Reaction Washer

Abstract

The reaction washer may include castellations disposed circumferentially about the periphery of the reaction washer and a body portion defining an inner diameter for slidably receiving a corresponding threaded element therein. The castellations may include a plurality of protrusions cooperating to define an outer diameter of the reaction washer. The body portion may include first and second oppositely facing surfaces, and an inner engagement ring extending from the first surface and coaxially disposed between the inner diameter and the castellations. The inner engagement ring may include a plurality of serrations defining respective serration axes that do not intersect the engagement axis.

Description

[Background technology]

[0001] When a nut or bolt head is tightened by a tool, it can transfer its reaction torque to a washer located under the nut or bolt head, which provides a balanced torque transfer all locally and allows for self-positioning, eliminating the need for an operator to manually resist actuation torque or eccentrically support the tool via a reaction member.

[0002] Reaction washers transfer the reaction torque they receive to the underlying flange, which then transmits the reaction torque to the threaded element, thereby counteracting the actuation torque. To prevent slippage and effectively transfer the reaction torque to the flange, reaction washers typically have serrations on their bottom (first) surface to bite into the flange. For the serrations to bite, a contact force must be generated during initial tightening relative to the total contact area of ​​the bottom serrations to bite into the flange. Only then will the reaction washer be held in place by the concentric reaction socket on the reaction washer and unable to slip or rotate when the tool begins to apply torque to the nut and / or bolt head.

[0003] The frictional resistance on the top (second) surface of the reaction washer must be less than the frictional resistance on the bottom surface of the reaction washer to prevent the reaction washer from rotating with the nut instead of biting into the flange during initial hand tightening. Therefore, there is a need for a reaction washer that maximizes the biting of the first surface during initial tightening, provides low frictional resistance on its top surface, and securely secures the nut and / or bolt head after full tightening.

[0004] Because reaction washers are very useful for tightening and / or loosening nuts and / or bolt heads, there is a need for reaction washers that more effectively engage flanges. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of the above, the reaction washer may include castellations circumferentially disposed about the periphery of the reaction washer and a body portion defining an inner diameter thereof and slidably receiving a corresponding threaded element therein. The castellations may include a plurality of protrusions defining an outer diameter of the reaction washer. Further, the body portion may include first and second surfaces facing in opposite directions, and an inner engagement ring extending from the first surface and coaxially disposed between the inner diameter and the castellations. The inner engagement ring may include a plurality of serrations defining respective serration axes that do not intersect with the engagement axis. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the reaction washer.

[0007] [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the reaction washer.

[0008] [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the reaction washer.

[0009] [Figure 4] Elevation view of this reaction washer.

[0010] [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the reaction washer shown with a flange and a nut.

[0011] [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the reaction washer.

[0012] [Figure 7A] Finite element analysis diagram of this reaction washer when a load is applied during initial engagement with the flange.

[0013] [Figure 7B] Finite element analysis diagram of this reaction washer under load when fully engaged with the flange.

[0014] [Figure 8A] Finite element analysis of a flange after a conventional reaction washer has engaged during initial bite.

[0015] [Figure 8B] Finite element analysis diagram of the flange after the reaction washer has engaged during initial bite.

[0016] [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the reaction washer shown with a flange and a nut. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] It should be understood that the descriptions and drawings herein are merely exemplary, and that various changes and modifications can be made to the disclosed structure without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, there is shown a schematic illustration of a reaction washer 10 in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0018] Referring to the drawings, a reaction washer 10 is shown. In particular, as shown in FIG. 5 , the reaction washer 10 is slidably mounted on the free end 12 a of the threaded element 12 and may engage the opposing surface 14 a of the flange 14. Additionally, a nut 16 may be threaded onto the threaded element 12 to hold the reaction washer 10 on the threaded element 12 between the nut 16 and the opposing surface 14 a of the flange 14. Thus, the reaction washer 10 is disposed on the threaded element 12 such that the nut 16 is positioned between the reaction washer 10 and the free end 12 a of the threaded element 12 and may be engaged with a tool (not shown). As will be described below, a feature of the reaction washer 10 prevents the reaction washer 10 from rotating around the threaded element 12 by engaging the opposing surface 14 a of the flange 14, thereby allowing the tool to rotate only the nut 16 without rotating the threaded element 12 as a whole.

