The present application and the resultant patent relate generally to tools, and more particularly relate to multi joint tools with cylindrical segments that can be used in complex environments, such as gas turbine engines.
Gas turbine engines and related components may include many bends, curves, joints, and other features. For example, fluids, such as air or fuel, may be directed through one or more portions of a gas turbine engine along a serpentine or other non-linear path. Components with such non-linear configurations may include joints, connections, screws, bolts, nuts, seals, fittings, or other features that may be difficult to access. For example, accessing a bolt that is positioned behind a U-shaped joint may be difficult with statically configured tools, such as a wrench. In another example, a screw or bolt may be positioned at a difficult to reach angle. Accordingly, flexible tools and/or tools with modifiable configurations may be desired.
This application and the resultant patent provide a multi joint tool. The multi joint tool may include a number of pie cut cylinders connected in series. The number of pie cut cylinders may include a connecting member and a receiving portion, where the number of pie cut cylinders is connected by a first connecting member of a first pie cut cylinder engaged with a first receiving portion of a second pie cut cylinder. The multi-joint tool may include an end cut cylinder forming a first end of the multi-joint tool. The end cut cylinder may include a second connecting member engaged with a second receiving portion of the first pie cut cylinder.
This application and the resultant patent further provide a method of using a multi joint tool in a complex environment that has accessibility constraints, such as a gas turbine engine. The method may include the steps of providing a first pie cut cylindrical segment, attaching a second pie cut cylindrical segment to the first pie cut cylindrical segment, attaching an end cut cylindrical segment to the second pie cut cylindrical segment, rotating the first pie cut cylindrical segment with respect to the second pie cut cylindrical segment, and guiding the multi-joint tool through a u-joint of the gas turbine engine.
This application and the resultant patent further provide a serially connected multi joint tool for use in a complex environment that has accessibility constraints, such as with a gas turbine engine that includes a u-joint. The multi-joint tool may include a first pie cut cylindrical segment with a first angled surface and a second angled surface opposite the first angled surface, and a second pie cut cylindrical segment mechanically attached to the first pie cut cylindrical segment. The second pie cut cylindrical segment may include a third angled surface adjacent to the second angled surface of the first pie cut cylindrical segment. The first pie cut cylindrical segment may be configured to rotate with respect to the second pie cut cylindrical segment. The multi-joint tool may include an end cut cylindrical segment mechanically attached to the second pie cut cylindrical segment. The end cut cylindrical segment may include a fourth angled surface adjacent to the second pie cut cylindrical segment, and a flat surface opposite the fourth angled surface.
These and other features and improvements of this application and the resultant patent will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the several drawings and the appended claims.
Referring now to the drawings, in which like numerals refer to like elements throughout the several views,
The gas turbine engine 10 may use natural gas, various types of syngas, and/or other types of fuels. The gas turbine engine 10 may be any one of a number of different gas turbine engines offered by General Electric Company of Schenectady, N.Y., including, but not limited to, those such as a 7 or a 9 series heavy duty gas turbine engine and the like. The gas turbine engine 10 may have different configurations and may use other types of components. Other types of gas turbine engines also may be used herein. Multiple gas turbine engines, other types of turbines, and other types of power generation equipment also may be used herein together.
In
A second pie cut cylinder 122 may be mechanically attached or coupled to the first pie cut cylinder 120. The second pie cut cylinder 122 may be configured to rotate with respect to the first pie cut cylinder 120. A third pie cut cylinder 124 may be mechanically attached or coupled to the second pie cut cylinder 122. The third pie cut cylinder 124 may be configured to rotate with respect to the second pie cut cylinder 122. A fourth pie cut cylinder 126 may be mechanically attached or coupled to the third pie cut cylinder 124. The fourth pie cut cylinder 126 may be configured to rotate with respect to the third pie cut cylinder 124. The multi-joint tool 100 may include a second end cut cylinder 128 positioned at a second end of the multi-joint tool 100.
In some embodiments, the cylinders or cylindrical segments forming the multi-joint tool 100 may each have the same inner diameter, such that a diameter of an inner space 130 formed by the cylinders of the multi joint tool 100 is consistent. In other embodiments, the cylinders may have different inner diameters. As shown in
The cylinders or cylindrical segments forming the multi-joint tool 100 may be mechanically attached or coupled to adjacent cylinders or segments. For example, cylinders may include one or more connecting members 140 configured to engage corresponding receiving portions 142 on adjacent cylinders. The connecting members 140 may be configured to allow rotation between adjacent cylinders while maintaining contact between adjacent surfaces of the respective cylinders. Other embodiments may include, for example, ball joints, or other mechanical attachments or couplings.
The multi joint tool 100 may have an adjustable length 150. For example, to shorten the multi-joint tool 100, one or more pie cut cylinders and/or end cut cylinders may be removed or disconnected from one or both ends of the multi joint tool 100. To lengthen the multi-joint tool 100, one or more pie cut cylinders and/or end cut cylinders may be added to one or both ends of the multi joint tool 100, or by changing dimensions of any one of the cylinders.
