| Fatigue Technology, Inc. Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
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| 20130031769 | DOUBLE FLANGED BUSHINGS AND INSTALLATION METHODS - A dual bushing installation kit includes a first metal bushing and a second metal bushing. The first metal bushing can include a first body having first and second ends. The first and second ends are connected by a first outer surface having a first outer circumference and a first inner surface having a first inner circumference. The second metal bushing is defined by a second body having first and second ends. The first and second ends are connected by a second outer surface having a second outer circumference and a second inner surface having a second inner circumference. The second outer circumference is dimensioned to be substantially conforming with the first inner circumference such that the second bushing is closely receivable by a first opening of the first bushing. Both the second outer circumference and the first inner circumference can be expanded in an outwardly radial direction. | 02-07-2013 |
| 20120317787 | MODULAR NUT PLATES WITH CLOSED NUT ASSEMBLIES - A nut plate assembly includes a nut retainer and a bushing for expanding a tubular body of the retainer. The retainer assembly is used to cold work an opening of a workpiece in order to fix the nut retainer assembly relative to the workpiece. A nut can be snapped into the retainer. A method of installation includes passing a mandrel through the bushing to radially expand the bushing into a tubular body of the retainer. The tubular body is compressed between the workpiece and bushing as the bushing is displaced radially causing corresponding radial displacement of the tubular body. The expanded bushing applies pressure to the tubular body for a desired fit between the nut retainer and workpiece. | 12-20-2012 |
| 20120304577 | EXPANDABLE CRACK INHIBITORS AND METHODS OF USING THE SAME - One or more crack inhibitors can be installed to improve fatigue performance by producing stress states that prevent or inhibit crack initiation. Crack inhibitors can also prevent or retard crack growth. A mandrel can be used to radially expand the crack inhibitors to both induce compressive residual stresses and to form an interference fit between the crack inhibitor and a workpiece. The mandrel can be removed from the installed crack inhibitor, which is left in the workpiece to ensure proper stress states are maintained. | 12-06-2012 |
| 20120233846 | ALIGNMENT DEVICE AND METHODS OF USING THE SAME - An alignment device is located on a mandrel of an installation tool and is used to align a structural member in an opening of a workpiece while seating a radial flange of the structural member against a first surface of the workpiece. The alignment device comprises a disk-shaped device having an outer surface, an inner surface forming an opening through the alignment device, and where the opening is sized to be at least slightly smaller than a major diameter of an expansion portion of the mandrel. In one embodiment, the alignment is nylon to allow the inner surface of the alignment device to be repeatedly, radially expanded and yet the opening formed by the inner surface returns to its original size. | 09-20-2012 |
| 20120137500 | INSTALLATION/PROCESSING SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF USING THE SAME - Installation/processing tools may be used to install one or more expandable structures in a workpiece. An installation/processing tool may include an expansion mandrel, a processing tool, and an expansion assembly having an expansion jaw movable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. An expandable portion of the expansion jaw is sized to fit within a passageway of an expandable member. When the mandrel is moved through the expansion assembly, the expansion jaw is moved between the collapsed and expanded configurations to cause expansion of the expandable member. The installation/processing tool can also be used to cold work a workpiece. | 06-07-2012 |
| 20120036913 | MANDREL ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF USING THE SAME - A mandrel assembly has a mandrel, a biasing member, and a outer member. The biasing member biasly maintains the outer member in a first position, which corresponds to a contoured portion of the mandrel, when the outer member is either on the access or the blind side of a workpiece. The biasing member is compressible to allow the outer member to move into a second position as the outer member is moved through an opening in the workpiece. In the first position, the outer member includes a maximum outer circumference that is larger than the opening of the structural workpiece. In the second position, the outer member includes a maximum outer circumference that fits within the opening of the structural workpiece. | 02-16-2012 |
| 20110277306 | ALIGNMENT DEVICE AND METHODS OF USING THE SAME - An alignment device is located on a mandrel of an installation tool and is used to align a structural member in an opening of a workpiece while seating a radial flange of the structural member against a first surface of the workpiece. The alignment device comprises a disk-shaped device having an outer surface, an inner surface forming an opening through the alignment device, and where the opening is sized to be at least slightly smaller than a major diameter of an expansion portion of the mandrel. In one embodiment, the alignment is nylon to allow the inner surface of the alignment device to be repeatedly, radially expanded and yet the opening formed by the inner surface returns to its original size. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110214270 | SELF-ALIGNING TOOLS AND SEATING ASSEMBLIES - Self-aligning tools may be used to install and reposition an expandable structure in a workpiece. A self-aligning installation system may include an expansion mandrel, self-aligning nose cap assembly, and an installation tool for driving the mandrel. The expansion mandrel is sized to fit within a passageway of an expandable member such that the expandable member radially expands when the expansion mandrel is moved through the passageway. The self-aligning nose cap assembly moves relative to the installation tool and mandrel. A self-aligning seating system can be used to move the installed expandable member. The self-aligning seating system includes a seat backing, a seat base, and a pull rod coupled to the seat backing and extending through the seat base. The seat backing slidably engages the seat base to permit rotation of the pull rod. | 09-08-2011 |
