EP0535045B1 - Self-contained lock wire securing tool - Google Patents
Self-contained lock wire securing tool Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0535045B1 EP0535045B1 EP91910993A EP91910993A EP0535045B1 EP 0535045 B1 EP0535045 B1 EP 0535045B1 EP 91910993 A EP91910993 A EP 91910993A EP 91910993 A EP91910993 A EP 91910993A EP 0535045 B1 EP0535045 B1 EP 0535045B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- ferrule
- tool
- crimping
- piston
- strand
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B25—HAND TOOLS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; MANIPULATORS
- B25B—TOOLS OR BENCH DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, FOR FASTENING, CONNECTING, DISENGAGING OR HOLDING
- B25B23/00—Details of, or accessories for, spanners, wrenches, screwdrivers
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B25—HAND TOOLS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; MANIPULATORS
- B25B—TOOLS OR BENCH DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, FOR FASTENING, CONNECTING, DISENGAGING OR HOLDING
- B25B23/00—Details of, or accessories for, spanners, wrenches, screwdrivers
- B25B23/0092—Tools for placing nut or screw lock wires
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a tool for applying a ferrule to a lock wire passing through a plurality of threaded fasteners to prevent the unintentional unthreading of such fasteners.
- Such machinery is inherently complex and requires many nuts, bolts, screws and other threaded fasteners to assemble all of its components. Since the operation of such machinery may involve very high rotating speeds, which may induce vibrations into the machine elements, it is necessary to provide some means for preventing the inadvertent unthreading of the numerous threaded fasteners.
- lock wires it is known to apply lock wires to threaded fasteners to prevent their inadvertent unthreading.
- the lock wire passes through a transverse hole in at least two threaded fasteners and is twisted back on itself in alternating clockwise and counterclockwise directions between the threaded fasteners. The process is duplicated between additioanl threaded fasteners until the entire threaded fastener pattern has been wired. Following the required stringing and twisting, the lock wire is cut and bent into a certain position.
- EP-A-0423851 which is a document according to Article 54(3) and (4) of the EPC, discloses a tool for applying a ferrule to a strand element such as a wire or cable, comprising a tool body; a tubular ferrule element receiving and supporting means associated with the tool body; a strand tensioning means associated with the tool body for gripping and tensioning a strand element threaded through a ferrule element supported by the ferrule supporting means; and a ferrule crimping punch means for engaging such a ferrule element and inwardly crimping same.
- the present invention relates to a device for automatically inserting a ferrule over the safety cable, tensioning the wire crimping the ferrule onto the safety cable, and cutting off the excess cable.
- the tool comprises at least a pair of fluid actuated motors within or carried by the tool body; control valve means associated with the tool body for controlling the fluid actuated motors; means for admitting pressurized fluid to the motors under the control of the control valve means; in said strand tensioning means and said ferrule crimping punch means being each arranged so as to be actuated by a respective fluid actuated motor.
- the apparatus is used with a safety cable having a ferrule applied to one end and which is placed through a plurality of threaded fasteners in the pattern.
- a free end is inserted through a ferrule (held in the apparatus) and clamped onto a tension cylinder. Movement of the tension cylinder exerts a predetermined tension on the safety cable.
- the device then crimps the ferrule onto the safety cable to retain the safety cable in place at the desired tension.
- the end of the safety cable extending beyond the attached ferrule is cut off automatically by the tool to complete the process.
- the device eliminates the necessity of hand twisting the lock wire and the problems associated with this technique.
- Fig. 1 is a plan view of safety cable applied with the known techniques.
- Fig. 2 is a plan view of a safety cable wire applied using the apparatus according to the present invention.
- Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the apparatus according to the present invention.
- Fig. 4 is a partial, longitudinal cross-sectional view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 3.
- Fig. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the crimping head of the apparatus according to the present invention taken along line V-V in Fig. 4.
- Fig. 6 is a rear view of the wire gripping device used with the present invention.
- Fig. 7 is a front view of the wire gripping device shown in Fig. 6.
- Fig. 8 is a rear view of a tension cylinder plate used in conjunction with the present invention.
- Fig. 9 is a front view of the tension cylinder plate shown in Fig. 8.
- Fig. 10 is a side view of the ferrule crimping piston used with the apparatus according to the present invention.
- Fig. 11 is a partial, transverse, cross-sectional view illustrating the ferrule crimping piston retainer used with the present invention.
- Fig. 12 is a longitudinal, cross-sectional view of the valve assembly used with the apparatus according to the present invention.
- Fig. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating the fluid flow when the valve is in a first position.
- Fig. 14 is a schematic diagram illustrating the fluid flow when the valve is in a second position.
- Fig. 15 is a side view of the apparatus according to the present invention applying a ferrule to a safety cable.
- FIG. 1 A lock wire applied by known techniques is illustrated in Fig. 1 wherein threaded fasteners 10, 12 and 14 are engaged with a portion 16 of a rotating apparatus (not otherwise shown).
