Tools – Bolt holders
Reexamination Certificate
2002-02-01
2003-07-08
Meislin, D. S. (Department: 3723)
Tools
Bolt holders
C081S125100, C081S177600
Reexamination Certificate
active
06588303
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to an anti-rotation device for a fastener. Specifically, the present invention relates to a device that limits the rotation of a fastener when tightening or loosening the corresponding fastener.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A gas turbine engine has several modules. The first module, in terms of axial flow path, is the compressor section. Ambient air enters the engine through the compressor section. The compressor section pressurizes the air.
The second module is the combustion section. The combustion section introduces fuel to the air previously compressed by the compressor section. The combustion section then ignites the mixture.
The third module is the turbine section. The turbine section extracts energy from the exhaust produce by the compressor section. The turbine section is coupled to the compressor section so that the exhaust drives the compressor.
Finally, the air exits the engine as thrust.
FIG. 1
is a perspective view of part of a gas turbine engine
10
. The drawing shows a first module, such as a compressor section
11
, adjacent a second module, such as a combustion section
13
. The cases of these sections
11
,
13
have corresponding flanges
15
,
17
which abut and define a joint
19
.
Fasteners, such as 12-point bolts
21
and nuts
23
, extend through aligned openings in the flanges
15
,
17
to seal the joint
19
.
FIG. 1
displays the conventional method of tightening the bolts
21
and nuts
23
. The typical method requires the operator first to manipulate both a manual wrench W and a pneumatic impact wrench I. The manual wrench W engages the nut
23
and the pneumatic wrench I engages the bolt
21
. After actuating the impact wrench I, the operator prevents rotation of the nut
23
by applying torque to the wrench W. As the bolt
21
and nut
23
tighten, the operator must apply an increasing amount of torque to the wrench W. The operator replaces the impact wrench I with another manual wrench W to provide the final torque to the fasteners. Now, the operator must apply torque to both manual wrenches W.
Loosening the bolts
21
and nuts
23
is similar. The operator engages the nut
23
with the wrench W and the bolt
21
with the second manual wrench W. The operator applies torque to both manual wrenches to loosen the fasteners slightly. Then operator then replaces the second manual wrench W with the impact wrench I. The operator then actuates the impact wrench I to remove the loosened bolt
21
. The operator applies the greatest amount of torque to the wrench W during initial loosening of the fasteners. As the bolt
21
and the nut
23
loosen further, the operator can apply a decreasing amount of torque to the wrench W.
The operator must apply a typical torque of between approximately 30 and approximately 1000 in-lbs. Since the joint
19
may have up to 160 pairs of bolts
21
and nuts
23
, the possibility of operator fatigue does exist. Since the engine
10
may have at least four joints
19
, the possibility of fatigue becomes even more apparent.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved anti-rotation device.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an ergonomically beneficial antirotation device.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an anti-rotation device that reduces operator fatigue.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an anti-rotation device that does not require the application of torque by the operator.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an anti-rotation device that allows the operator to tighten or loosen a pair of fasteners with only one hand.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an anti-rotation device that increases the speed that an operator can assemble or disassemble an assembly secured together by multiple fasteners.
These and other objects of the present invention are achieved in one aspect by an antirotation device for a fastener. The fastener comprises: a first coupling for engaging a first fastener; a second coupling for engaging a feature located near the first fastener; and a flexible connection between the first and second couplings. The flexible connection limits the rotation of the first coupling relative to the second coupling.
These and other objects of the present invention are achieved in another aspect by kit for preventing rotation of a fastener. The kit includes an anti-rotation device and a holder. The antirotation device includes a first coupling for engaging a first fastener; and a second coupling for engaging a second fastener located a distance from the first fastener. The second coupling is flexibly connected to the first coupling. The holder includes: a first opening for receiving the first coupling and a second opening for receiving the second coupling. The spacing between the first and second openings corresponds to the distance between the first fastener and the second fastener. The second coupling limits rotation of the first coupling.
These and other objects of the present invention are achieved in another aspect by a method of preventing rotation of a fastener. The method comprises the steps of: placing a first coupling on a first fastener; placing a second coupling on a feature located near the first fastener; flexibly connecting the first and second couplings; tightening or loosening a third fastener corresponding to the first fastener; and limiting rotation of the first coupling while tightening or loosening the third fastener.
REFERENCES:
patent: 896458 (1908-08-01), Morgan
patent: 1316398 (1919-09-01), Steininger
patent: 2102897 (1937-12-01), Holhut
patent: 2704005 (1955-03-01), Clayson
patent: 3349650 (1967-10-01), Wright
patent: 4191235 (1980-03-01), Davis
patent: 4730960 (1988-03-01), Lewis et al.
patent: 4739680 (1988-04-01), Ecker et al.
patent: 5188008 (1993-02-01), States
patent: 5797300 (1998-08-01), Fairbanks
patent: 5954466 (1999-09-01), Coffey et al.
patent: 6412374 (2002-07-01), Hsieh
patent: 2002/0110437 (2002-08-01), Kirimoto
Hamilla Brian J.
Meislin D. S.
United Technologies Corporation
LandOfFree
Anti-rotation device for fastener does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Anti-rotation device for fastener, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Anti-rotation device for fastener will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3032082