US3845673A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Nut runner with pressure means to hold torque clutch member disengaged
Assignee: Atlas Copco AB
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Filing: 1973-03-29
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Granted: 1974-11-05
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Expires: 1993-03-29
Abstract
Abstract A two-speed nut runner has a low torque clutch that disengages due to being overloaded at a pre-determined torque. A one-way clutch automatically takes over the transmission of torque at a lower speed and higher torque and the low torque clutch is held in a fully released position by means of a piston that is placed inside the output shaft of the nut runner.
Inventors
- 👤 K Karden
- 👤 S Westerberg
- 👤 K Astrom
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 01:55
CPC Classifications
B; B25; B25B; B25B23/00; B25B23/14; B25B23/145
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
225 words
A torque controlled nut runner comprising: a fluid motor; a driving shaft coupled to said fluid motor; an output shaft connected to be rotated by said fluid motor on the one hand through a low torque clutch of the kind that disengages when the torque transmitted therethrough reaches a pre-determined value and on the other hand through a gearing and a one-way clutch that automatically takes over the transmission of torque when the low torque clutch disengages; said low torque clutch including a driving clutch member connected to co-rotate with said driving shaft and a driven clutch member connected to co-rotate with said output shaft, one of said clutch members being axially movable relative to its associated shaft between a position in which it is engaged with the other of said clutch members and s disengaged position; a cylinder formed within the shaft that is associated with said movable clutch member; a piston axially movably mounted within said shaft cylinder and defining a cylinder chamber with said cylinder, said piston being coupled to said movable clutch member so as to positively hold said movable clutch member disengaged when said cylinder chambeR is pressurized; and means coupled to said cylinder chamber for pressurizing said cylinder chamber in response to a disengaging movement of said movable clutch member in response to the torque reaching said pre-determined value.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
225 words
A torque controlled nut runner comprising: a fluid motor; a driving shaft coupled to said fluid motor; an output shaft connected to be rotated by said fluid motor on the one hand through a low torque clutch of the kind that disengages when the torque transmitted therethrough reaches a pre-determined value and on the other hand through a gearing and a one-way clutch that automatically takes over the transmission of torque when the low torque clutch disengages; said low torque clutch including a driving clutch member connected to co-rotate with said driving shaft and a driven clutch member connected to co-rotate with said output shaft, one of said clutch members being axially movable relative to its associated shaft between a position in which it is engaged with the other of said clutch members and s disengaged position; a cylinder formed within the shaft that is associated with said movable clutch member; a piston axially movably mounted within said shaft cylinder and defining a cylinder chamber with said cylinder, said piston being coupled to said movable clutch member so as to positively hold said movable clutch member disengaged when said cylinder chambeR is pressurized; and means coupled to said cylinder chamber for pressurizing said cylinder chamber in response to a disengaging movement of said movable clutch member in response to the torque reaching said pre-determined value.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
A nut runner as defined in claim 1 in which said cylinder is formed in said output shaft and said piston is disposed inside said cylinder in said output shaft; and said driven clutch member has a forward directed portion that projects axially slidably into said output shaft to form a torque transmitting joint therewith.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
79 words
A nut runner as defined in claim 2 including a pressurized passage ending in said cylinder and in which said piston is arranged to isolate said passage from said cylinder chamber when said driven clutch member is engaged with said driving clutch member, said piston being further arranged to open said pressurized passage to said cylinder chamber when forced forwardly by the driven clutch member as the latter moves forwardly in response to the torque reaching said predetermined value.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
74 words
A nut runner as defined in claim 3 in which said piston has a piston head having a rear piston surface adjacent said cylinder chamber and a forward piston surface adjacent a second cylinder chamber, said passage being open to said second pressure chamber when the driven clutch member is in its engaged position, whereby said driven clutch member is forced rearwardly as a result of the air pressure in said second pressure chamber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
69 words
A nut runner as defined in claim 4 in which said piston has a first piston rod projecting rearwardly through a first end wall of said cylinder and a second piston rod projecting forwardly through a second end wall of said cylinder, said piston rods having grooves for venting said pressure chambers alternately with said passage pressurizing the pressure chambers in response to the axial position of said piston.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A nut runner as defined in claim 2 in which a spring is arranged to load the driven clutch member rearwardly.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
A nut runner as defined in claim 6 in which said spring is disposed inside said output shaft to load said piston rearwardly.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
49 words
A nut runner as defined in claim 1 wherein said clutch members each have dogs projecting therefrom, said dogs having inclined interfacing surfaces which intermesh at torque levels below a predetermined torque, and which slide relative to each other toward disengagement thereof when the torque exceeds said predetermined torque.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
A nut runner as defined in claim 1 wherein said piston is spring biased in a direction to maintain said clutch members in an engaged position when the torque level is below said predetermined value.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
A nut runner as defined in claim 2 wherein said piston is spring biased in a direction to maintain said clutch members in an engaged position when the torque level is below said predetermined value.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
A nut runner as defined in claim 6 in which said piston has axial grooves therein to vent a portion of the cylinder during movement of said piston in response to a disengaging movement of said movable clutch member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3696871A
Cited
US3739659A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-11-04 | 1978-05-06 | 1978-11-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-11-04 | 1982-05-06 | 1982-11-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-11-04 | 1986-05-06 | 1986-11-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |