阅读说明：本技术 使用具有纵向凹槽的可变形套筒的螺栓连接接头 (Bolted joint using deformable sleeve with longitudinal grooves ) 是由 加里·西弗曼 保罗·珀迪 于 2020-03-12 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种提供“零间隙”配合的螺栓连接接头,所述螺栓连接接头由包括肩部的螺栓形成,所述肩部在安装期间工作以使可变形套筒冷成型。所述螺栓连接接头将螺栓接收构件接合到夹紧部件。可使用一个或多个螺栓连接接头,并且当安装所述螺栓时,所述螺栓中的每一者上的肩部扩张可变形套筒,直到所述套筒的外径接触所述夹紧部件中的通孔的内壁。所述可变形套筒中的每一者在其内表面上包括至少一个凹槽或沟槽,所述凹槽或沟槽导致所述夹紧部件的内壁和所述螺栓接收构件上的径向负荷减小,并且所述套筒与所述夹紧部件和设置在所述螺栓接收构件内的沉孔两者之间的摩擦较小,由此允许使所述套筒变形所需的螺栓的拉伸强度能力的百分比较小。(A bolted joint providing a "zero clearance" fit is formed by a bolt that includes a shoulder that works during installation to cold form a deformable sleeve. The bolted joint joins the bolt receiving member to the clamping component. One or more bolted joints may be used, and as the bolts are installed, a shoulder on each of the bolts expands a deformable sleeve until the outer diameter of the sleeve contacts the inner wall of the through-hole in the clamping member. Each of the deformable sleeves includes at least one groove or channel on its inner surface that results in a reduction in radial load on the inner wall of the clamping component and the bolt receiving member, and less friction between the sleeve and both the clamping component and a counterbore disposed within the bolt receiving member, thereby allowing a smaller percentage of the tensile strength capability of the bolt required to deform the sleeve.)

1. A zero-clearance bolted joint including a clamping component and a bolt-receiving member secured together with a bolt and socket assembly, the bolted joint comprising:

a clamping member having an aperture provided thereon and therethrough, the aperture having an aperture diameter, the aperture defining a clamping member aperture wall;

a bolt receiving member having

A counterbore having a counterbore diameter equal to the aperture diameter, the counterbore defining a counterbore wall and a counterbore bottom surface, an

A through bore coaxial and concentric with the counterbore, the counterbore aligned with the aperture of the clamping member; and

a bolt and socket assembly comprising

A bolt having

A head having a width greater than the width of the aperture diameter, the head in abutting engagement with the upper face of the clamping component, an

A shaft extending from the head, the shaft having

A shaft threaded portion longitudinally spaced from the head, the threaded portion extending into the through bore of the bolt receiving member, an

A shaft non-threaded portion disposed between the head and the shaft threaded portion, an

A shoulder formed on the shaft non-threaded portion;

a sleeve having a sleeve outer surface defining a sleeve outer diameter and a sleeve inner surface contacting the shoulder, the sleeve having

At a first end of the sleeve, the sleeve is provided with a first end,

a second end of the sleeve opposite the first end of the sleeve,

a sleeve through bore defining a sleeve inner surface having a sleeve inner diameter, wherein the sleeve inner surface contacts the shoulder,

at least one longitudinal groove integrally formed in the sleeve inner surface, wherein the at least one longitudinal groove extends at least partially between the sleeve first end and the sleeve second end,

when the sleeve is positioned within the aperture of the clamping component and within the counterbore of the bolt-receiving member, the bolt and sleeve assembly secures the clamping component and the bolt-receiving member together to form the bolted joint such that there is a zero-clearance fit between the sleeve outer surface and both the clamping component aperture wall and bolt-receiving member counterbore wall.

2. The bolted joint of claim 1, wherein the sleeve second end abuttingly engages the bottom surface of the bolt receiving member counterbore.

3. The bolted joint of claim 1, wherein the sleeve first end contacts the shoulder, and wherein the sleeve second end contacts the bolt threaded portion.

