Tool for removing an annular part of a turbomachine

Abstract

A tool for removing an annular part mounted around a shaft of a turbomachine, includes a holder configured to cooperate with a lifting system, a system for coupling and holding the annular part, the coupling and holding system being secured to the holder, the system for coupling and holding having an opening designed to receive the shaft of the turbomachine during the removal of the annular part, the coupling and holding system being rotatable with respect to the holder between a first position and a second position by a rotation system for tilting the annular part with respect to the holder when the coupling and holding system is fastened to the annular part.

Claims

1. A dismantling tool for dismantling an annular part having an axis and mounted around a shaft of a turbomachine, comprising: a support configured to cooperate with a lifting system, means for fastening and maintaining the annular part, said fastening and maintaining means being integral with the support, the means for fastening and maintaining have an opening configured to receive the shaft of the turbomachine during the dismantling of the annular part, wherein the means for fastening and maintaining are rotationally moveable with respect to the support between a first position and a second position by a rotating means to ensure a switching of the axis of the annular part with respect to the support when the means for fastening and maintaining are fixed to the annular part.

2. The dismantling tool according to claim 1, wherein: in the first position, the means for fastening and maintaining are substantially parallel to the support, in the second position, the means for fastening and maintaining are substantially perpendicular to the support.

3. The dismantling tool according to claim 1, wherein the rotating means are positioned between the support and the means for fastening and maintaining.

4. The dismantling tool according to claim 1, wherein the means for fastening and maintaining are arranged on a peripheral portion of the support to allow the rotation of the means for fastening and maintaining with respect to the support when the annular part is fixed to the means for fastening and maintaining.

5. The dismantling tool according to claim 1, wherein the rotating means comprise locking means configured to maintain the means for fastening and maintaining in the first position and in the second position.

6. The dismantling tool according to claim 1, wherein the means for fastening and maintaining are formed by a collar comprising through orifices configured to receive first fixing means.

7. The dismantling tool according to claim 1, further comprising means for adjusting the centre of gravity of the tool.

8. A dismantling method for dismantling and upkeeping an annular part having an axis and mounted around a shaft of a turbomachine of longitudinal axis using the dismantling tool according to claim 1, comprising: positioning the tool opposite the annular part such that the opening of the means for fastening and maintaining is facing a central cavity of the annular part, the fastening and maintaining means being maintained in the first position, fixing the means for fastening and maintaining on the annular part, displacing the tool axially outwards in such a way as to separate the annular part from the remainder of the turbomachine, and placing the annular part, fixed beforehand to the tool, on a frame to carry out the upkeep of the annular part, the fastening and maintaining means being maintained in the second position, wherein the means for fastening and maintaining are rotationally moveable with respect to a support of the dismantling tool between a first position and a second position by a rotating means to ensure a switching of the axis of the annular part with respect to the support when the means for fastening and maintaining are fixed to the annular part.

9. A method for reassembling an annular part around a shaft of a turbomachine of longitudinal axis using the dismantling tool according to claim 1, comprising: switching the means for fastening and maintaining to the first position by the rotating means, positioning the dismantling tool fixed to the annular part facing the shaft of the turbomachine such that said shaft is adapted to traverse the opening arranged in the means for fastening and maintaining, displacing the dismantling tool axially until the annular part returns to an initial position around the shaft, disengaging the means for fastening and maintaining from the annular part, and extracting the dismantling tool from the turbomachine by axially displacing the dismantling tool towards the outside of the turbomachine, wherein the means for fastening and maintaining are rotationally moveable with respect to a support of the dismantling tool between a first position and a second position by a rotating means to ensure a switching of the axis of the annular part with respect to the support when the means for fastening and maintaining are fixed to the annular part.

10. A dismantling tool for dismantling an annular part mounted around a shaft of a turbomachine, comprising: a support configured to cooperate with a lifting system, means for fastening and maintaining the annular part, said means for fastening and maintaining being integral with the support, the means for fastening and maintaining having an opening configured to receive the shaft of the turbomachine during the dismantling of the annular part, and means for adjusting the centre of gravity of the tool, wherein the means for fastening and maintaining are rotationally moveable with respect to the support between a first position and a second position by a rotating means to ensure a switching of the annular part with respect to the support when the means for fastening and maintaining are fixed to the annular part, and wherein the means for adjusting are formed by: a ring, a worm screw, a control wheel enabling, by actuating the worm screw, the axial translation of the ring.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) The figures are only presented for indicative purposes and are in no way limiting. The figures show:

(2) in FIG. 1, a schematic view in longitudinal section of a turbomachine,

(3) in FIG. 2, two adjacent vanes of which the platforms overlap,

(4) in FIGS. 3a to 3g, the steps of the method for dismantling a turbomachine disk according to the prior art,

