Separation tool and method for nozzle segment of gas turbine

Abstract

To provide a separation tool and method for nozzle segments from a casing of a gas turbine.SOLUTION: The present application provides a nozzle segment separation tool to be used for a pair of adjacent nozzle segments in a casing of a turbine. The nozzle segment separation tool includes a pair of support plates, a hydraulic cylinder disposed on the pair of support plates, a pushing bar attached to the hydraulic cylinder, a nozzle catch plate disposed on the pair of support plates, and a blocking pin inserted through the casing. The blocking pin forces the nozzle catch plate to engage a first nozzle segment of the pair of adjacent nozzle segments and blocks movement of the pushing bar such that the nozzle catch plate separates the pair of adjacent nozzle segments.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE This application and the resultant patent relate generally to gas turbine engines, and more particularly to a separation tool for separating adjacent nozzle segments prior to removal of the nozzle from the casing of the turbine for repair or replacement. [Background technology]

[0002] A gas turbine engine traditionally includes a compressor that compresses ambient air and a combustor that mixes a flow of air with a flow of fuel to generate hot combustion gases. A turbine receives the hot combustion gas flow and extracts energy therefrom to power the compressor and generate output power for an external load (such as a generator). Turbine components, such as turbine nozzles and turbine blades, located in the hot gas path are not only subjected to high combustion temperatures and pressures, but also to various types of dynamic forces. As such, these hot gas path components are periodically replaced and / or repaired to ensure efficient and safe performance.

[0003] Removal of hot gas components (such as nozzles) can be difficult and time consuming. Each stage of nozzles is typically made up of multiple segments that can be arranged circumferentially end-to-end to form a continuous ring near the casing of the turbine section. The high temperature and pressure environment can cause the nozzles to stick together and / or seize on the support structure. However, the small clearances in the turbine section provide little space to access the nozzles and other components, and little space to apply any force to separate the nozzles before removal. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Accordingly, this application and the resultant patent provide a nozzle segment separation tool for use with a pair of adjacent nozzle segments in a casing of a turbine, the nozzle segment separation tool including a pair of support plates, a hydraulic cylinder disposed on the pair of support plates, a pushing bar attached to the hydraulic cylinder, a nozzle catch plate disposed on the pair of support plates, and a blocking pin inserted into the casing, the blocking pin engaging the nozzle catch plate with a first nozzle segment of the pair of adjacent nozzle segments to block movement of the pushing bar, and the nozzle catch plate separating the pair of adjacent nozzle segments.

[0005] The application and resultant patent further provide a method of separating a pair of adjacent nozzles in a casing of a turbine, the method including the steps of sliding a nozzle segment separation tool proximate to the pair of adjacent nozzles, inserting a blocking pin into the casing, contacting a nozzle catch plate of the nozzle segment separation tool with one of the pair of adjacent nozzles by the blocking pin, engaging the blocking pin with a pushing bar of the nozzle segment separation tool, and pulling one of the pair of adjacent nozzles with the nozzle catch plate.

[0006] The present application and the resultant patent may further provide a nozzle segment separation tool for use with a pair of adjacent nozzle segments in a casing of a turbine. The nozzle segment separation tool may include a pair of support plates, a hydraulic cylinder disposed on the pair of support plates, a pushing bar attached to the hydraulic cylinder, a spring biased nozzle catch plate disposed on the pair of support plates, and a blocking pin inserted into the casing. The blocking pin engages the spring biased nozzle catch plate with a first nozzle segment of a pair of adjacent nozzle segments to block movement of the pushing bar (130), and the spring biased nozzle catch plate (140) separates the pair of adjacent nozzle segments (66) by a force applied by the hydraulic cylinder.