- the lock wire 18 comprising two strands 18a and 18b twisted together at one end are separated such that strand 18a passes through a transverse opening in fastener 10 while strand 18b passes around the exterior of the fastener 10.
- the strands are twisted together on the opposite side of fastener 10 and pass through a transverse opening formed in fastener 12.
- the lock wire 18 continues until the last fastener, in this particular instance fastener 14, whereupon one strand passes through a transverse opening in the fastener, while the other strand passes around and contacts the exterior of the fastener.
- the strands are twisted together on the opposite side of the fastener 14.
- Fig. 2 illustrates a safety cable system applied using the apparatus according to the present invention.
- Threaded fasteners 10, 12 and 14 are once again engaged with the machinery portion 16.
- Lock wire 20 comprises a multi strand cable having a ferrule 22 affixed to end 20a.
- Safety cable 20 passes through transverse openings formed in the threaded fasteners 10, 12 and 14 until ferrule 22 bears against one side of fastener 10.
- ferrule 24 is inserted over the end of cable 20 against the side of fastener 14, a tension is applied to the safety cable 20 and the ferrule 24 is crimped onto the safety cable such that it bears against a side of the fastener 14.
- Safety cable 20 is then automatically trimmed.
- the pre-determined is tension is maintained in safety cable 20 by the contact of ferrules 22 and 24 with the sides of the threaded fasteners 10 and 14, respectively.
- the device for applying tension to the safety cable and applying the ferrule can be seen best in Fig. 3 and comprises a tension cylinder 26, a valve assembly 28 and a tension piston 30 slidably mounted in the tension cylinder and having a portion extending exteriorly of the tension cylinder 26 upon which is mounted wire gripper 32.
- Outer tube 34 extends generally concentrically through the tension cyclinder 26 and the tension piston 30, and has crimping head 36 attached to its distal end.
- Fitting 38 attaches the valve assembly 28 to a source of pressurized fluid, while valve actuator button 40 actuates the valve of the valve assembly 28.
- tension piston 30 is slidably mounted within tension cylinder 26.
- Tension piston 30 has a piston portion with a first face 30a and a second face 30b located on opposite sides, as well as a portion which extends exteriorly of the tension cylinder 26.
- Wire gripper 32 is fixedly attached to the exterior end of the tension piston 30. As illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7, wire gripper 32 defines an opening 42 which slidably accommodates the end of the tension piston 30. The wire gripper 32 may be fixedly attached to the tension piston 30 by set screw 44 or similar means. Wire gripper 32 defines a longitudinally extending slot 46 passing inwardly from one side and has mounted on its rear portion, a gripper plate 48 such that a portion of gripper plate 48 extends over the rear of the slot 46. An edge 48a of the plate 48 is tapered with respect to the sides of the slot 46 such that a safety cable inserted into the slot 46 from the open side and urged toward the center of the gripper 32 will be gripped by the edge 48a of plate 48.
- a guide tube 50 is concentrically arranged within the outer tube 34, tension cylinder 26 and the tension piston 30, and extends substantially from the rear portion of the tension cylinder 26 to the gripping head 36.
- Guide tube 50 which may be formed of brass or similar material, slidingly receives crimping piston 52 in its interior.
- the dimensions of the exterior of crimping piston 52 and the interior of guide tube 50 are such that crimping piston 52 will readily slide within the guide tube, but will not allow the passage of a significant amounts of pressurized air between them. It may also be possible to use a seal attached to the crimping piston 52 to slidably seal against the inner surface of guide tube 50.
- Guide tube 50 is also concentrically arranged within outer tube 34 so as to define an annular space there between. This annular space communicates with a first passage 54 defined by the tension cylinder 26 as illustrated in Fig. 24. Passageway 54 also provides communication with the interior of the tension cylinder 26 such that pressurized air passing through this passage 54 will act on first face 30a of tension piston 30. Since passage 54 also communicates with the annular space between outer tube 34 and guide tube 50, pressurized air will also enter this space and communicate with the interior of the guide tube 50 via a plurality of holes 56 formed near the cutting head end of guide tube 50. Pressurized air passing through passage 54, and the annular space, holes 56 and the interior of guide tube 50 will act on a first end 52a of the crimping piston 52.
- Tension cylinder 26 defines a second passage 58 which communicates with the interior of tension cylinder 26 such that pressurized air passing through passage 58 will act on the second face 30b of tension piston 30.
- second passage 58 communicates with the interior of the guide tube 50 via slot 64, so that any pressurized fluid within this passage will also act on the second end 52b of crimping piston 52.
- Figs. 8 and 9 illustrate rear and front views of a tension cylinder end plate 60, the cross-sectional side view of which is illustrated in Fig. 4.
- Fig. 8 illustrates the rear view end plate 60 (when viewed in the direction or arrow 62 in Fig. 4), while
- Fig. 9 illustrates the opposite or front side of the end plate.
- the front face of end plate 60 defines a slot 64 which facilitates communication between the passage 58 and the interior of guide tube 50.
