Patent Application
20130199008
The subject matter disclosed herein relates to turbines. More particularly, aspects of the disclosure relate to apparatuses and related methods for servicing a turbine.
During operation of a turbine (e.g., a gas turbine compressor), components within that turbine (e.g., rotor and stator blades) can be subject to harsh operating conditions which may damage those components. In order to service turbine components such as these, the turbine is frequently disassembled. However, disassembly (and subsequent reassembly) can be both costly and time consuming. Attempts to service these turbine components without disassembly (or, in situ), can be limited by spatial constraints and machine capabilities.
Apparatuses and methods for servicing a turbine are disclosed. Various embodiments of the invention include an apparatus adapted to service a turbine, where that apparatus includes: a base member fixedly mountable on an inlet of the turbine; an adjustment system mounted on the base member; a machining device operably connected to a first end of the adjustment system; and a control member operably connected to a second end of the adjustment system, the control member adapted to modify a position of the machining device to service a portion of the turbine inside the inlet of the turbine.
A first aspect of the invention includes an apparatus adapted to service a turbine having: a base member fixedly mountable on an inlet of the turbine; an adjustment system mounted on the base member; a machining device operably connected to a first end of the adjustment system; and a control member operably connected to a second end of the adjustment system, the control member adapted to modify a position of the machining device to service a portion of the turbine inside the inlet of the turbine.
A second aspect of the invention includes an apparatus having: a base member fixedly mountable on an inlet of a turbine; a hydraulic adjustment system mounted on the base member, the hydraulic adjustment system including at least one hydraulic pump and a hydraulic line operably connected with the at least one hydraulic pump; a machining device operably connected to the hydraulic line; and a control member operably connected to the at least one hydraulic pump, the control member adapted to actuate the at least one hydraulic pump to modify a position of the machining device for servicing a portion of the turbine inside the inlet of the turbine.
A third aspect of the invention includes a method for servicing a portion of a turbine, the method including: fixedly mounting an apparatus on an inlet of the turbine, the apparatus including: a base member adapted to fixedly mount on the inlet of the turbine; an adjustment system mounted on the base member; a machining device operably connected to a first end of the adjustment system; and a control member operably connected to a second end of the adjustment system; and actuating the control member from a location external to the inlet of the turbine to service the portion of the turbine internal to the inlet of the turbine.
These and other features 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 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.
Apparatuses and related methods for servicing a turbine are disclosed. The apparatuses and methods disclosed according to embodiments of the invention enable servicing of a portion of a turbine (e.g., a turbine compressor blade) from an area outside of the turbine. In various embodiments of the invention, apparatuses are disclosed which mount to an inlet or an inlet area of the turbine for servicing an internal portion of the turbine.
In contrast to conventional approaches to service a turbine in situ, various embodiments of the invention include an apparatus which is mountable on an inlet of a turbine, and is configured to service a portion of the turbine inside of the inlet. The apparatus can include a control mechanism located outside of the turbine inlet (when mounted), which allows for control of the apparatus from a position outside of the turbine inlet. In various embodiments, the control mechanism can include one or more hydraulic control devices (e.g., pumps/cylinders/lines) for actuating movement of a servicing (or, machining) device. Use of one or more hydraulic control devices allows for precise control of the machining device within the turbine. Precise control of the machining device can be particularly helpful when portions of the turbine are obstructed from view at the location outside of the turbine inlet.
Turning to
The base member 6 shown in
In various embodiments, the adjustment system 10 includes a hydraulic adjustment system with a multi-piston pump 12 for adjusting a position of a machining device (described further herein) 14. In some particular cases, the adjustment system 10 can include a six-piston pump providing for multiple (e.g., six) degrees of freedom of motion of the machining device 14 connected with the hydraulic adjustment system. In particular cases, the adjustment system 10 includes a hydraulic adjustment system which has a set of one or more hydraulic lines 16 spanning from the multi-piston pump 12 the machining device 14. The hydraulic lines 16 can be sized to span from an area external to the inlet (inlet bellmouth) 8 to a portion of the turbine 4 inside the inlet (inlet bellmouth) 8 when the base member 6 is mounted on the inlet 8. As shown, the adjustment system can include a guide 11 for allowing axial (along axis A-A) movement of the hydraulic lines 16, and a swivel mount 13 for allowing adjustment of the hydraulic lines 16 along the A-A′ plane and the A-A″ plane.