[0007] These and other features and improvements of the present application and the resulting patent will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from a reading of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the several drawings and claims. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a gas turbine engine including a compressor, a combustor, a turbine, and an external load. [Diagram 2] 1 is a schematic diagram of multiple stages disposed within a casing of a turbine; [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a nozzle segment separation tool as is described herein. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the nozzle segment separation tool of FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the nozzle catch plate of the nozzle segment separation tool of FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of the nozzle catch plate of FIG. 5 of the nozzle segment separation tool. [Figure 7]FIG. 4 is a front plan view of the shroud plate of the nozzle segment separation tool of FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a side plan view of a blocking pin for use with the nozzle segment separation tool of FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a nozzle segment separation tool positioned near a segment of a nozzle. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a partial plan view showing a state in which the nozzle catch plate of the nozzle segment separation tool is used. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is another partial plan view showing the nozzle catch plate and blocking pin of the nozzle segment separation tool in use. [Figure 12] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a nozzle segment separation tool in place near a segment of a nozzle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Referring now to the drawings, in which like numerals represent like elements in the several views, FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a gas turbine engine 10 that may be used herein. The gas turbine engine 10 may include a compressor 15. The compressor 15 compresses an incoming airflow 20. The compressor 15 routes the compressed airflow 20 to a number of combustor cans 25. The combustor cans 25 mix the compressed airflow 20 with a pressurized fuel flow 30 and ignite the mixture to generate a hot combustion gas flow 35. Although only a single combustor can 25 is shown, the gas turbine engine 10 may include any number of combustor cans 25 arranged, such as in a circumferential array. Alternatively, the combustor 25 may be an annular combustor. The flow of combustion gases 35 is in turn routed to a turbine 40. The flow of combustion gases 35 drives the turbine 40 to generate mechanical work. The mechanical work generated by the turbine 40 drives the compressor 15 and an external load 50 (such as a generator) via a rotor shaft 45 .

[0010] The gas turbine engine 10 may use natural gas, various types of synthetic gas, liquid fuels, and / or other types of fuels and mixtures thereof. The gas turbine engine 10 may be any of several different gas turbine engines offered by General Electric Company of Schenectady, New York, including, but not limited to, a 7 Series or 9 Series heavy duty gas turbine engine. The gas turbine engine 10 may be part of a simple cycle power generation system, a combined cycle power generation system, or other types of power generation systems. The gas turbine engine 10 may have other configurations and may use other types of components. Other types of gas turbine engines may also be used herein. Multiple gas turbine engines, other types of turbines, and other types of power generation devices may also be used together herein.

[0011] FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the turbine 40. The turbine 40 includes several stages 52. Generally, each stage 52 includes a stationary row 54 of nozzles 56 and a rotating row 58 of turbine blades 60. In this example, three stages 52 are shown, a first stage, a second stage, and a third stage. The turbine blades 60 of each row 58 are circumferentially spaced about a rotor disk 62 and extend radially outward from the rotor disk 62. Each rotor disk 62 is coupled to the rotor shaft 45. A turbine casing 64 extends circumferentially relative to the nozzles 56. Each nozzle 56 is coupled to the turbine casing 64, and each nozzle 56 extends radially inward from the turbine casing 64 toward the rotor shaft 45. Specifically, the nozzles 56 may be arranged in several segments 66 and may be attached to the turbine casing 64 by several shroud grooves 68 in several shrouds 70, as described in more detail below. A hot combustion gas path 72 may be defined between the turbine casing 64 and each rotor disk 62 .

[0012] 3 illustrates one example of a nozzle segment separation tool 100 as described herein. The nozzle segment separation tool 100 may include a pair of support plates 110. The support plates 110 may be made of a sufficiently rigid material, such as stainless steel. The support plates 110 may have disposed thereon a hydraulic cylinder 120, a pushing bar 130, a nozzle catch plate 140, and connecting elements as described in more detail below.

[0013] The hydraulic cylinder 120 may be of conventional design. Specifically, the hydraulic cylinder 120 includes a hydraulic fluid port 150 and an internal piston 160. The hydraulic cylinder 120 may be single stroke or double stroke. An exemplary hydraulic cylinder is a 5 ton capacity hydraulic cylinder available from ENERPAC, Inc., Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Other types of hydraulic cylinders, other types of capacities, and other types of push or pull mechanisms may be used herein.

