Low Clearance Hydraulic Torque Tool Tapered Link Drive
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hydraulic torque wrenches with limited clearance designs are hindered by increased width and depth, limiting access to nuts and bolts in tight spaces due to their construction, which can lead to reduced usability in industrial applications.
Innovation Solution
A low clearance hydraulic torque tool featuring a link drive with tapered side plates and a wave spring, allowing for a thinner profile and higher torque transfer in a smaller enclosure, eliminating the need for a drive and reaction pawl and ensuring backlash-free operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If conventional hydraulic torque wrenches use traditional construction with side plates and spacers, then the structural strength is maintained, but the width and depth increase, limiting access in tight spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements nesting by placing the ratchet mechanism inside the hydraulic cylinder assembly, with the ratchet pawl positioned within the cylinder bore and the ratchet gear integrated into the piston rod or cylinder head. This nested arrangement allows the ratchet linkage to occupy the same spatial envelope as the hydraulic components, eliminating the need for additional external space and reducing the overall width and depth of the wrench while maintaining structural integrity through the unified assembly design.
2Ease of manufacture
If the ratchet linkage components are made modular for flexibility, then ease of assembly and maintenance is improved, but the overall device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the ratchet linkage components with the hydraulic cylinder assembly by integrating the ratchet gear into the cylinder head or piston rod and positioning the ratchet pawl within the cylinder bore. This consolidation combines what could be separate modular components into a unified assembly, reducing the number of discrete parts and connection interfaces while maintaining ease of assembly through the integrated design that allows the entire ratchet-hydraulic assembly to be installed as one unit.
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 design minimizes tool volume and mass, enhances safety, and increases torque capacity in confined spaces, making it more versatile and effective for use in tight clearances without the risk of wear or failure.
Implementation Method 1
a wave spring formed between the drive plate and one of the side plates of the torque tool
Implementation Method 2
Such actuators may include one or more hydraulic cylinders and pistons
Data Source
AI summary
A low clearance hydraulic torque tool for tightening or loosening fasteners has an apparatus to transfer torque formed within a link drive means between a first and a second side plate. The apparatus includes: a drive plate having piston engagement means at a first end and a machined face gear with radial serrations at a second end; a ratchet drive having a machined face gear with corresponding radial serrations at a first end and a threaded fastener engagement means at a second end; and a wave spring formed between the drive plate and one of the side plates of the torque tool. The side plates of the link drive means are tapered from a first end, adjacent piston engagement means, to a second end, adjacent the threaded fastener engagement means, such that the width of the link drive means at the second end is substantially thinner than the width of the link drive means at the first end.