- the front face also defines an opening 66 which communicates with passage 54.
- opening 68 communicates with slot 64, while opening 66 communicates with slot 70.
- Valve assembly 28 attaches to the end of the tension cylinder 26 and the end plate 60, as illustrated in Fig. 3.
- Valve assembly 28 is shown in detail in Fig. 12 and comprises a valve housing defining outlet ports 72 and 74 which communicate with openings 68 and slot 70 formed in the rear of end plate 60, respectively.
- a generally vertically oriented spool assembly 75 is slidably mounted in valve assembly 28, such that pressurized fluid inlet port 76, which is attached to a source of pressurized air via fitting 38, selectively communicates with either outlet port 72 or outlet port 74.
- Ports 78 and 80 also formed as part of the valve housing serve as return vents and may be open to atmospheric pressure.
- Valve assembly 75 may comprise a spool valve having lands 82 and 84 sealingly slidable against the inner surface of opening 86 formed in the valve housing.
- Spring 88 bears against the lower land 84 so as to urge the valve assembly 85 upwardly to the position shown in Fig. 12.
- the pressurized air inlet 76 communicates with outlet port 74 while port 72 is vented through port 78.
- land 82 will prevent fluid communication between inlet port 76 and outlet port 74. This movement will also move land 84 downwardly so as to allow communication between the inlet port 76 and the outlet port 72. In this downward position, outlet port 74 will then be vented through port 80.
- crimping head 36 defines a generally triangularly shaped opening 90 which may extend only partially through the height of the crimping head 36. Opening 92 extends from the bottom of opening 90 to the opposite side of the crimping head 36 to facilitate the passage therethrough of the lock wire.
- a crimping punch 94 is operatively associated with the crimping head 36 and extends through the crimping head 36 such that an end portion 94a extends into the opening 90.
- An opposite end of the crimping punch 94 extends into the interior of the guide tube 50.
- the crimping punch 94 is readily slidable within the guide tube 50 as well as the crimping head 36 such that the impact force exerted on the crimping panel 94 by the crimping piston 52 will push the crimping punch 94 into a ferrule held in opening 90 with sufficient force to permanently deform the ferrule and attach it to a safety cable.
- the crimping punch 94 also serves as a means to hold a ferrule in the opening 90 with sufficient frictional, non-deforming force to enable the tool to be manipulated into any position without the ferrule falling out of the opening 90.
- ferrule 96 illustrated in dotted lines in Figs. 4 and 5
- ferrule 96 is manually inserted into the opening 90, it bears against end portion 94a of the crimping punch 94 such that the crimping punch 94 is urged slightly to the right as illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5.
- a resilient sleeve 98 fixedly attached to the shank of the crimping punch 94 is moved into resilient contact with the end of the crimping head 36.
- Resilient sleeve 98 resiliently urges crimping punch 94 towards the left, as viewed in Figs. 4 and 5, with sufficient force to hold the ferrule 96 within the opening 90, but with a force insufficient to cause any deformation of the ferrule.
- the ferrule is frictionally retained between the end 94a of the crimping punch 94 and the two side walls of the generally triangularly shaped opening 90.
- the tool according to the invention also provides means to retain the crimping piston 52 in a retracted position displaced away from crimping punch 94. This position is generally indicated in Fig. 4 and is toward the rear end of the tension cylinder 26. As illustrated in this figure as well as in Fig. 10, crimping piston 52 defines an annular groove 52c extending around its periphery near second end 52b. Groove 52c is adapted to be engaged by a plurality of screw retainers 100 that extend through the wall of the rear portion of tension cylinder 26. One of these screw retainers is illustrated in Fig.
- the screw retainer element 100 has a spring biased ball 102 that is biased in a radially inward direction, as viewed in Fig. 11, but which may be radially displaced in an outward direction. As is well known in the art, these retaining elements may be radially positioned within the tension cylinder 26 such that the end with the ball 102 extends through the guide tube 50 into the interior of the guide tube 50.
- the crimping piston 52 When balls 102 engage groove 52c, the crimping piston 52 is retained in its retracted position. As will be described in more detail hereinafter, the fluid pressure acting on the rear portion 52b will initially be insufficient to overcome the retaining force exerted on crimping piston 52 by the screw retainer 100. However, when the pressure acting on end 52b reaches a predetermined value, it overcomes the retaining force and forces the crimping piston 52 along guide tube 50 into contact with the crimping punch 94 with sufficient force to deform the ferrule 96 and lock it onto the lock wire.
- inlet port 76 which is connected to a source of pressurized fluid 104 communicates with outlet port 74.
- the fluid pressure also acts on the first end 52a of the crimping piston 52 to urge it toward the right, as viewed in Figs. 4 and 13 with sufficient force such that groove 52c will be engaged by the balls 102 of the locking elements 100.
- the air within the interior of guide tube 50 on the opposite side of piston 52 as well as in tension cylinder 26 on the opposite side of tension piston 30 will be vented to atmosphere via passage 58, slot 64, opening 68 and valve ports 72 and 78.
