notch feature;

[0035] Figure 7A A reaction washer having a circular periphery with multiple tangents, comprising a friction-inducing surface with off-axis radial displacement spikes;

[0036] Figure 7B A reaction washer having a triangular perimeter with rounded corners, comprising a friction-inducing surface with off-axis radial displacement spikes;

[0037] Figure 7C A reaction washer having a square perimeter with rounded corners, comprising a friction-inducing surface with off-axis radial displacement spikes;

[0038] Figure 7DA reaction washer having a gear tooth periphery, wherein the radii of curvature of the top tooth surface and the bottom tooth surface are matched, the reaction washer including a friction-inducing surface with off-axis radial displacement spikes;

[0039] Figure 7E A reaction washer having a gear tooth periphery, wherein the bottom tooth surface is concave, the reaction washer including a friction-inducing surface with off-axis radial displacement spikes;

[0040] Figure 7F A reaction washer having a gear tooth periphery, wherein the top tooth surface is convex and the bottom tooth surface is concave, the reaction washer including a friction-inducing surface having off-axis radial displacement spikes;

[0041] Figure 8A A reaction washer having a circular periphery with multiple tangents, comprising a friction-inducing surface having more than one annular off-axis radial displacement spike feature;

[0042] Figure 8B A reaction washer having a triangular perimeter with rounded corners, comprising a friction-inducing surface having more than one annular off-axis radial displacement spike feature;

[0043] Figure 8C A reaction washer having a square perimeter with rounded corners, comprising a friction-inducing surface having more than one annular off-axis radial displacement spike feature;

[0044] Figure 8D A reaction washer having a gear tooth periphery, wherein the radii of curvature of the top tooth surface and the bottom tooth surface are matched, the reaction washer comprising a friction-inducing surface having more than one annular off-axis radial displacement spike feature;

[0045] Figure 8E A reaction washer having a gear tooth periphery, wherein the bottom tooth surface is concave, the reaction washer including a friction-inducing surface having more than one annular off-axis radial displacement spike feature;

[0046] Figure 8F A reaction washer having a gear tooth periphery, wherein the top tooth surface is convex and the bottom tooth surface is concave, the reaction washer including a friction-inducing surface having more than one annular off-axis radial displacement spike feature;

[0047] Figure 9A A reaction washer having a circular periphery with multiple tangents, comprising a friction-inducing surface with two annular off-axis radial displacement spikes;

[0048] Figure 9BA reaction washer having a triangular perimeter with rounded corners, comprising a friction-inducing surface with two annular off-axis radial displacement spikes;

[0049] Figure 9C A reaction washer having a square perimeter with rounded corners, comprising a friction-inducing surface with two annular off-axis radial displacement spikes;

[0050] Figure 9D A reaction washer having a gear tooth periphery, wherein the radii of curvature of the top tooth surface and the bottom tooth surface are matched, the reaction washer comprising a friction-inducing surface having two annular off-axis radial displacement spikes;

[0051] Figure 9E A reaction washer having a gear tooth periphery, wherein the bottom tooth surface is concave, the reaction washer comprising a friction-inducing surface having two annular off-axis radial displacement spikes; and

[0052] Figure 9F A reaction washer having a gear tooth periphery, wherein the top tooth surface is convex and the bottom tooth surface is concave, the reaction washer including a friction-inducing surface having two annular off-axis radial displacement spikes. Detailed Implementation

[0053] It should be understood that the descriptions and figures herein are merely illustrative, and various modifications and changes can be made to the disclosed structure without departing from this disclosure. Referring now to the figures, in which like reference numerals denote like parts in the various views, the figures schematically depict a reaction washer according to this disclosure.

[0054] Reference Figure 1 Figure 2 shows reaction washers 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, and 90 in general schematic form. Furthermore, Figure 1 The figures illustrate reaction washers 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, and 90 in an operating environment. As will be described in more detail below, reaction washers 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, and 90 can be in various forms without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Notably, Figures 3-9 show reaction washers 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, and 90 in various configurations.