| 20110209518 | MANDREL WITH RETENTION SLEEVE AND METHODS OF USING THE SAME - Self-aligning tools may be used to install and reposition an expandable structure in a workpiece. A self-aligning installation system may include an expansion mandrel, self-aligning nose cap assembly, and an installation tool for driving the mandrel. The expansion mandrel is sized to fit within a passageway of an expandable member such that the expandable member radially expands when the expansion mandrel is moved through the passageway. The self-aligning nose cap assembly moves relative to the installation tool and mandrel. A self-aligning seating system can be used to move the installed expandable member. The self-aligning seating system includes a seat backing, a seat base, and a pull rod coupled to the seat backing and extending through the seat base. The seat backing slidably engages the seat base to permit rotation of the pull rod. | 09-01-2011 |
| 20110182692 | NUT PLATE ASSEMBLY AND METHODS OF USING THE SAME - A nut plate assembly includes a nut retainer and a bushing for expanding a tubular body of the retainer. The retainer assembly is used to cold work an opening of a workpiece in order to fix the nut retainer assembly relative to the workpiece. A nut member can be snapped into the retainer. A method of installation includes passing a mandrel through the bushing to radially expand the bushing into a tubular body of the retainer. The tubular body is compressed between the workpiece and bushing as the bushing is displaced radially causing corresponding radial displacement of the tubular body. The expanded bushing applies pressure to the tubular body for a desired fit between the nut retainer and workpiece. | 07-28-2011 |
| 20110150599 | MODULAR NUT PLATE ASSEMBLIES AND METHODS OF USING THE SAME - A nut plate assembly includes a nut retainer and a bushing for expanding a tubular body of the retainer. The retainer assembly is used to cold work an opening of a workpiece in order to fix the nut retainer assembly relative to the workpiece. A nut can be snapped into the retainer. A method of installation includes passing a mandrel through the bushing to radially expand the bushing into a tubular body of the retainer. The tubular body is compressed between the workpiece and bushing as the bushing is displaced radially causing corresponding radial displacement of the tubular body. The expanded bushing applies pressure to the tubular body for a desired fit between the nut retainer and workpiece. | 06-23-2011 |
| 20100260572 | INSTALLABLE ASSEMBLY HAVING AN EXPANDABLE OUTER MEMBER AND A FASTENER WITH A MANDREL - A fastener assembly is installable in an opening of a workpiece and includes an outer member and a fastener. The fastener is movable through a passageway of the outer member. The fastener includes a mandrel and a stem. The mandrel is dimensioned to radially expand the outer member. The stem has an expansion portion and a propping portion. The expansion portion radially expands the outer member after the outer member has been expanded by the mandrel. The propping portion keeps the expanded outer member in an installed expanded configuration. The outer member and fastener are installed in a single operation to reduce installation time. | 10-14-2010 |
| 20100236048 | Alignment device and methods of using the same - An alignment device is located on a mandrel of an installation tool and is used to align a structural member in an opening of a workpiece while seating a radial flange of the structural member against a first surface of the workpiece. The alignment device comprises a disk-shaped device having an outer surface, an inner surface forming an opening through the alignment device, and where the opening is sized to be at least slightly smaller than a major diameter of an expansion portion of the mandrel. In one embodiment, the alignment is nylon to allow the inner surface of the alignment device to be repeatedly, radially expanded and yet the opening formed by the inner surface returns to its original size. | 09-23-2010 |
| 20100018282 | MANDREL ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF USING THE SAME - A mandrel assembly has a mandrel, a biasing member, and a outer member. The biasing member biasly maintains the outer member in a first position, which corresponds to a contoured portion of the mandrel, when the outer member is either on the access or the blind side of a workpiece. The biasing member is compressible to allow the outer member to move into a second position as the outer member is moved through an opening in the workpiece. In the first position, the outer member includes a maximum outer circumference that is larger than the opening of the structural workpiece. In the second position, the outer member includes a maximum outer circumference that fits within the opening of the structural workpiece. | 01-28-2010 |
| 20090304315 | BUSHING KITS, BEARINGS, AND METHODS OF INSTALLATION - At least one embodiment of the invention generally relates to a bushing kit ( | 12-10-2009 |
| 20090178262 | EXPANDABLE FASTENER ASSEMBLY WITH DEFORMED COLLAR - At least one embodiment generally relates to an installation assembly for an opening in a workpiece that includes a swaged collar, an inner member, and an outer member. The swaged collar has a first end, a second end, and a main body extending between the first end and the second end. The main body includes an inner surface defining a passageway through the collar. The inner member has a mandrel section for expanding the outer member. The inner member is used to expand the outer member and to keep the outer member in an expanded state. | 07-16-2009 |