- pressurized air inlet 76 now communicates with passage 58 through valve outlet port 72 opening 68 and slot 64.
- the pressurized air acts on face 30b of tension piston 30 to urge it toward the right as viewed in Figs. 4 and 14.
- Pressurized air also acts on the second end 52b of crimping piston 52.
- the retaining elements 100 are now engaged with the groove 52c and prevent any movement of crimping piston 52.
- Movement of tension piston 30 continues until the wire 20 has been tensioned to a predetermined amount. At this time movement of the tension piston 30 ceases thereby causing the pressure acting on end 52b of the crimping piston 52 to increase.
- This increase in pressure subjects the crimping piston 52 to forces sufficient to overcome the retaining elements 100, thereby urging crimping piston 52 rapidly toward the left, as illustrated in Figs. 4 and 14 through guide tube 50 and into contact with the crimping punch 94.
- the impact between the crimping piston 52 and the crimping punch 94 is such that crimping punch 94 deforms the ferrule 96 and locks it onto the lock wire 20.
- the push button 40 is released thereby returning the lands 82 and 84 to their positions shown in Fig. 13.
- This allows the pressurized air to return the crimping piston 52 to its retracted position and to also move the tension piston 30 to its initial, extended position.
- the safety cable extending between the opening 92 and the wire gripper 32 may then be cut off and the tool removed.
- the frictional force exerted on the ferrule by the crimping punch 94 is insufficient to dislodge it from the safety cable after it has been crimped.
- the tension piston 30 and the crimping piston 52 are in their positions ready for a subsequent crimping operation.
- wire gripper 32 has been shown to be oriented such that it grips a wire after having passed through the ferrule, it should be understood that both the wire gripper 32 as well as the tension piston 30 may be rotated about the longitudinal axis of the tool so as to achieve any desired orientation of the wire gripper.
- the length and size of the crimping head and the outer tube may be made to any dimension so as to facilitate the application of ferrules and lock wires to positions that were heretofore rendered inaccessible by known lock wire techniques.
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- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Manufacturing Of Electrical Connectors (AREA)
- Details Of Spanners, Wrenches, And Screw Drivers And Accessories (AREA)
- Wire Processing (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to a tool for applying a ferrule to a lock wire passing through a plurality of threaded fasteners to prevent the unintentional unthreading of such fasteners.
- In rotating machinery having close tolerances between rotating and stationary elements, such as turbines, it is imperative that all objects, no matter how small, be kept from contact with the rotating elements of the machinery. The presence of any foreign object could result in the catastrophic failure of the entire machine.
- Such machinery is inherently complex and requires many nuts, bolts, screws and other threaded fasteners to assemble all of its components. Since the operation of such machinery may involve very high rotating speeds, which may induce vibrations into the machine elements, it is necessary to provide some means for preventing the inadvertent unthreading of the numerous threaded fasteners.
- It is known to apply lock wires to threaded fasteners to prevent their inadvertent unthreading. Typically, the lock wire passes through a transverse hole in at least two threaded fasteners and is twisted back on itself in alternating clockwise and counterclockwise directions between the threaded fasteners. The process is duplicated between additioanl threaded fasteners until the entire threaded fastener pattern has been wired. Following the required stringing and twisting, the lock wire is cut and bent into a certain position.
- While the known lock wire technique has provided satisfactory results, it requires a very time consuming and laborious application process. Often the final result is unsatisfactory due to variations in the quantity and tautness of the twists, and the variations in the tension on the lock wire. It has been estimated that annual losses of approximately $10,000,000 are incurred just from re-working unacceptable lock wire assemblies.
- EP-A-0423851, which is a document according to Article 54(3) and (4) of the EPC, discloses a tool for applying a ferrule to a strand element such as a wire or cable, comprising a tool body; a tubular ferrule element receiving and supporting means associated with the tool body; a strand tensioning means associated with the tool body for gripping and tensioning a strand element threaded through a ferrule element supported by the ferrule supporting means; and a ferrule crimping punch means for engaging such a ferrule element and inwardly crimping same.
- The present invention relates to a device for automatically inserting a ferrule over the safety cable, tensioning the wire crimping the ferrule onto the safety cable, and cutting off the excess cable.
- According to the invention, the tool comprises at least a pair of fluid actuated motors within or carried by the tool body; control valve means associated with the tool body for controlling the fluid actuated motors; means for admitting pressurized fluid to the motors under the control of the control valve means;
in said strand tensioning means and said ferrule crimping punch means being each arranged so as to be actuated by a respective fluid actuated motor. - The apparatus is used with a safety cable having a ferrule applied to one end and which is placed through a plurality of threaded fasteners in the pattern. A free end is inserted through a ferrule (held in the apparatus) and clamped onto a tension cylinder. Movement of the tension cylinder exerts a predetermined tension on the safety cable. The device then crimps the ferrule onto the safety cable to retain the safety cable in place at the desired tension. The end of the safety cable extending beyond the attached ferrule is cut off automatically by the tool to complete the process.