(5) in FIGS. 4a to 4c, the steps of the method for dismantling a turbomachine disk using the tool according to the invention,

(6) in FIG. 5, the dismantling tool according to an embodiment of the invention,

(7) in FIG. 6, a view in longitudinal section of the tool illustrated in FIG. 5 when it is fixed on a turbomachine disk, the fastening and maintaining means being in the first position,

(8) in FIG. 7, a view from the upstream of the tool of FIG. 6 when it is positioned on the turbomachine,

(9) in FIG. 8, a perspective view of the tool of FIG. 7, after the dismantling of the disk,

(10) in FIG. 9, the tool according to the invention during the upkeep of the disk, the fastening and maintaining means being in the second position,

(11) in FIG. 10, a block representation of the steps of the method for dismantling an annular part according to an embodiment of the invention,

(12) in FIG. 11, a block representation of the steps of a method for reassembling the annular part according to an embodiment of the invention.

(13) Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become clear from reading the detailed description that follows, with reference to the appended figures.

DESCRIPTION OF AT LEAST ONE EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

(14) FIGS. 5 to 9 represent the dismantling tool 100 according to a non-limiting embodiment of the invention.

(15) With reference to FIG. 5, the dismantling tool 100 comprises: a support 101, fastening and maintaining means 102, rotating means 103, adjustment means 104.

(16) The support 101 is suited to supporting an annular part 10, 14 of a turbomachine 1 when said annular part 10, 14 is fixed to the fastening and maintaining means 102. The annular part 10, 14 is for example a disk 10 of the low pressure turbine 7 such as represented in FIGS. 6 to 9 or instead an exhaust casing 14, etc. “Disk” is taken to mean a disk without vanes or a disk on which vanes are mounted.

(17) The shape, the dimensions and the material of the support 101 are chosen such that the support 101 has sufficient mechanical strength so as not to break during the dismantling, the reassembly or the upkeep of the annular part 10, 14. “Upkeep” is notably taken to mean the replacement of a vane. Advantageously, the support 101 is made of steel. Furthermore, as may be seen in FIG. 5, the support 101 is perforated, which makes it possible to limit the manufacturing costs of the tool 100.

(18) Moreover, according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the support 101 has a semi-circular shape composed of a base 1012 and a half-circle portion 1013. According to an embodiment, the base 1012 extends over a length comprised in the interval [662 mm; 1862 mm], preferentially 1312 mm. Obviously, the support 101 may have other shapes such as a circular, rectangular, square, triangular shape, etc. Moreover, the support 101, whatever its shape, extends mainly along a plane, which will be designated first plane P11. In other words, when the support 101 has a semi-circular shape, the base 1012 and the half-circle portion 1013 both extend along the first plane P11. The first plane P11 is vertical when the tool 100 is used for the dismantling, the upkeep or the reassembly of the annular part 10, 14. The terms “vertical plane” and “horizontal plane” are defined with reference, respectively, to the plane XY and to the plane XZ of the reference system XYZ illustrated in FIG. 5.

(19) In addition, the support 101 comprises means for retaining 107 the annular part 10, 14 visible in FIG. 5. The retention means 107 make it possible to prevent the annular part 10, 14 from switching during the dismantling or the reassembly of said annular part 10, 14. In addition, the retention means 107 also serve as reinforcement for the tool 100. For this purpose, the retention means 107 are arranged in such a way as to form a bearing surface for the annular part 10, 14 when it is fixed on the tool 100. According to the embodiment of FIG. 5, the retention means 107 are formed by two vertical bars arranged on either side of the fastening and maintaining means 102 and extend perpendicularly with respect to the base 1012. Moreover, each bar is connected, by a first end, to the base 1012 and, by a second end, to the half-circle portion 1013 of the support 101. Obviously, the retention means 107 may have other shapes not represented in the figures.

(20) Advantageously, the tool 100 also comprises gripping means 1011 making it possible to grab, maintain and displace the tool 100 during the dismantling, the reassembly or the upkeep of the annular part 10, 14, for example using a lifting system. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, the gripping means 1011 are formed by a loop, arranged at the summit of the half-circle portion 1013, wherein is inserted a hook 1012 of the lifting system, such as illustrated in FIG. 8.

(21) Furthermore, the fastening and maintaining means 102 ensure the fixing of the tool 100 on the annular part 10, 14 during the dismantling, the upkeep or during the reassembly of the annular part 10, 14. For this purpose, through orifices 105 are arranged in the fastening and maintaining means 102 and are suited to receiving first fixing means 106. According to a non-limiting embodiment, the first fixing means 106 cooperate with second fixing means (not represented) of the tool 100 to ensure the fixing of the fastening and maintaining means 102 on the annular part 10, 14. Advantageously, the second fixing means are formed by removable hooks which enable the coupling of the annular part 10, 14 with the fastening and maintaining means 102.