[0055] Furthermore, unless otherwise stated, when referring to a general drawing number, it should be understood to refer to all individual drawings within that group. For example, if Figure 3 is mentioned, it should be understood to refer to all drawings including Figure 3, i.e., Figures 3A to 3F Furthermore, if Figure n is mentioned, where n = A, B, C, D, E, F, it should be understood to refer to all the attached figures that make up Figure n, that is, from Figure 3 to Figure 9, and therefore does not include... Figure 1And Figure 2. For example, any reference to Figure A should be understood as referring to... Figure 3A , Figure 4A , Figure 5A , Figure 6A , Figure 7A , Figure 7A , Figure 8A and Figure 9A .

[0056] As will be described in more detail below, Figures 3-9 graphically illustrate reaction washers 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, and 90. It is noteworthy that the outer diameter or perimeter of the reaction washer can be circular or non-circular. Possible non-circular shapes of reaction washers are schematically shown in Figures A, B, C, D, E, and F.

[0057] Refer again Figure 1 The reaction washers 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, and 90 are slidable onto the free end 112a of the threaded element 112 to engage with the mating surface 114a of the flange 114. Furthermore, the nut 116 is threadedly engaged with the threaded element 112 to capture the reaction washers 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, and 90 on the threaded element 112 between the nut 116 and the mating surface 114a of the flange 114. Therefore, the reaction washers 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, and 90 are positioned on the threaded element 112 such that the nut 116 is located between the reaction washers 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, and 90 and the free end 112a of the threaded element 112 for engagement with the tool 118.

[0058] As will be described in more detail below, the features of the reaction washers 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, and 90 prevent rotation of the reaction washers 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, and 90 around the threaded element 112 by engaging with the mating surface 114a of the flange 114, thereby allowing the tool 118 to rotate only the nut 116 without requiring the tool 118 to rotate as a whole around the threaded element 112.

[0059] More specifically, tool 118 can simultaneously and circumferentially engage nut 116 and reaction washers 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, at least partially radially around nut 116 and reaction washers 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90. For example, sleeve 118a of tool 118 can engage nut 116 such that sleeve 118a and nut 116 rotate as a single assembly.

[0060] Furthermore, as will be described in more detail below, the engaging element 118b of tool 118 can engage with the tool engagement portion (e.g., periphery 30c, 40c, 50c, 60c, 70c, 80c, 90c) of reaction washers 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, such that reaction washers 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 do not rotate relative to nut 116. It is worth noting that... Figure 1 The engagement element 118b of tool 118 is shown in schematic form. As will be understood, engagement element 118b may be shaped to engage with reaction washers 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 and prevent rotation between them.

[0061] Therefore, tool 118 can be used to tighten or loosen nut 116. As will be understood, this means that when nut 116 is loosened, nut 116 will move along threaded element 112 away from flange 114 (or toward free end 112a) so that nut 116 can be removed from threaded element 112; and when the associated threaded element 112 is tightened, nut 116 will move along threaded element 112 away from free end 112a (or toward mating surface 114a of flange 114) so ​​that nut 116 cannot be removed from threaded element 112.

[0062] The focus now is on Figure 2A and Figure 2B It also schematically illustrates reaction washers 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, and 90. Specifically, Figure 2A Reaction washers 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, and 90 are shown, each having a first raised friction-inducing surface 30d, 40d, 50d, 60d, 70d, 80d, and 90d, which are also clearly shown in Figures 3-9. Figure 2B The diagram illustrates reaction washers 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, and 90, each having first raised friction-inducing surfaces 30d, 40d, 50d, 60d, 70d, 80d, and 90d, and second raised friction-inducing surfaces 30e, 40e, 50e, 60e, 70e, 80e, and 90e. Clearly, Figure 2 schematically illustrates that the first raised friction-inducing surfaces 30d, 40d, 50d, 60d, 70d, 80d, and 90d, and the second raised friction-inducing surfaces 30e, 40e, 50e, 60e, 70e, 80e, and 90e, are non-concentric with respect to the rotation axis 112b.

