Annular Cage Removal Tool for Blind Holes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing removal tools for annular elements in blind holes, particularly in aeronautical applications, risk damaging the hole surfaces and are costly due to the need for power sources and potential strut scrapping, and require complex adjustments to avoid deterioration.
Innovation Solution
A removal tool with an elastically deformable annular cage and a tie-rod with an enlarged head that automatically adjusts to ensure safe extraction of annular elements without damaging the hole surfaces, using a screw-type drive mechanism for axial traction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a removal tool with a removal pin is used to extract the annular element, then the annular element can be removed from the blind hole, but the hole surface may be damaged by the projecting end of the removal pin scratching the bored surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary element (the annular cage with lateral claws) between the removal tool and the annular element. The cage engages with the annular element through its lateral claws while its cylindrical body guides the removal pin, preventing direct contact between the pin and the hole surface. This mediator protects the hole surface from damage while enabling the removal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The removal tool is segmented into functional components: the removal pin for applying traction force, the annular cage with lateral claws for engaging the annular element, and the cylindrical body for guiding and protecting. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while the overall system prevents hole surface damage.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the removal pin is positioned correctly to avoid damaging the hole surface, then the hole surface is protected, but the tool requires complex adjustments and precise positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The annular cage with lateral claws is designed to automatically engage with the annular element through its own geometry. The lateral claws naturally grasp the annular element when the cage is positioned in the hole, eliminating the need for complex adjustments or precise manual positioning of the removal pin. The tool serves itself by using the cage's structure to achieve proper engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The lateral claws of the annular cage are designed to be elastically deformable, allowing them to dynamically adapt to the annular element's position and geometry. This dynamic capability enables the tool to accommodate variations in positioning without requiring complex adjustments, while still ensuring proper engagement and hole surface protection.
3Productivity
If a power source is used to drive the removal tool, then the removal operation can be performed, but the cost increases due to the need for power sources and potential strut scrapping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the need for power sources (hydraulic, pneumatic, or electric actuators) with a purely mechanical removal system. The removal pin can be actuated by simple mechanical means such as a wrench or manual lever, eliminating the need for expensive power sources. This mechanical substitution reduces both equipment cost and the likelihood of damage to the strut.
Solution Approach 2:
The annular cage with lateral claws is designed as a simple, inexpensive mechanical component that can be easily manufactured and replaced if needed. Unlike complex powered systems, this mechanical tool is cost-effective and reduces the overall cost of the removal operation, making it economically viable for maintenance scenarios.
4Ease of operation
If the radial position of the removal pin is incorrect, then the removal operation can be performed, but the bored surface is damaged requiring reboring or scrapping
Solution Approach 1:
The annular cage serves as a mediator that transfers the removal operation from the removal pin to the annular element without direct contact between the pin and hole surface. The cylindrical body of the cage maintains proper radial positioning while the lateral claws engage the annular element, ensuring the hole surface integrity is preserved even when the removal pin is not precisely positioned.
Solution Approach 2:
The annular cage provides a protective interface that prevents direct damage to the hole surface before the removal pin can cause damage. The cage's cylindrical body acts as a cushioning element that guides the removal pin and distributes forces, preventing concentrated stress on the hole surface and eliminating the need for reboring or scrapping.
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
Ensures reliable and cost-effective removal of annular elements without damaging the hole surfaces, eliminating the need for reworking or scrapping, and allows for easy reinstallation, with a simple mechanical design suitable for on-site maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
an annular cage with lateral claws that are elastically deformable in the radial direction, which cage surrounds said tie-rod and passes through said axial passage of the annular element in such a manner that the claws come to be pressed against said distal transverse face of the annular element
Data Source
AI summary
A removal tool which exerts an axial pull on an annular element including a tie rod with a widened end head adapted to be inserted in the coaxial passage of the annular element, beyond the annular element, and a mechanism for engaging with the element in a form of an annular cage with lateral prongs capable of deforming elastically in the radial direction, passing through the axial passage to engage via the elastic prongs thereof with the distal transverse surface of the element and to allow the element to be removed by the engagement of the widened head with the prongs, following the axial movement of the tie rod outside of the hole by a control mechanism.