Patent Application
20110214273
The invention relates to a fastener removal device and to a method of removing a fastener from an apparatus.
Prior methods of removing industrial fasteners, such as link pins, may involve use of sledge hammers or torches. Such manual methods may require great strength and effort, and may take several hours to complete.
When using a hammer, several individuals may be required. For example, one person may hold a striking rod seated on a pin to be removed, a second person may hammer the rod, and a third person may receive the pin, which may weigh up to 40 pounds or more. A chemical solvent, such as a degreaser, may also be applied to the pin prior to application of hammer force to facilitate pin removal.
Alternatively, a torch may be used to penetrate the inside of a pin to be removed, which causes the exterior diameter of the pin to increase temporarily. After the pin has sufficiently cooled, the exterior diameter of the pin may reduce in size such that the pin will become loose and can then be removed. Use of a torch, however, requires a specialized individual, a gas supply nearby, and certain safety equipment. Because of the potential proximity to hydraulic oil and gasoline, a fire watch may also be needed.
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a fastener removal device for removing a fastener from an apparatus includes a support structure and an extractor assembly movably associated with the support structure. The extractor assembly may include a collet configured to grip the fastener. The device further includes a turning mechanism associated with the extractor assembly. The turning mechanism is configured to rotate the extractor assembly with respect to the support structure.
A method of removing a fastener from an apparatus may include moving a collet relative to a collet cap such that the collet cap engages the collet and causes the collet to grip the fastener. The method may also include moving the collet cap and the collet away from the apparatus and with respect to a support structure after the collet has gripped the fastener, wherein the support structure supports the collet cap and collet. In addition, the method may include rotating the collet cap and the collet with respect to the support structure after the collet has gripped the fastener.
Still further, a fastener removal device for removing a fastener from an apparatus may include an inanimate support structure and an extractor assembly movably associated with the support structure. The extractor assembly may include a gripper arrangement configured to grip the fastener, and an extraction member configured to move the gripper arrangement and fastener along a longitudinal axis of the extractor assembly. The device may further include a turning mechanism associated with the extractor assembly. The turning mechanism may be configured to rotate the extractor assembly about the longitudinal axis and with respect to the support structure.
While exemplary embodiments are illustrated and disclosed, such disclosure should not be construed to limit the claims. It is anticipated that various modifications and alternative designs may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.
The present disclosure describes various apparatuses and methods for removing fasteners from industrial apparatuses, for example. Several specific embodiments are set forth in the following description and in
In the embodiment shown in
Referring to
Furthermore, the extractor assembly 15 may be configured to grip and extract the fastener 11 from the apparatus 12. In the embodiment shown in
Referring to
The clamp cylinder 36 is configured to move the collet 34 with respect to the collet cap 38 between a disengaged position, shown in
The collet 34 and collet cap 38 may have any suitable size and shape for gripping fasteners, such as the fastener 11. For example, the collet 34 may have an inner diameter of at least 1.5 inches, and the collet cap 38 may have an inner diameter of at least 2.8 inches.
In another embodiment, a gripping arrangement may be provided with a collet cap that is moved into engagement with a collet. For example, such a gripping arrangement may include a clamp cylinder that is connected to the collet cap and configured to move the collet cap with respect to the collet in order to cause the collet to grip a fastener to be removed.
As noted above, the extractor assembly 15 also includes one or more extraction members, such as extraction cylinders 32. In the embodiment shown in
While the extraction cylinders 32 may be configured to move the slider 40 any suitable distance and exert any suitable force, in one embodiment the extraction cylinders 32 may be configured to move the slider 40 at least 10 inches along the guide rods 42 and exert an axial force of at least 10,000 pounds on the slider 40. As another example, the extraction cylinders 32 may exert an axial pulling force on the fastener 11 in the range of approximately 30,000 to 80,000 pounds.
As another example, the one or more extraction members may be provided as extraction cylinders that are positioned between the slider 40 and the second end 24 of the extractor assembly 15. With such an arrangement, the extraction cylinders may be configured to retract in order to move the slider 40, collet 34 and collet cap 38 away from the apparatus 12.
Referring to
In another embodiment, the turning mechanism 16 may include a drive assembly mounted on the extractor assembly 15, and a cooperating member such as a gear mounted on the support structure 14.
