Socket-Centered Washer Alignment During Fastener Tightening
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In gas turbine engines, the rotation of bolt heads can cause washers to skew, leading to uneven pressure distribution and rotational imbalances due to the lack of effective centering mechanisms in fastener assemblies.
Innovation Solution
A socket device with a centering sleeve and sleeve mount is used to secure a washer axially between components, ensuring it remains coaxial with the fastener element during tightening, preventing skewing and maintaining even pressure distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a conventional fastener assembly is used during tightening, then the fastening operation can be completed, but the washer skews to the side of the bolt head causing uneven pressure distribution and rotational imbalance
Solution Approach 1:
A socket device serves as an intermediary tool between the tightening mechanism and the fastener assembly. This socket device includes a centering sleeve that contacts the washer and a socket portion that engages the bolt head wrenching feature. The centering sleeve acts as a mediator to guide and center the washer on the bolt head during tightening, preventing skewing while maintaining ease of operation through a standardized socket interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The socket device is designed to preliminarily center the washer on the bolt head before the tightening force is applied. The centering sleeve is positioned to contact the washer outer surface in advance, establishing proper alignment and coaxial positioning. This preliminary centering action ensures that when tightening begins, the washer is already properly positioned, preventing skewing during the tightening process.
2Ease of operation
If the washer is allowed to rotate freely during bolt tightening, then the tightening process is simple, but the washer becomes misaligned causing harmful skewing effects
Solution Approach 1:
The socket device with centering sleeve acts as an intermediary constraint that prevents harmful washer skewing during tightening. The centering sleeve contacts the washer outer surface and maintains coaxial alignment, while the socket portion engages the bolt head wrenching feature. This intermediary mechanism allows the tightening operation to proceed simply while simultaneously preventing the washer from skewing or rotating off-center, eliminating the harmful effects of misalignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The socket device performs preliminary centering of the washer before tightening forces are applied. The centering sleeve is positioned to engage the washer outer surface in advance, establishing proper alignment. This preliminary action ensures that when tightening begins, the washer is already constrained and centered, preventing skewing during the tightening process while maintaining operational simplicity.
3Device complexity
If no centering mechanism is provided, then the fastener assembly structure remains simple, but pressure loading becomes uneven and rotational imbalance occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The socket device serves as an intermediary centering mechanism that ensures uniform pressure distribution during tightening. The centering sleeve contacts the washer outer surface and maintains coaxial alignment between the washer and bolt head. This intermediary structure prevents washer skewing, ensuring that the clamping force is distributed evenly across the washer-bearing surface, thereby improving reliability without significantly complicating the fastener assembly structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The socket device performs preliminary centering of the washer before tightening forces are applied. The centering sleeve is positioned to engage the washer outer surface in advance, establishing proper coaxial alignment. This preliminary centering action ensures that when tightening begins, the washer is already properly positioned, resulting in uniform pressure distribution across the contact surface and preventing rotational imbalance, while adding minimal structural complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly method is provided during which a first component is arranged with a second component. The first component is secured to the second component using a fastener assembly. The fastener assembly includes a fastener element and a washer. The fastener element includes a wrenching feature. The washer has a full-hoop annular body with a cylindrical outer surface. The securing includes: mating a socket device with the fastener element and the washer, the socket device engaging the wrenching feature and the cylindrical outer surface; and rotating the fastener element about an axis using the socket device to tighten the fastener assembly and clamp the washer axially between the first component and the fastener element. The socket device centers the washer to the fastener element during the rotating.