Torque-absorbing surface

Abstract

Multiple rising surfaces on the platform absorb the torque of the fastener in contact with the rising surfaces while rotating relative to the platform. When tightening the fastener, a significant unbalanced increase in torque is observed compared to the associated increase in bolt stress due to the increased felt torque. When a power tool is used to apply torque to the fastener, the rising surfaces are used in the lugs of a mechanical pipe coupling to increase the fastener's resistance to damage.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] This application is based on and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 112,194 filed on November 11, 2020, which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a surface feature that engages with a rotating fastener element. Background Technology

[0003] With the increasing use of power tools on site, particularly impact wrenches, technicians can now apply relatively large torque to fasteners with minimal effort. These factors may lead to a higher rate of bolt over-torqued, and in some cases, severe damage may result when such bolts are over-torqued by technicians using high-output impact wrenches. The problem to be solved

[0004] Therefore, it would be beneficial if measures could be taken to increase the bolt's resistance to damage when power tools are used. means of solving the problem

[0005] The present invention relates to a platform in combination that contacts a fastener element, wherein the fastener element is rotatable about an axis oriented transversely to the platform. In an exemplary embodiment, the platform comprises a base surface. A plurality of raised surfaces protrude transversely from the base surface and contact the fastener element. Each raised surface comprises a plateau. Each raised surface is separated from at least one adjacent raised surface by a channel located between them.

[0006] For example, the fastener element may include the head of a threaded nut or a threaded bolt.

[0007] In a specific exemplary design, each flat section has a height of 0.060 inches above the base surface, and in actual designs, each flat section may have a height ranging from 0.020 inches to 0.1 inches above the base surface. Also, as an example, each flat section has a minimum surface area of ​​0.010 square inches, and in actual designs, each flat section may have a surface area ranging from 0.010 square inches to 0.1 square inches. In a specific embodiment, each flat section has a minimum surface area ranging from 0.020 to 0.075 square inches.

[0008] In an exemplary embodiment, at least one of the rise faces has a polygonal cross-sectional shape. Also, as an example, at least one of the rise faces may have a round cross-sectional shape. In an actual exemplary embodiment, at least one of the rise faces is tapered, and at least one rise face has a smaller perimeter at the flat portion than at the base surface.

[0009] In an exemplary embodiment, the fastener element is softer than the plurality of rising faces. In a specific embodiment, the fastener element may be made of steel, and the plurality of rising faces may be made of ductile iron.

[0010] The present invention includes a coupling for joining pipe elements in an end-to-end relationship. In a specific exemplary embodiment, the coupling includes a first segment having first and second ends arranged oppositely and a second segment having first and second ends arranged oppositely. A first fastener attaches a first end of the first segment to a first end of the second segment. A second fastener attaches a second end of the first segment to a second end of the second segment, so that the segments surround a central space for accommodating pipe elements. First and second connecting members are respectively located at the first and second ends of the first and second segments. In an exemplary embodiment, each connecting member includes a base surface oriented transversely to one of the fasteners. A plurality of rising surfaces protrude transversely from the base surface and are connectable to one of the fasteners. Each rising surface includes a flat portion. Each rising face is separated from at least one adjacent rising face by a channel located between them. For example, the fasteners may include a threaded nut that can be coupled with one of the rising faces and / or a threaded bolt having a head that can be coupled with one of the rising faces.

[0011] In a specific exemplary design, each flat section has a height of 0.060 inches above the base surface, and in actual designs, each flat section may have a height ranging from 0.020 inches to 0.1 inches above the base surface. Also, as an example, each flat section has a minimum surface area of ​​0.010 square inches, and in actual designs, each flat section may have a surface area ranging from 0.010 square inches to 0.1 square inches. In a given embodiment, each flat section has a minimum surface area ranging from 0.020 to 0.075 square inches.

