Patent Application
20150239075
The disclosure is related generally to working platforms for curved surfaces. More particularly, the disclosure is related to a working platform for the curved shell of a gas turbine.
Conventional turbomachines, such as gas turbine systems, are utilized to generate power for electric generators. In general, conventional turbomachines generate power by passing a fluid (e.g., hot gas) through a compressor and a turbine of the turbomachine. More specifically, fluid may flow through a fluid flow path for rotating a plurality of rotating buckets of the turbine for generating the power. The fluid may be directed through the turbine via the plurality of rotating buckets and a plurality of stationary nozzles positioned between the rotating buckets. These internal components (e.g., buckets, nozzles) may be included within a turbine shell of the turbine. The turbine shell may act as a housing for the internal components and the fluid passing through the turbine during operation of the turbomachine.
When service or maintenance must be performed on the internal components of the turbomachine, the exterior coverings of each portion of the turbomachine (e.g., compressor, turbine) typically must be removed. More specifically, when inspection and/or maintenance must be performed on the internal components (e.g., buckets, nozzles) of the turbine, at least a portion of the turbine shell must be removed to allow operators access to these internal components. The rotor may also be removed as well as the stator vanes or nozzles. When all components are removed, the turbine shell is basically empty and presents a curved surface with few places for a technician to stand. Some turbines can be quite large and the radius of the shell can be taller than some technicians. Therefore, it can be difficult for the technicians to reach certain portions of the shell to perform a desired service or maintenance task. As a result, service and/or maintenance of the turbomachine and its shell may present ergonomic challenges, and technicians may have to improvise working platforms that may not always be configured in the safest manner possible.
According to an aspect of the present invention, an adjustable working platform for a curved surface includes a support member configured to be inserted into a hole in the curved surface. An adjustable surface is configured for supporting a load, and the adjustable surface is configured to rotate and lock in multiple positions. An anti-rotation arm is connected to the support member, and the anti-rotation arm includes an adjustable section configured to engage an axial facing portion of the curved surface.
According to another aspect of the present invention, an adjustable working platform for a curved surface includes a support member configured to be inserted into a hole in the curved surface. The curved surface is the interior of a gas turbine shell. An adjustable surface is configured for supporting a load, and the adjustable surface is configured to rotate and lock in multiple positions. An anti-rotation arm is connected to the support member, and the anti-rotation arm includes an adjustable section configured to engage an axial facing portion of the curved surface of the gas turbine shell.
These and other aspects of this invention will be more readily understood from the following detailed description of the various aspects of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings that depict various embodiments of the invention, in which:
It is noted that the drawings of the invention are not necessarily to scale. The drawings are intended to depict only typical aspects of the invention, and therefore should not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention. In the drawings, like numbering represents like elements between the drawings.
As described herein, aspects of the invention relate to turbomachines. Specifically, as described herein, aspects of the invention relate to an apparatus for moving a turbine shell of the turbomachine.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
The adjustable working platform 200 includes a support member 210 that may be configured to be inserted into a hole (120 or 125) in the curved surface 130. The support member includes a plurality of spring-loaded balls 212 configured to interact with the hole 120. The hole 120 may be a nozzle pin hole in the gas turbine shell 100, and in this example the curved surface 130 is the interior of a gas turbine shell. An adjustable surface 220 (e.g., a step) is configured for supporting a load, such as a technician or tool, and the adjustable surface 220 is configured to rotate and lock in multiple positions. An anti-rotation arm 230 is connected to the support member 210, and the anti-rotation arm 230 includes an adjustable section 232 configured to engage an axial facing portion 460 of the curved surface 130.
The support member 210 also includes one or more disc shaped members 214 located at opposing axial surfaces thereof. The disc shaped members 214 have a plurality of axially-aligned holes 216. The axially-aligned holes 216 are configured to permit the adjustable surface 220 to lock in multiple positions. The adjustable surface 220 includes a substantially planar working surface connected to two orthogonally disposed legs 222, and each of the legs has a U-shaped opening 223 configured to slide over a portion of the support member 210. Each of the legs 222 may have one or more holes 224 configured to interact with the axially-aligned holes 216 in the support member 210. The holes 224 in the adjustable surface 220 and the axially-aligned holes 216 in the support member 210 are configured to accept a quick release ball lock pin 240.
The quick release ball lock pin 240 is configured to lock the adjustable surface 220 in a desired position. Quick release ball lock pins are positive locking pins that will not release until the button 242 on the handle 244 is depressed. When button 242 is depressed, balls 246 are retracted into the shank, which then allows the shank to be pulled out of holes 224 and 216. The method for inserting the pin 240 is simply reversed, depress button 242, insert shank into hole(s), release button. The pin 240 may be comprised of 17-4 stainless steel (which provides high shear strength and excellent corrosion resistance), 300 series stainless steel (which has low shear strength but excellent corrosion resistance), or 4130 alloy steel (which provides high shear strength and low corrosion resistance). The handle 244 may alternatively comprise a button handle, ring handle, T-handle (as shown), L-handle, or dome handle. It is to be understood that any suitable mechanical fastener providing the required strength could be used in place of pin 240, for example, nuts and bolts, pin and cotter pin, etc.
The anti-rotation arm 230 may be formed integrally with support member 210, or the arm 230 may be mechanically fastened to support member 210 (as shown). The anti-rotation may extend into the support member 210 and both the anti-rotation arm and the support member are configured to be fastened together by a quick release ball lock pin. A portion of anti-rotation arm 230 is configured to slip into support member 210, by having a reduced diameter portion. This portion includes a hole through which quick release ball lock pin 250 may be passed. In use, arm 230 is inserted into support member 210, a hole in the arm 230 and a hole in the support member are aligned, and then the pin 250 is inserted. The arm is not securely fastened to support member 210. In alternative embodiments, the arm 230 could include an externally threaded portion that is screwed into an internally threaded portion of support member 210, or any other suitable attachment means may be employed. The anti-rotation arm 230 may also be attached to one side (as shown) of the support member 210, the other side (not shown), or both sides (not shown) if two anti-rotation arms are employed.
The anti-rotation arm 230 may include an externally threaded shaft 234 configured to interact with internal threads on the adjustable section 232. The adjustable section 232 may be screwed out or in to contact an axial facing portion 460 of the curved surface 130 to lock the adjustable working platform 100 and prevent undesired rotation thereof. The platform 100 is prevented from rotation by forces acting in opposite directions on the support member 210 in hole 120, and the distal end of the adjustable section 232 in contact with the axial facing portion. For example, the distal end may be rotated out until it contacts the axial facing portion 460, and when it is sufficiently tightened the platform is locked in place and rotation about the vertical shaft of support member 210 is prevented.
This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.
