Installation tooling system for buckle and swage type fastener

A tooling installation system having unique tools which provide an external force directly to the sleeve end of a faster to create a bulb on the sleeve of the fastener is provided. The system provides external forces directly to the sleeve end of the fastener deforming a portion of the sleeve radially outward and onto the structure prior to swaging a second portion of the sleeve radially inward onto the pin. Additionally, the system controls formation of the sleeve by capturing an external portion of the sleeve creating a cavity between the tool and the structure for achieving proper bulb formation during installation prior to swage. The system also provides specific forces to the head of the pin and the head of the sleeve to insure proper seating of the fastener head against the structure inducing residual compressive stresses within the structure, thus improving mechanical properties such as fatigue life of the structure.

FIELD

Various embodiments pertain to tools used for the installation of Buckle and Swage type fasteners.

BACKGROUND

All fasteners require a means of installation. Tools used for installation of the fasteners are designed to perform different functions to provide a specific force, or series of forces, at a specific area during a specific time of the installation process of the fastener. These tools can be as simple as a hammer used to provide an impact load to the head of a nail, or vastly complex systems employing automated assembly features.

A typical Buckle and Swage type fastener, as illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 8,434,984, comprises of a pin and sleeve, such that the fastener is supplied as a single unit, and where the sleeve is designed to deform first in a buckling manner to contact and capture the structure, and second in a swage manner where the sleeve is radially squeezed inward to interact with the pin.

FIG. 1Aillustrates a typical stump-type Buckle and Swage fastener andFIG. 1Billustrates a typical installation procedure for the fastener ofFIG. 1Awithin a structure. As shown inFIG. 1A, an uninstalled assembled fastener100comprises a pin70located within a sleeve50. To install (or secure) the assembled fastener100to a work piece, or structure102, the assembled fastener100may be placed in a prepared aperture104located within the work piece, or structure102. Next, a forming anvil106may be placed over the end of the sleeve50and an installation force F may be applied to both the fastener manufactured head side120and fastener upset side130of the assembled fastener100as shown. As the force F is applied to both sides, the sleeve50buckles, deforming radially outward, while collapsing itself such that an upset head111is created which is direct contact with the surface112of the work piece, or structure102.

After formation of the upset head111, continued application of the force F on the forming anvil106forces a column section53(adjacent to the upset head111and extruding from the structure102) of the sleeve50to move radially inward and around externally threaded locking grooves74of the pin70, creating a permanent interlocking feature110. (SeeFIG. 1B) The forming anvil106is then removed, completing the installation process.

Currently, no installation tool or system is designed to provide external force directly to the sleeve end130to create the bulb111on the sleeve50of the fastener100. While tools exist to bulb solid rivets, and some existing tools may even have a small recess for alignment, these existing tools are solid and designed to move while in constant contact with the upset end of the rivet. Tools also exist to swage material to pins, but not specifically for integrating pins with sleeves and as such, there is currently no installation tool or installation tool system which combines the two actions of buckle and swage.

Furthermore, it must also be noted that buckling a hollow fastener sleeve to create the desired bulb carries some added intricacies not shared by the buckle process of a solid rivet. Specifically, hollow fastener sleeves are prone to a double buckle or double bulb, a process where a second bulb forms on the sleeve column adjacent to an initial bulb. This can be caused due to the ratio of the height of the column to be buckled as compared to the cross-sectional area of the column being too large, and/or due to the workability of the material used being such that as the first bulb is formed, the material in that area is hardened making the adjacent column section above easier to deform as compared to the continued deformation of the existing bulb. This double bulb scenario is detrimental to the mechanical properties of the fastener as it means the bulb in contact with the structure is significantly smaller than desirable and thus only a fraction of the desired area of the structure at the surface112is in contact with the fastener.

