Tools – Wrench – screwdriver – or driver therefor – Machine
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-19
2001-08-28
Banks, Derris H. (Department: 3723)
Tools
Wrench, screwdriver, or driver therefor
Machine
C081S058000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06279427
ABSTRACT:
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not applicable
REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX”
Not applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The apparatus of the present invention relates to torque tools. More particularly, the present invention relates to a uniquely designed hydraulic torque wrench for tightening and loosening a compressor jam nut of the type for securing a compressor shaft which would prevent access to the jam nut with a closed end wrench.
2. General Background of the Invention
Throughout industry, compressors are used for supplying air or other fluid under pressure to operate industrial machinery. The type of compressor particular to this invention is the type which is driven by an engine, such as an internal combustion engine. The engine operates the compressor through the use of a compressor shaft extending from the engine to the compressor for driving the compressor. In such an arrangement, the compressor shaft is secured in place with the use of a threaded member referred to as a compressor jam nut. The jam nut, well known in industrial applications, has the compressor shaft running through it, so that the nut may be torqued up to a certain foot pounds to secure the nut in place.
One of the problems confronted in this arrangement, the fact the compressor shaft is connected on both ends, one end to the engine, and the second end to the compressor, so that access to the nut, in order to torque it to the desired torque, is severely limited. For example, because the nut is not easily accessible, and because the shaft running through it precludes the nut from accommodating a “ratchet” type wrench, an opened wrench, commonly known as a crescent wrench, must be utilized. However, the necessary amount of torque, which at times may be at least 14,000 ft.-lbs., cannot be applied through the strength of a person. Therefore, when an open-ended wrench is used, in the present state of the art, requires that one person hold the wrench in place upon the jam nut, and a second man strike the wrench handle with a sledge hammer a certain number of times. At the present, it is suggested, that to reach a torque of approximately 14,000 ft.-lbs., the wrench must be struck 78 times with a 16-lb. sledge hammer. One can readily see this method of torquing up a jam nut as being quite archaic, if not approaching barbaric in its application.
One possible solution to the problem of supplying sufficient torque would be through the use of a hydraulic torque wrench, for example of the type as seen in U.S. Pat. No. 5,097,730, incorporated hereinto by reference. In the use of torque wrenches, most torque wrenches are closed in the sense that the wrench's working end fits over the head of a bolt or a nut for access to the multi-sided piece in order to loosen it or tighten it. However, as stated earlier, a compressor jam nut is positioned along the body of a compressor shaft which is secured on both its ends, and has to be loosened or tightened. However, since a regular torque wrench is closed end, a conventional torque wrench, as is currently known in the art, cannot slip over the jam nut because of the compressor shaft running through it. Therefore, there is a need in the industry for a new type of a wrench which can be opened and would allow the tool to be placed around the nut for loosening or tightening the nut which the nut is secured to the compressor shaft.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The apparatus of the present invention solves the problems in a simple and straight forward manner. What is provided is a uniquely designed torque wrench having a torque body, the torque body attached to a drive ratchet head, with the head having an opening through its center, for fitting over a nut, such as a multi-sided jam nut. The drive ratchet head further provides a portion which can be disengaged and opened, to define a gate which can allow the jam nut to be positioned within the opening, and the gate portion resecured, to define the head secured around the jam nut. There is further provided a hydraulic cylinder secured between the wrench body and the head so that under hydraulic pressure, the head is rotated which in turn imparts sufficient rotation to the jam nut under sufficient pressure to torque up the nut to the desired foot pounds required. Another embodiment includes an adaptor insertable into the opening of the torque wrench head for accommodating a certain jam nut configuration, so that the tool can be used on the varied types of jam nut designs.
Therefore, it is a principal object of the present invention to provide a unique “split head” design which allows the wrench to be placed over a nut having a shaft extending therethrough, through the use of a gated portion of the head;
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a unique split head design for a torque wrench which allows the wrench to be placed on a jam nut secured around a compressor shaft so that sufficient torque can be placed on the jam nut through the use of hydraulic pressure eliminating manual torquing up of the nut;
It is a further object of the present invention to provide the unique “split head” design placed around a piston rod and on a jam nut in a short amount of time which provides for accurate tightening or loosening of the jam nut in a short amount of time;
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved hydraulic wrench designed to be secured around cross head jam nuts for providing an accurate torquing of the jam nut to 30,000 ft. lbs. with the use of standard bi-directional 10,000 psi hydraulic pump;
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved hydraulic jam nut wrench which can be secured with an adaptor for allowing varied designs of jam nuts to be torqued up or loosened with the improved wrench system.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1871857 (1932-08-01), Martois
patent: 2758493 (1956-08-01), Goldwater
patent: 4309923 (1982-01-01), Wilmeth
patent: 4669338 (1987-06-01), Collins
patent: 4916986 (1990-04-01), Junkers
patent: 5097730 (1992-03-01), Bernard et al.
patent: 5277087 (1994-01-01), Wilson, Jr. et al.
patent: 5381709 (1995-01-01), Louw
Banks Derris H.
Francis Torq/Lite, Inc.
Garvey, Smith, Nehrbass & Doody LLC
Thomas David B.
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