(22) According to the embodiment of FIG. 5, the first fixing means 106 are formed by fixing screws which are introduced in the through orifices 105 arranged in the fastening and maintaining means 102 until coming into contact with the removable hooks. The tightening of the fixing screws on the removable hooks makes it possible to press the fastening and maintaining means 102 against the annular part 10, 14 to make them correctly integral with each other. The use of removable hooks makes it possible to ensure the integrity of the annular part 10, 14 in so far as it is not necessary to drill holes in the annular part 10, 14 to fix it to the tool 100.

(23) Furthermore, the fastening and maintaining means 102 comprise a through opening 1021 of which the shape and the dimensions are suited to receiving an axial shaft 8 of the turbomachine 1, visible in FIG. 7, during the dismantling and the reassembly of the annular part 10, 14. Moreover, the opening 1021 enables the centring of the fastening and maintaining means 102 on the inner diameter of the annular part 10, 14. According to a non-limiting embodiment, the opening 1021 is circular and has a diameter comprised in the interval [400 mm, 600 mm], preferentially 450 mm. Advantageously, the fastening and maintaining means 102 are interchangeable such that it is possible to substitute them by fastening and maintaining means of different diameters.

(24) According to the embodiment of FIGS. 5 to 9, the fastening and maintaining means 102 are in the form of a collar. Obviously, the fastening and maintaining means 102 may have another shape, for example square, rectangular. Moreover, the fastening and maintaining means 102, whatever their shape, extend mainly along a plane, which will be designated second plane P12.

(25) In an advantageous manner, the characteristics of the fastening and maintaining means 102, notably the material(s) and/or the protective elements used, are chosen in such a way as to avoid any damage of the annular part 10, 14. Thus, the fastening and maintaining means 102 are made of a material having sufficient strength to support the annular part 10, 14 when it is fixed on the fastening and maintaining means 102. Advantageously, the fastening and maintaining means 102 are made of steel.

(26) Furthermore, the fastening and maintaining means 102 are rotationally moveable with respect to the support 101 between a first position P1 and a second position P2.

(27) In the first position P1, illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 8, the fastening and maintaining means 102 are substantially parallel to the support 101, i.e. the first plane P11 is substantially parallel to the second plane P12. Moreover, in this position P1, the first plane P11 and the second plane P12 are substantially vertical. Advantageously, the fastening and maintaining means 102 are in the first position P1 during the dismantling and the reassembly and in the second position P2 during the upkeep of the annular part 10, 14.

(28) In the second position P2, illustrated in FIG. 9, the fastening and maintaining means 102 are substantially perpendicular to the support 101, i.e. the first plane P11 is substantially perpendicular to the second plane P12. Moreover, in this position P2, the first plane P11 is vertical whereas the second plane P12 is horizontal.

(29) Furthermore, according to a non-limiting embodiment, the fastening and maintaining means 102 are arranged on a peripheral portion of the support 101 in such a way as to allow the rotation of the fastening and maintaining means 102 with respect to the support 101 when the annular part 10, 14 is fixed to the fastening and maintaining means 102. According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the fastening and maintaining means 102 are positioned at the level of the base 1012 of the support 101. In other words, the base 1012 has a discontinuity at the level of which the fastening and maintaining means 102 are positioned.

(30) The rotating means 103 ensure the rotation of the fastening and maintaining means 102 with respect to the support 101 in such a way as to enable the passage from the first position P1 to the second position P2, and vice versa. In particular, the passage from the first position P1 to the second position P2 is carried out by switching the fastening and maintaining means 102 or the annular part 10, 14 (when it is fixed to the fastening and maintaining means 102) by an angle of 90° with respect to the support 101.

(31) The rotating means 103 are positioned between the support 101 and the fastening and maintaining means 102. According to a non-limiting embodiment, the rotating means 103 are composed of a spindle and a collar forming a pivot link. Naturally, the rotating means 103 may be formed by any system making it possible to form a pivot link, for example a roller.

(32) Furthermore, the rotating means 103 comprise locking means suited to maintaining the fastening and maintaining means 102 in the first position P1 or in the second position P2. The locking means are for example formed by a pinning at 0° and 90°.

(33) The adjustment means 104 are suited to modifying the centre of gravity of the tool 100, in particular when the annular part 10, 14 is fixed to the tool 100 in order to ensure the stability of the annular part 10, 14 during the dismantling and the reassembly of the annular part 10, 14. According to a non-limiting embodiment, the adjustment means 104 are formed by a mechanical axial displacement means comprising: a ring 1041, a worm screw 1042, a control wheel 1043 enabling, by actuating the worm screw 1042, the axial translation of the ring 1041.

(34) In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the adjustment means 104 are formed by an electric, hydraulic displacement means or any other axial displacement means.