Referring to
Next, the clamp cylinder 36 may be activated to move the collet 34 into engagement with the collet cap 38, so that the gripping portions 48 move toward each other and grip the fastener 11, as shown in
The extension cylinders 32 may then be activated to move the slider 40, collet 34 and collet cap 38 along the longitudinal axis 50 and away from the apparatus 12. As a result, the collet 34 may pull the fastener 11 away from the apparatus 12. The extension cylinders 32 may also initially cause the collet cap 38 to move with respect to the collet 34 and away from the apparatus 12, such that the collet cap 38 causes the collet 34 to exert a greater clamping force on the fastener 11. In that regard, the clamp cylinder 36 and/or other components of the gripper arrangement 30 may be configured to allow some relative movement of the collet cap 38 with respect to the collet 34 when the collet 34 is gripped onto the fastener 11.
Before, during and/or after activation of the extension cylinders 32, the turning mechanism 16 may also be activated to rotate the extractor assembly 15. Such rotational movement may facilitate removal of the fastener 11 from the apparatus 12. For example, the rotational movement may reduce friction between the fastener 11 and the apparatus 12. Furthermore, the turning mechanism 16 may rotate the extractor assembly 15 through any suitable angle in a clockwise direction and/or a counterclockwise direction, and may exert any suitable torque on the extractor assembly 15. For example, the turning mechanism 16 may rotate the extractor assembly 15 through an angle greater than or equal to 25 degrees, 45 degrees, or 75 degrees, and may exert a torque on the extractor assembly 15 of at least 3,000 foot-pounds.
The gripper arrangement 30 may also be configured to inhibit relative rotational movement between the collet 34 and collet cap 38 when the turning mechanism 16 is activated. For example, the gripper arrangement 30 may include one or more anti-rotation members that are associated with the collet 34 and/or collet cap 38. As a more detailed example, the collet cap 38 and/or outer tube 46 may include one or more engagement members, such as pins 70, that are slidingly received in one or more slots or grooves 72 formed in the collet 34 and/or inner tube 44 when the collet 34 is moved to the engaged position shown in
As another example of a configuration for inhibiting relative rotational movement between the collet 34 and collet cap 38, the collet 34 and/or inner tube 44 may include one or more engagement members that are slidinglly received in one or more slots or grooves formed in the collet cap 38 or outer tube 46.
The device 10 may be controlled in any suitable manner. For example, the device 10 may be activated using a device-mounted electronic controller, a remote handheld electronic controller, or any other suitable control apparatus. Furthermore, each of the clamp cylinder 36, extension cylinders 32 and the turning mechanism 16 may be activated separately by actuating separate control elements, such as buttons or switches, associated with the above components.
As another example, a single control element may be used to initially activate the clamp cylinder 36, and then activation of the extension cylinders 32 and/or turning mechanism 16 may occur automatically. As a more detailed example, once the clamp cylinder 36 has reached a predetermined position, such as fully extended, the extension cylinders 32 may be automatically activated to exert a pulling force on the fastener 11. Furthermore, if the fastener 11 does not move a sufficient or predetermined distance in a predetermined amount of time, the extension cylinders 32 may automatically retract and then extend again to exert one or more additional pulls on the fastener 11. Alternatively or supplementally, the turning mechanism 16 may be automatically activated if the fastener 11 does not move a predetermined distance in a predetermined amount of time. The turning mechanism 16 may then twist or rotate the fastener 11 through any suitable angle in a clockwise direction and/or a counterclockwise direction in an effort to free the fastener 11 from the apparatus 12. For example, the turning mechanism 16 may twist or rotate the fastener 11 through an angle greater than or equal to 25 degrees, 45 degrees, or 75 degrees.
The device 10 according to the above disclosure may provide one or more advantages. For example, use of a handheld controller or remote controller may allow a device operator to be positioned away from the device 10 during operation. As another example, the device 10 may remove fasteners in a consistent, repeatable manner. Furthermore, the collet 34 may grip fasteners without causing damage to the fasteners. Still further, the collet 34 and collet cap 38 may be removed and replaced with collets and collet caps of different sizes and shapes to allow for removal of different sized fasteners. In addition, the rotational capabilities of the device 10 may enable removal of particularly stubborn fasteners. As yet another example, the inner tube 44 of the gripper arrangement 30 may function as a storage device or compartment for storing the fastener 11, as well as other fasteners, after removal.
The device 10 may be made of any suitable material and in any suitable manner. For example, the collet 34 and collet cap 34 may be made of high strength metal. As another example, the support structure 14 may be made of relatively lightweight metal, such as aluminum, or high strength, corrosion resistant material such as stainless steel.
While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, the features of various embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments of the invention.