The multi joint tool 100 may be configured to form one or more bends or curves. For example, in
The position of each pie cut cylinder or pie cut cylindrical segment relative to an adjacent pie cut cylindrical segment can be adjusted to create bends, curves, and geometries with the multi-joint tool 100. The multi-joint tool 100 can therefore maneuver into places by modifying a configuration of the multi-joint tool 100.
In some embodiments, the multi joint tool 100 may be robotically moveable or robotically controlled. For example, certain embodiments may include a controller that is configured to control rotation of one or more of the pie cut cylinders, so as to form certain geometries, such as a U-shape, a curve with a certain angle, or another geometry. In some embodiments, the angle and phase of each cylindrical segment can be manually or electronically controlled, and can include mechanical and/or electromechanical movement.
In some embodiments, the multi joint tool 100 may include an auxiliary component such as one or more of a tool head, a camera, a robot, a light, or a spray device, or any other functional object that fits within the inner space, at the second end of the multi joint tool 100. The respective auxiliary component may be attached to an end of the multi joint tool 100 or fed through the inner space 130.
The multi joint tool 100 may therefore be used in multiple environments to access difficult to reach or difficult to access locations, as well as to carry any number of various tools, working devices, wiring, media, or other components in an adjustable form, due to the consistent inner space provided by the cylinders. The multi-joint tool 100 may be modular in length and can include one or more bends. The multi joint tool 100 can be used to access or deliver devices to difficult areas, such as through u-joints.
Referring to
Multi joint tools, as described herein, may include one or more end cut cylinders, such as the illustrated end cut cylinder 200. The end cut cylinder 200 may have an inner diameter 210. At a first side 220, the end cut cylinder 200 may have a first height or a first thickness 240. At a second side 230, the end cut cylinder 200 may have a second height or a second thickness 250. The second thickness 250 may be less than the first thickness 240. The end cut cylinder 200 may include a tapered section or a tapered portion 270 between the first side 220 and the second side 230. The tapered portion 270 may be a gradual decrease in thickness of the end cut cylinder 200 from the first side 220 to the second side 230. The end cut cylinder 200 may have a wall thickness 260. In some embodiments, each cylinder forming a multi joint tool may have uniform wall thicknesses.
The end cut cylinder 200 may include one or more flat sides or flat ends 280, and one or more angled sides or angled ends 290. The flat end 280 may be perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to a side surface of the end cut cylinder 200, while the angled end 290 may form an acute angle with respect to a side surface of the end cut cylinder 200.
One or more of the cylindrical segments forming a multi-joint tool as described herein may be pie cut cylinders, such as the pie cut cylinder 300. The pie cut cylinder 300 may be cut into a slice-like shape with one or more angles or one or more angled surfaces. The pie cut cylinder 300 may include a first angled side or a first angled end 310 and a second angled side or a second angled end 320. The second angled end 320 may be opposite the first angled end 310. The angled ends 310, 320 may form angles with respect to a side surface of the pie cut cylinder 300. In some embodiments, the first angled end 310 may be angled towards the second angled end 320, and the second angled end 320 may be angled towards the first angled end 310. For example, as shown in
The pie cut cylinder 300 may include a first side 330 with a first height or a first thickness 350, and a second side 340 with a second height or a second thickness 360. The second thickness 360 may be less than the first thickness 350. The pie cut cylinder 300 may include a tapered portion 380 between the first side 330 and the second side 340 of the pie cut cylinder 300. The pie cut cylinder 300 may be symmetrical about a longitudinal axis 370.
Referring to
A method of using a multi joint tool with a gas turbine engine may include providing a first pie cut cylindrical segment, attaching a second pie cut cylindrical segment to the first pie cut cylindrical segment, attaching an end cut cylindrical segment to the second pie cut cylindrical segment, rotating the first pie cut cylindrical segment with respect to the second pie cut cylindrical segment, and guiding the multi joint tool through a u-joint of the gas turbine engine.
Certain embodiments may include pie cut cylinders or pie cut cylindrical segments that may be coupled or sealed together to form a multi joint tool of adjustable length and adjustable geometry. The multi joint tools described herein may carry a medium, such as a fluid, internally. In some embodiments, the inner space formed by multi joint tools described herein may be used to house a working tool, a device, wiring, or another component. Any number of different tool heads could be incorporated into the modular multi joint tools described herein including, but not limited to, cameras, stereo cameras, drills, infrared cameras, laser lights, fluids based injection or spray, grasping hands, etc. Any number of segments could be added or removed to adjust a length of the described multi joint tools. The multi joint tools may have a consistent volume inner bore space that can be used to carry, guide, or transport of any sort of material or device.
It should be apparent that the foregoing relates only to certain embodiments of this application and resultant patent. Numerous changes and modifications may be made herein by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the general spirit and scope of this disclosure as defined by the following claims and the equivalents thereof.