Segmented Washer for Controlled Bolt Elongation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for tightening and loosening threaded connectors, such as flanges, face challenges in achieving a consistent bolt load due to unknown friction and bolt relaxation, which are influenced by various variables like cleanliness, debris, and alignment.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a washer with a radially inner opening and outer surface designed to absorb reaction forces, optionally including a radially inner segment and spacer, to control bolt elongation and tension, ensuring accurate and precise bolt loading by maintaining the washer stationary while the nut is turned.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If torque is used for tightening threaded connectors, then the tightening process is simple, but the bolt load becomes unpredictable due to unknown friction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a washer as an intermediary component between the nut and the joint. The washer provides a controlled friction interface that mediates the relationship between applied torque and resulting bolt load, making the bolt load more predictable and consistent despite variations in friction conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the friction parameter by introducing a washer with specific friction characteristics. This controlled friction interface alters the torque-bolt load relationship, enabling more precise control over the final bolt load while maintaining the simplicity of torque-based tightening.
2Measurement precision
If tension is used for tightening threaded connectors, then bolt load control is improved, but bolt relaxation due to unknown factors reduces precision
Solution Approach 1:
The washer acts as a mediator that eliminates bolt relaxation issues. By providing a controlled friction interface, the washer prevents the nut from loosening due to thread cleanliness, debris, or surface imperfections, ensuring the bolt load remains consistent and reliable.
Solution Approach 2:
The washer provides beforehand cushioning against bolt relaxation by creating a friction barrier that prevents backward movement of the nut. This protective measure compensates for potential issues with thread cleanliness, debris, and surface conditions before they can cause bolt load loss.
3Device complexity
If a simple washer is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to control bolt elongation and precision is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the washer into functional zones: a friction surface for controlling torque-bolt load relationship, a bearing surface for load distribution, and a controlled friction interface for preventing bolt relaxation. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function, achieving precise bolt elongation control without excessive overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The washer exhibits local quality with different surface properties in different regions. The friction surface has controlled friction characteristics, the bearing surface has high load-bearing capacity, and the interface with the joint has specific friction properties. This localized functional differentiation enables precise control of bolt elongation while maintaining overall structural simplicity.
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 approach allows for consistent and controlled bolt loading, providing a solution for achieving desired bolt loads by isolating the washer from movement and using it to absorb reaction forces, thus addressing the variability in existing methods.
Implementation Method 1
its radially outer surface adapted to absorb a reaction force of the tool... when the tool applies a turning force to the nut and an equal but opposite reaction force to the radially outer body the nut turns while the radially outer body stands still
Implementation Method 2
radially inner segment engageable with a thread of the bolt and connectable to the radially outer body with a limited axial frictional movement relative to the outer body... the radially inner segment engaging with the thread of the bolt positively stops the bolt from turning and allows the bolt only to elongate or to relax
Implementation Method 3
spacer locatable between the radially inner segment and the nut... the spacer limits the axial movement of said segment
Data Source
AI summary
A method of tightening and loosening threaded connectors in an object includes threadingly connecting a nut with a bolt introduced in the object with interposition of a washer between the nut and the object, turning the nut by a tool to tighten or loosen the bolt in the object with interposition of the washer, forming the washer with an outer body having a radially inner opening larger than a diameter of the bolt and radially outer surface adapted to absorb a reaction force of the tool, optionally also with a radially inner segment engageable with a thread of the bolt and connectable to the radially outer body with a limited axial frictional movement relative to the outer body, and optionally also with a spacer locatable between the radially inner segment and the nut, interposing only said radially outer body of the washer between the nut and the object for regular applications, optionally interposing the radially outer body and the radially inner segment together between the nut and object for applications when even and accurate bolt elongation is necessary, and optionally interposing the radially outer body, the radially inner segment, and the spacer between the nut and the object for applications when a precise bolt load is needed and a bolt elongation must be controlled.