Portable Cylinder Regulator Torque Socket Around Protruding Valves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tools face difficulties in torquing a portable cylinder assembly's regulator to the cylinder without altering the specified torque values between the case and body, due to the positioning and protruding valves, which obstruct conventional socket grips and alter torque values.
Innovation Solution
A portable cylinder assembly torque tool comprising a nut and socket with grooves to avoid valves, and a cavity with distinct sections to apply torque without interfering with the case, allowing precise coupling of the regulator to the cylinder at specified torque values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional socket is used to torque the regulator body to the cylinder, then the torquing operation can be performed, but the socket contacts the protruding valves and alters the coupling between the case and body
Solution Approach 1:
The socket is divided into three distinct sections: a top section for torque application, a middle section that avoids the case, and a bottom section that contacts the nut. This segmentation allows each section to perform its specific function without interfering with other components, enabling precise torque application to the body-cylinder coupling without affecting the case-body coupling.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the socket have different geometric properties tailored to their specific functions. The bottom section has a shape configured to contact the nut and apply torque to the body, while the middle section is shaped to avoid the case. This local differentiation ensures that torque is applied precisely where needed without altering other couplings.
2Reliability
If the socket is designed to avoid the case, then the case-body coupling is preserved, but the socket structure becomes more complex with multiple sections
Solution Approach 1:
The single socket structure performs multiple functions: the top section applies torque force, the middle section navigates around the case without contact, and the bottom section transfers torque to the nut and body. This multi-functionality within a single component achieves reliable coupling preservation while avoiding the need for multiple separate tools or complex assembly procedures.
3Manufacturing precision
If the nut includes grooves to avoid valves, then the torque tool can be applied without altering case-body coupling, but the nut design becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The grooves are extracted features removed from the solid nut structure to create void spaces that accommodate the protruding valves. This allows the nut to fit around the valve assemblies without contacting them, enabling precise torque application to the body-cylinder coupling while excluding the valves from the torque transmission path.
Data Source
AI summary
A tool for torquing a regulator onto a cylinder of a portable cylinder assembly. The tool includes a nut and a socket. The nut is configured to fit around a body of a regulator of a portable cylinder assembly. As such, the nut has a first set of grooves that avoids one or more valve assemblies on the body of the regulator. The socket has a cavity extending therethrough such that the cavity consists of three sections: a top section, a middle section and a bottom section. The top section of the socket is configured to be coupled to a device that applies a torque force on the socket. The middle section of the socket is configured to avoid a case of the regulator which is disposed above the body of the regulator. The bottom section of the socket is configured to be coupled to the nut.