4. The bolted joint of claim 1, wherein the sleeve outer diameter is less than both the clamping component aperture diameter and the bolt receiving member counterbore diameter, thereby allowing the sleeve to be inserted into both the clamping component aperture and the bolt receiving member counterbore.

5. The bolted joint of claim 1, wherein the at least one longitudinal groove formed on the inner surface of the sleeve provides a smaller contact area and therefore a reduced level of friction between the bolt shoulder and the inner surface of the sleeve during installation compared to a larger contact area having a higher level of friction between a conventional bolt shoulder and a conventional sleeve without the at least one longitudinal groove.

6. The bolted joint of claim 5, wherein the smaller contact area allows a desired level of friction to be achieved between the inner surface of the sleeve and the bolt shoulder when a load sufficient to deform the sleeve into the clamping component aperture and the bolt receiving member counterbore is applied to the bolt during installation.

7. The bolted joint of claim 5, wherein the reduced level of friction between the bolt and the sleeve inner surface also reduces the tensile load applied to the bolt required to deform the sleeve as compared to the tensile load required to deform a conventional sleeve without grooves during the installation process to provide zero clearance between the sleeve outer surface and both the clamping component aperture wall and the bolt receiving member counterbore wall.

8. The bolted joint of claim 5, wherein said reduced level of friction between said sleeve inner surface and said bolt shoulder during installation further results in less axial load being applied to said sleeve that is pressed against said counterbore bottom surface of said bolt receiving member than is applied to a conventional sleeve without said at least one longitudinal groove.

9. The bolted joint of claim 1, wherein the bolted joint accommodates misalignment between the clamping component aperture and the bolt receiving member counterbore while maintaining zero clearance between the sleeve and both the clamping portion aperture wall and the counterbore wall.

10. The bolted joint as recited in claim 9, wherein slippage of the clamping component relative to the bolt receiving member is minimized when the bolted joint is subjected to a workload, wherein the workload is an expected load applied to the bolted joint after installation during a service life of the bolted joint.

11. The bolted joint of claim 1, wherein the at least one groove comprises:

voids of material for displacement during deformation of the sleeve during the installation process.

12. The bolted joint of claim 1, wherein a radial load exerted on the clamping part aperture wall and the bolt receiving member counterbore wall in a bolted joint having a sleeve with at least one longitudinal groove is less than a radial load exerted in a bolted joint having a sleeve without the at least one longitudinal groove.

13. The bolted joint of claim 12, wherein the reduced radial load results in a lower level of friction between the sleeve and both the clamping component and the bolt receiving member counterbore than in a bolted joint having a conventional sleeve without the at least one longitudinal groove.

14. The bolted joint of claim 12, wherein during installation of the bolt and socket assembly in the clamping component and the bolt-receiving member to form the bolted joint, a smaller percentage of the bolt's tensile strength capability is required to deform the socket than is required to install a conventional bolt-socket assembly having a socket without the at least one longitudinal groove.

15. The bolted joint of claim 14, wherein the tensile strength capability of the small percentage of bolts required to deform the sleeve allows for the manufacture of bolt sizes smaller than M8 bolts.

16. The bolted joint of claim 1, more than one groove being spaced apart in a longitudinally parallel arrangement on the inner surface of the sleeve.

17. The bolted joint of claim 16, wherein the deformable sleeve further comprises:

a plurality of grooves equally spaced from one another relative to a longitudinal central axis of the sleeve.

18. The bolted joint of claim 1, wherein the at least one longitudinal groove is radially narrow and axially deep.

19. The bolted joint of claim 1, wherein the at least one longitudinal groove is radially wide and axially shallow.

20. The bolted joint of claim 1, wherein: 1. the through-hole of the bolt receiving member is threaded and the threaded portion of the bolt is in threaded engagement with the through-hole of the bolt receiving member; the through hole of the bolt-receiving member is unthreaded, and the threaded portion of the bolt extends through the through hole and is in threaded engagement with a threaded nut.

Background

The present application relates generally to bolted joints and more particularly to zero clearance bolted joints, such as used in high shear load joints that include a bolt receiving member and a clamping component. This solution can be used in any high shear load joint.