In addition to the problems described above, improved fastener installations and mechanical properties are needed for push-type fasteners and pull-type fasteners as well as the buckle and swage fastener100shown inFIGS. 1A and 1B. In the case of installing push-type fasteners with a simple flat piece of material, there are several issues that may occur, specifically with flush type fasteners. Referring toFIG. 1B, the fastener manufactured head120of any flush type fastener is designed to fit precisely into the matching recess generated within the structure102. In the case of a push-type flush head fastener, where force is used to hold the fastener manufactured head120in place and counter act the installation forces on the fastener upset side130during the installation process, it is possible to not properly seat the fastener manufactured head120within the structure102. This can occur if the fastener manufactured head120is even slightly smaller than the matching recess. Thus, a large flat stock of material, which spans the gap and is flush to the surface would create a small void between the fastener head and the pocket. It is possible to use a small tool to only make contact with the fastener manufactured head120, but alignment would be an issue and if the tool is too small the user runs the risk of “dishing” the fastener head such that the defined angle, e.g. 100 degrees, is deformed to an undesirable smaller angle, e.g. 90 degrees, creating voids between the fastener head and the matching recess. In the event of a sleeved fastener, such as the one shown inFIGS. 1A and 1B, too much force applied only on the manufactured head of the pin70may cause the sleeve head55to deform beyond flush, creating drag on the flying structure if not sanded down, and reducing the desired wall thickness of the fastener head to shank junction, leading to lower mechanical values of tension and fatigue.

In view of the above, what is needed is a tooling installation system having unique tools which provide an external force directly to the sleeve end of a fastener to create a bulb on the sleeve of the fastener. Additionally, the novel tooling installation system described in the present disclosure may define a sleeve capture nose with specific geometry to capture the sleeve column such that a double buckle or double bulb cannot take place.

SUMMARY

According to one aspect, a manufactured head retaining tool for securing a plurality of workpieces with a buckle and swage type fastener is provided. The manufacturing head retaining tool comprises a housing having a first side and a second side integrally connected by a base forming a cavity, where the cavity includes an upper cavity portion and a lower cavity portion; a sleeve head interaction piece having a first sleeve end and a second sleeve end, the sleeve head interaction pieced adapted to be received within the upper cavity portion of the housing; a pin head interaction piece, having an upper and a lower end, extending vertically through the sleeve head interaction piece such that the lower end of the pin head interaction piece extends into the lower cavity portion of the housing forming a gap between the pin head interaction piece and the base of the housing; a first movement mechanism located within and between the pin head interaction piece and the base of the housing; and a second movement mechanism located around an outer surface of the lower end of the pin head interaction piece within the lower cavity portion of the housing. The first movement mechanism and the second movement mechanism moves the manufactured head retaining tool between a first position and a second position.

According to one feature, when in the first position, the first and second movement mechanisms are both in an extended position allowing for the gap to be open; and wherein when in the second position, the first and second movement spring mechanisms are contacted upon application of forces onto the manufactured head retaining tool resulting in the gap closing.

According to another feature, the pin head interaction piece further includes an alignment nose extending vertically outward from the upper end of the pin head interaction piece.

According to yet another feature, the lower end of the pin interaction piece includes an opening extending from a bottom surface of the pin head interaction piece vertically upward at least partially into the lower end of the pin head interaction piece.

According to yet another feature, the base of the housing includes a second opening which is aligned with the first opening in the lower end of the pin head interaction piece.

According to yet another feature, the first movement mechanism extends within and between the first and second opening.

According to yet another feature, the first and second movement mechanisms are springs.

According to another aspect, an installation tool for buckling a fastener sleeve column of a buckle and swage type fastener is provided. The tool comprises a housing having a first side having a first vertical member integrally connected to a first horizontal member; a second side having a second vertical member integrally connected to a second horizontal member, where the first and second sides form a cavity having an upper cavity portion and a lower cavity portion; and an aperture located between the first and second horizontal member. The tool further comprises a sleeve capture nose located at least partially in the lower cavity portion of the housing, the sleeve capture nose including an opening, having a first end and a second end, extending vertically through the sleeve capture nose; and a buckling pin, the buckling pin comprising a locating section having an upper end and a lower end; a loading head secured to the upper end and on top of the locating section, the locating section extending into the aperture of the housing; and a buckling section extending vertically downward from the lower end of the locating section; and a movement mechanism located around an outer surface of the locating section.

According to one feature, side ends of the loading head are on top of the first and second horizontal members of the housing.

According to another feature, the opening comprises a first inner diameter extending from the first end to a first point within the opening; and a second inner diameter extending from the second to a second point within the opening; and wherein the second point is located below the first point; and wherein the distance between the first point and the second point forms a transition zone which increases linearly in size from the first point to the second point.

According to yet another feature, the locating section is in the upper cavity portion.

According to yet another feature, the movement mechanism is a spring.

According to yet another feature, the movement mechanism is selected from the group consisting of a hydraulic mechanism, a pneumatic mechanism and an electric power supply and controls mechanism.

