The subject matter disclosed herein relates to combustor assemblies and, more specifically, to systems for installing and removing combustor assemblies with respect to a gas turbine.
Gas turbines can include a compressor section, a combustion section, and a turbine section. The compressor section pressurizes air flowing into the turbine. The pressurized air discharged from the compressor section flows into the combustion section, which is generally characterized by a plurality of combustors. Each of the plurality of combustors includes a combustion liner, which defines the combustion chamber of the combustor. As such, air entering each combustor is mixed with fuel and combusted within the combustion liner. Hot gases of combustion flow from the combustion liner through a transition piece to the turbine section of the gas turbine to drive the turbine and generate power
More specifically, a gas turbine combustor mixes large quantities of fuel and compressed air and burns the resulting mixture. Combustors for industrial gas turbines can include an annular array of cylindrical combustion “cans” in which air and fuel are mixed and combustion occurs. Compressed air from an axial compressor flows into the combustor. Fuel is injected through fuel nozzle assemblies that extend into each can. The mixture of fuel and air burns in a combustion chamber of each can. The combustion gases discharge from each can into a duct that leads to the turbine.
In some embodiments, combustor assemblies designed for low emissions, may include premix chambers and combustion chambers. Fuel nozzle assemblies in each combustor assembly inject fuel and air into the chambers of the can. A portion of the fuel from the nozzle assembly is discharged into the premix chamber of the can, where air is added to and premixed with the fuel. Premixing air and fuel in the premix chamber promotes rapid and efficient combustion in the combustion chamber of each can, and low emissions from the combustion. The mixture of air and fuel flows downstream from the premix chamber to the combustion chamber which supports combustion and under some conditions receives additional fuel discharged by the front of the fuel nozzle assembly. The additional fuel provides a means of stabilizing the flame for low power operation, and may be completely shut off at high power conditions.
Combustor assemblies need to be installed during the initial build of the gas turbine and may subsequently be removed during subsequent maintenance activities. However, to install, remove or re-install a combustor assembly, a significant amount of force may be required to properly lift, position and/or align the combustor assembly with respect to the combustor assembly. Accordingly, alternative systems for installing and removing combustor assemblies with respect to a gas turbine would be welcome in the art.
In one embodiment, a combustor assembly lift system comprises a track that extends in at least a longitudinal direction, a lift arm moveably engaged with the track such that it can traverse along the track in at least the longitudinal direction, and a combustor assembly engagement frame connected to the lift arm, wherein the combustor assembly engagement frame is configured to temporarily secure to at least a portion of a combustor assembly.
In another embodiment, a combustor assembly lift system comprises a track that extends in at least a longitudinal direction, a support arm moveably engaged with the track such that it can traverse along the track in at least the longitudinal direction, a lift arm connected to the support arm, and a combustor assembly engagement frame connected to the lift arm, wherein the combustor assembly engagement frame is configured to temporarily secure to at least a portion of a combustor assembly.
These and additional features provided by the embodiments discussed herein will be more fully understood in view of the following detailed description, in conjunction with the drawings.
The embodiments set forth in the drawings are illustrative and exemplary in nature and not intended to limit the inventions defined by the claims. The following detailed description of the illustrative embodiments can be understood when read in conjunction with the following drawings, where like structure is indicated with like reference numerals and in which:
One or more specific embodiments of the present invention will be described below. In an effort to provide a concise description of these embodiments, all features of an actual implementation may not be described in the specification. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers' specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure.
When introducing elements of various embodiments of the present invention, the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.
Referring now to
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Referring additionally to
In some embodiments, the combustor assembly 20 may also include an internal flow sleeve 28 and/or a combustion liner 30 substantially concentrically arranged within the flow sleeve 28. The combustor assembly 20 may comprise a unibody combustor assembly 20 comprising the combustion can 125 and at least one of the flow sleeve 28 or combustion liner 30 connected to the combustion can 125 as a single pre-assembled structure, or the combustor assembly 20 may comprise an assembly where the combustion can 125, flow sleeve 28 and combustion liner 30 all connect directly to the turbomachine 100 such as to the turbine casing 24 (sometimes referred to as a combustion discharge casing or “CDC”). For example, the flow sleeve 28 and the combustion liner 30 may extend, at their downstream ends, to a double walled transition duct, including an impingement sleeve 32 and a transition piece 34 disposed within the impingement sleeve 32. It should be appreciated that in some embodiments the impingement sleeve 32 and the flow sleeve 28 may be provided with a plurality of air supply holes 36 over a portion of their surfaces, thereby permitting pressurized air from the compressor section 12 to enter the radial space between the combustion liner 30 and the flow sleeve 28.