However, bolted joints generally do not prevent the clamping members from moving relative to each other. This is because the bolts do not generate enough friction to prevent the joint from slipping, which in turn causes the bolts to back out of the joint.

For example, one application that has used bolted joints is to join a bolt receiving member to a clamping component. However, bolted joints generally do not prevent the bolt receiving member from moving relative to the clamping component, and thus slippage of the clamping component may occur. One current method of joining a bolt receiving member to a clamping component utilizes a matching circular pattern of a plurality of through holes on the clamping component and a plurality of threaded holes on the bolt receiving member. This design has raised concerns about the ability to tolerance the hole location at the manufacturing facility.

U.S. patent No. 7,717,659 discloses a bolted joint formed by cold forming a deformable sleeve using a bolt with a tapered shoulder to provide a "zero clearance" fit. Specifically, when the bolt is installed into the clamping component and the bolt receiving member, a tapered shoulder on the bolt expands the deformable sleeve until the outer diameter of the sleeve contacts the inner wall of the through hole in the clamping component. There is not always sufficient friction between the sleeve and the inner wall of the through hole in the clamping component to accommodate misalignment of the through hole in the clamping component and the bolt receiving member while maintaining a zero clearance fit.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of embodiments of the present invention to provide a zero-clearance bolted joint that may be used, for example, to join high shear load joints.

It is a further object of an embodiment of the present invention to provide a zero clearance high shear load bolted joint that can be used as a means of fastening a first clamping component to a bolt receiving member that accommodates misalignment and minimizes slippage of the clamping component relative to the bolt receiving member when the joint is subjected to an applied working load.

Briefly, and in accordance with at least one of the foregoing objects, an embodiment of the present invention provides a bolted joint formed by cold forming a deformable sleeve using a bolt having a shoulder to provide a "zero clearance" fit. Such bolted joints may be used in single bore or multi-bore applications to accommodate misalignment or bore position errors between joint components. Misalignment/hole position errors are a major problem in joints with multiple bolt positions. Each of the deformable sleeves includes at least one groove or channel on the inner surface of the sleeve that results in less friction between both the bolt and the sleeve, which reduces the radial load required to deform the sleeve during the installation process, and also reduces the axial load on the bottom face of the counterbore of the bolt-receiving member. The lower radial and axial loads to deform the deformable sleeve allow for more choices in clamping component and bolt receiving member materials and geometries such as associated wall thicknesses than conventional sleeves that do not have at least one longitudinal groove.

Drawings

The organization and manner of the structure and operation of the invention, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals identify like elements in which:

FIG. 1a is a side view showing a sleeve disposed over a bolt prior to installation according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1b is an end view showing the sleeve disposed over the bolt prior to installation.

Fig. 2a is a perspective top view of the sleeve shown in fig. 1 having axially deep, radially narrow grooves according to one embodiment.

Fig. 2b is a top view of the sleeve shown in fig. 2 a.

Figure 2c is a side cross-sectional view taken across line 2c-2c of the sleeve shown in figure 2 b.

Fig. 3a is a perspective top view of the sleeve shown in fig. 1 having an axially narrow, radially shallow groove according to one embodiment.

Figure 3b is a top view of the sleeve shown in figure 3 a.

Figure 3c is a side cross-sectional view taken across line 3c-3c of the sleeve shown in figure 2 b.

Fig. 4 shows the bolt and sleeve of fig. 1 in the form of a bolted joint (i.e., after installation) according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows an alternative embodiment of the invention, which is very similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, but wherein the threaded portion of the bolt extends through a clearance hole (i.e., a non-threaded hole) in the bolt-receiving member and engages the threaded nut.

Detailed Description

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail embodiments thereof with the understanding that the present description is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiments illustrated and described herein.

The present invention relates to a zero clearance bolted joint that may be used, for example, as a means of fastening a high shear load joint that includes a first clamping component and a bolt receiving member in a manner that accommodates misalignment and minimizes slippage of the clamping component relative to the bolt receiving member when the high shear load joint is subjected to an expected operational load. The standard work load is the expected load applied to the bolted joint after installation during the service life of the bolted joint.