[0014] The pushing bar 130 may extend from the hydraulic cylinder 120 to below the nozzle catch plate 140 within the support plate 110. The pushing bar 130 may have an elongated shape and may be disposed at an angle within the support plate 110. The pushing bar 130 may be made of a sufficiently rigid material, such as stainless steel. As shown in FIG. 4, the pushing bar 130 may be joined to the hydraulic cylinder 120 via a threaded adapter 170 attached to the piston 160 and an L-shaped bar 180 bolted to the pushing bar 130. Specifically, the threaded adapter 170 and the L-shaped bar 180 may be connected by a first bolt 190. The pushing bar 130 and the L-shaped bar 180 may be connected by a pair of second bolts 200. The pushing bar 130 and the L-shaped bar 180 may also be formed as a single element. Other types of connection means may also be used. Also, spacers 210, etc. may be used between the pushing bar 130 and the L-shaped bar 180. Other components and other configurations may be used herein.

[0015] The nozzle catch plate 140 may be located at the other end of the support plate 110. As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the nozzle catch plate 140 may have a pair of support arms 220 and a pair of catch arms 230. The support arms 220 and the catch arms 230 collectively form an L-shaped catch surface 240. The bottom of the catch arm 230 may have an oblique surface 250 that is angled upward toward the pushing bar 130. The nozzle catch plate 140 may be joined to the support plate 110 via a pair of pins 260 that are located in slots 270 of the support arms 220. Each slot 270 may have a spring 280 that is located to contact the pin 260. The springs 280 serve to push the nozzle catch plate 140 downward within the support plate 110. A spring plunger 290 may also be used to limit the relative movement of the nozzle catch plate 140. The nozzle catch plate 140 may also be replaced for use with different stages having different configurations by removing the spring plunger 290. Other components and other configurations may also be used herein.

[0016] A shroud plate 300 may be positioned at the other end of the support plate 110 adjacent the hydraulic cylinder 120. As shown in FIG. 7, the shroud plate 300 may have a pair of shroud pins 310 on either side thereof. The shroud pins 310 are sized and positioned to be inserted into the shroud grooves 68 in the turbine shroud 70. The shroud plate 300 and the shroud pins 310 serve to stabilize the nozzle segment separation tool 100 when it is adjacent the segments 66 of the nozzle 56. Returning to FIG. 3, a positioning pipe 320 may be welded to the support plate 110. The positioning pipe 320 may be used to position and move the nozzle segment separation tool 100 relative to the segments 66 of the nozzle 56. Other components and configurations may be used herein.

[0017] The nozzle segment separation tool 100 may be used with a blocking pin 330. As shown in FIG. 8, the blocking pin 330 may have a flat surface 340 sized to fit over the pushing bar 130. The blocking pin 330 may be positioned against the turbine casing 64 via a blocking nut 350. Different sizes and shapes of blocking pins 330 may be used at different stages. Other components and configurations may be used herein.

[0018] 9-12, in use, the nozzle segment separation tool 100 may be inserted into the shroud groove 68 of the turbine shroud 70 by the shroud plate 300 and the shroud pin 310. Similarly, the blocking pin 330 may be inserted into the turbine casing 64 and secured in place by a lock nut 350. When the nozzle segment separation tool 100 is positioned under or near the nozzle 56, the angled surface 250 of the nozzle catch plate 140 moves against the blocking pin 330 until the catch surface 240 moves past the nozzle 56. The nozzle segment separation tool 100 continues to move until the pushing bar 130 contacts the flat surface 340 of the blocking pin 330.

[0019] Thus, the nozzle segment separation tool 100 can be positioned with the catch surface 240 of the nozzle catch plate 140 contacting the nozzle 56 and the pushing bar 130 contacting the flat surface 340 of the blocking pin 330. Once the pushing bar 130 is blocked, the hydraulic cylinder 120 can be actuated to pull the support plate 110 and nozzle catch plate 140 in the direction of arrow 360. This pulling action separates the nozzle 56 and / or nozzle segment 66. Once separated, the nozzle 56 can be removed in the usual manner.