According to yet another aspect, an installation tooling system for installing a fastener comprising a pin located within a sleeve where the pin includes a pin head end and an opposing tail end is provided. The system comprises a manufactured head retaining tool adapted for contacting the pin head end during installation of the fastener. The manufactured head retaining tool comprises a first housing having a first side and a second side integrally connected by a base forming a first cavity, where the first cavity includes a first upper cavity portion and a first lower cavity portion; a sleeve head interaction piece having a first sleeve end and a second sleeve end, the sleeve head interaction pieced adapted to be received within the upper cavity portion of the housing; a pin head interaction piece, having an upper and a lower end, extending vertically through the sleeve head interaction piece such that the lower end of the pin head interaction piece extends into the lower cavity portion of the housing forming a gap between the pin head interaction piece and the base of the housing; a first movement mechanism located within and between the pin head interaction piece and the base of the housing; and a second movement mechanism located around an outer surface of the lower end of the pin head interaction piece within the lower cavity portion of the housing.

The installation tooling system further comprises an installation tool adapted for contacting the tail end during installation of the fastener. The installation tool comprises a second housing having a first side having a first vertical member integrally connected to a first horizontal member; a second side having a second vertical member integrally connected to a second horizontal member, where the first and second sides form a second cavity having a second upper cavity portion and a second lower cavity portion; and an aperture located between the first and second horizontal members. The installation tool further comprises a sleeve capture nose located at least partially in the second lower cavity portion of the second housing, the sleeve capture nose including a first opening, having a first end and a second end, extending vertically through the sleeve capture nose. The installation tool also comprises a buckling pin which comprises a locating section having an upper end and a lower end; a loading head secured to the upper end and on top of the locating section, the locating section extending into the aperture of the housing; and a buckling section extending vertically downward from the lower end of the locating section. The installation tool also comprises a third movement mechanism located around an outer surface of the locating section.

According to one feature, the installation tool further comprises a swage tool adapted to swage the sleeve of the fastener during installation. The installation swage tool comprises a first swage end; a second swage end opposing the first end; and a second opening extending from the first swage end to the second swage end. The opening having an inner surface comprising an inlet diameter; a swage diameter extending from the inlet diameter to the first swage end; and a relief area integrally extending from the second swage end to the connected to the swage diameter.

According to another feature, the relief area of the inner surface has a relief area diameter, the relief area diameter having a uniform diameter extending from the second swage end to a first point of the inner surface; and wherein from the first point on the inner surface to a second point on the inner surface the relief area diameter decreases.

According to yet another feature the swage diameter extends from the second point of the inner surface to a third point on the inner surface.

According to another feature, the inlet diameter extends from the third point to the first swage end.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following description numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, one skilled in the art would recognize that the invention might be practiced without these specific design details. In other instances, well known methods, procedures, and/or components have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the invention.

Buckle and Swage Type Fastener and General Installation

Overview

The installation process best suited for a buckle and swage type fastener is accomplished by the installation tooling system of the present disclosure. The installation tool system include three major processes. These processes, described below in further detail, include the process of holding the fastener manufactured head in place on one side of the structure, the process of buckling the fastener sleeve column, and the process of swaging the fastener sleeve into the fastener pin.

The installation tooling system is specifically designed for the installation of fasteners comprised of the two components pin and sleeve for buckle and swage installations. The installation tooling system having unique features which provide external forces directly to the sleeve end of the fastener to deform a portion of the sleeve radially outward and onto the structure prior to swaging a second portion of the sleeve radially inward onto the pin. The installation tooling system also having features to control the formation of the sleeve by capturing an external portion of the sleeve and creating a cavity between the tool and the structure in order to achieve proper bulb formation during the installation process prior to swage. Another feature exists to provide specific forces to each of the head of the pin and head of the sleeve to insure proper seating of the fastener head against the structure such that it may induce residual compressive stresses within the structure, thus improving mechanical properties such as fatigue life of the structure.

Buckle and Swage Type Fastener Installation Tooling

An installation tooling system that is used to install Buckle and Swage type fasteners, at minimum, needs to have the ability to transfer the required installation forces to (1) the fastener manufactured head120of the fastener100, in order to keep the fastener100in place during the installation; (2) the fastener upset side130to buckle the sleeve50creating the upset head111; and (3) swage the column section53of the sleeve50radially inward around the externally threaded locking grooves74of the pin70, creating the permanent interlocking feature110. The novel tooling of the present disclosure described herein will facilitate transfer of these forces. While the figures and descriptions here are shown in mechanical forms (i.e. having spring mechanisms), it should be understood that these tools could operate on the principals of hydraulic, pneumatic, or electric power supply and controls as well.

