Compact Hydraulic Tensioner With Integrated Threaded Stud
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hydraulic tensioners face challenges in applications with limited space, particularly in height, and often require multiple components, which is undesirable in confined areas like wind turbine nacelles.
Innovation Solution
A compact, single-unit hydraulic tensioner design featuring a base and piston with a pressure space, an internal bore with a threaded component, and a drive mechanism that allows rotational motion to be transmitted to a threaded stud, enabling reduced height and minimal components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a traditional hydraulic tensioner with a captive stud is used, then the tensioner can provide sufficient tensioning force, but the height of the tensioner becomes too large for confined spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the threaded stud from a protruding configuration extending axially from the tensioner body to a retracted configuration where the stud is received within a recess in the piston. This dimensional reconfiguration reduces the height of the tensioner in the axial direction while maintaining the tensioning function through the recess structure that allows the stud to engage the workpiece when the piston extends.
2Length of moving object
If multiple components are used to reduce height, then the tensioner height is reduced, but the number of items to be assembled and managed increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the threaded stud directly into the piston structure by providing a recess in the piston that receives the stud. This merging of components eliminates the need for separate stud mounting mechanisms or additional parts, achieving height reduction through integration rather than through the use of multiple discrete components.
Solution Approach 2:
The piston serves multiple functions: it provides the hydraulic actuation surface, contains the recess for the threaded stud, and acts as the mounting structure for the stud engagement. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components while maintaining the tensioning capability.
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 compact, single-unit hydraulic tensioner that can be used in confined spaces with minimal components, effectively addressing the height limitations and reducing the number of items required, while maintaining effective tensioning capability.
Implementation Method 1
introduction of (e.g.) hydraulic fluid into the pressure space forces the piston and body apart
Implementation Method 2
the engagement of the exterior thread of the stud and the internal thread of the threaded component causing the stud to move along the axis as it rotates
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A hydraulic tensioner (1), comprising: a base (2); a piston (3) mounted for sliding motion relative to the base (2), the base (2) and the piston (3) defining a pressure space (4) therebetween and being arranged to be urged apart along an axis (8) upon introduction of a fluid into the pressure space (4), the tensioner (1) having an internal bore (6) along the axis (8) having first and second ends along the axis and comprising a threaded component having an internally threaded portion (7) at the first end and coupled to the piston (3); the tensioner (1) further comprising: a threaded stud (10) having an exterior thread which engages the internally threaded portion (7) of the threaded component; and a drive mechanism (12) arranged to transmit rotational motion from the second end of the internal bore (9) to the threaded stud; the tensioner being arranged such that rotational motion applied to the drive mechanism (12) at the second end causes rotation of the stud (10) relative to the threaded component, with the engagement of the exterior thread of the stud (10) and the internal thread of the threaded component causing the stud to move along the axis as it rotates.