[0020] It should be apparent that the foregoing relates only to certain embodiments of this application and the resulting patent. Those skilled in the art may make numerous changes and modifications therein without departing from the general spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0021] Further aspects of the invention are provided by the following embodiments. [Embodiment 1] 1. A nozzle segment separation tool for use on a pair of adjacent nozzle segments in a casing of a turbine, the nozzle segment separation tool including a pair of support plates, a hydraulic cylinder disposed on the pair of support plates, a pushing bar attached to the hydraulic cylinder, a nozzle catch plate disposed on the pair of support plates, and a blocking pin inserted into the casing, the blocking pin engaging the nozzle catch plate with a first nozzle segment of the pair of adjacent nozzle segments to block movement of the pushing bar, and the nozzle catch plate separating the pair of adjacent nozzle segments. [Embodiment 2] 2. A nozzle segment separation tool as described in embodiment 1, wherein the pair of support plates comprises stainless steel. [Embodiment 3] 3. The nozzle segment separation tool of embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the pushing bar comprises stainless steel. [Embodiment 4] The nozzle segment separation tool according to any one of embodiments 1 to 3, wherein the hydraulic cylinder and the pushing bar are connected via a threaded adapter. [Embodiment 5] The nozzle segment separation tool according to any one of the first to fourth embodiments, wherein the hydraulic cylinder and the pushing bar are connected via an L-shaped bar. [Embodiment 6] The nozzle segment separation tool according to any one of the first to fifth embodiments, wherein the nozzle catch plate includes a pair of catch arms and a pair of support arms. [Embodiment 7] The nozzle segment separation tool of any one of the first to sixth embodiments, wherein the pair of catch arms and the pair of support arms form catch surfaces for the first nozzle segment. [Embodiment 8] A nozzle segment separation tool as described in any one of embodiments 1 to 7, wherein the pair of catch arms include angled surfaces for the pushing bar. [Embodiment 9] A nozzle segment separation tool as described in any one of embodiments 1 to 8, wherein each support arm of the pair of support arms includes a slot and a spring-loaded pin is disposed within the slot. [Embodiment 10] A nozzle segment separation tool as described in any one of embodiments 1 to 9, wherein the nozzle catch plate includes a spring plunger disposed therein. [Embodiment 11] The nozzle segment separation tool of any one of the first to tenth embodiments, further comprising a shroud plate disposed adjacent to the pair of support plates. [Embodiment 12] 12. The nozzle segment separation tool of any one of embodiments 1 to 11, wherein the shroud plate includes a plurality of shroud pins. [Embodiment 13] 13. The nozzle segment separation tool of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the blocking pin includes a flat surface for the pushing bar. [Embodiment 14] 14. The nozzle segment separation tool of any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the blocking pin comprises a blocking nut. [Embodiment 15] 1. A method of separating a pair of adjacent nozzles in a casing of a turbine, the method comprising: sliding a nozzle segment separation tool near the pair of adjacent nozzles; inserting a blocking pin into the casing; contacting a nozzle catch plate of the nozzle segment separation tool with one of the pair of adjacent nozzles by the blocking pin; engaging the blocking pin with a pushing bar of the nozzle segment separation tool; and pulling the one of the pair of adjacent nozzles with the nozzle catch plate. [Embodiment 16] 1. A nozzle segment separation tool for use on a pair of adjacent nozzle segments in a casing of a turbine, the tool including: a pair of support plates; hydraulic cylinders disposed on the pair of support plates; a pushing bar attached to the hydraulic cylinders; a spring biased nozzle catch plate disposed on the pair of support plates; and a blocking pin inserted into the casing, the blocking pin engaging the spring biased nozzle catch plate with a first nozzle segment of the pair of adjacent nozzle segments to block movement of the pushing bar, the spring biased nozzle catch plate separating the pair of adjacent nozzle segments by the hydraulic cylinders. [Embodiment 17] 17. The nozzle segment separation tool of embodiment 16, wherein the pair of support plates and the pressure bar comprise stainless steel. [Embodiment 18] 18. A nozzle segment separation tool as described in embodiment 16 or 17, wherein the spring-biased nozzle catch plate includes a pair of catch arms and a pair of support arms. [Embodiment 19] 19. A nozzle segment separation tool as described in any one of embodiments 16 to 18, wherein the pair of catch arms and the pair of support arms include catch surfaces for the nozzle. [Embodiment 20] 20. A nozzle segment separation tool as described in any one of embodiments 16 to 19, wherein the blocking pin includes a flat surface for the pushing bar. [Explanation of symbols]