[0019] More specifically, the tool may simultaneously and circumferentially engage the nut 16 and the reaction washer 10 by at least partially radially surrounding them (as described in more detail below). The tool may therefore be utilized to tighten or loosen the nut 16. As will be appreciated, this means that when the nut 16 is loosened, it moves along the threaded element 12 away from the flange 14 (or toward the free end 12 a), so that the nut 16 can be removed from the threaded element 12; and when the nut 16 is tightened, it moves along the threaded element 12 away from the free end 12 a (or toward the opposing surface 14 a of the flange 14), so that the nut 16 cannot be removed from the threaded element 12.

[0020] 5 and with continued reference to FIGS. 1-3, reaction washer 10 may include castellations 18 circumferentially disposed about the periphery of reaction washer 10 and a body portion 20 that defines an inner diameter 22 of reaction washer 10. As such, reaction washer 10 may have a generally annular shape and a nominal thickness. However, it will be understood that other shapes and thicknesses are possible and contemplated without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0021] Castellation portion 18 includes a plurality of projections 18a, 18b,..., 18n that define the outer diameter of reaction washer 10, and body portion 20 has an inner diameter 22 that slidably receives threaded element 12 therein and defines an engagement axis 24. Thus, reaction washer 10 can slidably and coaxially receive threaded element 12 along engagement axis 24, and nut 16 can threadably and coaxially receive threaded element 12 along engagement axis 24. As shown, reaction washer 10 includes fourteen projections. As shown, each projection 18a, 18b has a generally rectangular shape in plan and elevation. However, it will be understood that reaction washer 10 may have a greater or fewer projections and that the projections may have different shapes without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0022] As shown in Figure 4, the body portion can include a first surface 26 and a second surface 28. The first surface 26 and the second surface 28 face in opposite directions. As shown in Figure 1, the second surface 28 can be generally smooth and planar. The second surface 28 is configured to face the nut 16 when installed on the threaded element 12. However, it is not necessary for the second surface 28 to be smooth.

[0023] 2, the first surface 26 of the reaction washer 10 is shown in greater detail. In particular, the reaction washer 10 may include an inner engagement ring 32 extending from the first surface 26 and coaxially disposed between the inner diameter 22 and the castellations 18. The direction in which the inner engagement ring 32 extends from the first surface 26 may be a direction away from the second surface 28. The reaction washer 10 may also include an outer engagement ring 34 extending from the first surface 26 and coaxially disposed between the inner engagement ring 32 and the castellations 18.

[0024] Similar to the inner engagement ring 32, the outer engagement ring 34 may extend from the first surface 26 in a direction opposite the second surface 28. Thus, the high friction resistance structure provided by the elements on the first surface 26 of the reaction washer 10 engages the flange 14 and helps prevent the reaction washer 10 from rotating relative to the threaded element 12 or nut 16. Finally, the outer engagement ring 34 may be radially spaced from the inner engagement ring 32 to define an annular gap 36.

[0025] The inner engagement ring 32 may include a plurality of serrations 38 defining respective serration axes that do not intersect the engagement axis 24, and the outer engagement ring 34 may include a plurality of teeth portions 42 defining respective tooth axes that do not intersect the engagement axis 24. Each of the plurality of serrations 38 may define a serration length, and each of the plurality of teeth portions 42 may define a tooth length. Furthermore, the serration length may range from 8 to 12 times the aforementioned annular gap 36. More particularly, the serration length may be 10 times the annular gap 36.

[0026] Because the serration axis and tooth axis do not intersect with the engagement axis 24, the serrations 38 and teeth 42 can be longer than typical arrangements in other known reaction washers, thereby improving engagement between the reaction washer 10 and the flange 14. The serrations 38 and teeth 42 engage the flange 14, thereby creating a non-orthogonal flow of force about the engagement axis 24 on the opposing surface 14a of the flange 14, cooperating to prevent rotation of the reaction washer 10 about the engagement axis 24. The orientation of the serrations 38, and in some cases the orientation of the teeth 42, as described above, improves engagement between the reaction washer 10 and the flange 14.