- The device eliminates the necessity of hand twisting the lock wire and the problems associated with this technique.
- Fig. 1 is a plan view of safety cable applied with the known techniques.
- Fig. 2 is a plan view of a safety cable wire applied using the apparatus according to the present invention.
- Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the apparatus according to the present invention.
- Fig. 4 is a partial, longitudinal cross-sectional view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 3.
- Fig. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the crimping head of the apparatus according to the present invention taken along line V-V in Fig. 4.
- Fig. 6 is a rear view of the wire gripping device used with the present invention.
- Fig. 7 is a front view of the wire gripping device shown in Fig. 6.
- Fig. 8 is a rear view of a tension cylinder plate used in conjunction with the present invention.
- Fig. 9 is a front view of the tension cylinder plate shown in Fig. 8.
- Fig. 10 is a side view of the ferrule crimping piston used with the apparatus according to the present invention.
- Fig. 11 is a partial, transverse, cross-sectional view illustrating the ferrule crimping piston retainer used with the present invention.
- Fig. 12 is a longitudinal, cross-sectional view of the valve assembly used with the apparatus according to the present invention.
- Fig. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating the fluid flow when the valve is in a first position.
- Fig. 14 is a schematic diagram illustrating the fluid flow when the valve is in a second position.
- Fig. 15 is a side view of the apparatus according to the present invention applying a ferrule to a safety cable.
- A lock wire applied by known techniques is illustrated in Fig. 1 wherein threaded
fasteners portion 16 of a rotating apparatus (not otherwise shown). Thelock wire 18 comprising twostrands 18a and 18b twisted together at one end are separated such that strand 18a passes through a transverse opening infastener 10 whilestrand 18b passes around the exterior of thefastener 10. The strands are twisted together on the opposite side offastener 10 and pass through a transverse opening formed infastener 12. Thelock wire 18 continues until the last fastener, in this particular instance fastener 14, whereupon one strand passes through a transverse opening in the fastener, while the other strand passes around and contacts the exterior of the fastener. The strands are twisted together on the opposite side of thefastener 14. - Fig. 2 illustrates a safety cable system applied using the apparatus according to the present invention. Threaded
fasteners machinery portion 16.Lock wire 20 comprises a multi strand cable having aferrule 22 affixed to end 20a.Safety cable 20 passes through transverse openings formed in the threadedfasteners ferrule 22 bears against one side offastener 10. At this point,ferrule 24 is inserted over the end ofcable 20 against the side offastener 14, a tension is applied to thesafety cable 20 and theferrule 24 is crimped onto the safety cable such that it bears against a side of thefastener 14.Safety cable 20 is then automatically trimmed. The pre-determined is tension is maintained insafety cable 20 by the contact offerrules fasteners - The device for applying tension to the safety cable and applying the ferrule can be seen best in Fig. 3 and comprises a
tension cylinder 26, avalve assembly 28 and atension piston 30 slidably mounted in the tension cylinder and having a portion extending exteriorly of thetension cylinder 26 upon which is mountedwire gripper 32.Outer tube 34 extends generally concentrically through thetension cyclinder 26 and thetension piston 30, and has crimpinghead 36 attached to its distal end. Fitting 38 attaches thevalve assembly 28 to a source of pressurized fluid, whilevalve actuator button 40 actuates the valve of thevalve assembly 28. - Although the tool according to the present invention has been successfully operated and will be described as using compressed air as the pressurized fluid, it is to be understood that other pressurized fluids may be utilized without exceeding the scope of this invention.
