CPC B25B 21/023 (2013.01) [B25B 23/00 (2013.01)] | 76 Claims |
1. A fastener tool for loosening or tightening a fastener mounted on a structure, said fastener tool comprising:
a tool body;
a horn adapted and sized to apply an acoustic or ultrasonic energy into said fastener;
an acoustic/ultrasonic generator for generating said acoustic or ultrasonic energy that passes through said horn and into said fastener to facilitate fastening or loosening said fastener; and
wherein the fastener comprising fastener threads that mate with mating structure threads of said structure at a thread-engagement area of said structure and a first end that is directly or indirectly engaged by said horn during loosening or fastening when said acoustic or ultrasonic energy is applied thereto, said acoustic/ultrasonic generator generating said acoustic or ultrasonic energy that travels into said fastener and becomes concentrated or focused at a predetermined target location in said fastener;
wherein said horn is adapted to apply a rotational torque substantially simultaneously as said acoustic or ultrasonic energy passes into said fastener in response to a rotational torque being applied to said horn;
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 target location being along a length of said fastener so that when said horn is caused to rotate, a friction or pressure between the head and/or nut and said head and/or nut engagement area and also between said fastener threads and said structure threads is at least partly reduced;
said predetermined target 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.
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