US 12,434,340 B2
Concentrated longitudinal acoustical/ultrasonic energy fastener design and manipulation system having at least one or a plurality of flexible ultrasonic joints
Gary Lee Ward, Pleasant Hill, OH (US)
Filed by Gary Lee Ward, Pleasant Hill, OH (US)
Filed on Nov. 18, 2022, as Appl. No. 18/056,832.
Application 18/056,832 is a continuation in part of application No. 17/324,770, filed on May 19, 2021, granted, now 11,890,728.
Prior Publication US 2023/0083901 A1, Mar. 16, 2023
Int. Cl. B23P 25/00 (2006.01); B23P 19/06 (2006.01); B25B 21/00 (2006.01)
CPC B23P 25/00 (2013.01) [B23P 19/06 (2013.01); B25B 21/00 (2013.01)] 102 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
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; and
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
a flexible ultrasonic joint that couples said tool body to said horn, said flexible ultrasonic joint permitting said horn to pivot about at least one predetermined axis, said flexible ultrasonic joint being adapted to transmit a rotational torque to said horn and permitting said horn to pivot relative to said body so that an axis of said horn is not coaxial with an axis of said tool body while transmitting said acoustic or ultrasonic energy to said fastener;
wherein said fastener comprises an 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 ultrasonic or acoustic energy that travels through said horn and into said fastener and becomes concentrated or focused at a predetermined target location in said fastener;
said predetermined target location being along a length of said fastener so that a friction between threads of said fasteners and threads of the structures is at least partly reduced during loosening or tightening.