Abstract: A method of loading bolts of a bolted flange connection includes obtaining an initial bolt load value for each of the bolts; loading each of the bolts, in sequence, to a respective initial bolt load value; wherein each of the bolts achieves a resultant bolt load value that meets a predetermined bolt load value.

Abstract: A direct tension indicating washer includes a body having a first surface having a protuberance formed thereon; the body having a second surface having an indentation formed opposite the protuberance; and an insert positioned internal to the body, the body and the insert being made from materials of different hardness.

Abstract: A direct tension indicating washer includes a body having a first surface having a protuberance formed thereon; the body having a second surface having an indentation formed opposite the protuberance; a plurality of centering elements positioned at an inner diameter of the body, the centering elements extending radially inwardly from the inner diameter of the body.

Abstract: A direct tension indicating washer includes a body having a first surface having a protuberance formed thereon; the body having a second surface having an indentation formed opposite the protuberance; and an insert positioned internal to the body, the body and the insert being made from materials of different hardness.

Abstract: A direct tension indicating washer includes a first surface having a plurality bumps formed thereon; a second surface having a plurality of discrete indentations, each indentation formed opposite one of said protuberances; an indicating material positioned in at least one indentation, the indicating material including an indicating material having a first color and an indicating material having a second color; and a channel leading from the at least one indentation to an outer edge of said direct tension indicating washer.

Abstract: A method of making a direct tension indicating washer including: forming a first surface having a discrete protuberance formed thereon; forming a second surface having a discrete indentation formed opposite the protuberance; and positioning an indicating material in the indentation, wherein the indicating material has a cured skin on an outside of the indicating material and a liquid core in an interior of the indicating material.

Abstract: A direct tension indicating washer includes a first surface having a plurality bumps formed thereon; a second surface having a plurality of discrete indentations, each indentation formed opposite one of said protuberances; an indicating material positioned in at least one indentation, the indicating material including an indicating material having a first color and an indicating material having a second color; and a channel leading from the at least one indentation to an outer edge of said direct tension indicating washer.

Abstract: A method of making a direct tension indicating washer including: forming a first surface having a discrete protuberance formed thereon; forming a second surface having a discrete indentation formed opposite the protuberance; and positioning an indicating material in the indentation, wherein the indicating material has a cured skin on an outside of the indicating material and a liquid core in an interior of the indicating material.

Abstract: A direct tension indicating washer including a first surface having a protuberance formed thereon; a second surface having an indentation formed opposite the protuberance; an indicating material positioned in the indentation; and a channel leading from the indentation to an outer diameter of the direct tension indicating washer; wherein the protuberance has four walls, each of the walls being substantially perpendicular to the first surface.

Abstract: A direct tension indicating washer including a first surface having a protuberance formed thereon; a second surface having an indentation formed opposite the protuberance; an indicating material positioned in the indentation; and a channel leading from the indentation to an outer diameter of the direct tension indicating washer; wherein the protuberance has four walls, each of the walls being substantially perpendicular to the first surface.

Abstract: A direct tension indicating washer including: a first surface having a discrete protuberance formed thereon; a second surface having a discrete indentation formed opposite the protuberances; and an indicating material positioned in the indentation, wherein the indicating material has a cured skin on an outside of the indicating material and a compressible, liquid core in an interior of the indicating material. When the bolt tension reaches a predetermined level, the liquid cores erupts through the cured skin causing a climactic and dramatic appearance of the indicating material about an edge of the washer.

Abstract: A friction reducing device comprises a stretchable thin film of elastomeric material impregnated or dusted with lubricating material. The thin film adheres to an annular member through which a fastener element having external threads can pass.

Abstract: A friction reducing device comprises a stretchable thin film of elastomeric material impregnated or dusted with lubricating material. The thin film adheres to an annular member through which a fastener element having external threads can pass.

Abstract: A washer extrudes indicating material of varying colors depending on the compression force applied to it by providing a first and second surface having respective bumps and indentations. The compression force on the washer is equal to the tension of a bolt passing through the washer. The indentations in the second surface are filled with a solid extrudable colored material. By making at least a first bump taller than at least a second bump, the first bump will compress before the second bump, causing it to extrude the color material in its corresponding indentation before the second bump does the same as the tension in the bolt is increased. By making the material under the first bump a different color than the material under the second bump, an operator can determine which of two desired tensions the bolt has reached.

Abstract: A direct tension indicating washer including a body having an internal opening formed therein and at least one arched tab connected to the body. The arched tab has a fixed end integral with the body and a distal end movable with respect to the body. Indicia is formed on the arched tab and when the direct tension indicating washer is tensioned, the arched tab moves away from the body. Alignment of the indicia with a reference indicates proper tension. Another embodiment of the invention is a direct tension indicating washer having a body having an internal opening formed therein and at least one arch connected to the body. The arch has a first end integral with the body, a second end integral with the body and an intermediate portion between the first end and second end. The intermediate portion is positioned above a top surface of the body.

Abstract: A direct tension indicating and maintaining washer has a first surface having at least one protuberance formed thereon and a second surface having at least one indentation formed therein opposite the protuberance. The inner diameter of the direct tension indicating and maintaining washer has an inner diameter wall meeting the second surface at an inner diameter edge. The outer diameter has an outer diameter wall meeting the second surface at an outer diameter edge. The inner diameter edge and the outer diameter edge lie in different planes. This causes the flattened direct tension indicating and maintaining washer to exert force against a bolt and maintain bolt tension. An alternative direct tension indicating and maintaining washer includes indicating material positioned in the indentation and a channel formed in the second surface leading from the indentation to the outside diameter of the direct tension indicating washer.

Abstract: A direct tension indicating and maintaining washer has a first surface having at least one protuberance formed thereon and a second surface having at least one indentation formed therein opposite the protuberance. The inner diameter of the direct tension indicating and maintaining washer has an inner diameter wall meeting the second surface at an inner diameter edge. The outer diameter has an outer diameter wall meeting the second surface at an outer diameter edge. The inner diameter edge and the outer diameter edge lie in different planes. This causes the flattened direct tension indicating and maintaining washer to exert force against a bolt and maintain bolt tension. An alternative direct tension indicating and maintaining washer includes indicating material positioned in the indentation and a channel formed in the second surface leading from the indentation to the outside diameter of the direct tension indicating washer.