[0063] Specifically, Figures 3-9 illustrate feasible and anticipated protrusion friction-induced surfaces of various shapes and types. Therefore, when combined with Figures 2A-2BWhen viewing Figures 3-9, it should be understood that the raised friction-inducing surfaces and shapes illustrated in Figures 3-9 can be incorporated into single-sided or double-sided reaction washers.

[0064] The reaction washers 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, and 90 may include bodies 30', 40', 50', 60', 70', 80', and 90', which define inner diameters 30'', 40'', 50'', 60'', 70'', 80'', and 90'', respectively. The inner diameters 30'', 40'', 50'', 60'', 70'', 80'', and 90'' slidably receive associated threaded elements passing through them in order to define the axis of rotation 112b. The bodies 30', 40', 50', 60', 70', 80', and 90' of the reaction washers 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, and 90 may include two flat surfaces (i.e., top surfaces 30a, 40a, 50a, 60a, 70a, 80a, and 90a and bottom surfaces 30b, 40b, 50b, 60b, 70b, 80b, and 90b), which may face opposite directions.

[0065] Furthermore, the main bodies 30', 40', 50', 60', 70', 80', and 90' define peripheral edges 30c, 40c, 50c, 60c, 70c, 80c, and 90c, which are radially spaced from the inner diameter by a variable distance based on their angular orientation around the rotation axis 112b. The radial distance between the peripheral edges 30c, 40c, 50c, 60c, 70c, 80c, and 90c and the rotation axis 112b varies based on their angular orientation around the rotation axis 112b. Furthermore, the inner diameters 30'', 40'', 50'', 60'', 70'', 80'', and 90'' can be radially spaced from the axis of rotation 112b, thereby defining a radial perimeter distance that is constant in all angular orientations around the axis of rotation 112b.

[0066] Clearly, Figures 3-9 illustrate reaction washers that define a non-circular perimeter. Furthermore, the inner diameters 30'', 40'', 50'', 60'', 70'', 80'', and 90'' are radially spaced from the rotation axis 112b at all angular orientations around the rotation axis 112b. Referring again... Figure 1- Figure 9 shows that reaction washers 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, and 90 may include tool engagement portions on their peripheries (e.g., outer diameters 30c, 40c, 50c, 60c, 70c, 80c, and 90c), with the tool engagement portions extending between the top surfaces 30a, 40a, 50a, 60a, 70a, 80a, and 90a and the bottom surfaces 30b, 40b, 50b, 60b, 70b, 80b, and 90b.

[0067] It is worth noting that the reaction washers 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, and 90 shown in Figures 3-9 can engage with the sleeve 118b by inducing a reaction frictional force, thereby overcoming rotational motion. Therefore, the peripheries 30c, 40c, 50c, 60c, 70c, 80c, and 90c define polygons configured for positive attachment to the corresponding receiving elements, thereby suppressing rotation between the reaction washers 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, and 90 and the respective receiving elements.

[0068] The reaction washers 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, and 90 may also include first raised friction-inducing surfaces 30d, 40d, 50d, 60d, 70d, 80a, and 90a extending from one of the top surfaces 30a, 40a, 50a, 60a, 70a, 80a, and 90a and the bottom surfaces 30b, 40b, 50b, 60b, 70b, 80b, and 90b, so that they are non-concentric with respect to the axis of rotation 112b. For clarity, this is shown schematically in Figure 2 and graphically in Figures 3-9.

[0069] Furthermore, the first raised friction-inducing surfaces 30d, 40d, 50d, 60d, 70d, 80d, and 90d can be arranged in a circumferential pattern to define the inner friction diameters 32, 42, 52, 62, 72, 82, and 92, and the outer friction diameters 34, 44, 54, 64, 74, 84, and 94. As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the first raised friction-inducing surfaces 80d and 90d can also define intermediate friction diameters 86 and 96. The intermediate friction diameters 86 and 96 can be coaxially arranged between the inner friction diameters 82 and 92 and the outer friction diameters 84 and 94. Furthermore, the radial distance between the intermediate friction diameters 86 and 96 and the rotation axis 112b varies based on the angular orientation around the rotation axis 112b.