[0022] 40 Turbine 56 Nozzle 64 Casing 66 Nozzle Segment 100 Nozzle segment separation tool 110 Pair of support plates 120 Hydraulic Cylinder 130 Pushing Bar 140 Nozzle catch plate 180 L-shaped bar 220 Support Arm 230 Catch Arm 240 Catch surface 250 Angled Surface 270 Slots 290 Spring Plunger 300 shroud plate 310 Shroud pin 330 Blocking Pin 350 Blocking Nut

Claims

1. 1. A nozzle segment separation tool (100) for use on a pair of adjacent nozzle segments (66) in a casing (64) of a turbine (40), comprising: A pair of support plates (110), A hydraulic cylinder (120) disposed on the pair of support plates (110); A pushing bar (130) attached to the hydraulic cylinder (120); A nozzle catch plate (140) disposed on the pair of support plates (110); and A blocking pin (330) inserted into said casing (64) Including, a nozzle segment separation tool, wherein the blocking pin (330) engages the nozzle catch plate (140) with a first nozzle segment (66) of the pair of adjacent nozzle segments (66) to block movement of the pushing bar (130), and the nozzle catch plate (140) separates the pair of adjacent nozzle segments (66).

2. The nozzle segment separation tool (100) of claim 1 , wherein the pair of support plates (110) comprises stainless steel.

3. The nozzle segment separation tool (100) of claim 1 , wherein the pushing bar (130) comprises stainless steel.

4. The nozzle segment separation tool (100) of claim 1, wherein the hydraulic cylinder (120) and the pushing bar (130) are connected via a threaded adapter (170).

5. The nozzle segment separation tool (100) of claim 1, wherein the hydraulic cylinder (120) and the pushing bar (130) are connected via an L-bar (180).

6. The nozzle segment separation tool (100) of claim 1, wherein the nozzle catch plate (140) comprises a pair of catch arms (230) and a pair of support arms (220).

7. The nozzle segment separation tool (100) of claim 6, wherein the pair of catch arms (230) and the pair of support arms (220) form a catch surface (240) for the first nozzle segment (66).

8. The nozzle segment separation tool (100) of claim 6, wherein the pair of catch arms (230) include an angled surface (250) for the pushing bar (130).

9. 7. The nozzle segment separation tool of claim 6, wherein each support arm of the pair of support arms includes a slot having a spring biased pin disposed therein.

10. The nozzle segment separation tool (100) of claim 1, wherein the nozzle catch plate (140) includes a spring plunger (290) disposed therein.

11. The nozzle segment separation tool (100) of claim 1, further comprising a shroud plate (300) disposed adjacent to the pair of support plates (110).

12. The nozzle segment separation tool (100) of claim 11, wherein the shroud plate (300) comprises a plurality of shroud pins (310).

13. The nozzle segment separation tool (100) of claim 1, wherein the blocking pin (330) includes a flat surface (340) for the pushing bar (130).

14. The nozzle segment separation tool (100) of claim 1, wherein the blocking pin (330) comprises a blocking nut (350).

15. 1. A method of separating a pair of adjacent nozzles (56) in a casing (64) of a turbine (40), comprising: sliding a nozzle segment separation tool (100) adjacent the pair of adjacent nozzles (56); inserting a blocking pin (330) into said casing (64); contacting a nozzle catch plate (140) of the nozzle segment separation tool (100) with one of the pair of adjacent nozzles (56) by the block pin (330); engaging the blocking pin (330) with a pushing bar (130) of the nozzle segment separation tool (100); and Pulling one of the pair of adjacent nozzles (56) with the nozzle catch plate (140). A method comprising:

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