[0012] In an exemplary embodiment, at least one of the rise surfaces has a polygonal cross-sectional shape. Additionally, as an example, at least one of the rise surfaces may have a round cross-sectional shape. In an actual exemplary embodiment, at least one of the rise surfaces is inclined, and at least one rise surface has a smaller perimeter on the flat portion than on the base surface.

[0013] In an exemplary embodiment, the fastener is softer than most of the rise faces. In a specific example, the fastener may comprise steel, and a plurality of rise faces may comprise ductile iron. In an exemplary embodiment, a plurality of rise faces may be cast integrally with the coupling.

[0014] The present invention further comprises a flange mountable on a pipe element. In an exemplary embodiment, the flange comprises a ring having a contact surface configured to interface with a mating flange and an exposed surface arranged opposite the contact surface. For example, the exposed surface comprises a base surface and a plurality of rise surfaces protruding transversely from the base surface. Each rise surface comprises a plateau, and each rise surface is separated from at least one adjacent rise surface by a channel located between them. In an actual example, the plurality of rise surfaces extend around the entire exposed surface.

[0015] In a specific exemplary design, each flat section has a height of 0.060 inches above the base surface, and in actual designs, each flat section may have a height ranging from 0.020 inches to 0.1 inches above the base surface. Also, as an example, each flat section has a minimum surface area of ​​0.010 square inches, and in actual designs, each flat section may have a surface area ranging from 0.010 square inches to 0.1 square inches. In a specific embodiment, each flat section has a minimum surface area ranging from 0.020 to 0.075 square inches.

[0016] In an exemplary embodiment, at least one of the rise surfaces has a polygonal cross-sectional shape. Additionally, as an example, at least one of the rise surfaces may have a round cross-sectional shape. In an actual exemplary embodiment, at least one of the rise surfaces is inclined, and at least one rise surface has a smaller perimeter on the flat portion than on the base surface.

[0017] In an exemplary embodiment, the fastener is softer than most of the rise faces. In a specific example, the fastener may comprise steel, and a plurality of rise faces may comprise ductile iron. In an exemplary embodiment, a plurality of rise faces may be cast integrally with the flange.

[0018] The present invention further comprises a flange coupling for joining pipe elements. In an exemplary embodiment, the flange coupling comprises a first ring having a first contact surface and a first exposed surface positioned oppositely, and a second ring having a second contact surface and a second exposed surface positioned oppositely. The second contact surface forms an interface with the first contact surface. A plurality of fasteners extend through the first ring and the second ring. Each of the fasteners comprises at least one rotatable member that engages with at least one of the exposed surfaces of one of the rings. In an exemplary embodiment, at least one exposed surface comprises a base surface. A plurality of rising surfaces protrude transversely from the base surface. Each rising surface comprises a flat portion. Each rising surface is separated from at least one adjacent rising surface by a channel positioned between them.

[0019] In one example, a plurality of rise surfaces extend around the entire exposed surface. Also, as an example, at least one of the rise surfaces has a polygonal cross-sectional shape or a round cross-sectional shape. In an exemplary embodiment, at least one of the rise surfaces is inclined, and at least one rise surface has a smaller perimeter at the flat portion than at the base surface. As an example, the rotatable member may include a screw nut that can be coupled to at least one of the rise surfaces and / or a screw bolt having a head that can be coupled to one of the rise surfaces.