[0070] Figure A illustrates reaction washers with circular perimeters of 30c, 40c, 50c, 60c, 70c, 80c, and 90c. Figure B illustrates reaction washers with triangular perimeters of 30c, 40c, 50c, 60c, 70c, 80c, and 90c. Figure C illustrates reaction washers with square perimeters of 30c, 40c, 50c, 60c, 70c, 80c, and 90c.

[0071] Figure D illustrates reaction washers with gear tooth circumferences of 30c, 40c, 50c, 60c, 70c, 80c, and 90c. Figure E illustrates reaction washers with gear tooth circumferences of 30c, 40c, 50c, 60c, 70c, 80c, and 90c. Figure F illustrates reaction washers with gear tooth circumferences of 30c, 40c, 50c, 60c, 70c, 80c, and 90c.

[0072] Figure 3 illustrates a reaction washer 30, which includes a friction-inducing surface 30d with a single off-axis heavy knurling tilt feature. Figure 4 illustrates a reaction washer 40, which includes a friction-inducing surface 40d with more than one off-axis heavy knurling tilt feature. Figure 5 illustrates a reaction washer 50, which includes a friction-inducing surface 50d with an off-axis helical ramp feature. Figure 6 illustrates a reaction washer 60, which includes a friction-inducing surface 60d with an off-axis radially extending knurling feature or a "V" shaped notch feature.

[0073] Figure 7 illustrates a reaction washer 70, which includes a friction-inducing surface 70d with off-axis radial displacement spikes. Figure 8 illustrates a reaction washer 80, which includes a friction-inducing surface 80d with one or more annular off-axis radial displacement spikes. Figure 9 illustrates a reaction washer 90, which includes a friction-inducing surface 90d with two annular off-axis radial displacement spikes.

[0074] The radial distances between the internal friction diameters 32, 42, 52, 62, 72, 82, and 92 and the rotation axis 112b can vary based on the angular orientation about the rotation axis 112b. Furthermore, the radial distances between the rotation axis 112b and the external friction diameters 34, 44, 54, 64, 74, 84, and 94 define the radial friction diameter distances, and the radial peripheral distances at the same angular position around the rotation axis 112b are greater than the radial friction diameter distances.

[0075] The radial distances between the outer friction diameters 34, 44, 54, 64, 74, 84, and 94 and the rotation axis 112b can also vary based on the angular orientation around the rotation axis 112b. Furthermore, the radial distances between the rotation axis 112b and the outer friction diameters 34, 44, 54, 64, 74, 84, and 94 can be greater than the radial distances between the rotation axis 112b and the inner friction diameters 32, 42, 52, 62, 72, 82, and 92.

[0076] Furthermore, the radial distance between the rotation axis 112b and the outer friction diameters 84 and 94 is greater than the radial distance between the rotation axis 112b and the intermediate friction diameters 86 and 96. Moreover, the radial distance between the rotation axis 112b and the intermediate friction diameters 86 and 96 can be greater than the radial distance between the rotation axis 112b and the inner friction diameters 82 and 92.

[0077] As illustrated in Figures 3-9, the first protruding friction-inducing surfaces 30d, 40d, 50d, 60d, 70d, 80d, and 90d extend from the top surfaces 30a, 40a, 50a, 60a, 70a, 80a, and 90a, respectively. Figure 2A The illustration is schematic. However, it should be understood that, without departing from the scope of this disclosure, the first raised friction-inducing surfaces 30d, 40d, 50d, 60, 70d, 80d, and 90d may extend from the bottom surfaces 30b, 40b, 50b, 60b, 70b, 80b, and 90b.

