Abstract: A subsea tensioner system that includes a one or more spring activated piston return subsea tensioners. The subsea tensioner system can use a spring activated subsea tensioner because the subsea tensioner system uses non-toxic fluid to drive a piston disposed within the subsea tensioner, and when the piston reaches a second position a fluid release valve is opened thus allowing the fluid used to drive the piston to be emptied into the local underwater environment. The subsea tensioner system eliminates the need for topside trips to return the piston to an initial position to take another stroke.

Abstract: A method for automatically cycling a torque wrench. The method includes providing a hydraulic torque wrench. Providing an actuating device on the hydraulic torque wrench. Providing a switching device on the hydraulic torque wrench. Adapting the switching device to be activated by the actuating device when a piston of the torque wrench is at the end of a stroke. The embodiments of the method allow a user to ensure that a proper torque on a threaded fastener is achieved. This ensures that the pressure achieved within the system is a result of a proper torque applied to a threaded fastener being achieved, and not a result of the piston at the end of its stroke.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hydraulic dampening system which has particular utility with power tools. The hydraulic dampening system includes a cylinder and a piston positioned within and movable through a stroke. The piston has a retract face which forms a first chamber with a first end wall of the cylinder and a face opposed to the retract face which forms a second chamber with a second end wall of the cylinder. The hydraulic dampening system also includes at least one port and/or at least one gap for dampening movement of the piston during its stroke.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-swivel connector for a fluid operated power tool. The connector has a post with an axis, a swivel member having an axis perpendicular to the axis of the post, a mechanism for limiting rotation of the swivel member about said post axis to an arc less than 360 degrees, and a fitting member mounted to the swivel member. The fitting member is tiltable about the axis of the swivel member through at least a 90 degree arc and rotatable with the swivel member about the axis of the post.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-swivel connector for a fluid operated power tool. The connector has a post with an axis, a swivel member having an axis perpendicular to the axis of the post, a mechanism for limiting rotation of the swivel member about said post axis to an arc less than 360 degrees, and a fitting member mounted to the swivel member. The fitting member is tiltable about the axis of the swivel member through at least a 90 degree arc and rotatable with the swivel member about the axis of the post.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a flow regulation device for mitigating over travel of a piston in a fluid operated tool. The flow regulation device includes a flow channel through which flows an operating fluid to be supplied to operate the piston within the tool and a movable flow restrictor within the flow channel. The flow restrictor has an internal fluid passageway for regulating the flow rate of the operating fluid being supplied to the tool to operate the piston. The flow restrictor also has a frustoconical portion which mates or seats against a portion of the flow channel as fluid is being supplied to operate the piston. A spring is provided to insure that the frustoconical portion seats against the mating portion of the flow channel. When the piston is retracted and operating fluid is being returned to a supply, the force applied by the spring is overcome and the flow restrictor is moved so that the frustoconical portion is unseated from the mating portion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved housing for use in power tools such as power wrenches. The improved housing is formed by a unibody construction having a cylindrical portion for housing a drive unit for the tool and an integrally formed shroud for housing a rotatable wheel and a linkage system for rotating the wheel, which shroud has a front opening. The shroud is immovable relative to the cylindrical portion and includes an upper wall, two side walls and a lower wall. The lower wall has a substantially linear portion and an arcuately shaped central web structure extending from the linear portion. The front opening in the shroud is formed by a front edge of the upper wall, an upper edge of the central web structure, and edges of the two side walls. The housing further has a cover for closing the front opening in the shroud, which cover is attached to and overlaps both a front portion of the upper wall and the lower wall.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a flow regulation device for mitigating over travel of a piston in a fluid operated tool. The flow regulation device includes a flow channel through which flows an operating fluid to be supplied to operate the piston within the tool and a movable flow restrictor within the flow channel. The flow restrictor has an internal fluid passageway for regulating the flow rate of the operating fluid being supplied to the tool to operate the piston. The flow restrictor also has a frustoconical portion which mates or seats against a portion of the flow channel as fluid is being supplied to operate the piston. A spring is provided to insure that the frustoconical portion seats against the mating portion of the flow channel. When the piston is retracted and operating fluid is being returned to a supply, the force applied by the spring is overcome and the flow restrictor is moved so that the frustoconical portion is unseated from the mating portion.