Turbomachine service apparatus and related method

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10632577-B2
Application number	US-201715597581-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 17, 2017
Priority date	May 17, 2017
Publication date	Apr 28, 2020
Grant date	Apr 28, 2020

Abstract

Various embodiments include an apparatus for servicing a turbomachine, along with a related servicing method. In some cases, the apparatus includes: a system for servicing a turbomachine casing having adjacent segments joined with a set of threaded fasteners, the system including: a threaded fastener tensioning device sized to fit over ends of a threaded fastener in the set of threaded fasteners, the threaded fastener tensioning device including: a retention component for retaining a first end of the threaded fastener; and a tensioner for tensioning or de-tensioning a second end of the threaded fastener; and a mounting system coupled with the threaded fastener tensioning device, the mounting system for retaining the threaded fastener tensioning device proximate the adjacent segments of the turbomachine casing.

First claim

We claim:

1. A system for servicing a turbomachine casing, the turbomachine casing having adjacent segments joined with a set of threaded fasteners along an arced interface of the casing, the system comprising:
a threaded fastener tensioning device sized to fit over ends of a threaded fastener in the set of threaded fasteners, the threaded fastener including a threaded stud, a first nut threaded on a first end of the threaded stud, and a second nut threaded on a second end of the treaded stud, the threaded fastener tensioning device including:
a retention component for retaining a first end of the threaded stud and for preventing rotation of the threaded stud during tensioning and de-tensioning of the threaded fastener; and
a tensioner for tensioning or de-tensioning a second end of the threaded stud and for preventing rotation of the threaded stud during tensioning and de-tensioning of the treaded fastener; and

a mounting system coupled with the threaded fastener tensioning device, the mounting system for retaining the threaded fastener tensioning device proximate the adjacent segments of the turbomachine casing and for modifying a positon of the threaded fastener tensioning device relative to the turbomachine casing;
wherein the mounting system includes a mounting arm coupled with the threaded fastener tensioning device, a rotatable retention component coupling the mounting arm and the threaded fastener tensioning device, the rotatable retention component permitting movement of the threaded fastener tensioning device relative to the mounting arm along the arced interface of the casing, a locking mechanism for locking the threaded fastener tensioning device along a range of angles relative to mounting arm, and an external mounting structure coupled to the threaded fastener tensioning device by a cable, wherein the mounting arm remains vertically aligned during movement of the threaded fastener tensioning device relative to the mounting arm along the arced interface of the casing.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the external mounting structure includes at least one of an overhead crane or a gantry system coupled with the mounting arm by the cable for modifying a positon of the threaded fastener tensioning device relative to the turbomachine casing.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the threaded fastener tensioning device further includes an adapter connected with the retention component and the tensioner for modifying a position of the retention component relative to the tensioner to engage or disengage the threaded fastener.

4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the adapter includes:
an actuatable cylinder connected with the retention component; and
a handle coupled with the actuatable cylinder for modifying a position of the retention component relative to the tensioner.

5. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a handle coupled with the tensioner for initiating the tensioning or de-tensioning of the second end of the threaded fastener.

Assignees

• Gen Electric

Inventors

• Miller Maxwell Evan
• Huth Robert Edward
• Walters Zachary Lane

Classifications

• B25B29/02

  Bolt tensioners · CPC title

• F01D25/243

  Flange connections; Bolting arrangements (F01D25/265 takes precedence) · CPC title

• F05D2230/60

  Assembly methods · CPC title

• F05D2230/72

  Maintenance · CPC title

• F05D2230/70

  Disassembly methods · CPC title