(35) FIG. 10 represents the steps of the method 200 for dismantling an annular part 10, 14 mounted around a shaft 8 of a turbomachine 1 using the tool 100 according to the invention. During the dismantling of the annular part 10, 14, the turbomachine or a portion of the turbomachine is positioned horizontally, i.e. the longitudinal axis X, visible in FIG. 4a, of the turbomachine or of the portion of the turbomachine is parallel to the plane XZ of the reference system XYZ illustrated in FIG. 5.

(36) In a positioning step 201, the tool 100 is positioned facing the annular part 10, 14 such that the opening 1021 of the fastening and maintaining means 102 is facing a central cavity 20 of the annular part 10, 14. The fastening and maintaining means 102 are maintained in the first position P1 during the positioning step 201. Advantageously, the fastening and maintaining means 102 are locked in the first position P1 by the locking means. Furthermore, when the shaft 8 of the turbomachine 1 is projecting with respect to the annular part 10, 14, the step of positioning 201 the tool 100 comprises the positioning of the opening 1021 of the fastening and maintaining means 102 around the shaft 8 then the axial displacement of the tool 100 inwards, i.e. in the direction of the annular part 10, 14.

(37) In a fixing step 202, the fastening and maintaining means 102 are fixed on the annular part 10, 14. Advantageously, the fixing step 202 is carried out by positioning beforehand the second fixing means against the fastening and maintaining means 12 and the annular part 10, 14 in such a way as to ensure their coupling. The first fixing means 106, here formed by fixing screws, are next inserted through the through orifices 105 arranged in the fastening and maintaining means 102 then tightened against the removable hooks to fix correctly the fastening and maintaining means 102 and the annular part 10, 14.

(38) In a displacement step 203, the tool 100 fixed to the annular part 10, 14 is displaced axially outwards in such a way as to separate the annular part 10, 14 from the remainder of the turbomachine 1. It is noted that “axial” displacement is taken to mean a displacement along a direction parallel to the axis X of the turbomachine 1.

(39) In an upkeep step 204, the annular part 10, 14, fixed to the tool 100, is placed on a frame 13 in order to carry out the maintenance of the annular part 10, 14 as may be seen in FIG. 9. During the upkeep step 201, the fastening and maintaining means 102 are maintained in the second position P2. To do so, the fastening and maintaining means 102 are switched to the second position P2 by the rotating means 103. Advantageously, the upkeep step 204 comprises the locking of the fastening and maintaining means 102 in the second position P2 by the locking means. It is noted that if the fastening and maintaining means 102 have been locked in the first position P1 during the positioning step 101, it is necessary to unlock the position of the fastening and maintaining means 102 in order to be able to make it switch to the second position P2. Furthermore, in order to facilitate the step of upkeeping 204 the annular part 10, 14, the fastening and maintaining means 102 may be disengaged from the annular part 10, 14.

(40) During the dismantling of a disk 10 of a low pressure turbine 7 such as represented in FIGS. 4a to 4c, the aforesaid dismantling method 200 is carried out a first time to extract the exhaust casing 14 visible in FIG. 4b then a second time to extract the disk 10 such as represented in FIG. 4c.

(41) FIG. 11 represents the steps of a method 300 for reassembling the annular part 10 after the dismantling by the method 200.

(42) In a switching step 301, the fastening and maintaining means 102 are switched from the second position P2 to the first position P1 by the rotating means 103. Advantageously, the fastening and maintaining means 102 are locked in the first position P1 by the locking means. It is noted that if the fastening and maintaining means 102 have been locked in the second position P2 before the switching step 301, it is necessary to unlock the position of the fastening and maintaining means 102 before being able to make it switch to the first position P1.

(43) In a positioning step 302, the tool 100 on which is fixed the annular part 10, 14 is positioned facing the turbomachine 1 such that the shaft 8 of the turbomachine can traverse the opening 1021 arranged in the fastening and maintaining means 102. In other words, the opening 1021 of the fastening and maintaining means 102 is positioned facing the turbomachine 1 in such a way as to surround the shaft 8 of the turbomachine 1.

(44) In a displacement step 303, the tool 100 is displaced axially inwards, i.e. towards the turbomachine, until the annular part 10, 14 returns to its initial position in the turbomachine. “Initial position” is taken to mean the position of the annular part 10, 14 before the dismantling of said annular part 10, 14 of the turbomachine 1.

(45) In a disengagement step 304, the fastening and maintaining means 102 are disengaged from the annular part 10, 14.

(46) In an extraction step 305, the tool 100 is extracted by displacing it axially to the outside of the turbomachine 1.

(47) The invention is obviously not limited to the exemplary embodiments described above for which other alternative embodiments could be provided without however going beyond the scope of the invention.