Device and method for mounting or dismantling, replacement and maintenance of a can-combustor

Abstract

The present invention concerning of a device for mounting or dismantling, replacement and maintenance of a can-combustor of a gas turbine engine including an assembly tool or assembly tool with additional frame having at least one lifting beam, at least one linear driver, wheels, at least one eccentric rolling hook for fixation of the gas turbine housing, optionally spacers for building the interface to the can-combustor, adapters, lifting points for the main crane. The eccentric rolling hook is connected to the gas turbine housing by giving in axial or quasi-axial direction a force for mounting or dismantling the can-combustor from the gas turbine housing.

Claims

1. A device for mounting or dismantling, replacement and maintenance of a can-combustor of a gas turbine engine, the device comprising: an assembly tool or assembly tool with an additional frame having at least one lifting beam; at least one linear driver; wheels; at least one eccentric rolling hook configured for fixation of a gas turbine housing, and the at least one eccentric rolling hook includes an outer structure/casing which is movable/turnable and an inner ring which behaves stationary, or an inner ring which is movable/turnable and an outer structure/casing which behaves stationary; and lifting points for a crane, wherein the at least one eccentric rolling hook is configured to be connected to a gas turbine housing by applying in an axial or quasi-axial direction a force for mounting or dismantling the can-combustor relative to the gas turbine housing.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one eccentric rolling hook comprising: an adjustment device, discretely or operatively communicating with the crane, to adjust a position of a can-combustor in a radial or quasi-radial position.

3. The device according to claim 1, comprising: electrical means or a worm gear for driving the eccentric rolling hook.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one eccentric rolling hook is configured to be self-locking with respect to a counterpart attached to a gas turbine housing.

5. The device according to claim 4, in combination with a counterpart bolted to a machined surface of the gas turbine housing.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the assembly tool or the assembly tool with the additional frame is configured to avoid collision with nearby can-combustors and auxiliary systems.

7. A method for mounting of a can-combustor with a device for mounting or dismantling, replacement and maintenance of the can-combustor of a gas turbine engine, the device comprising: an assembly tool or assembly tool with an additional frame having at least one lifting beam; at least one linear driver; wheels; at least one eccentric rolling hook configured for fixation of a gas turbine housing, and the at least one eccentric rolling hook includes an outer structure/casing which is movable/turnable and an inner ring which behaves stationary, or an inner ring which is movable/turnable and an outer structure/casing which behaves stationary; and lifting points for a crane, wherein the at least one eccentric rolling hook is configured to be connected to a gas turbine housing by applying in an axial or quasi-axial direction a force for mounting or dismantling the can-combustor relative to the gas turbine housing, the method comprising: during an assembly procedure the assembly tool is always connected to a crane; an adjustment of an angle with respect to an assembling direction of the can-combustor is managed by the crane; adjusting and fixing the can-combustor within the right a desired operational position into the gas turbine housing; and removing the assembly tool from an impact region of the can-combustors.

8. A method for dismantling or replacement of a can-combustor with a device for mounting or dismantling, replacement and maintenance of the can-combustor of a gas turbine engine, the device comprising: an assembly tool or assembly tool with an additional frame having at least one lifting beam; at least one linear driver; wheels; at least one eccentric rolling hook configured for fixation of a gas turbine housing, and the at least one eccentric rolling hook includes an outer structure/casing which is movable/turnable and an inner ring which behaves stationary, or an inner ring which is movable/turnable and an outer structure/casing which behaves stationary; and lifting points for a crane, wherein the eccentric rolling hook is configured to be connected to a gas turbine housing by applying in an axial or quasi-axial direction a force for mounting or dismantling the can-combustor relative to the gas turbine housing, the method comprising: removing a majority of portal/nuts; lifting the assembly tool to the can-combustor by the crane; placing the eccentric rolling hook relative to the gas turbine housing; after securing the eccentric rolling hook, adjusting, a desired angle between gas turbine housing and assembly tool by the crane; after the assembly tool is in the desired angle, adjusting a height in radial direction with the eccentric rolling hook; mounting the assembly tool to the can-combustor by several bolts; connecting the can-combustor to the assembly tool for extraction; removing any remaining bolts on the can-combustor that are still supporting the can-combustor; adjusting a height with the eccentric rolling hook to compensate dimensional differences or elasticity of the assembly tool; starting to shift the can-combustor outside the gas turbine housing until it reaches a maximum stroke of the assembly tool; and adjusting with the crane to maintain the desired angle such that the can-combustor, positioned outside the gas turbine housing, is ready for lifting.

