Hytorc Division Unex Corporation

Other

Peter E Fortoloczki

Eric P Junkers

Thomas F McLoughlin

Richard J Raska

Michael R Wood

Randall A Reagan

A portable torque power tool is disclosed herein and includes: a motor to generate a turning force; a drive to transfer the turning force; a turning force multiplication mechanism assembly to multiply the turning force; a shifter assembly to shift the tool between a lower speed/higher torque (LSHT) mode and a higher speed/lower torque (HSLT) mode; a torque transducer to measure torque output; wherein torque output is controlled by the torque transducer in LSHT mode; and wherein torque output is controlled by motor current in HSLT mode. In one embodiment of the present application, the torque transducer is a wireless torque transducer assembly formed at or near an output of a housing of the turning force multiplication assembly to improve measurement accuracy of torque output. Advantageously, simplified tool and system design and operation; reduced tool and system size; expanded functionality, greater durability and intuitive usability; and increased tool and system portability, efficiency, reliability and repeatability, all at low cost, are achieved. Further disclosed herein is an operation parameter regulation unit for use with a bolting system having a plurality of networked electrically powered torque tools and/or drive portions of torque tools described above for simultaneous tightening of industrial threaded fasteners. The operation parameter regulation unit includes: a processing unit; an output unit connected and/or integrated with the processing unit; an input unit connected and/or integrated with the processing unit; an activation unit connected and/or integrated with the processing unit for activating operation units of the plurality of networked electrically powered torque tools and/or drive portions of torque tools; and a control unit for controlling operation parameters of each of the plurality of networked electrically powered torque tools and/or drive portions of torque tools to maintain a difference between the operation parameters within a predetermined value. Advantageously, innovations disclosed in this application include operation parameter regulation units for bolting systems having a plurality of networked electrically powered torque tools and/or drive portions of torque tools for simultaneous tightening of industrial threaded fasteners. Indeed SIMULTORC® is achievable with a plurality of networked electrically powered torque tools and/or drive portions of torque tools, particularly those of the handheld and/or mobile variety.

Apparatus for tightening threaded fasteners

A pneumatic fluid directional valve assembly for pneumatic torque tools controls and optimizes directional airflow for tightening and loosening threaded fasteners. The assembly includes an outer pneumatic valve portion, an inner pneumatic valve portion, and a push button rod assembly. The outer and inner valve portions form a relatively rotatable unit actuated by the push button rod assembly to direct airflow via various inlet and exhaust ports, slots, faces, passages, and sleeves. In another embodiment, the assembly includes a trigger lock safety feature to enhance operational safety.

Disclosed inventions include:&#x2022;integrated pneumatic flow pressure regulator assemblies with and/or without filters and/or swivels, per FIGS.A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H,I,J,K,L,M andN for use with all of Applicant's pneumatic torque gun models;&#x2022;activation, or trigger, lock safety assemblies, per FIGS.AABandBfor use with all of Applicant's electric and pneumatic torque gun models;&#x2022;automatic torque gun shifting assemblies including:&#x2014;rotation speed-sensing centrifugal multi-speed automatic shifting assemblies, per FIGS.A,B andC, for use with all of Applicant's electric and pneumatic torque gun models;&#x2014;torque-sensing centrifugal multi-speed automatic shifting assemblies, per FIGS.A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H, andI, for use with all of Applicant's electric and pneumatic torque gun models;&#x2022;helical cam, or wobbling, turning force multiplication assemblies, per FIGS.A,B,C,D,E,F andG, for use with all of Applicant's electric and pneumatic torque gun models;&#x2022;pneumatic pressure release, or burst, valve assemblies, per FIGS.A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H,I andJ, that allow bleeding of pressure to unstick a locked up tool for use with all of Applicant's pneumatic torque gun models;&#x2022;pneumatic fluid directional valve assemblies, per FIGS.A,B andC, for use with all of Applicant's pneumatic torque gun models;&#x2022;pneumatic fluid directional and activation, or trigger, lock safety valve assemblies, per FIGS.A andB, for use with all of Applicant's pneumatic torque gun models; and&#x2022;pneumatic tool cycle counter, or odometer, assemblies, per FIGS.A andB, that recognize tool actuations as drops in pneumatic pressure for use with all of Applicant's pneumatic torque gun models.

The present invention seeks to protect Applicant's HYTORC&#xae; LITHIUM SERIES&#x2122; Torque Gun Tools for tightening and/or loosening of industrial threaded fasteners. Such tools include: a drive input and output assembly; a turning force multiplication assembly; a dual drive output and reaction assembly; and a yoke-style shifting assembly for any torque mode from lower and/or higher resistance and/or speed. A preferred embodiment includes an electric motor of the drive input and output assembly powered by a battery pack. Advantageously, the yoke-style shifting assembly: improves and simplifies design and operation of shifting; reduces tool size and cost; and increases tool portability, efficiency, reliability and repeatability, all without sacrificing Applicant's many innovations in hand-held, multispeed torque intensifying tools.

Disclosed is a stringing device configured for facilitating stringing of a stringed instrument having a rotatable axle vibrato. The stringing device is an elongate article having an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface is configured for mating with an axle of a rotatable axle vibrato. The outer surface has a plurality of openings of corresponding string passages, where each string passage facilitates the passage of strings from the outer surface through the stringing device and extending out from the inner surface. The plurality of openings optionally each have an eyelet seat configured to retain an eyelet of a string. Methods of using the stringing device are also disclosed.

Growing community of inventors

Essex Fells, NJ, United States of America

Peter E Fortoloczki