- A longitudinal cross-sectional view of the
tension cylinder 26, thetension piston 30, theouter tube 34 and the crimpinghead 36 is illustrated in Fig. 4. As can be seen,tension piston 30 is slidably mounted withintension cylinder 26.Tension piston 30 has a piston portion with afirst face 30a and asecond face 30b located on opposite sides, as well as a portion which extends exteriorly of thetension cylinder 26. -
Wire gripper 32 is fixedly attached to the exterior end of thetension piston 30. As illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7,wire gripper 32 defines anopening 42 which slidably accommodates the end of thetension piston 30. Thewire gripper 32 may be fixedly attached to thetension piston 30 by setscrew 44 or similar means. Wiregripper 32 defines a longitudinally extendingslot 46 passing inwardly from one side and has mounted on its rear portion, agripper plate 48 such that a portion ofgripper plate 48 extends over the rear of theslot 46. Anedge 48a of theplate 48 is tapered with respect to the sides of theslot 46 such that a safety cable inserted into theslot 46 from the open side and urged toward the center of thegripper 32 will be gripped by theedge 48a ofplate 48. - A
guide tube 50 is concentrically arranged within theouter tube 34,tension cylinder 26 and thetension piston 30, and extends substantially from the rear portion of thetension cylinder 26 to the grippinghead 36.Guide tube 50, which may be formed of brass or similar material, slidingly receives crimpingpiston 52 in its interior. The dimensions of the exterior of crimpingpiston 52 and the interior ofguide tube 50 are such that crimpingpiston 52 will readily slide within the guide tube, but will not allow the passage of a significant amounts of pressurized air between them. It may also be possible to use a seal attached to the crimpingpiston 52 to slidably seal against the inner surface ofguide tube 50. -
Guide tube 50 is also concentrically arranged withinouter tube 34 so as to define an annular space there between. This annular space communicates with afirst passage 54 defined by thetension cylinder 26 as illustrated in Fig. 24.Passageway 54 also provides communication with the interior of thetension cylinder 26 such that pressurized air passing through thispassage 54 will act onfirst face 30a oftension piston 30. Sincepassage 54 also communicates with the annular space betweenouter tube 34 and guidetube 50, pressurized air will also enter this space and communicate with the interior of theguide tube 50 via a plurality ofholes 56 formed near the cutting head end ofguide tube 50. Pressurized air passing throughpassage 54, and the annular space, holes 56 and the interior ofguide tube 50 will act on afirst end 52a of the crimpingpiston 52. -
Tension cylinder 26 defines asecond passage 58 which communicates with the interior oftension cylinder 26 such that pressurized air passing throughpassage 58 will act on thesecond face 30b oftension piston 30. As also illustrated in Fig. 4,second passage 58 communicates with the interior of theguide tube 50 viaslot 64, so that any pressurized fluid within this passage will also act on thesecond end 52b of crimpingpiston 52. - Figs. 8 and 9 illustrate rear and front views of a tension
cylinder end plate 60, the cross-sectional side view of which is illustrated in Fig. 4. Fig. 8 illustrates the rear view end plate 60 (when viewed in the direction orarrow 62 in Fig. 4), while Fig. 9 illustrates the opposite or front side of the end plate. As seen in Fig. 9, the front face ofend plate 60 defines aslot 64 which facilitates communication between thepassage 58 and the interior ofguide tube 50. The front face also defines anopening 66 which communicates withpassage 54. On the opposite, or rear, side ofend plate 60, opening 68 communicates withslot 64, while opening 66 communicates withslot 70. -
Valve assembly 28 attaches to the end of thetension cylinder 26 and theend plate 60, as illustrated in Fig. 3.Valve assembly 28 is shown in detail in Fig. 12 and comprises a valve housing definingoutlet ports openings 68 andslot 70 formed in the rear ofend plate 60, respectively. A generally vertically orientedspool assembly 75 is slidably mounted invalve assembly 28, such that pressurizedfluid inlet port 76, which is attached to a source of pressurized air via fitting 38, selectively communicates with eitheroutlet port 72 oroutlet port 74.Ports -
Valve assembly 75 may comprise a spoolvalve having lands Spring 88 bears against thelower land 84 so as to urge the valve assembly 85 upwardly to the position shown in Fig. 12. In this first or normal position, thepressurized air inlet 76 communicates withoutlet port 74 whileport 72 is vented throughport 78. When thevalve assembly 75 is pushed downwardly viaactuator button 40,land 82 will prevent fluid communication betweeninlet port 76 andoutlet port 74. This movement will also moveland 84 downwardly so as to allow communication between theinlet port 76 and theoutlet port 72. In this downward position,outlet port 74 will then be vented throughport 80. - As can be seen in Figs. 4 and 5, crimping
head 36 defines a generally triangularly shaped opening 90 which may extend only partially through the height of the crimpinghead 36.Opening 92 extends from the bottom of opening 90 to the opposite side of the crimpinghead 36 to facilitate the passage therethrough of the lock wire. - A crimping
punch 94 is operatively associated with the crimpinghead 36 and extends through the crimpinghead 36 such that anend portion 94a extends into theopening 90. An opposite end of the crimpingpunch 94 extends into the interior of theguide tube 50. The crimpingpunch 94 is readily slidable within theguide tube 50 as well as the crimpinghead 36 such that the impact force exerted on the crimpingpanel 94 by the crimpingpiston 52 will push the crimpingpunch 94 into a ferrule held in opening 90 with sufficient force to permanently deform the ferrule and attach it to a safety cable. - The crimping
punch 94 also serves as a means to hold a ferrule in theopening 90 with sufficient frictional, non-deforming force to enable the tool to be manipulated into any position without the ferrule falling out of theopening 90. Whenferrule 96, illustrated in dotted lines in Figs. 4 and 5, is manually inserted into theopening 90, it bears againstend portion 94a of the crimpingpunch 94 such that the crimpingpunch 94 is urged slightly to the right as illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5. Aresilient sleeve 98 fixedly attached to the shank of the crimpingpunch 94 is moved into resilient contact with the end of the crimpinghead 36.Resilient sleeve 98 resiliently urges crimpingpunch 94 towards the left, as viewed in Figs. 4 and 5, with sufficient force to hold theferrule 96 within theopening 90, but with a force insufficient to cause any deformation of the ferrule. Thus, the ferrule is frictionally retained between theend 94a of the crimpingpunch 94 and the two side walls of the generally triangularly shapedopening 90. - The tool according to the invention also provides means to retain the crimping
