Modular Hydraulic Torque Tool for Onsite Piston Nut Retorquing
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-pressure hydraulic cylinder piston-retaining nuts are difficult to loosen and retorque on-site due to the high torque requirements, typically necessitating removal and transportation to a heavy-duty service shop, leading to costly and time-consuming downtime, especially in remote locations where service shops are inaccessible.
Innovation Solution
A modular, transportable torque tool system comprising a torque head assembly, hydraulic cylinder, and support assembly that can be mounted on a field service truck, allowing for demountable engagement with high-pressure hydraulic cylinders, enabling onsite loosening and retorquing of piston-retaining nuts with up to 15,000 pound-foot torque.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If conventional tools are used to loosen or retorque piston-retaining nuts, then the equipment is simple and easy to operate, but the torque requirement of 15,000 lb/ft is too high for typical conventional tools to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a hydraulic torque tool that uses hydraulic pressure to generate the required 15,000 lb/ft torque force. The hydraulic system includes a hydraulic motor or cylinder connected to a torque mechanism, allowing conventional hydraulic pressure (typically 3,000-5,000 PSI) to be converted into the high torque needed for loosening and retightening piston-retaining nuts, making the operation feasible with standard hydraulic power sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical torque application (wrenches, lever arms) with a hydraulic-powered mechanical system. The hydraulic torque tool incorporates a hydraulic motor driving a torque multiplication mechanism (such as a planetary gear set or hydraulic torque converter), substituting the need for extremely long lever arms or multiple operators with a compact hydraulic system that delivers the required torque through controlled hydraulic pressure and mechanical advantage.
2Reliability
If hydraulic cylinders are removed and shipped to a heavy-equipment service shop for servicing, then the nuts can be properly loosened and retorted, but this causes significant onsite down time and is costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the heavy-duty torque tooling system into portable, modular components that can be transported to the worksite and assembled as needed. The hydraulic torque tool is designed in separable sections that fit within standard transport equipment, allowing the servicing capability to be brought to the hydraulic cylinder location rather than moving the cylinder to a service shop, thereby eliminating downtime while maintaining servicing quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a portable hydraulic torque tool as an intermediary device between the hydraulic cylinder and the servicing operation. This self-contained tool includes its own hydraulic power source or connects to existing onsite hydraulic systems, providing the necessary torque capability at the location where it is needed, thus serving as a mobile service station that eliminates the need to transport the cylinder to a remote service shop.
3Productivity
If a portable torque tool is developed to service hydraulic cylinders onsite, then downtime is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the hydraulic torque tool with universal applicability to accommodate various sizes and types of piston-retaining nuts on different hydraulic cylinders. The tool incorporates an adjustable torque mechanism and interchangeable adapters or sockets that can engage with different nut configurations, allowing a single portable device to service multiple hydraulic cylinder types, thereby reducing the need for multiple specialized tools while maintaining high productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates dynamic adjustment capabilities in the portable torque tool, allowing the operator to adjust torque levels, hydraulic pressure, and engagement parameters in real-time based on the specific requirements of each piston-retaining nut. The tool includes adjustable hydraulic flow control, variable torque multiplication ratios, and adaptable mounting configurations, enabling a single device to optimize its performance for different servicing scenarios without requiring multiple fixed-purpose tools.
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
Enables efficient onsite servicing of high-pressure hydraulic cylinders, reducing downtime and transportation costs by providing a portable solution for applying sufficient torque to loosen and retighten piston-retaining nuts, accommodating various sizes and facilitating universal use in remote locations.
Implementation Method 1
hydraulic cylinder for operating the torque tool
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure generally relates to apparatus, systems, and kits of parts for knock-down heavy-duty transportable torque tool assemblies capable of onsite field-servicing of high-pressure heavy-duty hydraulic cylinders used in heavy-duty construction equipment and industrial machinery. The embodiments disclosed herein pertain to assemblies comprising modular knock-down components that may be mounted onto the bed of a field service truck and configured as needed to provide loosening and retorquing of piston-retaining nuts.