Fig. 1a is a side view showing a bolt and sleeve assembly 21 prior to installation, the assembly comprising a deformable sleeve 10 disposed over a bolt 20. Fig. 4 shows the sleeve 10 and bolt 20 of fig. 1a in the form of a bolted joint (i.e., after installation) according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1b is an end view of the sleeve 10 disposed over the bolt 20.

As shown in fig. 1a and 1b, the bolt 20 has a head 22 including a flange 61 having a diameter 60, wherein the head 22 has a driving feature and is not limited to the hexagonal profile shown in fig. 1a and 4. The shaft 28 of the bolt 20 has a shaft threaded portion 26 longitudinally spaced from the head 22 near an end 30 of the bolt 20 and a shaft non-threaded portion disposed between the head and the shaft threaded portion.

As shown in FIG. 1a, a shoulder 44 is formed on the shaft non-threaded portion, wherein the shoulder 44 has a diameter 45 and is generally disposed between the threaded portion 26 and the head 22 of the bolt 20. As shown, the shoulder 44 on the bolt 20 is preferably provided with a circular shape, but the shoulder 44 may have other profiles without departing from the scope of the present invention.

In addition to the bolt 20, the bolt and sleeve assembly 21 comprises a deformable sleeve 10 according to one embodiment as shown in fig. 1a to 2c and 4.

With regard to materials, the bolt 20 may be formed of, for example, ISO898-1, while the sleeve 10 may be formed of, for example, AISI 1010 steel. Regardless of the exact materials of the bolt 20 and the sleeve 10, it is preferred that the sleeve 10 be made of a softer material than the bolt 20.

The preferred construction of the sleeve 10 will now be described in more detail. More specifically, fig. 2a shows a top perspective view of deformable sleeve 10 as shown in fig. 1 a-1 b. Fig. 2b shows a top view of the sleeve 10 shown in fig. 2 a. Figure 2c shows a cross-sectional view of the sleeve 10 shown in figure 2b taken across line 2c-2 c.

As shown in more detail in fig. 2c, the sleeve 10 has a sleeve inner diameter 50 and a sleeve outer diameter 52. As shown in fig. 2 a-2 c, preferably, the sleeve 10 has an outer surface 64 defining a sleeve outer diameter 52 and a through bore defining a sleeve inner surface 82 having a sleeve inner diameter 50, wherein the sleeve inner surface 82 includes one or more grooves or channels 84 integrally formed with the sleeve inner surface 82. Preferably, each groove or channel 84 on the sleeve inner surface 82 extends longitudinally and, together with the through bore, at least partially from a first sleeve end 86 to an opposite second sleeve end 88 (see fig. 2 a-2 c). Although the figures show each groove or channel 84 extending from a first sleeve end 86 to an opposite second sleeve end 88, this is not a requirement and is merely one possible embodiment. Rather, the groove or channel 84 may extend only partially from the first sleeve end 86 to the opposing second sleeve end 88 while remaining within the scope of the present invention.

Preferably, if more than one groove or channel 84 is provided, they are generally parallel to each other. For example, as shown in fig. 2 a-2 b, three or more grooves or channels 84 may be provided, each equidistantly spaced (i.e., substantially 120 degrees from each other relative to a longitudinal central axis 90 (shown in fig. 2c) of the sleeve 10).

The grooves or channels 84 may have different geometries while remaining within the scope of the present invention.

For example, each groove or channel 84 may be radially narrow but axially deep (as shown in fig. 1b, 2 a-2 c), or each groove or channel 84a may be radially wide but axially shallow (as shown in fig. 3 a-3 c). Any of these geometries can effectively form different embodiments of the present invention. Regardless of the exact size and shape, the grooves or channels are preferably used to reduce friction without significantly compromising the strength of the sleeve. Further, while it is preferred that each groove or channel be substantially identical to one another, this is not necessary, and in fact each groove or channel may have a different profile (i.e., size and shape) while still remaining within the scope of the present invention.