piston 52 in a retracted position displaced away from crimpingpunch 94. This position is generally indicated in Fig. 4 and is toward the rear end of thetension cylinder 26. As illustrated in this figure as well as in Fig. 10, crimpingpiston 52 defines anannular groove 52c extending around its periphery nearsecond end 52b.Groove 52c is adapted to be engaged by a plurality ofscrew retainers 100 that extend through the wall of the rear portion oftension cylinder 26. One of these screw retainers is illustrated in Fig. 11 and comprises a threaded shank portion that is threadingly engaged with a wall of thetension cylinder 26 and a slotted head portion accessible from the exterior oftension cylinder 26 so that the radial position of the screw retainer may be readily adjusted merely by threading and unthreading it relative to thetension cylinder 26. The radial inner end portion of thescrew retainer element 100 has a springbiased ball 102 that is biased in a radially inward direction, as viewed in Fig. 11, but which may be radially displaced in an outward direction. As is well known in the art, these retaining elements may be radially positioned within thetension cylinder 26 such that the end with theball 102 extends through theguide tube 50 into the interior of theguide tube 50. Whenballs 102 engagegroove 52c, the crimpingpiston 52 is retained in its retracted position. As will be described in more detail hereinafter, the fluid pressure acting on therear portion 52b will initially be insufficient to overcome the retaining force exerted on crimpingpiston 52 by thescrew retainer 100. However, when the pressure acting onend 52b reaches a predetermined value, it overcomes the retaining force and forces the crimpingpiston 52 alongguide tube 50 into contact with the crimpingpunch 94 with sufficient force to deform theferrule 96 and lock it onto the lock wire. - The operation of the tool will now be described with particular reference to Figs. 13, 14 and 15. As illustrated in Fig. 13, when
valve element 75 is in its normal position,inlet port 76, which is connected to a source ofpressurized fluid 104 communicates withoutlet port 74. This applies pressurized air topassage 54 throughslot 70 andopening 66 such that the pressurized fluid acts onside 30a oftension piston 30, thereby urging thetension piston 30 toward the left as viewed in Figs. 13 and 4 untiltension piston 30 reaches an extreme position. The fluid pressure also acts on thefirst end 52a of the crimpingpiston 52 to urge it toward the right, as viewed in Figs. 4 and 13 with sufficient force such thatgroove 52c will be engaged by theballs 102 of the lockingelements 100. The air within the interior ofguide tube 50 on the opposite side ofpiston 52 as well as intension cylinder 26 on the opposite side oftension piston 30 will be vented to atmosphere viapassage 58,slot 64, opening 68 andvalve ports - When
tension cylinder 30 reaches its most extreme extended position and crimpingpiston 52 is retained in its retracted position, as illustrated in Fig. 4, the tool is ready for use. A ferrule is manually inserted intoopening 90 and, as previously discussed, is retained therein by frictional contact with crimpingpunch 94. The tool may be manipulated such thatlock wire 20 passes through the ferrule, retained in opening 90, andopening 92, as illustrated in Fig. 15. After thesafety cable 20 has been inserted through the ferrule and theopening 92, the distal end is placed into and gripped bywire gripper 32. The tool is then positioned such that the grippinghead 36 is against the side of thefastener 14 andvalve actuator button 40 is manually depressed. This moves thelands pressurized air inlet 76 now communicates withpassage 58 throughvalve outlet port 72opening 68 andslot 64. The pressurized air acts onface 30b oftension piston 30 to urge it toward the right as viewed in Figs. 4 and 14. - Pressurized air also acts on the
second end 52b of crimpingpiston 52. However, the retainingelements 100 are now engaged with thegroove 52c and prevent any movement of crimpingpiston 52. Movement oftension piston 30 continues until thewire 20 has been tensioned to a predetermined amount. At this time movement of thetension piston 30 ceases thereby causing the pressure acting onend 52b of the crimpingpiston 52 to increase. This increase in pressure subjects the crimpingpiston 52 to forces sufficient to overcome the retainingelements 100, thereby urging crimpingpiston 52 rapidly toward the left, as illustrated in Figs. 4 and 14 throughguide tube 50 and into contact with the crimpingpunch 94. The impact between the crimpingpiston 52 and the crimpingpunch 94 is such that crimpingpunch 94 deforms theferrule 96 and locks it onto thelock wire 20. - Once the crimping operation has been completed, the
push button 40 is released thereby returning thelands piston 52 to its retracted position and to also move thetension piston 30 to its initial, extended position. The safety cable extending between theopening 92 and thewire gripper 32 may then be cut off and the tool removed. The frictional force exerted on the ferrule by the crimpingpunch 94 is insufficient to dislodge it from the safety cable after it has been crimped. Once the tool had been removed, thetension piston 30 and the crimpingpiston 52 are in their positions ready for a subsequent crimping operation. - While the
wire gripper 32 has been shown to be oriented such that it grips a wire after having passed through the ferrule, it should be understood that both thewire gripper 32 as well as thetension piston 30 may be rotated about the longitudinal axis of the tool so as to achieve any desired orientation of the wire gripper. The length and size of the crimping head and the outer tube may be made to any dimension so as to facilitate the application of ferrules and lock wires to positions that were heretofore rendered inaccessible by known lock wire techniques. - The foregoing description is provided for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as in any way limited this invention, the scope of which is defined solely by the appended claims.