[0020] In an exemplary embodiment, the rotatable member is softer than the plurality of rising faces. In a specific exemplary embodiment, the fastener may comprise steel, and the plurality of rising faces may comprise ductile iron. In a specific exemplary embodiment, the plurality of rising faces are integrally cast with at least one exposed face. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0021] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an exemplary combination platform and fastener element according to the present invention. FIG. 1a is an isometric view of another exemplary combination platform advertising fastener element according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the components of the exemplary platform element illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is an isometric view of an exemplary mechanical pipe coupling using a combination platform and fastener elements according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is an isometric view of an exemplary flanged coupling using a combination platform and fastener elements according to the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0022] One aspect of the present invention relates to a coupling platform and a fastener element. An exemplary assembly (10) is illustrated in FIG. 1 and comprises a platform (12) in contact with a fastener element (14), in this example, a threaded nut (16) of a threaded bolt (18). The fastener element (14) may also comprise the head of a bolt (18) (not illustrated). As separately illustrated in FIG. 2, an exemplary platform comprising a base surface (20) is oriented laterally with respect to an axis (22) on which the fastener element can rotate. A plurality of risers (24) protrude laterally with respect to the base surface (20). Each riser (24) comprises a flat portion (26). Each riser (26) is separated from at least one adjacent riser by a respective channel (28) located between them. In this example, the riser (24) has a polygonal cross-sectional shape, but as illustrated in FIG. 1a, an actual exemplary assembly (11) of the platform (12) has a riser (24) with a flat section (26) having a circular cross-sectional shape. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the riser (24) is formed to be inclined so that each riser may have a smaller perimeter (30) at the flat section (26) than at the base surface (20). An inclination angle of about 3° is advantageous for providing a draft when the platform is manufactured by a casting process.

[0023] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and FIGS. 1a, the rising surface (24) comes into contact with the fastener element (14). In this example, when the nut (16) is rotated relative to the platform (12) around the axis (22), the nut is forcibly pressed against the flat surface (26), and the nut is tightened to the fixed bolt (18). It is well known that as the nut (16) is tightened, the tensile stress of the bolt (18) increases, and as the nut is tightened, the torque required to turn the nut also increases. However, it is observed that when the rotating nut (16) comes into forcibly contact with the rising surface (24), the torque required to turn the nut increases at a greater rate compared to the increase in bolt stress that would otherwise occur in the absence of the rising surface. This observed phenomenon is practically advantageous because it can be used to protect the bolt from damage caused by over-torquing.

[0024] FIG. 3 illustrates an actual implementation of a combination (10) on a coupling (31) for joining pipe elements (not shown) in an end-to-end relationship. In this example, the coupling (31) comprises a first segment (32) having oppositely positioned first and second ends (34, 36), and a second segment (38) having oppositely positioned first and second ends (40, 42). A first fastener (44) fastens the first end (34) of the first segment (32) to the first end (40) of the second segment (38). The second fastener (46) fastens the second end (36) of the first segment (32) to the second end (42) of the second segment (38), thereby the segments (32, 38) surround a central space (48) for accommodating pipe elements. In this example, the fasteners (44, 46) include a mating nut (16) and a bolt (18).

[0025] The first and second connecting members (50, 52) are respectively located at the first and second ends (34, 36, 40, 42) of the first and second segments (32, 38). In this example, each connecting member (50, 52) includes the aforementioned base surface (20) oriented transversely with respect to each fastener (44, 46) passing through the connecting member. The rising surface (24) protrudes transversely from each base surface (20) and is capable of being coupled with the fastener (44, 46). As described above in relation to the assembly (10), each rising surface (24) includes a plateau (26), and each rising surface is separated from at least one adjacent rising surface by a channel (28) located between them. As with the assembly (10) described above and illustrated in FIG. 1, in this embodiment, the rising surfaces (24) have a polygonal cross-sectional shape and form a slope so that each rising surface has a smaller perimeter (30) on the plateau (26) than on the base surface (20). In this embodiment, when the fasteners (44, 46) are tightened, the nut (16) engages with and rotates against the plateau (26) of the rising surfaces (24), but in other embodiments, the head of the bolt (18) engages with and rotates against the plateau. Although the assembly (10) is shown as being used with a coupling (31), the assembly (11) of FIG. 1a having a flat portion (26) having a circular cross-sectional shape can also be realized in this embodiment.

