Patent ID: 11890728
Assignee: NEXTGEN AEROSPACE TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Field: Machine tools (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC B | IPC B

Claim 32:
33. A system for rotating a fastener that is fastened to a structure; said system comprising:
an acoustic/ultrasonic wave generator for generating an acoustic/ultrasonic signal that passes longitudinally through said fastener to elongate said fastener and to introduce a cyclic strain and heating within said fastener to reduce a frictional force between threads on said fastener and mating threads on said structure;
a tool having a horn for transmitting said acoustic/ultrasonic signal into said fastener; and
wherein said acoustic/ultrasonic wave generator and said horn cooperate to focus or apply said acoustic/ultrasonic signal to a predetermined distance into said fastener in order to reduce a coefficient of friction between said fastener and said structure when said horn is in operative relationship with fastener and said acoustic/ultrasonic signal is applied thereto;
wherein said fastener comprises a first end that is directly or indirectly engaged by said horn during loosening or fastening when said acoustic/ultrasonic signal is applied thereto and said fastener further comprising fastener threads that mate with structure threads of said structure, said acoustic/ultrasonic wave generator generating said acoustic/ultrasonic signal that travels into said fastener and becomes concentrated or focused at a predetermined location in said fastener;
wherein said first end comprises a head and/or nut that becomes situated at a head and/or nut engagement area of said structure when said fastener is mounted to said structure; said predetermined location being along a length of said fastener so that when said acoustic/ultrasonic signal is applied to said fastener, a friction or pressure between the head and/or nut and said head and/or nut engagement area and between said fastener threads and said structure threads is at least partly reduced;
wherein said predetermined location of concentrated or focused energy being along a length of said fastener between said head and/or nut and a second end of said fastener that is opposite of said first end of said fastener.