[0027] The plurality of serrations 38 may include first serrations 38a and second serrations 38b adjacent to one another and bounded by a first serration trough 44. When the first surface 26 of the reaction washer 10 is viewed in plan, the first serrations 38a may include a first serration major surface 46, a first serration minor surface 48, and a first serration peak 52 disposed therebetween. The first serration peak 52 may define a maximum distance that the first serrations 38a are spaced from the second surface 28 in a direction along the engagement axis 24.

[0028] Additionally, the first serration major surface 46 may be angled away from the second surface 28 as it travels toward the second serrations 38b in a first rotational direction 40 about the engagement axis 24 (see FIG. 2 for an illustration of the first rotational direction), and angled toward the second surface 28 as it travels away from the second serrations 38b in a second rotational direction 50 about the engagement axis 24 (see FIG. 2 for an illustration of the second rotational direction). For reference, the first rotational direction 40 and the second rotational direction 50 are opposite each other. This arrangement of the plurality of serrations 38 allows for improved engagement between the reaction washer 10 and the flange 14, as will be described below.

[0029] The first serrations 38a may further include a first serration inner surface 54 and a first serration outer surface 56. The first serration inner surface 54 faces the inner diameter 22 and defines an end of the first serrations 38a. In contrast, the first serration outer surface 56 faces the outer diameter and also defines an end of the first serrations 38a. The first serration inner surface 54 defines a first serration inner surface plane that is non-orthogonal to an imaginary line extending radially perpendicular from the engagement axis 24.

[0030] Additionally, the first serration outer surface 56 defines a first serration outer surface plane that is non-orthogonal to an imaginary line extending perpendicularly radially from the engagement axis 24. Additionally, the first serration inner surface plane is not parallel to the first serration outer surface plane. Note that the orientation of the first serration inner surface 54 and the first serration outer surface 56 relative to the engagement axis 24 transfers more force from the reaction washer 10 to the flange 14, thereby helping to prevent rotation between the reaction washer 10 and the flange 14.

[0031] The second serrations 38b may include a second serration major surface 58, a second serration minor surface 62, and a second serration peak 64 disposed therebetween. The second serration peak 64 defines a maximum distance that the second serrations 38b are spaced from the second surface 28. Furthermore, the first serration peaks 52 are spaced from the second surface 28 by a distance equal to the distance that the second serration peaks 64 are spaced from the second surface 28.

[0032] Additionally, the second serrations 38b may include a second serration inner surface 66 facing the inner diameter 22 of the reaction washer 10 and a second serration outer surface 68 facing the outer diameter of the reaction washer 10. The second serration inner surface 66 may define a second serration inner surface plane that is non-orthogonal to an imaginary line extending radially perpendicular from the engagement axis 24. Additionally, the second serration outer surface 68 may define a second serration outer surface plane that is non-orthogonal to an imaginary line extending radially perpendicular from the engagement axis 24. Finally, the serration axes 38a', 38b' of the first serrations 38a and the second serrations 38b extend between the respective inner surfaces 54, 66 and outer surfaces 56, 68 and are non-parallel to one another.

[0033] With respect to the outer engagement ring 34, the plurality of teeth portions 42 may include a first tooth portion 42a and a second tooth portion 42b adjacent to each other with a first tooth trough 72 disposed therebetween. The first tooth portion 42a may define a first tooth axis 42a'. The first tooth portion 42a may include a first tooth inner surface 74 facing the inner engagement ring 32 and a first tooth outer surface 76 facing the outer diameter. Furthermore, the first tooth inner surface 74 and the first tooth outer surface 76 define ends of the first tooth portion 42a and are disposed on the first tooth axis 42a'.