[0078] Furthermore, it should be noted that the first protruding friction-inducing surfaces 30d, 40d, 50d, 60d, 70d, 80d, and 90d can define a first coefficient of friction. The coefficient of friction of the first protruding friction-inducing surfaces 30d, 40d, 50d, 60d, 70d, 80d, and 90d can be greater than the coefficient of friction of any one of the top surfaces 30a, 40a, 50a, 60a, 70a, 80a, and 90a and the bottom surfaces 30b, 40b, 50b, 60b, 70b, 80b, and 90b.

[0079] Combination Figure 2B Referring to Figures 3-9, it can be understood that the first raised friction-inducing surfaces 30d, 40d, 50d, 60d, 70d, 80d, and 90d extend from the top surfaces 30a, 40a, 50a, 60a, 70a, 80a, and 90a, and the second raised friction-inducing surfaces 30e, 40e, 50e, 60e, 70e, 80e, and 90e extend from the bottom surfaces 30b, 40b, 50b, 60b, 70b, 80b, and 90b. The second raised friction-inducing surfaces 30e, 40e, 50e, 60e, 70e, 80e, and 90e define the second coefficient of friction.

[0080] When the reaction washers 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, and 90 include second raised friction-inducing surfaces 30e, 40e, 50e, 60e, 70e, 80e, and 90e and first raised friction-inducing surfaces 30d, 40d, 50d, 60d, 70d, 80d, and 90d, the first coefficient of friction may be greater than the second coefficient of friction. Furthermore, the first raised friction-inducing surfaces 30d, 40d, 50d, 60d, 70d, 80d, and 90d may include a plurality of protrusions extending from the top surfaces 30a, 40a, 50a, 60a, 70a, 80a, and 90a in a direction away from the bottom surfaces 30b, 40b, 50b, 60b, 70b, 80b, and 90b, so as to prevent the reaction washers 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, and 90 from rotating about the rotation axis 112b when the protrusions come into contact with another surface.

[0081] This provides suppressed rotation of the reaction washers 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 relative to the flange-type surface, such as when threaded fasteners (e.g., nut 116 or bolt head) rotate against the top surface 30a, 40a, 50a, 60a, 70a, 80a, 90a. This ensures that the threaded fasteners will rotate on the second raised friction-inducing surfaces 20e, 30e, 40e, 50e, 60e, 70e, 80e, 90e without inducing rotation of the reaction washers 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 relative to the bottom surfaces 20b, 30b, 40b, 50b, 60b, 70b, 80b, 90b of the reaction washers 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80 ...

[0082] Each of the first raised friction-inducing surfaces 30d, 40d, 50d, 60d, 70d, 80d, 90d and the second raised friction-inducing surfaces 20e, 30e, 40e, 50e, 60e, 70e, 80e, 90e can extend vertically from the bottom surface 20b, 30b, 40b, 50b, 60b, 70b, 80b, 90b or the top surface 30a, 40a, 50a, 60a, 70a, 80a, 90a, respectively, and has zero taper or zero angle relative to the bottom surface 30b, 40b, 50b, 60b, 70b, 80b, 90b or the top surface 30a, 40a, 50a, 60a, 70a, 80a, 90a.

[0083] Furthermore, each of the first raised friction-inducing surfaces 30d, 40d, 50d, 60d, 70d, 80d, 90d and the second raised friction-inducing surfaces 30e, 40e, 50e, 60e, 70e, 80e, 90e can extend at least 0.005 inches from the bottom surface 30b, 40b, 50b, 60b, 70b, 80b, 90b or the top surface 30a, 40a, 50a, 60a, 70a, 80a, 90a of the reaction washers 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90.