The combustion liner 30 of the combustor assembly 20 may generally define a substantially cylindrical combustion chamber 38, wherein fuel and air are injected and combusted to produce hot gases of combustion. Additionally, the combustion liner 30 may be coupled at its downstream end to the transition piece 34 such that the combustion liner 30 and the transition piece 34 generally define a flow path for the hot gases of combustion flowing from each combustor assembly 20 to the turbine section 16 of the turbine assembly 10.
In some embodiments, such as that illustrated in
In some embodiments, the combustion liner 30 may also include one or more male liner stops 42 that engage one or more female liner stops 44 secured to the flow sleeve 28 or, in combustor assemblies 20 without a flow sleeve 28, the combustion casing 22. In particular, the male liner stops 42 may be adapted to slide into the female liner stops 44 as the combustion liner 30 is installed within the combustor assembly 20 to indicate the proper installation depth of the combustion liner 30 as well as to prevent rotation of the liner 30 during operation of the turbine assembly 10. Moreover, it should be appreciated that, in some embodiments, male liner stops 42 may be additionally or alternatively disposed on the flow sleeve 28 or combustion casing while the female liner stops 44 are disposed on the combustion liner 30.
In some embodiments, the combustion liner 30 may first be installed within a combustor assembly 20, by being pushed into the combustor assembly 20. For example, the combustion liner 30 can be pushed into the combustor assembly 20 until a force limits further installation depth into the transition piece 34. With continued reference to
While specific embodiments have been presented herein, it should be appreciated that the combustor assembly 20 may comprise a variety of different components that are assembled in a variety of different orders with respect to the individual connections made with the turbomachine 100. For example, the combustor assembly 20 may be completely assembled prior to installation onto the turbomachine 100 (e.g., a unibody combustor assembly 20), may be partly assembled prior to installation on the turbomachine 100, may be completely assembled while connected to the turbomachine 100, or combinations thereof
With additional reference to
The combustor assembly lift system 200 can generally comprise a track 210, a lift arm 220 moveably engaged with the track 210, and a combustor assembly engagement frame 240 connected to the lift arm 220. The lift arm 220 may be moveably engaged with the track 210 via a direct connection or an intermediate connection. For example, in some embodiments, the lift arm 220 may be moveably engaged with the track 210 via a support arm 230. In these embodiments, the support arm 230 may be moveably engaged with the track 210 and the lift arm 220 may be connected to the support arm 230. These and other features can be configured alone or in combination in a variety of configurations to help facilitate the overall transportation, lifting, alignment, installation and/or removal of one or more combustor assemblies 20 with respect to one or more combustor assemblies 20 of a turbomachine 100.
Referring now to
The track 210 can extend at least in a longitudinal direction as illustrated in
However, in some embodiments, at least a portion of the track may extend along a non-linear path such as a curved, bent, or serpentine path. In such embodiments, the track 210 may be able to navigate other obstructions or accommodate for longer travel distances to facilitate movement of the combustor assembly 20 to and from the turbomachine 100, shipment arrival location, or other points of interest (e.g., servicing location, inspection location, or the like).
In even some embodiments, the track 210 may comprise a junction that splits into at least two directions. For example, the track 210 may comprise a junction that splits into two directions, wherein a first direction extends towards a first turbomachine, and wherein a second direction extends towards a second turbomachine. Alternatively or additionally, the track 210 may comprise a junction that splits into two directions, wherein a first direction extends towards a first slot of a turbomachine 100 for a first combustor assembly 20, and wherein a second directions extends towards a second slot on the same turbomachine 100 for a second combustor assembly 20. It should be appreciated that the track 210 may thereby comprise any variety of path directions and any number of junctions to provide any suitable track configuration. Tailoring the configuration of the track 210 may thereby facilitate the delivery of one or more combustor assemblies 20 to one or more locations while limiting or eliminating the need for additional cranes, lifts or other devices to move the respective combustor assemblies 20.
