Flexible Torque Tool Linkage for Limited Clearance Fasteners
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing torque tools for industrial bolting applications, such as gas turbines, face challenges in applying large and accurate torque to threaded fasteners with limited clearance, as they rely on rigid linkages that optimize force transfer at a single point, resulting in decreased torque generation when accessing hidden or inaccessible fasteners.
Innovation Solution
A torque tool with a flexible load transfer member, comprising a rocker arm assembly and chain link-pin assembly, maintains the optimal relationship between the line of action of the force and the rotating output member throughout its travel, allowing efficient conversion of linear force and displacement into rotary torque and angular displacement, enabling the generation of large and accurate torque in minimal cross-sections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If rigid linkages are used to convert linear force to rotary torque, then force transfer is optimized at a single point, but torque generation decreases when accessing hidden or inaccessible fasteners with limited clearance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces rigid linkages with a flexible coupling mechanism that allows dynamic adjustment of the force transfer path. The flexible coupling enables the tool to adapt its geometry to access hidden fasteners while maintaining optimized force transfer through the entire travel range, not just at a single point. This dynamic flexibility resolves the contradiction by allowing both high torque generation and access to difficult-to-reach fasteners.
2Force
If rigid linkages are used for force transfer, then force transfer is optimized at one position, but the tool requires larger cross-sections reducing compactness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible coupling mechanism that functions similarly to flexible elements, allowing the force transfer path to bend and adapt to compact geometries. This flexible approach maintains high force transfer efficiency while enabling the tool to achieve a narrower, more compact cross-section suitable for accessing hidden fasteners in confined spaces.
3Force
If the line of action of force deviates from the optimized position, then torque generation decreases, but rigid linkages cannot maintain optimal position throughout entire travel
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible coupling mechanism dynamically adjusts the force transfer path throughout the entire travel range of the tool. As the tool moves to access fasteners at different positions, the flexible coupling continuously maintains the line of action of the applied force at the optimized position relative to the fastener center, ensuring consistent high torque generation across the full range of motion.
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
This solution increases efficiency and allows for the generation of large and accurate torque in minimal cross-sections, effectively accessing hidden and inaccessible threaded fasteners, resulting in a compact and efficient torque tool design.
Implementation Method 1
A pair of links coupled via a flexible load transfer member maintains the relationship between the line of action of the force and rotating output member at close to the optimized position throughout the entire travel of the output of the tool
Data Source
AI summary
Torque tools of the present invention include: a hydraulic cylinder assembly (40); a drive assembly (600, 60); a flexible linkage connection, or force transfer, assembly formed between the hydraulic cylinder assembly (40) and the drive assembly (600, 60); all of which is formed within or adjacent to a housing assembly (70). They provide large, accurate torque for limited clearance applications. The flexible linkage connection assembly (50) includes a rocker arm assembly (51) and a chain link-pin assembly. The flexible linkage connection assembly (50) maintains the relationship between the line of action of the linear force generated on the rocker arm assembly (51) by the hydraulic piston assembly (44, 50)(ies) and rotary force generated on the ratchet drive socket (9) by the rocker arm assembly (51) via the chain link-pin assembly at close to the optimized position throughout the entire travel of a drive plate assembly (61) of the drive assembly (600, 60). The resulting efficiency increase of converting linear force and displacement into rotary torque and angular displacement allows for generation of large and accurate torque in minimal cross-sections necessary to access hidden, limited clearance and/or inaccessible threaded fasteners.