As noted herein, the apparatus 2 can further include the machining device 14 operably connected to a first end 18 of the adjustment system 10. The machining device 14 can include any conventional machining apparatus for servicing a turbine component, such as a turbine blade. In some cases, the machining device 14 can include one or more grinding apparatuses including grinding stones for servicing one or more components within the turbine. In other cases, the machining device 14 can include a conventional peening machine, a conventional saw or sanding machine, etc. As described herein, in particular embodiments of the invention, the machining device 14 is capable of reaching and machining a rotor blade and/or a stator blade (shown in
The apparatus 2 can further include a control member 22 operably connected to a second end 24 of the adjustment system 10. The control member 22 can be used for modifying a position of the machining device 14 to service a portion of the turbine 4 inside the inlet 8 of the turbine 4. The control member 22 can include a control device 26 for actuating one or more pistons in the multi-piston pump 12. In some cases, the control device 26 includes one or more electrical, mechanical, and/or electro-mechanical components for actuating one or more pistons in the multi-piston pump 12. In some cases, the control device 26 includes one or more handles 28 for allowing a user (e.g., a human user) to actuate movement of the adjustment system 10. The handles 28 can form or accompany a user interface 30 (
In contrast to conventional approaches, the apparatuses (e.g., apparatus 2 and alternatives) described according to embodiments of the invention can service portions of a turbine (e.g., rotor and/or stator blades up to the R1/S0 stage) in situ. The apparatuses can mount on or proximate to the inlet (e.g., bellmouth inlet), and extend within the turbine casing to machine portions of the turbine inside the casing. As noted herein, in particular embodiments, a hydraulic-based adjustment system allows for precise movement of a machining apparatus within the turbine casing to reach the desired component for machining.
Various embodiments of the invention include methods of servicing a portion of a turbine (e.g., turbine 4).
Process P1: fixedly mounting an apparatus on an inlet of the turbine, the apparatus. In some cases, the apparatus can include: a base member adapted to fixedly mount on the inlet of the turbine; an adjustment system mounted on the base member; a machining device operably connected to a first end of the adjustment system; and a control member operably connected to a second end of the adjustment system. In various embodiments, process P1 can include sub-process P1A: placing the base member on the inlet to magnetically couple the base member to the inlet.
Following process P1, Process P2 can include: actuating the control member from a location external to the inlet of the turbine to service the portion of the turbine internal to the inlet of the turbine. Process P2 can include sub-processes:
Process P2A: initiating movement of the adjustment system to modify the position of the machining device internal to the inlet; and
Process P2B: actuating operation of the machining device to service a portion of the turbine internal to the inlet.
In some particular cases, a process of using the apparatus 2 to service a portion of a turbine 4 can include mounting the apparatus 2 (and in particular, base member(s) 6) on the inlet 8 of the turbine 4. The process could further include utilizing the handles 28, the guide 11 and or the swivel mount 13 to adjust a position of the hydraulic lines 16 relative to the desired blade in the turbine 4. Additionally, the process could include actuating buttons or controls on the user interface 30 (e.g., via buttons or controls) to initiate movement of at least one piston in the multi-piston pump 12. The movement of the at least one piston in the multi-piston pump 12 causes the flow of hydraulic fluid through at least one of the hydraulic lines 16, which can in turn actuate movement of one or more pistons/actuatable devices proximate the end 18 of the adjustment system 10. Actuating the pistons proximate the end 18 of the adjustment system 10 allows a user (e.g., a human user) to manipulate the position of the machining device 14 within the turbine 4, while the user is in a position outside of the turbine 4.
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, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. It is further understood that the terms “front” and “back” are not intended to be limiting and are intended to be interchangeable where appropriate.
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.
