Dual Piston Fastener Tool for Tight Clearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fastener installation tools face challenges when installing pull-type fasteners near the edge of a structure due to limited clearance, as they struggle to apply the necessary axial forces effectively in tight spaces.
Innovation Solution
A dual piston, close clearance fastening tool is designed with two diametrically opposed pistons and a yoke mechanism, allowing for axial force application along a longitudinal axis, and includes a housing with fluid communication between the pistons to facilitate both pull and return motions, enabling efficient installation of fasteners with reduced center-to-edge distance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional single-piston fastener installation tool is used, then the tool structure is simple, but the tool cannot effectively apply axial forces in tight clearance spaces near the edge of a structure
Solution Approach 1:
The tool is divided into two separate cylinders (first and second cylinders) positioned diametrically opposed to each other, each with its own piston. This segmentation allows the force application points to be separated spatially, enabling operation in tight clearance spaces while maintaining the necessary force application capability through the yoke mechanism that connects both pistons to the nose assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single-axis force application (conventional) to a dual-diametrically-opposed cylinder arrangement. By positioning cylinders in different spatial dimensions (diametrically opposed about the longitudinal axis), the tool achieves improved clearance capability in radial directions while maintaining axial force application through the yoke linkage.
2Length of moving object
If the center-to-edge distance is reduced for fastener installation, then the tool can access tighter spaces, but the ability to apply necessary axial forces is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the force application into two separate diametrically opposed cylinders, the tool can position its force application points closer to the edge while still achieving the necessary total axial force through the combined action of both pistons transmitted via the yoke to the nose assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The yoke mechanism merges the force output from both diametrically opposed pistons into a unified axial force application at the nose assembly. This combining effect allows the tool to achieve the necessary total axial force even when each individual piston operates from a position with reduced clearance to the edge.
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 tool effectively reduces the center-to-edge distance for fastener installation, allowing for precise and efficient application of both pull and return forces, thereby addressing the challenge of tight clearance requirements in fastener installation.
Implementation Method 1
the first piston includes a pull pressure port adapted to receive a fluid pressure causing the first piston to move in a pull direction
Implementation Method 2
the second piston includes a return pressure port adapted to receive a fluid pressure causing the second piston to move in a return direction
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
A fastener installation tool (10) includes a nose assembly (30), first (18) and second (20) cylinders, first (14) and second (16) pistons, and a yoke (22). The nose assembly (30) is adapted to apply an axial load to a fastener along a longitudinal axis of the nose assembly (30). The first (18) and second (20) cylinders are diametrically opposed to one another with respect to the longitudinal axis of the nose assembly (30). The yoke (22) connects the first piston (14), the second piston (16), and the nose assembly (30) such that motion of one of the pistons (14, 16) causes motion of the other one of the pistons (14, 16) and motion of at least a portion (32) of the nose assembly (30).