Patent attributes
A method and apparatus for pre-tensioning a bolt that joins two parts, each end of the bolt being threaded into a respective cavity of the two parts. According to one embodiment, the bolt including a double wedge pre-tensioning element, a washer disposed at each side of the double wedge and clamping elements fastening the wedges once the desired preloading has been attained. The bolt is pre-tensioned with a tensioning tool which acts on the pre-tensioning element, reducing a distance between the wedges while increasing the distance between the two parts to be joined and reducing a distance between the outer facing surfaces of the wedges and washers. The control system measures at least one of the distances described, with the tensioning tool acting in accordance with the measured distance.