9. A method for maintenance of a can-combustor with a device for mounting or dismantling, replacement and maintenance of the can-combustor of a gas turbine engine, the device comprising: an assembly tool or assembly tool with an additional frame having at least one lifting beam; at least one linear driver; wheels; at least one eccentric rolling hook configured for fixation of a gas turbine housing, and the at least one eccentric rolling hook includes an outer structure/casing which is movable/turnable and an inner ring which behaves stationary, or an inner ring which is movable/turnable and an outer structure/casing which behaves stationary; and lifting points for a crane, wherein the at least one eccentric rolling hook is configured to be connected to a gas turbine housing by applying in an axial or quasi-axial direction a force for mounting or dismantling the can-combustor relative to the gas turbine housing, the method comprising: removing the majority of portal/nuts; lifting the assembly tool to the can-combustor by the crane; placing the eccentric rolling hook relative to the gas turbine housing; after securing the eccentric rolling hook, adjusting a desired angle between gas turbine housing and assembly tool by the crane; after the assembly tool is in the desired angle, adjusting height in radial direction with the eccentric rolling hook; mounting the assembly tool to the can-combustor by several bolts; connecting the can-combustor to the assembly tool for extraction; removing any remaining bolts on the can-combustor that are still supporting the can-combustor; adjusting a height with the eccentric rolling hook to compensate dimensional differences or elasticity of the assembly tool; starting to shift the can-combustor outside the gas turbine housing until it reaches a maximum stroke of the assembly tool; adjusting with the crane to maintain the angle such that the can-combustor is outside the gas turbine housing and ready for lifting; and after the maintenance operation is completed, remounting the can-combustor as follows: during the assembly procedure the assembly tool is always connected to the crane: managing adjustment of the angle with respect to the assembling direction of the can-combustor by the crane; adjusting and fixing the can-combustor within a desired operational position into a gas turbine housing; and removing the assembly tool from an impact region of the can-combustor.

10. A method for mounting of a can-combustor with the use of the device as claimed in claim 1, the method comprising: during an assembly procedure the assembly tool with the additional frame is connected to the crane or operates independently with other transport means; the adjustment of the angle with respect to the assembling direction of the can-combustor is managed by the crane or operates independently with other transport means being actively connected to the eccentric rolling hook which is actively connected to a counterpart attached to the gas turbine housing; adjusting and fixing the can-combustor within the desired operational position into the gas turbine housing; and removing the assembly tool with additional frame from an impact region of the can-combustor.

11. A method for dismantling or replacement of a can-combustor with the use of the device as claimed in one claim 1, the method comprising: removing a majority of portal/nuts; lifting the assembly tool with the additional frame to the can-combustor by the crane or operating the assembly tool with the additional frame independently with other transport means; placing the eccentric rolling hook relative to the gas turbine housing; after securing the eccentric rolling hook a desired angle between gas turbine housing and the assembly tool with the additional frame by the crane or other transport means; after the assembly tool with the additional frame is in the desired angle adjusting a height in a radial direction with the eccentric rolling hook; mounting the assembly tool with the additional frame to the can-combustor by several bolts; connecting the can-combustor to the assembly tool with the additional frame for extraction; removing any remaining bolts on the can-combustor that are still supporting the can-combustor; adjusting a height with the eccentric rolling hook to compensate dimensional differences or elasticity of the assembly tool with the additional frame; starting to shift the can-combustor outside the gas turbine housing until it reaches a maximum stroke of the assembly tool with the additional frame; adjusting with the crane or other transport means to maintain the desired angle such that the can-combustor positioned outside the gas turbine housing, is ready for lifting.

