Patent Application
20120228974
The subject matter disclosed herein relates to the art of generators and, more particularly, to a centerline generator support system.
In many installations, a generator is mounted to a platform along a centerline of a turbomachine. The turbomachine includes a shaft that extends along the centerline and is operatively connected to the generator. When the turbomachine is in operation, the shaft rotates to drive the generator. Occasionally, the generator requires maintenance and inspection. Certain maintenance and inspection tasks require that the generator be separated from the turbomachine and removed from the platform. Removing the generator from the platform requires equipment and space, as well as compliance with various codes and standards while in a maintenance position.
The equipment includes lifting devices that are not only capable of raising heavy loads, but of also transitioning the entire generator to the maintenance position. At the maintenance position, the generator is lowered either onto a maintenance support or onto a floor. The lifting device can take the form of a dedicated overhead crane. As the need for maintenance and inspection is infrequent, the need for a dedicated overhead crane, which is typically built into a framework of the installation, represents a large capital expense having a lengthy payback period. Other lifting devices include portable cranes that are brought in on an as needed basis. Regardless of type, lifting a centerline generator is a time consuming and expensive operation.
According to one aspect of the exemplary embodiment, a generator support system for a centerline mounted generator includes a generator support member configured and disposed to support a generator upon a support surface. The generator support member includes at least one lifting element having a lifting surface that faces the support surface.
According to another aspect of the exemplary embodiment, a method of elevating a centerline mounted generator from a support surface includes positioning a lifting device between a lifting surface provided on a generator support member and a support surface, extending a lifting portion of the lifting device, and elevating the generator from the support surface with the lifting portion.
According to yet another aspect of the exemplary embodiment, a generator system includes a centerline mounted generator having a housing, and a generator support member configured and disposed to support the generator upon a support surface. The generator support member includes at least one lifting element having a lifting surface that faces the support surface.
These and other advantages and features will become more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings.
The subject matter, which is regarded as the invention, is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
The detailed description explains embodiments of the invention, together with advantages and features, by way of example with reference to the drawings.
With reference to
In accordance with the exemplary embodiment shown, support structure 13 includes first and second rail elements 28 and 29 shown embedded in support surface 15. Similarly, support structure 14 includes first and second rail elements 32 and 33 embedded in support surface 16. In further accordance with the exemplary embodiment shown, generator system 2 includes a generator support system 40. Generator support system 40 includes four generator support members, two of which are shown at 43 and 44. Generator support members 43 and 44 support and position generator 2 upon first and second support surfaces 15 and 16 as will be detailed more fully below. At this point it should be understood that the number and position of the generator support members can vary.
Reference will now be made to
In accordance with the exemplary embodiment shown, generator support member 43 includes a lifting element 80 that takes the form of a lifting pocket 83 formed in central web portion 60. Lifting pocket 83 includes a lifting member 86 having a first or lifting surface 88 that faces first support surface 15 and a second surface 89. Lifting pocket 83 is also shown to include a support member 92 that extends between second surface 89 of lifting member 86 and second end 54. Support member 92 provides additional structural support to lifting member 86 when generator 4 is raised from first and second support surfaces 15 and 16 as will be described more fully below.
In further accordance with the exemplary embodiment shown, when it is desired to raise generator 2 from a first position, wherein generator support member 43 rests upon first support surface 15 such as shown in
Reference will now be made to
In accordance with the exemplary embodiment shown, generator support member 130 includes a first lifting element 170 mounted to first side 136 and a second lifting element 171 mounted to second side 137. First lifting element 170 includes a lifting member 178 having a first or lifting surface 180 that faces first support surface 15 and a second surface 181. Lifting member 178 is secured to first side 136 by an attachment element 184. Similarly, second lifting element 171 includes a lifting member 190 having a first or lifting surface 192 that faces first support surface 15 and a second surface 193. Lifting member 190 is secured to second side 137 by an attachment element 195.
When it is necessary to raise generator 4 from support structure 13, fastener elements 159-164 are removed from fastener members 152-157, and first and second lifting devices 203 and 204 are placed between first support surface 15 and respective ones of first and second lifting elements 170, 171 as shown in
At this point it should be understood that the exemplary embodiments provide a system for raising and translating a generator without the need for costly capital equipment such as overhead cranes. The system can employ a wide range of available lifting devices to raise and position each support member on a roller member or other device that can transition along a rail or other substantially planar surface. Once all roller members are in position, the generator can be readily moved to a maintenance position using available equipment. In the maintenance position, the generator can either rest on a support surface such as a floor, or be placed upon a support structure.
While the invention has been described in detail in connection with only a limited number of embodiments, it should be readily understood that the invention is not limited to such disclosed embodiments. Rather, the invention can be modified to incorporate any number of variations, alterations, substitutions or equivalent arrangements not heretofore described, but which are commensurate with the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, while various embodiments of the invention have been described, it is to be understood that aspects of the invention may include only some of the described embodiments. Accordingly, the invention is not to be seen as limited by the foregoing description, but is only limited by the scope of the appended claims.
