Bolt tensioning tool

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12017332-B2
Application number	US-202117212876-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 25, 2021
Priority date	Mar 25, 2020
Publication date	Jun 25, 2024
Grant date	Jun 25, 2024

Abstract

A bolt tensioning tool includes a housing, an electric motor positioned within the housing, a hydraulic pump positioned within the housing, the pump being driven by the motor to pressurize hydraulic fluid stored within the housing or a remote reservoir, and a tensioning assembly connectable to a bolt for applying tension thereto in response to an applied force by the pressurized hydraulic fluid.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A bolt tensioning tool comprising:
a housing;
an electric motor positioned within the housing;
a hydraulic pump positioned within the housing, the pump being driven by the motor to pressurize hydraulic fluid stored within the housing or a remote reservoir; and
a tensioning assembly including a mounting member and a socket, the mounting member connectable to a bolt for applying tension thereto in response to an applied force by the pressurized hydraulic fluid, the mounting member including a first plurality of splines, the socket including an aperture in which a nut threaded to the bolt is receivable and a second plurality of splines that are selectively engageable with the first plurality of splines to couple the mounting member to the socket.

2. The bolt tensioning tool of claim 1 , wherein the tensioning assembly includes a piston connectable to the bolt upon which the force is applied by the pressurized hydraulic fluid, and wherein the bolt tensioning tool further comprises
an anvil abutted against a workpiece to which the bolt is attached and configured to apply a reaction force to the housing or another component of the bolt tensioning tool in response to displacement of the piston caused by the applied force from the pressurized hydraulic fluid, while the bolt is tensioned, to maintain the housing at a fixed distance relative to the workpiece.

3. The bolt tensioning tool of claim 2 , wherein
the mounting member is connectable between the piston and the bolt for transferring tension from the piston to the bolt in response to the applied force from the pressurized hydraulic fluid, and
the socket is axially retained relative to the anvil but rotatable relative to the anvil.

4. The bolt tensioning tool of claim 3 , wherein the mounting member is selectively coupled to the socket for rotation therewith when the first and second plurality of splines are engaged.

5. The bolt tensioning tool of claim 4 , wherein the mounting member is movable between a first position, in which the mounting member is coupled to the socket for rotation therewith, and a second position, in which the mounting member is disengaged from the socket and free to rotate relative to the socket.

6. The bolt tensioning tool of claim 5 , wherein the mounting member is biased toward the first position by a spring.

7. The bolt tensioning tool of claim 6 , wherein the spring is compressed by the mounting member when moving from the first position to the second position in response to translation of the piston from the applied force of the pressurized hydraulic fluid.

8. The bolt tensioning tool of claim 5 , wherein the first and second pluralities of splines are engaged when the mounting member is in the first position to transfer torque from the socket to the mounting member, and wherein the first and second pluralities of splines are disengaged when the mounting member is in the second position to prevent torque from being transferred from the socket to the mounting member.

9. The bolt tensioning tool of claim 8 , wherein the first plurality of splines are formed on an exterior surface of the mounting member, and wherein the second plurality of splines are formed on an interior surface of the socket.

10. The bolt tensioning tool of claim 3 , wherein the mounting member includes a threaded bore in which the bolt is receivable.

11. The bolt tensioning tool of claim 3 , wherein the mounting member includes a stem to which the piston is coupled, and wherein the tension is transferred through the stem.

12. The bolt tensioning tool of claim 8 , wherein rotation of the socket, with the mounting member in the second position, causes the nut to rotate relative to the bolt.

13. The bolt tensioning tool of claim 3 , further comprising
a spur gear coupled to the socket, and
a rotary output configured to provide torque to the spur gear, causing the nut to rotate relative to the bolt subsequent or during a bolt tensioning operation when the first plurality of splines are disengaged from the second plurality of splines.

14. The bolt tensioning tool of claim 13 , wherein the anvil defines a hollow chamber and includes a window providing access to the hollow chamber.

15. The bolt tensioning tool of claim 14 , wherein the spur gear is accessible through the window.

16. The bolt tensioning tool of claim 13 , wherein the spur gear is integrally formed with the socket as a single piece.

17. The bolt tensioning tool of claim 1 , wherein the tensioning assembly includes a piston, upon which the force is applied by the pressurized hydraulic fluid, abutted against a workpiece to which the bolt is attached, and wherein the bolt tensioning tool further comprises
an anvil affixed relative to the housing and connectable to the bolt,
wherein, in response to displacement of the piston caused by the applied force from the pressurized hydraulic fluid, a tensile force is developed through the anvil to apply tension to the bolt, also displacing the housing relative to the workpiece.

18. The bolt tensioning tool of claim 1 , further comprising a rotary output configured to provide torque to a nut disposed on the bolt, causing the nut to rotate relative to the bolt subsequent or during a bolt tensioning operation when the first plurality of splines are disengaged from the second plurality of splines.

19. A bolt tensioning system comprising:
at least two bolt tensioning tools, each tool including
a housing,
an electric motor positioned within the housing,
a hydraulic pump positioned within the housing, the pump being driven by the motor to pressurize hydraulic fluid stored within the housing or a remote reservoir, and
a tensioning assembly connectable to a bolt for applying tension thereto in response to an applied force by the pressurized hydraulic fluid;

a controller disposed in a first of the bolt tensioning tools for transmitting instructions to a second of the bolt tensioning tools for performing a bolt tensioning operation; and
a receiver in the second bolt tensioning tool to receive the instructions from the first bolt tensioning tool.

20. The bolt tensioning system of claim 19 , wherein the tensioning assembly includes
a piston connectable to the bolt for applying tension thereto in response to displacement of the piston caused by the pressurized hydraulic fluid, and
an anvil abutted against a work piece to which the bolt is attached, wherein the anvil is configured to apply a reaction force to the housing or another component of the bolt tensioning tool while the bolt is tensioned to maintain the housing at a fixed distance relative to the work piece.

21. A bolt tensioning tool comprising:
a housing;
an electric motor positioned within the housing;
a hydraulic pump positioned within the housing, the pump being driven by the motor to pressurize hydraulic fluid stored within the housing or a remote reservoir;
a tensioning assembly connectable to a bolt for applying tension thereto in response to an applied force by the pressurized hydraulic fluid; and
a joint between the housing and the tensioning assembly to adjust an orientation of the tensioning assembly relative to the housing.

Assignees

• Milwaukee Electric Tool Corp

Inventors

• Abbott Jonathan E
• Smith Benjamin A
• Yahr Brandon L
• Rowland Josh
• Kanack Kris
• Dey Iv John S
• Schneider Jacob P
• Heath Peter R

Classifications

• B25F5/005

  Hydraulic driving means · CPC title

• B25F5/00

  Details or components of portable power-driven tools not particularly related to the operations performed and not otherwise provided for · CPC title

• B25B29/02 Primary

  Bolt tensioners · CPC title