12. A method for maintenance of a can-combustor with the use of the device as claimed in claim 1, the method comprising: removing a majority of portal/nuts; lifting the assembly tool with the additional frame to the can-combustor by the crane or operating the assembly tool with the additional frame independently with other transport means; placing the eccentric rolling hook relative to the gas turbine housing; after securing the eccentric rolling hook a desired angle between gas turbine housing and the assembly tool with the additional frame by the crane or other transport means; after the assembly tool with the additional frame is in the desired angle adjusting a height in a radial direction with the eccentric rolling hook; mounting the assembly tool with the additional frame to the can-combustor by several bolts; connecting the can-combustor to the assembly tool with the additional frame for extraction; removing any remaining bolts on the can-combustor that are still supporting the can-combustor; adjusting a height with the eccentric rolling hook to compensate dimensional differences or elasticity of the assembly tool with the additional frame; starting to shift the can-combustor outside the gas turbine housing until it reaches a maximum stroke of the assembly tool with the additional frame; adjusting with the crane or other transport means to maintain the desired angle such that the can-combustor positioned outside the gas turbine housing, is ready for lifting; after the maintenance operation is completed, the can-combustor is re-mounted according to the following steps: during the assembly procedure the assembly tool with the additional frame is connected to the crane or operates independently with other transport means; the adjustment of the angle with respect to the assembling direction of the can-combustor is managed by the crane or other transport means is actively connected to the eccentric rolling hook which is actively connected to a counterpart attached to the gas turbine housing; adjusting and fixing the can-combustor within the desired operational position into the gas turbine housing; and removing the assembly tool with additional frame from an impact region of the can-combustor.

13. The device according to claim 1, comprising: spacers for building an interface to a can-combustor.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention shall subsequently be explained in more detail based on exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the drawing. In the drawing:

(2) FIG. 1 is a holistically view showing a device (assembly tool) for mounting/dismantling a can-combustor for use in a gas turbine engine;

(3) FIG. 2 is a holistically view showing a device for mounting/dismantling a can-combustor for use in a gas turbine engine during an operational stage in connection with the gas turbine housing;

(4) FIG. 3 is a partially view showing a self-locking fixation between an eccentric rolling hook and a counterpart bolted to the machined surfaces of the gas turbine housing;

(5) FIG. 4 is a partially view showing the inner ring and outer structure/casing of the eccentric rolling hook comprising an additional cut out;

(6) FIG. 5A is a view showing an angle alternative referring to the locked situation between the inner ring and outer structure/casing in connection with the additional cut out;

(7) FIG. 5B is a view showing an angle alternative referring to the locked situation between the inner ring and outer structure/casing in connection with the additional cut out;

(8) FIG. 5C is a view showing an angle alternative referring to the locked situation between the inner ring and outer structure/casing in connection with the additional cut out;

(9) FIG. 5D is a view showing an angle alternative referring to the locked situation between the inner ring and outer structure/casing in connection with the additional cut out;

(10) FIG. 6 is a holistically view showing a further device (assembly tool with an additional frame) combined with a fork lifter or other lifting device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(11) The starting point of this exemplary embodiment is a gas turbine engine in closed condition which has a pattern of several can-combustors disposed around of rotation contour in relation of the rotor of the gas turbine engine. The main target is to disassemble can-combustor, one in side, out from working location and after service move it back to desired place.

(12) As illustrated in FIG. 1 a device for mounting and dismantling of a can-combustor comprising basically an assembly tool 1 with two rails which is characterized by several features and enables to dis-/assemble the can-combustor (see FIG. 2, item 15) for all position. The features are designed to adjust the position of the can-combustor during assembly procedure and to guarantee a precise extraction of the can-combustor while using an eccentric rolling hook 4 to the gas turbine housing (see FIG. 2, item 12) and the crane (not shown).

(13) Therefore, the device for mounting and dismantling of a can-combustor consists of an assembly tool 1, linear drivers 2, wheels 3, an electrical driven eccentric rolling hook 4 for fixation of the gas turbine housing, optional spacers 5 which build the interface to the can-combustor by use of existing lifting points on the can-combustor, two different (also optional) adapters 6 to enable access for all can-combustors and lifting points 7 for the main crane are available.

(14) During the assembly procedure of the upper situated can-combustors (wherever feasible also for the lower situated can-combustors) the assembly tool 1 is always connected to the crane (not shown). The assembly tool 1 can be separated in two structures. The inner structure which is directly connected to the can-combustor by using existing lifting points 7 with respect to the can-combustor, and the outer structure which contains the assembly tool 1 and the two rails. Inner and outer structures are connected and enable to axial shift extracting the can-combustor by use of linear drivers 2.

(15) The adjustment of the angle will be managed by the crane while the eccentric rolling hook 4 is connected to the gas turbine housing. In order to determine the correct angle of the can-combustor an angle gage will be used which is not shown on the mentioned Figure.

(16) The mentioned adapters 6 are available to enable access for all can-combustors. A special feature of this concept is the eccentric rolling hook 4 which is driven by a worm gear. The eccentric rolling hook 4 secures the assembly tool during extraction of the can-combustor while it is connected to the gas turbine housing and it enables to give a force in axial direction of the can-combustor.

