Device for tensioning a connecting element

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12048989-B2
Application number	US-201917416625-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 20, 2019
Priority date	Dec 21, 2018
Publication date	Jul 30, 2024
Grant date	Jul 30, 2024

Abstract

The present invention refers to a device for tensioning a connecting element fastened to a component to be tightened. The device comprises an engagement element connectable to the connecting element, and an actuating unit for translating a rotational movement applied to an actuating element into a translational movement of the engagement element relative to the component. Further, the device comprises a gear unit configured to transform an input torque applied to a transmission input element into an output torque applied to the actuating element which absolute value is higher compared to the input torque.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A device for tensioning a connecting element fastened to a component to be tightened, comprising an engagement element connectable to the connecting element, and an actuating unit for translating a rotational movement applied to an actuating element into a translational movement of the engagement element relative to the component, wherein
the device further comprises a gear unit configured to transform an input torque applied to a transmission input element into an output torque applied to the actuating element which absolute value is higher compared to the input torque; and
wherein the gear unit comprises a reaction arm coupled to the engagement element such that a transitional movement of the reaction arm relative to the engagement element is enabled and a rotational movement of the reaction arm relative to the engagement element is locked.

2. The device according to claim 1 , which further comprises a support element configured to support the engagement element against the component during tensioning operation of the device, wherein in particular the engagement element is translationally movable relative to the support element so as to apply a tension to or to remove a tension from a connecting element connected to the engagement element.

3. The device according to claim 1 , in which the actuating unit further comprises a piston accommodated within and movable relative to the engagement element and a volume accommodating a fluid and defined as least partly by the piston and/or the engagement element and/or the support element, wherein the actuating unit is configured to translate a rotational movement of the actuating element into a translational movement of the piston relative to engagement element which manipulates the volume and thereby moves the engagement element relative to the component.

4. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the transmission input element is configured to be releasably connected to a tool.

5. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the transmission input element is provided at an outer surface of the device.

6. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the gear unit is connected to the engagement element in a torque-transmitting manner.

7. Device according to claim 1 , wherein the gear unit is releasably connected to the engagement element and/or the actuating unit.

8. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the gear unit is connected to the engagement element and/or the actuating unit, in particular the actuating element, in a form-fitting manner.

9. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the engagement element comprises a first coupling section which, in a connected state of the gear unit and the engagement element, is configured to engage with a complementary second coupling section provided at the reaction arm.

10. The device according to claim 1 , wherein a direction of the input torque (T 1 ) of the gear unit applied to the transmission input element and a direction of the output torque (T 2 ) of the gear unit applied to the actuating element are coaxial to one another.

11. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the gear unit comprises a planetary gear.

12. The device according to claim 11 , wherein the planetary gear comprises a sun gear connected to the transmission input element, at least one planet gear supported by a carrier connected to a transmission output element and a ring gear fixed to a housing of the gear unit.

13. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the gear unit comprises a worm gear.

14. The device according to claim 13 , wherein the worm gear comprises a worm screw connected to the transmission input element and a worm wheel connected to the actuating element.

Assignees

• Caterpillar Energy Solutions Gmbh

Inventors

• Guisasola Inigo

Classifications

• F16B31/043

  Prestressed connections tensioned by means of liquid, grease, rubber, explosive charge, or the like (hydraulic bolt tensioners B25B29/02) · CPC title

• B25B29/02 Primary

  Bolt tensioners · CPC title