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This invention relates generally to a torque Wrench and more particularly to a hydraulic torque Wrench having a sealed housing and a removable drive that sealingly engages the torque Wrench.19961
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Hydraulic torque Wrenches are well known and useful in many heavy industries. It is useful for such Wrenches to be as small as possible so as to fit into the tight spaces and engage a nut or bolt. Such Wrenches also should be designed with a high torque-to-Weight ratio and as long of a stroke as possible to make tightening (and loosening) bolts more efficient. In addition, such Wrenches should be rugged, serviceable, and able to withstand the elements.
The present invention provides a hydraulic torque Wrench of high performance, reliability, and repeatability. The Wrench can be used in many different applications to provide a high torque-to-Weight ratio and high speed operation. Additionally, the Wrench includes a plurality of seals that protects the components of the Wrench against the intrusion of dirt, debris, and liquids. Accordingly, the Wrench is readily usable in a variety of environments that may be too harsh or abrasive for traditional Wrenches.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a hydraulic Wrench. The Wrench is sealed so as to be usable in a variety of environments. In particular, the Wrench includes a seal about a cover closing an opening into a cavity Within a housing of the Wrench in Which the components of the Wrench, such as a ratchet lever and a hydraulically actuated piston, are disposed. Additionally, the Wrench includes a removable drive that sealingly engages the torque Wrench. Accordingly, the Wrench is sealed against the intrusion of dirt, debris, and liquids to allow the Wrench to be utilized in a Wide variety of environments without diminishing the life of the torque Wrench.
In accordance With one aspect of the invention, a torque Wrench is disclosed that includes a housing having a first opening disposed opposite a second opening. The torque Wrench also includes a ratchet Wheel disposed in the housing and forming a shaft connecting the first opening and the second opening, a ratchet lever engaging the ratchet Wheel to rotate the ratchet Wheel in a given direction, and a hydraulically actuated piston disposed in the housing and connected to the ratchet lever to move the ratchet lever between a first position and a second position to rotate the ratchet Wheel. The torque Wrench further includes a removable drive shaft extending through the shaft to engage the ratchet Wheel and be rotated by the ratchet Wheel in the given direction and a first seal disposed at the first opening and a second seal disposed at the second opening to create respective seals between the housing and the drive shaft.
In accordance With another aspect of the invention, a torque Wrench is disclosed that includes a ratchet Wheel, a ratchet lever engaging the ratchet Wheel to rotate the ratchet Wheel in a given direction, and a hydraulically actuated piston connected to the ratchet lever to move the ratchet lever between a first position and a second position to rotate the ratchet Wheel. The torque Wrench also includes a drive shaft extending through the shaft to engage the ratchet Wheel and be rotated by the ratchet Wheel in the given direction and a housing having an access portal formed therein to allow the ratchet Wheel, the ratchet lever, and the hydraulically actuated piston to be disposed Within the housing. Addition ally, the torque Wrench includes a cover configured to removeably engage the housing to cover the access portal and at least one seal disposed between the cover and the housing to seal the access portal.
These and other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the detailed description and drawings.
In one aspect, a coupling exists between the piston and the ratchet lever that enables a high rotation angle for each stroke of the piston to result in increased productivity and a reliable non-jamming mechanism. In addition, this mechanism provides high repeatability that can result in a slim nose radius to fit into small spaces and with few moving parts to result in improved durability and low maintenance. In another aspect, the drive, which may be a square drive, an Allen key drive or a different type of drive, is of a highly reliable construction, which is also easy to maintain. The drive can be released from its bearings by a push button, making maintenance and adjustments very easy. In addition, the above-described construction permits bearings to be positioned at both sides of the wrench for excellent durability and support of the drive shaft. In another aspect, hydraulic connections can be made to the torque wrench through a swivel coupler. Such connections can be made for a double acting piston that is part of the torque wrench, to drive the piston back and forth. In another aspect, a cover closes an opening to the cavity in which the ratchet lever mechanisms of the wrench are housed and sealed against the intrusion of dirt, debris, and liquids. Additionally a plurality of seals are formed about the removable drive to protect against the intrusion of dirt, debris, and liquids. Accordingly, the life of the torque wrench is extended even when operated in harsh working environments. Therefore, one embodiment of the present invention includes a torque wrench having a housing with a First opening disposed opposite a second opening. The torque wrench also includes a ratchet wheel disposed in the housing and forming a shaft connecting the first opening and the second opening, a ratchet lever engaging the ratchet wheel to rotate the ratchet wheel in a given direction, and a hydraulically actuated piston disposed in the housing and connected to the ratchet lever to move the ratchet lever between a first position and a second position to rotate the ratchet wheel. The torque wrench further includes a removable drive shaft extending through the shaft to engage the ratchet wheel and be rotated by the ratchet wheel in the given direction and a first seal disposed at the First opening and a second seal disposed at the second opening to create respective seals between the housing and the drive shaft. According to another embodiment of the invention, a torque wrench includes a ratchet wheel, a ratchet lever engaging the ratchet wheel to rotate the ratchet wheel in a given direction, and a hydraulically actuated piston connected to the ratchet lever to move the ratchet lever between a first position and a second position to rotate the ratchet wheel. The torque wrench also includes a drive shaft extending through the shaft to engage the ratchet wheel and be rotated by the ratchet wheel in the given direction and a housing having an access portal formed therein to allow the ratchet wheel, the ratchet lever, and the hydraulically actuated piston to be disposed within the housing. Additionally,the torque wrench includes a cover configured to removeably engage the housing to cover the access portal and at least one seal disposed between the cover and the housing to seal the access portal.