In the present disclosure, the installation tooling system comprises a plurality of tools that may be used alone or in combination for installing fasteners, such as the fastener shown inFIG. 1A. In the system of the present disclosure, a fastener manufactured head side tool200is provided. The fastener manufactured head side tool200is used for transferring an installation load to the fastener head through relative movement of the components of the fastener manufactured head side tool200such that the fastener is seated properly within the structure. An example of a very simple retaining tool currently used in the industry for the fastener manufactured head side may be a flat piece of material, such as a bucking bar. However, for improved fastener installations and mechanical properties described above, one conceptual design employing mechanical elements is shown inFIG. 2.

Manufactured Head Retaining Tool

FIG. 2illustrates the manufactured head retaining tool200designed to seat the fastener manufactured head120and hold the fastener100in place during installation in a work piece, in accordance with one aspect. The manufactured head retaining tool200comprises a housing210having a first side210aand a second side210bintegrally connected by a base210cforming a cavity212, the cavity212having an upper cavity portion and a lower cavity portion. The external geometry of the housing210allows the manufactured head retaining tool200to be matched and used by current force delivery systems used in the industry. As such, the manufactured head retaining tool200of the present disclosure may act as an end effecter for automatic assembly systems. That is, the manufactured head retaining tool200acts as a nosepiece which is attached to a larger tool which creates the forces of installation.

The manufactured head retaining tool200may further comprise a sleeve head interaction piece220and a pin head interaction piece230. The sleeve head interaction piece220, having a first sleeve end221and an opposing second sleeve end222, is adapted to be received within the upper cavity portion of the housing210. Additionally, the first sleeve end221of the sleeve head interaction piece220may have specific geometry that conforms to the fastener100to ensure complete seating of the sleeve head interaction piece200with the fastener100as well as introduce residual compressive stresses in the structure as needed. That is, the geometry could indent or deform the sleeve head55to ensure a match fit to the structure. The presence of residual compressive stresses around the fastener hole helps enhance the fatigue life of the structure102. Since fatigue generates under applied tensile stress and is related to the magnitude of tensile stress, whenever the compressive residual stresses exist within the structure applied external tensile stresses must first overcome these residual compressive stresses. Thus, the net value of tensile stress applied to the structure which can potentially create a fatigue crack is reduced. The applied installation forces on the fastener head transfer some of these forces to the structure and create these desired compressive stresses on the structure.

The pin head interaction piece230, having an upper end230aand a lower end230b, extends vertically through the sleeve head interaction piece220such that the lower end230bof the pin head interaction piece230extends into the lower cavity portion of the housing210forming a gap240between the pin head interaction piece230and the base210cof the housing. That is, the pin head interaction piece230, does not come into contact with the base210cof the housing210while in a first state.

In other words, the sleeve head interaction piece220has an inner geometry capable of retaining the pin head interaction piece230or put another way, the pin head interaction piece230has an outer geometry designed to fit within the inner geometry of the sleeve head interaction piece220. Furthermore, the outer diameter of the sleeve head interaction piece220is designed to fit within the cavity of the housing210. According to one embodiment, the pin head interaction piece230may further include an alignment nose231extending vertically outward from the upper end230aof the pin head interaction piece230. As shown inFIG. 2, the alignment nose231may be a small protrusion sticking upwardly outward from approximately the center of the edge of the upper end230a. The alignment nose231is designed to center the manufactured head retaining tool200to the fastener100which has a matching recession233(SeeFIG. 3) in the head of the fastener pin70adapted to receive the alignment nose231according to one embodiment, In another embodiment, the head of the fastener pin70may have a flat surface and the recess233is formed when forces (F) are applied to the manufactured head retaining tool200and the alignment nose231comes into contact with the flat head of the fastener pin70creating the recess233.

The lower end230bof the pin head interaction piece230may include an opening216extending from the bottom surface230b1of the pin head interaction piece230vertically upward at least partially into the lower end230bof the pin head interaction piece230. Additionally, the base210cof the housing210also includes an opening218which is aligned with the opening216in the lower end230bof the pin head interaction piece230c. A first spring mechanism220(or spring) may be located within and extend between the openings216and218. A second spring mechanism214(or spring) may be located around outer surface of the lower end230bof the pin head interaction piece230located within the lower portion of the cavity212.