In some embodiments, the track 210 may be secured to the floor. Such embodiments may facilitate the delivery of the combustor assemblies in a low profile suitable for installation at the lower positions of the turbomachine 100. In some embodiments, the track 210 may be elevated such as being secured to one or more poles, ceilings or other locations to facilitate the delivery of combustor assemblies 20 to one or more higher locations. In such embodiments, the combustor assemblies 20 may even hang from the support arm 230 to facilitate installation at the higher positions of the turbomachine 100.
While various configurations of the track 210 have been discussed herein, it should be appreciated that these are exemplary only and not intended to be limiting. Any other additional or alternative configuration of the track 210 may also be realized that is suitable for the combustor assembly lift system 200.
Still referring to
The moveable engagement between the lift arm 220 and the track 210 may be achieved through any suitable configuration. For example, in embodiments where the track 210 comprises one or more rails 212, the lift arm 220 may comprise one or more wheels that ride along the one or more rails 212. In other embodiments, the lift arm 220 may be moveably engaged with the track 210 through any additional or alternative configuration such as by using ball bearings, wheels, disks, rollers, clamps, grips or the like.
In some embodiments, the lift arm 220 may further be rotatably connected to the track 210 such that the lift arm 220 may rotate with respect to the track 210. The rotational connection may enable rotation about any axis or axes to help facilitate rotational orientation between the combustor assembly 20 and its respective slot on the turbomachine 100. The rotational connection can be facilitated through any suitable configuration such as, but not limited to, a rotatable pin, bolt, screw or ball-and-socket connecting the lift arm 220 to the track 210.
In some embodiments, the lift arm 220 is moveably engaged with the track 210 via a support arm 230. The support arm 230 can comprise any additional arm or extension that intermediates the connection between the track 210 and the lift arm 220. For example, the support arm 230 itself may be moveably engaged with the track 210 while the lift arm 220 is connected to the support arm 230 via a rigid, rotatable or moveable connection.
The support arm 230 may extend in a direction away from the track 210 to help position the combustor assembly 20 in place for installation or removal while avoiding the potential encumbrance of the track 210. The support arm may also be moveable, rotatable, expandable or otherwise adjustable to provide for additional positional adjustments of the combustor assembly 20. Such additional adjustability may help facilitate proper alignment of a combustor assembly 20 with a single slot on the turbomachine 100, or may even allow for a single track 210 to be used for the installation of multiple combustor assemblies 20 on multiple slots of the turbomachine 100 with no additional repositioning of the track 210.
In embodiments where the track 210 comprises one or more rails 212, the support arm 230 may comprise one or more wheels that ride along the one or more rails 212. In other embodiments, the support arm 230 may be moveably engaged with the track 210 through any additional or alternative configuration such as by using ball bearings, wheels, disks, rollers, clamps, grips or the like.
In some embodiments, the support arm 230 may further be rotatably connected to the track 210 such that the support arm 230 may rotate with respect to the track 210. The rotational connection may help facilitate rotational orientation between the combustor assembly 20 and its respective slot of the turbomachine 100. The rotational connection can be facilitated through any suitable configuration such as, but not limited to, a rotatable pin, bolt or screw connecting the support arm 230 to the track 210.
The lift arm 220 may be connected to the support arm 230 in a variety of configurations and at a variety of locations to facilitate the lifting and movement of a secured combustor assembly 20 such as for the removal or installation of said combustor assembly 20 with respect to a turbomachine 100. For example, in some embodiments, the lift arm 220 may be rotatably connected to the support arm 230 such that the lift arm 220 and the support arm 230 may rotate with respect to one another. The rotational connection may help facilitate rotational orientation between the combustor assembly 20 and its respective slot on the turbomachine 100. The rotational connection can be facilitated through any suitable configuration such as, but not limited to, a rotatable pin, bolt or screw connecting the lift arm 220 to the support arm 230.
The lift arm 220 may be connected to the support arm 230 at a variety of locations. For example, in some embodiments, such as that illustrated in
The lift arm 220 itself can comprise a variety of shapes and configurations to facilitate the positional adjustment of the combustor assembly 20. For example, the lift arm 220 may be articulatable in a vertical direction. In some embodiments, the lift arm 220 may be articulatable via a manual system such as by using a releasable clamp to lock and release the position of the lift arm 220. In some embodiments, the lift arm may be articulatable via a powered lift. As used herein, powered lift refers to any non-manually driven lift such as, but not limited to, hydraulic lifts, pneumatic lifts and electric lifts. In some embodiments, the lift arm 220 may comprise a substantially linear lift arm such that the combustor assembly 20 may be moved in a substantially vertical direction. In other embodiments, the lift arm 220 may comprise a curved, bent or serpentine configuration to provide more of an offset of the combustor assembly 20 from the track or otherwise account for installation and/or removal requirements.