[0026] In an actual example of a coupling (31), when used with a standard ASME B18.2.2 medium hex nut of 1 / 2" size made of ASTM A563 carbon steel, a significant disproportionate increase in torque was observed relative to the associated increase in bolt stress for the flat section (26) having a height of 0.060 inches above the base surface (20) and a minimum surface area of ​​0.010 square inches. For an effective design, as the fastener size increases, the flat section area is generally expected to increase due to the increase in the supporting area of ​​the nut and / or bolt. For such a design, the disproportionate increase in torque was directly observed due to the increased felt torque when a hand wrench is used to tighten the coupling fastener. In a test intended to induce bolt failure, when an impact wrench is used, the bolt failure is doubled when a coupling employing the elevated feature according to the present invention is tested against a coupling that does not have the assembly (10). It was observed.

[0027] An effective design of the assembly (10, 11) according to the present invention is expected to be achieved with a flat section (26) having a height above a base surface (20) in the range of 0.020 inches to 0.1 inches, and a height of 0.060 inches is expected to be advantageous. The actual design may also have a surface area in the range of 0.010 square inches to 0.1 square inches, and a surface area expected to be advantageous is 0.020 to 0.075 square inches. Effective protection of bolts with a diameter in the range of 0.25 inches to 1 inch (as well as similar and equivalent sizes) is expected to be achieved using the assembly (10, 11) according to the present invention.

[0028] In an exemplary coupling (31), the fastener element (14) (nut (16)) is formed of carbon steel and has a lower surface hardness compared to the multiple rising surfaces (24) which are formed of ductile iron and are cast integrally with the coupling. As increasing torque is applied to the nut (16), the flat portion (26) has a sacrificial nature and is worn by the nut (16), and it has been observed in an experimental coupling that the bolt stress increases significantly after the flat portion is significantly worn.

[0029] FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment in which a coupling platform (12) and fastener elements are used in the flange (54) of a flange coupling (56). In this embodiment, the flange coupling (56) comprises flanges (54) in the form of a first ring (58) having a first contact surface (60) and a first exposed surface (62) positioned oppositely, and a second ring (64) having a second contact surface (66) and a second exposed surface (68) positioned oppositely. The second contact surface (66) interfaces with the first contact surface (60). Typically, a seal (70) is captured between the contact surfaces (60, 66) to ensure a fluid-tight coupling.

[0030] A plurality of fasteners (72) extend through the first and second rings (58, 64). Each fastener (72) includes at least one rotatable member that engages with at least one of the exposed surfaces (62, 68) of one of the rings (58, 66). In a practical example, the rotatable member may include a screw nut (74) or a screw bolt (76) having a head (78) and may engage with both of the exposed surfaces (62, 68).

[0031] The exposed surface of the flange (54) includes a base surface (20) and a plurality of rise surfaces (24) protruding laterally from the base surface (20), as described above for the platform (12) and coupling (31). Each rise surface (24) includes a flat portion (26). Each rise surface (26) is separated from at least one adjacent rise surface by each channel (28) located between them. In this embodiment, the rise surfaces (24) have a polygonal cross-sectional shape, but other shapes such as the round shape of FIG. 1a are also possible. Additionally, it is preferable that the rise surfaces (24) be sloped so that they have a smaller perimeter (30) at the flat portion (26) than at the base surface (20). The rise surfaces (24) may have the same or similar height and area as described above. The rise surfaces may also include ductile iron and may be cast integrally with the flange (54). As mentioned above, the fastener may be softer than the multiple rising faces and may be formed of steel. Bolt stress is expected to be limited until the flat portions are significantly worn due to their sacrificial nature.

[0032] In the example illustrated in FIG. 4, the flange coupling (56) may include first and second pipe stubs (stock pipes, 80, 82) to which rings (58, 64) are respectively attached. The stub pipes (80, 82) may be cut to a desired length or welded to their respective pipe elements (not shown), or the rings (58, 64) may be attached directly to the pipe stock, for example, by welding.