[0034] The first tooth portion 42a may also include, in a plan view, a first tooth major surface 78, a first tooth minor surface 82, and a first tooth peak 84 disposed therebetween. The first tooth peak 84 defines the maximum distance that the first tooth portion 42a is spaced from the second surface 28, and the first tooth peak 84 is spaced from the second surface 28 by a distance equal to the distance that the second serration peak 64 is spaced from the second surface 28. The first tooth major surface 78 may be inclined toward the second surface 28 as it moves toward the second tooth portion 42b in a first rotational direction 40 about the engagement axis 24, and may be inclined away from the second surface 28 as it moves away from the second tooth portion 42b in a second rotational direction 50 about the engagement axis 24. As previously mentioned, the first rotational direction 40 and the second rotational direction 50 are opposite each other. The first tooth trough 72 defines the minimum distance that the first tooth portion 42a is spaced from the second surface 28.

[0035] The second tooth portion 42b may define a second tooth axis 42b'. Similar to the first tooth portion 42a, the second tooth portion 42b may include a second tooth inner surface 86 facing the inner engagement ring 32 so as to be non-parallel to the first tooth inner surface 74, and a second tooth outer surface 88 facing outward from the inner engagement ring 32 so as to be non-parallel to the first tooth outer surface 76. Furthermore, the second tooth inner surface 86 and the second tooth outer surface 88 define an end of the second tooth portion 42b and are disposed on the second tooth axis 42b'. Furthermore, the first tooth axis 42a' and the second tooth axis 42b' are shown to be non-parallel to one another.

[0036] Additionally, the second tooth portion 42b may include, in a plan view, a second tooth major surface 92, a second tooth minor surface 94, and a second tooth peak 96 disposed therebetween. The first tooth trough 72 separates the first tooth minor surface 82 from the second tooth major surface 92. The second tooth peak 96 defines the maximum distance that the second tooth portion 42b is spaced from the second surface 28. The first tooth peak 84 is spaced from the second surface 28 by a distance equal to the distance that the second tooth peak 96 is spaced from the second surface 28. The second tooth trough 98 defines the minimum distance that the second tooth portion 42b is spaced from the second surface 28. The first tooth peak 84 and the second tooth peak 96 are spaced from the second surface 28 by an equal distance, and the first tooth trough 72 and the second tooth trough 98 are spaced from the second surface 28 by an equal distance.

[0037] The shape and arrangement of the serrations 38 and, optionally, the teeth 42, provide a number of advantages to the reaction washer 10. As previously discussed, improved engagement between the reaction washer 10 and the flange 14 is achieved. An additional benefit is that this occurs without adversely affecting the opposing surface 14a of the flange 14. As will be appreciated, this improved engagement provides a secure fit in conjunction with a tool that drives the nut 16 and engages the reaction washer 10.

[0038] In view of the above-described advantages, Figures 7 and 8 are considered particularly relevant. Figures 7A and 7B are finite element analysis diagrams of reaction washer 10 under load. In particular, Figure 7A shows the stress flow within reaction washer 10 at initial penetration (approximately 0.004 inches) with flange 14, and Figure 7B shows the stress flow within reaction washer 10 at full penetration with flange 14. Additionally, Figure 8A shows the stress flow within flange 14 after a conventional reaction washer not including the unique features described above has engaged at initial penetration (approximately 0.004 inches).

[0039] In contrast, Figure 8B shows the stress flow within the flange 14 after the described reaction washer 10 has engaged at initial penetration (approximately 0.004 inches). As can be seen, a comparison of Figures 8A and 8B shows that the improved reaction washer 10 shown in Figure 8B reduces stress concentrations at the flange 14. This is due to the increased bite length and sloped load path on the flange 14, which are due to the arrangement of the reaction washer's serrations 38 and, in some cases, teeth 42.