[0084] As shown in the figure, reaction washers 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, and 90 may have one or two friction-inducing surfaces 30d, 40d, 50d, 60d, 70d, 80d, 90d, 30e, 40e, 50e, 60e, 70e, 80e, and 90e, respectively, which are non-axially aligned with the inner diameters 30'', 40'', 50'', 60'', 70'', 80'', and 90'' of the reaction washers 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, and 90''. The non-axial positions of the friction-inducing surfaces 30d, 40d, 50d, 60d, 70d, 80d, 90d, 30e, 40e, 50e, 60e, 70e, 80e, and 90e can generate a lever effect to suppress the rotation of the reaction washers 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, and 90, so that the friction-inducing surfaces will have to move in a non-circular direction and rotate around the rotation axis 112b. The offset distance between the inner diameters (30'', 40'', 50'', 60'', 70'', 80'', 90'') of the reaction washers 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 and the central axis of the friction-inducing surface can generate a torque force proportional to the offset distance between the inner diameters (30'', 40'', 50'', 60'', 70'', 80'', 90'') of the reaction washers 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 and the central axis of the friction-inducing surface.

[0085] Reaction washers 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, and 90, having first raised friction-inducing surfaces 30d, 40d, 50d, 60d, 70d, 80d, and 90d offset on bottom surfaces 30b, 40b, 50b, 60b, 70b, 80b, and 90b, can provide an indexable abutment position on the mating flange surface, such that repeated use of reaction washers 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, and 90 will have an undamaged flange end face surface that has not previously mated with the friction-inducing surface, for mating with the friction-inducing surface.

[0086] Furthermore, reaction washers 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, and 90 provide indexing features, allowing them to rotate after initial use to grip "fresh" flange areas unaffected by the pattern action of the friction elements. Offset of the axis increases the friction angle of the friction elements, providing greater rotational resistance.

[0087] The reaction washers 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, and 90, having second raised friction-inducing surfaces 30e, 40e, 50e, 60e, 70e, 80e, and 90e extending from the top surfaces 30a, 40a, 50a, 60a, 70a, 80a, and 90a, can provide an indexable abutment position for mating fasteners (nuts 116 or bolt heads), thereby obtaining the same "fresh" material gripping area as the flange.

[0088] Reaction washers 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, and 90 offer numerous advantages due to their aforementioned design. For example, since reaction washers 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, and 90 are not tapered, there is no need to remove washer material to create a taper. Therefore, more material is available to provide the peripheral quality to withstand friction compared to tapered washers. Furthermore, since reaction washers 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, and 90 are less prone to damage than tapered reaction washers, they can be reused multiple times compared to the single-use application of tapered reaction washers.

[0089] Furthermore, utilizing the geometry of reaction gaskets 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, and 90, the contact material (such as the flange surface) will not deform in the same area as the friction-inducing surface. Therefore, repeated use of reaction gaskets 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, and 90 will not cause "work hardening" of the flange or the contact receiving surface. Thus, the effectiveness of the friction-inducing surface of the reaction gasket does not decrease after each use.

[0090] The reaction gasket has been described in detail above. Various modifications and variations will arise in the mind of those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the above detailed description. However, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Rather, the invention is broadly defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A reaction washer, comprising: The body defines an inner diameter that slidably receives an associated threaded element passing through it to define a rotation axis. The body includes a top surface and a bottom surface facing opposite directions. The reaction washer further includes a first raised friction-inducing surface extending from at least one of the top surface and the bottom surface, so as to be non-concentric with respect to the rotation axis.

2. The reaction collar of claim 1, wherein, The first raised friction-inducing surface is oriented with a circumferential pattern to define an inner friction diameter and an outer friction diameter, wherein the radial distance between the rotation axis and the outer friction diameter is greater than the radial distance between the rotation axis and the inner friction diameter.

3. The reaction collar of claim 2, wherein, The radial distance between the internal friction diameter and the axis of rotation varies based on the angular orientation around the axis of rotation, and the radial distance between the external friction diameter and the axis of rotation varies based on the angular orientation around the axis of rotation.

4. The reaction collar of claim 1, wherein, The first protruding friction-inducing surface defines a friction coefficient that is greater than the friction coefficient of either the top surface or the bottom surface.

5. The reaction collar of claim 1, wherein, The body defines a periphery that is radially spaced from the inner diameter, and wherein the radial distance between the periphery and the axis of rotation varies based on the angular orientation about the axis of rotation.