With respect to fig. 3a to 3c, the sleeve 10a is the same as the sleeve 10 shown with reference to fig. 2a to 2c, however, the grooves or channels 84a are radially wide but axially shallow. For like elements of the sleeve 10a as shown in fig. 3 a-3 c, like reference numerals refer to like elements, with the suffix "a" added for each of the like elements that are similar to the like elements shown in fig. 2 a-2 c.

More specifically, fig. 3a shows a top perspective view of the sleeve 10a as shown in fig. 1. Fig. 3b shows a top view of the sleeve 10a shown in fig. 3 a. FIG. 3c shows a cross-sectional view of the sleeve 10a shown in FIG. 3b taken across line 3c-3 c.

Fig. 1a to 1b show the condition of the sleeve 10 before the bolt 20 is installed. Fig. 4 shows the mounting of the sleeve 10 and bolt 20 after mounting.

In one embodiment, when the deformable sleeve is positioned within the aperture of the first clamping component and within the counterbore of the bolt receiving member, the bolt and sleeve assembly secures the first clamping component and the bolt receiving member together to form a bolted joint such that there is a zero clearance fit between the sleeve outer surface and both the clamping component aperture wall and the bolt receiving member counterbore wall.

More specifically, referring to the bolted joint in fig. 4, fig. 4 is a side cross-sectional view of a bolt and socket assembly installed to secure the first clamping component 58 and the bolt receiving member 42 together and thereby form the bolted joint. During installation of the bolt 20, the head 22 of the bolt 20 is rotated, thereby causing the threaded portion 26 of the bolt 20 to be threaded into a through-hole (such as threaded hole 40) provided in the bolt-receiving member 42, as shown in fig. 4. As the threaded portion 26 is threaded into the threaded bore 40, the shoulder 44 of the bolt 20 cold forms the sleeve 10 such that the sleeve outer surface 64 contactably engages the aperture wall 62 of the first clamping component 58 and the counterbore wall 63 of the counterbore 43 of the bolt receiving member 42, thereby providing a "zero clearance" fit therebetween. Although only one joint is shown in fig. 4 as an example, in another embodiment, a plurality of bolted joints may be used in order to fully engage or secure the bolt receiving member 42 to the first clamping component 58.

With respect to the clamping member 58, FIG. 4 shows a cross section of the first clamping member 58 with the above showing the aperture 56 defining a through hole within the first clamping member having an aperture diameter. With respect to the bolt receiving member 42 having the counterbore 43, the counterbore has a counterbore wall 63 and a bottom surface 41 disposed therein.

Additionally, as shown in fig. 4, the bolt-receiving member counterbore 43 has a counterbore diameter 47 that effectively coincides with the corresponding aperture 56 in the clamping component 58 such that the threaded bore 40 begins at a point spaced from a shear plane 72, which is the plane of contact between the bolt-receiving member 42 and the clamping component 58. In one embodiment, the aperture diameter 54 of the first clamping component 58 is the same as the counterbore diameter 47 of the bolt receiving member 42. In one embodiment of the invention shown in fig. 4, the bolt and socket assembly 21 is deformed into a receiving structure defined by the first clamping component 58 and the bolt receiving member 42.

Fig. 5 shows an alternative embodiment. The embodiment shown in fig. 5 is very similar to the embodiment shown in fig. 4. Accordingly, like reference numerals are used to identify like components. The only difference between the embodiment shown in fig. 5 and the embodiment shown in fig. 4 is that the embodiment shown in fig. 5 provides that the through-hole of the bolt receiving member is a clearance hole 40a (i.e., a non-threaded hole) rather than a threaded hole 40 such as shown in fig. 4. In the embodiment shown in fig. 5, the threaded portion of the bolt extends all the way through the clearance hole 40a in the bolt-receiving member and is in threaded engagement with the threaded nut. In the embodiment shown in fig. 5, the bolt receiving member is actually the second clamping member and is identified by reference numeral 32.

