Crosshead jam nut torque tool

• US 6,279,427 B1
• Filed: 11/19/1999
• Issued: 08/28/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Francis Torq/Lite Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Francis Torq/Lite Incorporated
• Inventors: Francis, Dale
• Primary Examiner(s): Banks, Derris H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Thomas, David B.
• Application Number:
  US09/444,274
• Time in Patent Office: 648 Days
• Field of Search: 81/573.9, 81/591, 81/582, 81/58
• US Class Current: 81/57.39
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 21/005 driven by a radially acting hydraulic or pneumatic piston

Abstract

A uniquely designed torque wrench having a torque body, the torque body attached to a drive head, with the head having an opening through its center, for fitting over a nut, such as a multi-sided jam nut positioned on a compresor shaft. The drive head further provides a portion which can be disengaged and opened, to define a gate which can allow the jam nut to be positioned within the opening, and the gate portion resecured, to define the head secured around the jam nut. There is further provided a hydraulic cylinder secured between the wrench body and the head so that under hydraulic pressure, the head is rotated which in turn imparts sufficient rotation to the jam nut under sufficient pressure to torque up the nut to the desired foot pounds required. Another embodiment includes an adaptor insertable into the opening of the torque wrench for accommodating a certain jam nut configuration, so that the tool can be used on the varied types of jam nut designs.

Claims

1. An improved torque wrench system, comprising:

a) a torque wrench body;

b) a drive head mounted on a first end of the torque wrench body;

c) a hydraulically powered cylinder mounted on the torque body and inter-connected between the torque body and the drive head for driving the drive head during loosening or tightening of the jam nut;

d) a gated portion, defining less than 50% of the drive head, for moving between closed and open positions, so that in the open position, the head may be placed around a nut, and in the closed position, the gated portion defines a portion of the head which will be driven to rotate the nut to achieve desired torque.

2. The torque wrench system in claim 1, wherein the gated portion moves between open and closed position via a hinged end.

3. The torque wrench system in claim 1, wherein the gated portion is held in the closed position by a cotter pin securing to the rest of the head portion.

4. The torque wrench system in claim 1, further comprising a reaction pad on the second end of the torque wrench body for allowing stroke out when applying torque to the jam nut once the cylinder is fully extended.

5. An improved torque wrench for loosening or tightening jam nuts mounted on a compressor shaft, comprising:

a) a torque wrench body;

b) a moveable drive head mounted on a first end of the torque wrench body;

c) a hydraulically powered cylinder mounted on the torque body and inter-connected between the torque body and the movable head for driving the drive head during loosening or tightening of the jam nut;

d) a portion defining less than 50% of the drive head disengageable from the drive head for allowing the drive head to be engaged around the jam nut while the nut is mounted on the compressor shaft, and the disengageable portion reengaged onto the drive head for fully engaging around the jam nut during the loosening and tightening.

6. The improved wrench in claim 5, further comprising a reaction pad on the second end of the torque wrench body for allowing stroke out when applying torque to the jam nut once the cylinder is fully extended.

7. The improved wrench in claim 5, further comprising an adaptor positionable within the opening of the drive head, for securing around a jam nut of a certain design.

8. The improved wrench in claim 5, wherein the disengageable portion comprises a gate member formed along the head, hinged on a first end for swinging between open and closed positions, and secured closed on a second end when the jam nut has been positioned within the opening of the head for rotation.

9. The improved wrench in claim 5, wherein the jam nut may be torqued up to 30,000 ft.-lbs. by the wrench while the jam nut is secured around the compressor shaft.

10. An improved torque wrench for loosening or tightening jam nuts mounted on a compressor shaft, comprising:

a) a torque wrench body;

b) a moveable substantially circular drive head mounted on a first end of the torque wrench body;

c) a hydraulically powered cylinder mounted on the torque body and inter-connected between the torque body and the movable drive head for driving the drive head during loosening or tightening of the jam nut;

d) a gated portion defining less than 180°

of the substantially circular drive head disengageable from the drive head for moving to an open position to allow the drive head to be engaged around the jam nut while the nut is mounted on the compressor shaft, and when returned to a closed position, to be reengaged onto the drive head for fully engaging around the jam nut during the loosening and tightening.