The first spring mechanism220and the second spring mechanism214allow the manufactured head retaining tool200to operate between a first position and a second position as shown inFIGS. 3A-3C. When in the first position, the first and second spring mechanism220,214are both in an extended position allowing for the gap240to be open as shown inFIG. 2. Conversely, when in the second position, the first and second spring mechanism220,214are being contacted upon application of forces onto the manufactured head retaining tool200resulting in the gap240closing. That is, when the first spring mechanism220is compressed such that the base210cof the housing comes into contact with the bottom surface230b1of the pin head interaction piece230, the gap240closes and all additional loads and forces (F) will be transferred directly from the housing210to the head of the fastener pin70. Additionally, compressing the first spring mechanism220causes the first sleeve end221of the sleeve head interaction piece220to contact the fastener sleeve50while the second sleeve end222of the sleeve head interaction piece220comes in contact with the second spring mechanism214such that as forces (F) are applied during installation, the sleeve head interaction piece220can adjust its position within the cavity212of the housing210as required.

Additionally, the second spring mechanism214constrained within the housing210may have a desired preload applied by the sleeve head interaction piece220. As the manufactured head retaining tool200is employed this preload becomes the force which moves the sleeve interaction tool220within the housing210, and consequently applies force directly to the sleeve manufactured head55of the fastener100.

The first spring mechanism220may be designed to initially apply a small force to the pin interaction tool230, such that it remains properly located within the sleeve interaction tool220, until the gap240is closed during the relative movement of the installation process, and any additional force travels from the housing210, directly through the pin head interaction piece230, to the head of the fastener pin70.

The first and second spring mechanisms as shown in the figures are by way of example and any type of movement mechanism may be utilized. According to other embodiments, the movement mechanisms may be hydraulic, pneumatic, or electric power supply and controls.

FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3Cillustrate the installation process of an installation tool for seating the manufactured head interacting with the typical Buckle and Swage type fastener, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. First, as shown inFIG. 3A, the manufactured head retaining tool200is aligned with a fastener100by matching the alignment nose231to a matching recession233in the head of the fastener pin70. A force F is then applied axially on the housing210, which travels through the second spring mechanism214, to the sleeve head interaction tool220, and onto the sleeve head55of the fastener sleeve50. This initial load captures the sleeve head55from deforming outside of the structure and ensures a good seat of the manufacture fastener head120to the structure. This in turn means a better fatigue life of the structure. When the proper load is reached, the second spring mechanism214will begin to deform such that the housing210will begin to move toward the structure and reduce the gap240. (SeeFIG. 3B) When this movement equals that of the gap240and the gap240is closed, the pin interaction tool230will be in contact with the housing base210c, transferring all additional loads and forces directly from the housing210, through the pin head interaction tool230, to the head of the fastener pin70. (SeeFIG. 3C) It is in this collapsed state300(SeeFIG. 3C) that the manufacture head tool200will spend almost the entire installation process.

Installation Tool

The fundamental function of the installation tool400(or buckling process tool) is to transfer an installation load to the fastener sleeve upset end130, through relative movement of the tool components, such that the fastener sleeve50buckles at the desired location, forming a single bulb111against the structure102. One conceptual design employing mechanical elements is shown inFIG. 4.

FIG. 4illustrates an installation tool400for buckling the fastener sleeve column, in accordance with one aspect. The installation tool400may be used in combination with the manufactured head retaining tool200, as shown inFIGS. 5A-5B. The installation tool400comprises a housing410having a first side410aand a second side410bwith each side having a vertical member integrally connected to a horizontal member forming a cavity412, having an upper cavity portion and a lower cavity portion, and an aperture414located between and separating the horizontal members of each side of the housing.

The installation tool400further comprises a sleeve capture nose420located at least partially in the lower cavity portion of the housing, the sleeve capture nose420including an opening427extending from a first end to a second end428. The opening427includes a first inner diameter extending from the first end424of the sleeve capture nose420to a first point429within the opening427and designed to closely fit around the diameter of the assembled fastener100. This will capture a portion of the sleeve and ensure the sleeve buckling process takes place at the desired location during the installation. The opening in the sleeve capture nose420further includes a second inner diameter426extending from the second end428of the sleeve capture nose420to a second point431located within the opening427. Located between the first and second inner diameters is a transition zone in which the inner diameter increases linearly in size from the first point429to the second point431. The transition zone and second inner diameter426accommodate the sleeve bulb formed during the buckling process. According to one aspect, the first inner diameter closely matches and captures a portion of the sleeve diameter. According to one aspect, the second inner diameter and transition zone, when located in place on the fastener and onto the structure during the installation process, form a cavity in which the fastener sleeve may bulb under load.