[0040] Referring to FIG. 9, a threaded connection assembly 100 is shown. The threaded connection assembly 100 includes a nut 102, which defines a nut inner diameter and a nut outer diameter, and a reaction washer 10. The reaction washer 10 is rotatably coupled to the nut. Furthermore, the outer diameter of the reaction washer 10 is larger than the outer diameter of the nut 102, and the nut 102 is directly coupled to the reaction washer, thereby enabling independent rotation between the reaction washer 10 and the nut 102. Similar to FIG. 5, the reaction washer 10 in FIG. 9 is slidably mounted on the free end 12a of the threaded element 12 and can engage the opposing surface 14a of the flange 14. However, in the threaded connection assembly 100, the reaction washer 10 is permanently coupled to the nut 102, achieving rotational independence between the reaction washer 10 and the nut 102. The reaction washer 10 can be coupled to the nut 102 by various methods. For example, the nut 102 may include a flared element that extends into the inner diameter of the reaction washer 10, thereby allowing the reaction washer 10 and the nut 102 to couple together.

[0041] The reaction washer has been described in detail above. Modifications and variations may occur to those who read and understand the above detailed description. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Rather, the present invention is broadly defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. a castellation disposed circumferentially about the periphery of the reaction washer, the castellation including a plurality of protrusions that cooperate to define an outer diameter of the reaction washer; a body portion defining an inner diameter for slidably receiving a corresponding threaded element therein so as to define an engagement axis, the body portion including oppositely facing first and second surfaces, and an inner engagement ring extending from the first surface and coaxially disposed between the inner diameter and the castellation portion, the inner engagement ring including a plurality of serrations defining respective serration axes that do not intersect the engagement axis; Reaction washer.

2. 2. The reaction washer of claim 1, wherein the body portion includes an outer engagement ring extending from a first surface and coaxially disposed between the inner engagement ring and the castellation portion, the outer engagement ring including a plurality of teeth defining respective tooth axes that do not intersect the engagement axis.

3. 3. The reaction washer of claim 2, wherein the plurality of teeth portions include a first tooth portion defining a first tooth axis and a second tooth portion defining a second tooth axis, the first tooth portion and the second tooth portion being adjacent to one another, the first tooth portion including a first tooth inner surface facing the inner engagement ring and a first tooth outer surface facing the outer diameter, and the second tooth portion including a second tooth inner surface facing the inner engagement ring so as to be non-parallel to the first tooth inner surface and a second tooth outer surface facing outward from the inner engagement ring so as to be non-parallel to the first tooth outer surface.

4. 4. The reaction washer of claim 3, wherein the first tooth inner surface and the first tooth outer surface define an end of the first tooth portion and are disposed on the first tooth axis, the second tooth inner surface and the second tooth outer surface define an end of the second tooth portion and are disposed on the second tooth axis, and the first tooth axis and the second tooth axis are not parallel to each other.

5. The reaction washer of claim 2 , wherein the outer engagement ring is radially spaced from the inner engagement ring to define an annular gap.

6. 6. The reaction washer of claim 5, wherein each of said plurality of serrations defines a serration length, said serration length being in the range of 8 to 12 times said annular gap.

7. 6. The reaction washer of claim 5, wherein each of said plurality of serrations defines a serration length, said serration length being ten times said annular gap.

8. 2. The reaction washer of claim 1, wherein the plurality of serrations includes first serrations and second serrations adjacent to one another and separated by a first serration trough, the first serrations including a first serration major surface and a first serration minor surface with a first serration peak disposed therebetween, the second serrations including a second serration major surface and a second serration minor surface with a second serration peak disposed therebetween, and the first serration trough separates the first serration minor surface and the second serration major surface.

9. 9. The reaction washer of claim 8, wherein the plurality of tooth portions include a first tooth portion and a second tooth portion adjacent to each other and separated by a first tooth trough, the first tooth portion including a first tooth major surface and a first tooth minor surface with a first tooth peak disposed therebetween, the second tooth portion including a second tooth major surface and a second tooth minor surface with a second tooth peak disposed therebetween, and the first tooth trough separating the first tooth minor surface and the second tooth major surface.