[0033] In the flange coupling (56), a rotatable element (a screw nut (74) and / or a bolt head (78)) engages with the flat portion (26) and is forcibly rotated against it when the coupling (56) is assembled. When tightening the bolt (76), an unbalanced increase in the torque required to tighten the nut (74) or the bolt head (78) is expected compared to the increase in tensile stress within the bolt (76). This effect is expected to protect the bolt (76) from damage caused by over-torquing the flange coupling (56).

Claims

Claim 1 delete Claim 2 delete Claim 3 delete Claim 4 delete Claim 5 delete Claim 6 delete Claim 7 delete Claim 8 delete Claim 9 delete Claim 10 delete Claim 11 delete Claim 12 delete Claim 13 delete Claim 14 delete Claim 15 A coupling for joining pipe elements in an end-to-end relationship, wherein the coupling comprises: a first segment having a first end and a second end positioned oppositely, said first segment including a first connecting member and a second connecting member positioned respectively at the first end and the second end; a second segment having a first end and a second end positioned oppositely, said second segment including a first connecting member and a second connecting member positioned respectively at the first end and the second end; a first fastener for attaching the first end of the first segment to the first end of the second segment; and a second fastener for attaching the second end of the first segment to the second end of the second segment. A coupling comprising: a first segment and a second segment surrounding a central space for accommodating pipe elements, wherein each of the first segment and the second segment, the first connecting member and the second connecting member, respectively, comprises: a base surface formed integrally with each of the connecting members and oriented transversely with respect to one of the first and second fasteners; and a plurality of rising surfaces extending transversely from the base surface, wherein each of the plurality of rising surfaces comprises a flat portion, and at least the flat portion of each of the first rising surface and the second rising surface is coupled to a part of the first fastener, and each of the plurality of rising surfaces is separated from at least one of the plurality of rising surfaces by a channel located between them. Claim 16 In claim 15, the coupling comprises a first fastener having a screw-type nut that can be coupled with at least one of the plurality of rising surfaces. Claim 17 In claim 15, the coupling comprises a first fastener having a screw bolt having a head capable of being coupled to at least one of the plurality of rising surfaces. Claim 18 In claim 15, each of the above-mentioned flat portions has a height of 0.060 inches above the base surface, a coupling. Claim 19 In claim 15, each of the flat portions has a height ranging from 0.020 inches to 0.1 inches above the base surface, a coupling. Claim 20 In claim 15, the coupling, wherein each of the flat portions has a minimum surface area of ​​0.010 square inches. Claim 21 In claim 15, each of the flat portions has a surface area ranging from 0.010 square inches to 0.1 square inches, a coupling. Claim 22 In claim 15, a coupling having at least one of the plurality of rising surfaces having a polygonal cross-sectional shape. Claim 23 In claim 15, a coupling having at least one of the plurality of rising surfaces having a round cross-sectional shape. Claim 24 In claim 15, a coupling wherein at least one of the plurality of rising surfaces is inclined, and the at least one rising surface has a smaller perimeter at the flat portion than at the base surface. Claim 25 In claim 15, the coupling, wherein the first fastener is softer than the plurality of rising surfaces. Claim 26 In claim 15, the first fastener comprises steel, forming a coupling. Claim 27 In claim 15, the plurality of rising surfaces comprises ductile iron, forming a coupling. Claim 28 In claim 15, the plurality of rising surfaces are a coupling formed integrally with the coupling. Claim 29 delete Claim 30 delete Claim 31 delete Claim 32 delete Claim 33 delete Claim 34 delete Claim 35 delete Claim 36 delete Claim 37 delete Claim 38 delete Claim 39 delete Claim 40 delete Claim 41 delete Claim 42 delete Claim 43 delete Claim 44 delete Claim 45 delete Claim 46 delete Claim 47 delete Claim 48 delete Claim 49 delete Claim 50 delete Claim 51 delete

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