6. The reaction collar of claim 1, wherein, The first raised friction-inducing surface includes a plurality of protrusions extending from the top surface in a direction away from the bottom surface, so as to prevent the reaction washer from rotating about the axis of rotation when the protrusions contact another surface.

7. The reaction collar of claim 2, wherein, The body defines a periphery radially spaced from the inner diameter, wherein the radial distance between the axis of rotation and the periphery defines a radial periphery distance, the radial distance between the axis of rotation and the outer friction diameter defines a radial friction diameter distance, and wherein, at the same angular position around the axis of rotation, the radial periphery distance is greater than the radial friction diameter distance.

8. The reaction collar of claim 1, wherein, The inner diameter is radially spaced from the axis of rotation at all angular orientations around the axis of rotation by a constant distance, and the body defines a perimeter that is radially spaced from the inner diameter by a variable distance based on the angular orientation around the axis of rotation.

9. The reaction collar of claim 8, wherein, The perimeter defining polygon is configured to be positively attached to the associated receiving element to suppress rotation between the reaction washer and the associated receiving element.

10. The reaction collar of claim 1, wherein, The first protruding friction-inducing surface further defines an intermediate friction diameter, wherein the radial distance between the rotation axis and the outer friction diameter is greater than the radial distance between the rotation axis and the intermediate friction diameter, and the radial distance between the rotation axis and the intermediate friction diameter is greater than the radial distance between the rotation axis and the inner friction diameter, and wherein the radial distance between the intermediate friction diameter and the rotation axis varies based on the angular orientation around the rotation axis.

11. A reaction washer, comprising: A body defining an inner diameter that slidably receives an associated threaded element passing through it to define a rotation axis, the body including a top surface and a bottom surface facing opposite directions along the rotation axis, wherein the reaction washer further includes a first raised friction-inducing surface extending from at least one of the top surface and the bottom surface, the first raised friction-inducing surface being arranged in a circumferential pattern to define an inner friction diameter and an outer friction diameter, wherein the radial distance between the inner friction diameter and the rotation axis varies based on an angular orientation about the rotation axis, and wherein the body defines a periphery that is radially spaced from the inner diameter by a variable distance based on an angular orientation about the rotation axis.

12. The reaction collar of claim 11, wherein, The radial distance between the rotation axis and the external friction diameter is greater than the radial distance between the rotation axis and the internal friction diameter.

13. The reaction collar of claim 11, wherein, The first protruding friction-inducing surface defines a friction coefficient that is greater than the friction coefficient of either the top surface or the bottom surface.

14. The reaction collar of claim 12, wherein, The radial distance between the external friction diameter and the axis of rotation varies based on the angular orientation around the axis of rotation.

15. The reaction collar of claim 11, wherein, The first raised friction-inducing surface includes a plurality of protrusions to prevent the reaction washer from rotating about the axis of rotation when the protrusions contact another surface.

16. The reaction collar of claim 12, wherein, The radial distance between the axis of rotation and the periphery defines a radial periphery distance, the radial distance between the axis of rotation and the outer friction diameter defines a radial friction diameter distance, and wherein, at the same angular position around the axis of rotation, the radial periphery distance is greater than the radial friction diameter distance.

17. The reaction collar of claim 11, wherein, The inner diameter is radially spaced from the axis of rotation at all angular orientations around the axis of rotation by a constant distance.

18. The reaction washer according to claim 12, wherein, The first protruding friction-inducing surface further defines an intermediate friction diameter, wherein the radial distance between the rotation axis and the outer friction diameter is greater than the radial distance between the rotation axis and the intermediate friction diameter, and the radial distance between the rotation axis and the intermediate friction diameter is greater than the radial distance between the rotation axis and the inner friction diameter.

19. The reaction washer according to claim 18, wherein, The radial distance between the intermediate friction diameter and the axis of rotation varies based on the angular orientation around the axis of rotation.

20. The reaction washer according to claim 14, wherein, The perimeter defining polygon is configured to be positively attached to the associated receiving element to suppress rotation between the reaction washer and the associated receiving element.

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