10. 10. The reaction washer of claim 9, wherein the first tooth peak is spaced from the second surface to define a maximum distance that the first tooth portion is spaced from the second surface, the second tooth peak is spaced from the second surface to define a maximum distance that the second tooth portion is spaced from the second surface, the first tooth trough defines a minimum distance that the first tooth portion is spaced from the second surface, the second tooth trough defines a minimum distance that the second tooth portion is spaced from the second surface, the first tooth peak and the second tooth peak are spaced an equal distance from the second surface, and the first tooth trough and the second tooth trough are spaced an equal distance from the second surface.

11. 10. The reaction washer of claim 9, wherein the first serration major surface slopes away from the second surface as it advances toward the second serration in a first rotational direction about the engagement axis.

12. 12. The reaction washer of claim 11, wherein the first tooth major surface slopes toward the second surface as it advances toward the second tooth portion in the first direction of rotation about the engagement axis.

13. 13. The reaction washer of claim 12, wherein the first serration major surface slopes toward the second surface when traveling away from the second serration in a second rotational direction about the engagement axis, and the first tooth major surface slopes away from the second surface when traveling away from the second tooth portion in the second rotational direction about the engagement axis, the first rotational direction and the second rotational direction being opposite each other.

14. 9. The reaction washer of claim 8, wherein the first serrations include a first serration inner surface facing the inner diameter and a first serration outer surface facing the outer diameter, the first serration inner surface defining a first serration inner surface plane that is non-orthogonal to an imaginary line extending radially perpendicular from the engagement axis, and the first serration outer surface defining a first serration outer surface plane that is non-orthogonal to an imaginary line extending radially perpendicular from the engagement axis.

15. 15. The reaction washer of claim 14, wherein the first serration inner surface plane is non-parallel to the first serration outer surface plane.

16. 15. The reaction washer of claim 14, wherein the second serrations include a second serration inner surface facing the inner diameter and a second serration outer surface facing the outer diameter, the second serration inner surface defining a second serration inner surface plane that is non-orthogonal to an imaginary line extending radially perpendicular from the engagement axis, and the second serration outer surface defining a second serration outer surface plane that is non-orthogonal to an imaginary line extending radially perpendicular from the engagement axis.

17. 17. The reaction washer of claim 16, wherein the first serration inner surface and the first serration outer surface define ends of the first serration, and the second serration inner surface and the second serration outer surface define ends of the second serration, and wherein serration axes extending between the respective inner and outer surfaces are non-parallel to one another.

18. 2. The reaction washer of claim 1, wherein the plurality of serrations includes first serrations and second serrations adjacent one another and bounded by a first serration trough, the first serrations including first serration peaks defining a maximum distance the first serrations are spaced from the second surface, the second serrations including second serration peaks defining a maximum distance the second serrations are spaced from the second surface, and the first serration peaks are spaced from the second surface a distance equal to the distance the second serration peaks are spaced from the second surface.

19. 19. The reaction washer of claim 18, wherein the body portion includes an outer engagement ring extending from the first surface and coaxially disposed between the inner engagement ring and the castellation portion, the outer engagement ring including a first tooth portion and a second tooth portion adjacent to each other and separated by a first tooth trough, the first tooth portion including a first tooth peak defining a maximum distance the first tooth portion is spaced from the second surface, the second tooth portion including a second tooth peak defining a maximum distance the second tooth portion is spaced from the second surface, and the first tooth peak is spaced from the second surface by a distance equal to the distance the second tooth peak is spaced from the second surface.

20. 20. The reaction washer of claim 19, wherein the first tooth peak is spaced from the second surface by a distance equal to the distance the second serration peak is spaced from the second surface.

21. 3. The reaction washer of claim 2, wherein the plurality of serrations and teeth engage with corresponding flanges to create a flow of force on opposing surfaces of the flanges in a non-orthogonal direction about the engagement axis, cooperating to prevent rotation of the reaction washer about the engagement axis.

22. A threaded connection assembly comprising: a nut defining a nut inner diameter and a nut outer diameter; and a reaction washer according to claim 1, said reaction washer rotatably coupled to said nut.

23. 23. The threaded connection assembly of claim 22, wherein the outer diameter of the reaction washer is larger than the outer diameter of the nut, and the nut is directly coupled to the reaction washer, allowing independent rotation between the reaction washer and the nut.

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