Fatigue Technology, Inc.

Jude H Restis

Mark R Weiss

William A Skinner

Charles M Copple

Tom G Poast

Christian Gröver

A dual bushing installation kit includes a first metal bushing and a second metal bushing. The first metal bushing can include a first body having first and second ends. The first and second ends are connected by a first outer surface having a first outer circumference and a first inner surface having a first inner circumference. The second metal bushing is defined by a second body having first and second ends. The first and second ends are connected by a second outer surface having a second outer circumference and a second inner surface having a second inner circumference. The second outer circumference is dimensioned to be substantially conforming with the first inner circumference such that the second bushing is closely receivable by a first opening of the first bushing. Both the second outer circumference and the first inner circumference can be expanded in an outwardly radial direction.

Double flanged bushings and installation methods

An alignment assembly comprises an outer bushing received in an aperture of a work piece, and an eccentric bushing received in a passage of the inner bushing and rotated to align a passage of the eccentric bushing with passages of other work pieces and/or alignment assemblies. An alignment assembly comprises an outer bushing received in an aperture of a work piece, inner bushing received in a passage of the outer bushing, and an eccentric bushing received in a passage of the inner bushing and rotated to align a passage of the eccentric bushing with passages of other work pieces and/or alignment assemblies mounted in other work pieces. Flanges and/or ends may be machined to accommodate off-center passages. The bushings may be secured via cold work expansion.

Method and apparatus employing eccentric bushing

A bushing () has two bushing parts (), each of which includes a tubular section () and a radial flange section () Tubular section () is inserted into an opening () in a work member (), from one side of the work member (). Tubular section () is inserted into tubular section () from the opposite side () of the work member (). A mandrel (M) is moved through the interior of the tubular portion of the bushing to radially and circumferentially expand the tubular portion of the bushing and move the flange sections against the opposite sidewalls of the work member (). The tubular portions () of the bushing () is radially and circumferentially expanded an amount sufficient to introduce fatigue life enhancing compressive residual stresses in the work member () immediately around the opening () in the work member ().

Method of installing double flanged bushings

An elongated first tubular member has a mandrel receiving center passageway and a slotted outer end portion that comprises first axial fingers separated by first axial slots. An elongated second tubular member surrounds the first tubular member and has a slotted outer end portion that comprises second axial fingers separated by second axial slots. An elongated third tubular member surrounds the second tubular member and has a slotted outer end portion comprising third axial fingers separated by third axial slots. An elongated mandrel is positioned inside the center passageway. The first tubular member is extendable and retractable longitudinally of the second and third tubular members. A tubular sleeve is provided that has an inner end and a flange projecting radially outwardly from the sleeve at the inner end. The mandrel is extendable axially through the center passageway of the first tubular member and axially through the tubular sleeve when the radial flange is clamped by and between the first and second fingers.

Growing community of inventors

Kent, WA, United States of America

Jude H Restis