GB2517026A

GB2517026A - Torque wrench

Info

Publication number: GB2517026A
Application number: GB1409024.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stephen Quicke
Original assignee: Hire Torque Ltd
Current assignee: Hire Torque Ltd
Priority date: 2013-05-21
Filing date: 2014-05-21
Publication date: 2015-02-11
Anticipated expiration: 2034-05-21
Also published as: GB201309133D0; GB2517026B; GB201409024D0

Abstract

A torque wrench 1 configured to receive a spanner comprises a pair of spaced apart plates 2, each plate comprising an opening (7 figure 3) which may be a bore. The bores are aligned and the spanner is received between the spaced apart plates and is removably attached to the plates by means of a pin 6 extending through the aligned bores and a bore in the spanner. Each plate has a collar 5 fixed via an interference fit in its respective bore. The collar may have a rim (5 figure 4) of larger diameter than that of its bore which engages the plate. The collar may be formed of spring steel, and may have a chamfered edge (5). There may also be a bush (5a) which fits inside the collar, which may be a push fit. The torque wrench may have a power head and may be a hydraulically powered torque wrench.

Description

Torque Wrench

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to u)rque wrenches and in particular a type of torquc wrnnch configured to receive a spanner.

Background of the Invention

Hydraulic torque wrenches arc used widely, particularly in the oil and gas industries, In some situations a type of hydraulic torque wrench is required to which a spanner may be removably attached.

Typically, the spanner is received in a main body of the torque wrench and attached thereto by means of a Pill, The spanner is received in the rnan body n a space between two spaced apart side walls, the pin passing through the spanner and bores in the. side walls.

[he each bore is provided with a brass bush, Two problems have been identified with the the above-described torque wrunch, First, the brass bushes wear quickly. if they are not replaced in a timely manner the bores which they are designed to protect will themselves wear. Should this happen the whole side plate of the torque wrench would need to be replaced. The second problem is that the the force exerted by the wrench on the spanner is reacted through the phi and hence the bores of the side plates in which the pin rests. The significant fbrces exerted by the pin on the side plates of the wrench can damage the side plates.

It would therefore he desirable to provide an improved torc1uc wrench which suffers less from the above-mentioned problems. a

Summary of the Invention

According to the invention there is provided a hydraulic torque wrench as specified in Claim 1.

Preferred features of the invention are set out in the claims dependent on Claim 1, the description and the drawings

Brief Description of the Drawings

In the Drawings, which illustrate a preferred embodiment of a fluid powered torque wrench according to the invention: Figure 1 is a fn)nt view of a torque wrench according to the invenflon; Figure 2 is an internal side view oF the torque wrench illustrated in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a detailed schematic representation of the torque wrench shown in Figures 1 and 2; and Figure 4 is a schematic representation of a component of the torque wrench illustrated in Figures 1 to 3,

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a hydraulic torque wrellell 1 which comprises two spaced apart side plates 2.

Reaction rollers. .3 are affached to the side plates 2 by means of a shafr 4.

A spanner is attachable to the wrench I by means of a pin 6 which extends through collars 5.

Figures 3 and 4 show the collars 5 in greater detail. As can he seen from Figure 4, the collar 5 comprises a rim 3' at one end, and a chamferreel edge 5" at the other end of the collar, Ihe collar 5 includes a inner bush Sa.

Each side plate 2 includes a bore 7. Ihe internal diameter of the bore 7 is fractionally less than the external diameter of the collar 5, so that the collar 5 is an interfitrence fit with the bore 7. The collar S is made of steel, preferably spring steel. Ihe inner bush 5a is advantageously made of a material such as brass, and preferably is a push fit into the collar 5, when the collar is located in the bore 7.

l'o assemble the collar S to the plate 2, the plate 2 and collar 5 are arranged in a press with the chamferred edge 5" sitting in the bore 7 of die plate 2. The collar 5 is then pressed into the bore 7 until the rim 5' engages with the surface of the plate 2, Following the above-described step the bush 5a is pressed into the collar 5.

This is done for both plates 2 of die torc]ue wrench I [he arrangement of the invention provides a number of advantages, as discussed below.

The surface area over which the pin 6 engages with the collar 5 is significantly greater than in the prior art. Hence, wear of both the pin 6 and the bush on which it sits in the plate 2 is reduced.

[he whole structure is strengthened, the rim 5' acting as reinforcing ring around the aperture 7.

[he wrench is more easily maintained, since the bush 5a wears less quickly than the bush of the prior art and further, if the bush 5a wears through, it is the collar S that begins to wear as opposed to the plate 2.

I lence, in such a sitation, the collar 5 may be pushed out of the plate 2.

Claims

Claims 1. A torque wrench configured to receive a spanner, the wrench coniprisi ig a pair of spaced apart plates, each plate comprising an opening wherein the openings are aligned and wherein die spanner is received between the spaced apart plates and is removably attached to the plates by means of a pin extending through the aligned openings and an opening in tile spanner, each plate having a collar fixed in its respective opening, wherein the collar is an interference fir ll the said bore.
2. A torque wrench according to Claim 1, wherein the collar includes a rim having a diameter greater than tile opening and engaging the plate.
3. A torque wrench according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the collar is formed of spring steel.
4. A torque wrench according to any preceding claim, wherein the collar has a chamferred edge.
5. A torque wrench according to any preceding claim, further comprising a bush, the bush being situated in the collar.
6. A torque wrench according to Claim 5, wherein the bush is a push fit iii the collar.
7. A torque wrench according to any preceding claim, wherein the openings mounting collars are bores.
8. A torque wrench substantially as shown in, and as described with reference to the drawings.
9. A torque wrench according to any preceding claim, further comprising a power head.
10. A torque wrench according to any preceding claim, wherein die torque wrench is a hydraulic torque wrench,
11. A torque wrench according to any preceding claim, further comprising a spanner.