Claims (5)
- A tool for applying a ferrule to a strand element such as a wire or cable, comprising a tool body (26, 28); a tubular ferrule element receiving and supporting means (90) associated with the tool body; a strand tensioning means (32) associated with the tool body for gripping and tensioning a strand element (20) threaded through a ferrule element supported by the ferrule supporting means; and a ferrule crimping punch means (94) for engaging such a ferrule element and inwardly crimping same, comprising
at least a pair of fluid actuated motors (30-52) within or carried by the tool body;
control valve means (75) associated with the tool body for controlling the fluid actuated motors;
means (72-74-54-58) for admitting pressurized fluid to the motors under the control of the control valve means;
and wherein said strand tensioning means and said ferrule crimping punch means are each arranged so as to be actuated by a respective fluid actuated motor (30-52). - A tool as claimed in claim 1, wherein said tool has a longitudinal axis, and wherein said means for receiving and supporting a tubular ferrule element is disposed to receive and support a ferrule so that it extends transversely of the tool longitudinal axis; characterized in that said strand tensioning means is actuated by its respective fluid actuated motor so that it is displaced along the tool's longitudinal axis to tension a strand element threaded through a ferrule.
- A tool as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said control valve means comprises a single valve assembly (75) for directing actuating fluid to both fluid actuated motors.
- A tool as claimed in any previous claim, characterized by means (100-102) for delaying actuation of the crimping punch actuating motor until a predetermined increase in actuating pressure occurs in the strand gripping means actuating motor following actuation of the latter.
- A tool as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the ferrule crimping punch fluid actuated motor comprises a free piston (52) arranged to impact against the ferrule crimping punch means when driven by actuating fluid; and said means for delaying actuation of the crimping punch actuating motor comprises a temporary retaining means (100-102) for securing the free piston and the tool body until a predetermined fluid presure actuating force is directed against the piston.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US53385790A | 1990-06-06 | 1990-06-06 | |
US533857 | 1990-06-06 | ||
PCT/US1991/003861 WO1991018707A1 (en) | 1990-06-06 | 1991-06-06 | Self-contained lock wire securing tool |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0535045A1 EP0535045A1 (en) | 1993-04-07 |
EP0535045A4 EP0535045A4 (en) | 1993-05-12 |
EP0535045B1 true EP0535045B1 (en) | 1995-09-20 |
Family
ID=24127716
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP91910993A Expired - Lifetime EP0535045B1 (en) | 1990-06-06 | 1991-06-06 | Self-contained lock wire securing tool |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0535045B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP3181910B2 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2084661C (en) |
DE (1) | DE69113269T2 (en) |
WO (1) | WO1991018707A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5305511A (en) * | 1991-04-29 | 1994-04-26 | Bergen Cable Technologies, Inc. | Hand tool for applying a motion stop ferrule to a safety cable |
US5214832A (en) * | 1991-04-29 | 1993-06-01 | Bergen Cable Technologies, Inc. | Hand tool for applying a ferrule to a safety cable |
Family Cites Families (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3658296A (en) * | 1970-09-24 | 1972-04-25 | Lawrence R Yegge | System for post-tensioning and anchoring prestressing tendons |
US4747433A (en) * | 1987-02-17 | 1988-05-31 | Ingemar Svenningson | Clamp tightening tool |
US5052094A (en) * | 1989-10-17 | 1991-10-01 | Bergen Cable Technologies, Inc. | Lock wire securing tool |
-
1991
- 1991-06-06 CA CA002084661A patent/CA2084661C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1991-06-06 WO PCT/US1991/003861 patent/WO1991018707A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 1991-06-06 JP JP51066291A patent/JP3181910B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1991-06-06 EP EP91910993A patent/EP0535045B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1991-06-06 DE DE69113269T patent/DE69113269T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CA2084661C (en) | 2002-03-05 |
EP0535045A4 (en) | 1993-05-12 |
CA2084661A1 (en) | 1991-12-07 |
JPH05509263A (en) | 1993-12-22 |
EP0535045A1 (en) | 1993-04-07 |
JP3181910B2 (en) | 2001-07-03 |
DE69113269D1 (en) | 1995-10-26 |
WO1991018707A1 (en) | 1991-12-12 |
DE69113269T2 (en) | 1996-03-21 |
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