Screw Tensioner Vent Opening Layout for Easier Hydraulic Bleeding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing screw tensioning devices face difficulties in proper venting due to their bulky design and flat arrangement of fluid chambers, making it challenging for operators to efficiently remove gases, which hampers operability.

Innovation Solution

A device with a vent opening directed towards and opening into the engagement section of the fluid chamber, allowing for improved accessibility and ease of venting by positioning the device upside down, ensuring the vent opening is at a higher position relative to the fluid chamber.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If the fluid chamber is arranged flatly to multiply actuating force, then the pulling force for tensioning the screw is increased, but the vent opening becomes difficult to access for proper gas removal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepulling forceVSAvoidventing accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The vent opening is oriented in a different spatial dimension/direction relative to the fluid chamber, specifically directed towards the engagement section rather than the flat effective portion. This dimensional reorientation allows operators to access the vent opening from the engagement side of the device, bypassing the accessibility problem caused by the flat fluid chamber arrangement while preserving the force multiplication function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Power

If the device is designed with a bulky structure to accommodate the fluid chamber, then the actuating force can be effectively transformed, but the overall device size increases and complicates venting operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveactuating force transformationVSAvoidventing operation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The engagement section serves multiple functions: it engages the screw, and simultaneously provides access to the vent opening. By directing the vent opening towards the engagement section, the same structural region performs both engagement and venting access functions, reducing the need for additional separate access points and simplifying the overall device structure despite the bulky design needed for force multiplication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If the vent opening opens into the effective portion, then the fluid chamber can be vented, but the flat arrangement makes it arduous for operators to properly remove gases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveventing functionVSAvoidgas removal ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of opening the vent opening into the effective portion as in conventional designs, the invention inverts the approach by directing the vent opening towards the engagement section. This reversal of the vent opening direction allows operators to access and operate the vent from the engagement side, making gas removal easier while still achieving the venting function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 configuration simplifies the venting process, enhancing the device's operability and making it easier for operators to remove gases effectively, thus improving the overall functionality of the tensioning device.

Implementation Method 1

the actuating unit is configured to manipulate a volume of the fluid chamber so as to move the engagement element relative to the support element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic force multiplication: Hydraulic Press

Implementation Method 2

the effective portion is disposed around the engagement element along a circumferential direction thereof and has an effective base area that is considerably larger compared to an effective base area of the piston portion. The actuating force applied onto the piston is hydraulically transformed into a force acting on the fixation element which is higher compared to that one acting on the piston.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPascal's law: Pascal's Law

Implementation Method 3

A device with a vent opening directed towards and opening into the engagement section of the fluid chamber, allowing for improved accessibility and ease of venting by positioning the device upside down, ensuring the vent opening is at a higher position relative to the fluid chamber.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity-driven gas removal: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP3898109B1Device for tensioning a connecting element
Publication Date: 2023.11.29 CATERPILLAR ENERGY SOLUTIONS
  • EP3898109B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3898109B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The present invention refers to a device (10) for tensioning a connecting element (12) fastened to a component (18, 20) to be tightened, which comprises an engagement element (24) having an engagement section (31) for receiving and holding the connecting element (12), a support element (40) configured to support the device (10) against the component (20), and an actuating unit (44) having a fluid chamber (50) for receiving a fluid, wherein the actuating unit (44) is configured to manipulate a volume of the fluid chamber (50) so as to move the engagement element (24) relative to the support element (40). The device (10) further comprises a vent opening (102) fluid-communicatively connectable to the fluid chamber (50) which is disposed in the region of the engagement section (31).