Worm gear torque apparatus

Machine element or mechanism – Gearing – Directly cooperating gears

Reexamination Certificate

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Details

C074S42100R, C081S057130, C081S057290

Reexamination Certificate

active

06305236

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a worm gear torque apparatus, and more particularly to such a worm gear torque device to rotate a nut for applying a torque force.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Flanges, joints, and various pressure lines and pressure vessels are widely used in the industry. Opposed flanges on separate members are formed with aligned openings and the two members are joined to one another in a pressure type manner by first providing a gasket between the two flanges and then by connecting the flanges together with threaded stud-like members, such as studs, bolts, or stud-bolts, which extend through the aligned openings and have a nut engaged thereon. The amount of torque applied to the nuts normally determines the tensioning of the studs. It is important, particularly in large diameter members, that the tension in the studs be sufficient to withstand imposed forces and be uniform as to avoid deformation of the flanges and the members to which they are fixed. The term “stud” as used herein refers to stud-like members to which the invention applies.
Various devices have been provided heretofore for tensioning studs and have been hydraulically actuated as well as non-hydraulically actuated. The nuts are normally rotated by a driving member fitting over the nuts for rotating the nuts in a manner sufficient to obtain the desired tensioning of the stud on which the nut is positioned.
Prior art stud tensioning devices have utilized a gear fitting over a nut in driving relation with the gear rotated by a power mechanism engaging the gear for rotating the gear and the nut. The nut is threaded onto a stud for tensioning the stud. A power device, such as a fluid motor or reciprocating cylinder, has been removably connected to the drive mechanism for effecting rotation of the gear and the associated nut.
In subsea operations the flange members are connected to each other in subsea completion systems, such as completion systems for subsea gas wells, and it is desirable that stud tensioning devices be operated from remotely operated vehicles (ROV), particularly at increased water depths. Many of the subsea oil and gas wells are positioned at water depths over 2,000 feet which is generally undesirable for divers. The torque applying device must be capable of fitting over a nut and powered from a suitable fluid motor for rotation to obtain the desired tensioning of the stud.
In some subsea uses, the torque device is utilized for applying a torque to a shaft for rotating or driving a separate member. For example, an adapter having a male hexagonal end may be inserted within the gear opening with the adapter receiving a shaft on an opposite end for rotating the shaft. The shaft may be connected to a valve for actuating the valve, for example.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a device for tensioning studs which is easily positioned about a nut on the stud for rotation of the nut to a desired tensioning of the stud.
Another object of the invention is to provide such a tensioning device which is particularly adapted for subsea use and operation from a remotely operated vehicle (ROV).
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a torque applying apparatus having a torque applying device or tool including a worm gear on a drive shaft for engaging and rotating a toothed gear having a central opening receiving a male hexagonal member such as a nut or bolt head. The drive shaft extends axially in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the stud. An extending end of the drive shaft has a drive connection for releasable connection to a drive motor, such as an electric hydraulic or electric pneumatic motor, for rotation of the drive shaft and nut. The central opening of the gear corresponds in shape to the nut for receiving the nut with the planar surfaces defining the opening engaging corresponding surfaces of the nut.
The worm gear has a central outer concave periphery including a helical thread engaging in meshed relation the outer surfaces of teeth about the toothed gear for driving rotation of the gear. The direction of rotation of the toothed gear and nut may be reversed by reversal of the rotation of the fluid motor within any repositioning of the tool. A predetermined driving force may be provided by the drive motor and the drive shaft may be easily engaged and driven by a suitable drive motor from a ROV in a subsea environment such as required for subsea wells on the sea floor. Various sizes of toothed gears and worm gears may be provided for different nut sizes and different stress limits for the studs. One embodiment of the invention utilizes a nut drive for an extension socket or the like for exerting a torque on another nut or rotatable member.
Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following specification and drawings.


REFERENCES:
patent: 1245921 (1917-11-01), Holderen
patent: 1346716 (1920-07-01), Lee
patent: 1698618 (1929-01-01), Bigelow
patent: 1852776 (1932-04-01), Hodeaux
patent: 2641139 (1953-06-01), Beisner
patent: 2868031 (1959-01-01), Schumb
patent: 3373637 (1968-03-01), Behnke
patent: 3498159 (1970-03-01), Wilmeth
patent: 4185514 (1980-01-01), Edwards
patent: 4215599 (1980-08-01), Batchelder et al.
patent: 4322989 (1982-04-01), Garolis
patent: 4325274 (1982-04-01), Martelee
patent: 5630343 (1997-05-01), Begin
patent: 5934156 (1999-08-01), Phillips

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