Regardless of the embodiment, preferably, the shape and size of the grooves or channels 84 are designed according to the particular application, i.e., to achieve a desired level of friction between the sleeve and the bolt shoulder, and to have a surface 85 of desired surface area between the grooves or channels 84 according to the load required to deform the sleeve 10 into a receiving configuration.

Preferably, prior to installation, the inner diameter 50 (see fig. 2c) of the sleeve 10 is smaller than the outer diameter 45 (see fig. 1a and 4) of the shoulder 44, so that the shoulder 44 of the bolt 20 deforms the sleeve 10 when the bolt 20 is installed, i.e. relative to the bolt receiving member 42. Preferably, the sleeve outer diameter 52 (see fig. 2c) of the sleeve 10 is less than both the aperture diameter 54 (see fig. 4) of the corresponding aperture 56 of the clamping component 58 and the counterbore diameter 47 of the bolt receiving member counterbore 43 of the bolt receiving member 42, such that the sleeve 10 can be inserted into the clamping component aperture 56 and the bolt receiving member counterbore 43 in the clamping component 58. Additionally, the diameter 60 (see fig. 1a and 4) of the head 22 of the bolt 20 is preferably greater than the inner diameter 54 of the clamping member through bore 56 in the clamping member 58. Thus, when installed, the head 22 of the bolt 20 sits against the upper face of the clamping member 58, as shown in FIG. 4.

In addition, the grooves 84 also provide voids 89 (see FIG. 4) for displaced material during deformation of the sleeve 10 during installation. Thus, the present embodiment allows for a reduction in radial load on both the aperture wall 62 of the clamping component 58 and the counterbore wall 63 of the bolt receiving member 42, and a reduction in axial load on the bottom surface 41 of the counterbore 43 of the bolt receiving member 42 (shown in FIG. 4). The reduced radial and axial loads allow the use of lower strength materials in the clamping component and the bolt receiving member than those used in bolted joints having bushings without grooves.

The grooves or channels 84 (shown in fig. 2 a-2 c) on the inner surface 82 of the sleeve 10 create a smaller contact area than a sleeve in which the grooves 84 are not formed, resulting in less friction between the shoulder 44 of the bolt 20 and the sleeve 10 during installation than a larger contact area with a higher level of friction between the shoulder of a conventional bolt and a conventional sleeve without grooves. Thus, the grooves 84 formed on the inner surface 82 of the sleeve 10 allow for a desired level of friction to be achieved, i.e., less friction between the inner surface 82 of the sleeve 10 and the bolt shoulder 44 when a load sufficient to deform the sleeve 10 into the clamping component aperture 56 and the bolt receiving member counterbore 43 is applied to the bolt during installation.

The reduced friction between the bolt and the sleeve also reduces the tensile load applied to the bolt required to deform the grooved sleeve compared to the tensile load required to deform a conventional sleeve without grooves during the installation process to provide a zero clearance between the sleeve and both the clamping component aperture wall and the bolt receiving member counterbore wall.

The reduced friction between the sleeve 10 and the bolt shoulder 44 also results in less axial load being applied to the sleeve 10 that is pressed against the bottom surface 41 of the counterbore 43 of the bolt receiving member 42 as compared to axial loads applied to a conventional sleeve without a groove. In addition, a small percentage of the bolt tensile strength capability is required to deform the sleeve 10 during installation. The smaller percentage of bolt tensile strength capability required to deform the socket allows smaller bolt sizes to be manufactured, such as smaller than M8 bolts, as compared to bolts and socket assemblies having conventional sockets without grooves. Thus, more bolt strength is available for applying a work load to the clamping member.

In one embodiment, the bolted joint accommodates misalignment between the clamping component aperture 56 and the bolt receiving member counterbore 43 while maintaining zero clearance between the sleeve 10 and both the clamping portion aperture wall 62 and the counterbore wall 63.

In one embodiment of the invention, the bolted joint is a high shear load joint that minimizes slippage of the clamping component 58 relative to the bolt receiving member 42 when the high shear load joint is subjected to a standard work load.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it is envisioned that those skilled in the art may devise various modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.