(17) Additionally, it makes thus possible to adjust the position of the can-combustor in radial direction. A clearance in between the stud and the eccentric rolling hook 4 should be considered so that the crane operator can see whether the assembly tool 1 is free from the gas turbine housing or not.

(18) As illustrated in FIG. 2 the eccentric rolling hook 4 (see FIG. 1) of the assembly tool 1 resp. lifting beam 11 will be connected to the gas turbine housing 12. Therefore, a particular counterpart 13 with respect to the eccentric rolling hook 4 will be required.

(19) The counterpart 13 will be bolted to the extra foreseen machined surface 14 on the gas turbine housing 12 and is made up of two side walls connected with a horizontal bar. A system of linear drivers together with several wheels has been chosen as preferred solution to push/pull the can-combustor 15 inside the assembly tool 1.

(20) FIG. 3 shows a particular counterpart 13 which operates in connection with the eccentric rolling hook 4 to achieve a solid detachable connection between the assembly tool 1 and the gas turbine housing 12, serving both for the assembly and dismantling of the can-combustor 15.

(21) As illustrated in FIG. 4 the eccentric rolling hook 4 is made up of one ring and an outer structure/casing. Inner ring 8 and outer structure/casing 9 are both slotted, so depending on the angle of the inner ring 8 the eccentric rolling hook 4 gets closed and secured by an electrical worm gear-connection. Additionally, the radial position can be adjusted due to the fact that the outer structure/casing 9 has an additional cut out 10. The angle of the inner ring 8 can be adjusted by an electric driven worm gear which has high precision and is self-locking.

(22) FIG. 5A to 5D show various angle alternatives referring to the locked situation between the inner ring 8 and outer structure/casing 9 in connection with the additional cut out 10 (see also FIG. 4).

(23) One of the essential advantage of the embodiment concerns also to be seen that the other way around is also feasible in the sense that the outer structure of the eccentric rolling hook 4 comprising movable/turnable outer structure/casing 9 while the inner ring 8 behaves stationary or contrariwise, namely, that the inner ring 8 is movable/turnable while the outer structure/casing 9 behaves stationary, whereby the introduction of the second mentioned embodiment corresponds to an action of a person skilled in the art.

(24) As illustrated in FIG. 6 dis-/assembly of the lower situated half can-combustors are also possible with the same assembly tool, however, an additional device in form of a frame 16 is required. Due to the fact that crane is not always useable for the lower situated half can-combustor the frame 16 combined with a fork lifter or other lifting device enables to extract the can-combustors. The angle of the assembly tool can be changed with the frame 16. In case that a fork lifter cannot guarantee the necessary movement it is possible to use supplementary pivot mounting (not shown).

(25) Referring to the disassembly procedure the following steps are consistent: As a first step the majority of portal/nuts will be removed. Then the spacers will be assembled on the can-combustor 15, upstream lifting points 7. Afterwards the assembly tool 1 will be lifted to the can-combustor 15 by use of the crane so that the eccentric rolling hook 4 is placed correctly to the gas turbine housing 12. After securing of the eccentric rolling hook 4, for example with electrically leaded means, the correct angle between gas turbine housing 12 and assembly tool 1 will be adjusted by use the crane, with the procedure that downstream situated ropes get loose as consequence.

(26) If the assembly tool 1 is in the right angle the height in radial direction can be adjusted with eccentric rolling hook 4. After the assembly tool 1 will be mounted to the can-combustor 15 by use of several bolts. From now on the can-combustor 15 is connected to the assembly tool 1 and ready for extraction.

(27) Therefore, the remaining bolts on the can-combustor to the gas turbine housing 12 that are still supporting the can-combustor 15, will be removed. If necessary it can adjust the height with eccentric rolling hook 4 to compensate the elasticity of the assembly tool 1. Then it will be started to shift the can-combustor 15 outside the gas turbine housing 12 and ready for lifting. The next step is to tighten the downstream ropes, and subsequently adjusting the correct position by using the crane.

(28) The eccentric rolling hook 4 shall be in clearance position and the assembly tool 1 with can-combustor 15 shall be loose. The final step consists to disconnect the eccentric rolling hook 4 from the gas turbine housing 12 so that the assembly tool together with the can-combustor 15 can be lifted and brought to the lay down area.

(29) A similar sequence takes place referring to all above identified operations in connection with lower arranged can-combustors. In this case the assembly tool 1 working in connection with a frame 16 (see also FIG. 6).