Still referring to
The combustor assembly engagement frame 240 can comprise a variety of configurations to facilitate temporary securement to combustor assemblies 20. For example, in some embodiments, the combustor assembly engagement frame 240 may comprise a cradle configuration that can receive and support the combustor assembly 20. As used herein, cradle configuration can refer to any configuration that acts as an open support structure that the combustor assembly 20 may be lowered into and left in place. For example, the cradle configuration may comprise an open basket, lattice, cage, or other configuration to receive and support the combustor assembly 20. In some embodiments, the cradle configuration may comprise one or more open slots to accommodate one or more peripheral structures on the combustor assembly 20. Peripheral structures on the combustor assembly 20 include, for example, additional pipes, wires, or other external structures that can extend away from the body of the combustor assembly 20. The one or more open slots may allow for the peripheral structures to pass there through such that the main body of the combustor assembly 20 may come in contact with and rest directly on the combustor assembly engagement frame 240.
In some embodiments, the combustor assembly engagement frame 240 may comprise a clam shell configuration capable of transitioning between an open and a closed state to temporarily secure to the combustor assembly 20. More specifically, in such embodiments, the combustor assembly engagement frame 240 may comprise two or more portions that can at least partially pivot away from one another to rotate open or, alternatively, completely separate away from one another, to accept at least a portion of the combustor assembly 20. The combustor assembly engagement frame 240 may then close back together around the combustor assembly 20 to provide temporary securement of the combustor assembly 20.
In some embodiments, the combustor assembly engagement frame 240 may be configured to temporarily secure to at least a portion of the combustor assembly 20 via one or more bolts. For example, the combustor assembly engagement frame 240 may comprise a plurality of holes that may be aligned with corresponding holes on the combustor assembly 20. Once aligned, bolts may be passed through both sets of corresponding holes to temporarily secure the combustor assembly 20 to the combustor assembly engagement frame 240. Such embodiments may particularly facilitate the temporary securement of a combustor assembly 20 when the combustor assembly 20 hangs down below a track 210 such as when the track 210 is elevated for installing the combustor assembly 20 at a higher position of the turbomachine 100.
While particular embodiments of the combustor assembly engagement frame 240 have been disclosed herein to illustrate possible temporary securement configurations between the combustor assembly engagement frame 240 and the combustor assembly 20, it should be appreciated that these are exemplary only and not intended to be limiting. Additional or alternative configurations may also be realized to facilitate the temporary securement of the combustor assembly 20 to the combustor assembly engagement frame 240 of the combustor assembly lift system 200.
The combustor assembly engagement frame 240 may be connected to the lift arm 220 in a variety of configurations and at a variety of locations to facilitate the lifting and movement of a secured combustor assembly 20 such as for the removal or installation of said combustor assembly 20 with respect to a turbomachine 100. For example, in some embodiments, the combustor assembly engagement frame 240 may be rotatably connected to the lift arm 220 such that the combustor assembly engagement frame 240 and the lift arm 220 may rotate with respect to one another. The rotational connection may help facilitate rotational orientation between the combustor assembly 20 and its respective slot on the turbomachine 100. The rotational connection can be facilitated through any suitable configuration such as, but not limited to, a rotatable pin, bolt, screw or ball-and-socket connecting the combustor assembly engagement frame 240 to the lift arm 220.
The combustor assembly engagement frame 240 may be connected to the lift arm 220 at a variety of locations. For example, in some embodiments, such as that illustrated in
It should now be appreciated that combustor assembly lift systems as disclosed herein can be provided to help transport, lift, align, install, and remove combustor assemblies into combustor assemblies of turbomachines. Such combustor assembly lift systems can facilitate proper alignment specific to each combustor assembly while enabling a continuous transportation, installation and/or removal process via a single combustor assembly lift system. These combustor assembly lift systems may thereby provide for simpler and faster overall installation and removal activities.
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.