The installation tool400further comprises a buckling pin440comprising a locating section444, the locating section444having an upper end444aand a lower end444b. The buckling pin440further comprises a loading head442secured to the upper end444aand on top of the locating section444, the locating section444extending into the aperture414of the housing410. As can be seen inFIG. 4, the side ends of the loading head are located on top of the first and second horizontal members of the housing410. The buckling pin440also comprises a buckling section446extending vertically downward from the lower end444bof the locating section

The configuration of the buckling pin400with the locating section444connected perpendicularly to the loading head442and adapted to be received within aperture of the housing410allows the buckling section446to be centered within the installation tool400, and centered to fit within the first inner diameter of the sleeve capture nose420. The buckling pin terminates at an end448which is designed to be in contact with, and transfer the buckling force to, the fastener sleeve end54during the installation process. A spring mechanism430(or spring or movement mechanism) may be located around outer surface of the locating section444located within the upper portion of the cavity.

The second end428of the sleeve capture nose420may be designed to be in contact with the structure or workpiece102such that when an axial load is applied to the loading head442(causing the spring mechanism430to compress) during installation of the fastener100, a portion of the load is transferred through the housing410, to the spring mechanism, to the sleeve capture nose420, and delivered to the structure surface112to provide the desired preload during installation of the fastener100. (Proper preload within the structure improves fatigue life of the structure and thus provides for a desirable fastener installation.)

The spring mechanism as shown in the figures are by way of example and any type of movement mechanism may be utilized. According to other embodiments, the movement mechanism may be hydraulic, pneumatic, or electric power supply and controls.

FIGS. 5A and 5Billustrate the buckling installation tool400performing the buckling of the fastener sleeve50to form the bulb111. It should be noted that during the buckling process, the cavity created by the transition area between points429and431, and the second inner diameter426, of the sleeve capture nose420is the only area in which the sleeve50may buckle and deform when placed under load. Thus, by capturing a portion of the sleeve column within the opening427of the sleeve capture nose420, the bulb111is always formed properly and against the structure.

With the sleeve buckling process complete, the fastener may be swaged to the pin in order to create the permanent interlocking feature110, as shown inFIGS. 7A-7B.

Installation Swage Tool

FIG. 6illustrates an installation swage tool600for swaging the fastener sleeve column53into the fastener pin locking grooves74, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure. The installation swage tool600, having a first end601and an opposing second end602with an opening604extending from the first end601to the second end602, is forced over the fastener sleeve50causing the outer diameter of the sleeve to be forced radially inward, reducing the outer diameter of the sleeve to that of the swage tool swage diameter, and thus forcing material of the sleeve50radially inward into the pin locking grooves74.

As shown, the opening604of the installation swage tool600has an inner surface comprising a swage diameter610extending from an inlet diameter620to the first end601. The inner surface of the opening602of the swage tool600also includes a relief area630extending from the second end602to the swage diameter. The second end602of the installation swage tool accepts an axial load to provide the force necessary to deform the sleeve50.

The geometry of the first end601is such that as the swage tool600is employed and pushed to full depth, this geometry may contact and interact with the sleeve bulb111formed in the buckling process. Furthermore, this geometry and interaction may be designed to leave a marking on the sleeve bulb111such that the end user has visual evidence that the installation is complete and the sleeve50has been properly swaged in place.

As shown inFIG. 6, the relief area630has a constant diameter from the second end to a first point607and then the diameter decreases linearly to a second point609forming a transition zone. The swage diameter610has a constant diameter and extends from the second point609to a third point611. The inlet diameter620has a diameter that increases as it extends from the third point611to the first end601.

FIGS. 7A and 7Billustrate the process of swaging the fastener sleeve column into the fastener pin component with the installation tooling, in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure. In other words, the swage tool600forces the sleeve50radially inward to interact with the pin locking groove section74. When the swage is complete and all tooling is removed from the structure, the fastener installation process is considered complete.

As shown inFIGS. 2-7A-7B, it is necessary to have a tool on each side of the structure at all times providing forces to the fastener. Although not described in detail, the sleeve buckling installation tool ofFIG. 4and the installation swage tool ofFIG. 6may be combined into a single tool to increase productivity and speed up installation times. A design of this nature may be of mechanical, pneumatic, or other operating styles.

One or more of the components and functions illustrated in the figures may be rearranged and/or combined into a single component or embodied in several components without departing from the invention. Additional elements or components may also be added without departing from the invention. Additionally, the features described herein may be implemented in software, hardware, as a business method, and/or combination thereof.