Adjustable Collet Socket for Rounded Corroded Valve Actuators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional collet devices are inadequate for engaging corroded valve actuators, which require high torque and have rounded edges due to prolonged burial, making them difficult to grip with conventional sockets.
Innovation Solution
A collet device with a perimeter wall featuring angled engagement portions and discrete sections, a sleeve with a tapered interior, and a biasing mechanism that allows for increased friction and torque application, enabling secure engagement and rotation of corroded valve actuators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional sockets are used to engage valve actuators, then the device structure is simple, but the gripping ability fails when edges are rounded due to corrosion
Solution Approach 1:
The collet is divided into multiple discrete sections (typically 3-6 segments) that can independently move and conform to the valve actuator shape. Each section has an engagement portion with teeth that can adapt to rounded or corroded edges, providing reliable gripping ability while maintaining a manageable device structure through modular segmentation.
Solution Approach 2:
The collet sections are designed to be dynamically adjustable rather than fixed, allowing them to expand and contract radially to engage valve actuators of different sizes and conditions. The biasing member enables the sections to move independently, adapting to corroded or rounded edges while maintaining secure engagement.
2Power
If conventional sockets are used, then the device is simple, but insufficient torque can be applied to corroded valve actuators
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing member acts as an intermediary mechanism that converts rotational motion from the engagement head into radial expansion of the collet sections. This mechanical advantage system enables high torque application to corroded valve actuators while keeping the overall device structure relatively simple through the use of a screw or spring mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement portions of the collet sections feature adjustable parameters including tooth geometry, engagement angle, and radial position. These parameters can be optimized to maximize friction and mechanical advantage when engaging corroded surfaces, enabling high torque application without requiring excessive device complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the collet sections are made discrete, then adaptability to corroded surfaces improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The discrete collet sections are designed with universal features including standardized mounting interfaces, consistent engagement portion geometry, and interchangeable design. This allows the same basic section design to adapt to various valve actuator sizes and conditions through simple radial adjustment, providing versatility without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The collet sections are arranged in a nested configuration where each section fits within the circular pattern of the others, sharing common mounting features and biasing mechanisms. This nested arrangement allows multiple discrete sections to work together as a unified structure, improving adaptability to corroded surfaces while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity through space-efficient design.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a secure grip and efficient torque transmission to corroded valve actuators, overcoming the challenges of corrosion and high torque requirements, allowing for effective operation even when buried underground.
Implementation Method 1
The interior surface abuts the engagement portion of each of the sections and biases the second ends of the sections toward each other as the first end moves inward of the bottom end of the sleeve
Implementation Method 2
A biasing member extends through the top end of the sleeve and engages each of the sections of the collet to retain the sections within the sleeve
Implementation Method 3
provides a secure grip and efficient torque transmission to corroded valve actuators
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable socket assembly includes a collet having a first end, a second end, and a perimeter wall. The second end has a receiving aperture therein. The collet is divided into a plurality of sections. A sleeve has a bottom end that receives the collet. The sleeve has an interior surface that tapers inwardly and abuts the sections to move toward each other as the sleeve moves toward the second ends of the sections. A biasing member extends through a top end of the sleeve and engages each of the sections. The biasing member is actuated to bias the sleeve downward to close together the sections and engaged the valve actuator. An engagement head is attached to the upper end of the biasing member and engages a tool to rotate the collet.