Inlet guide blade segment pin removal kit

Abstract

To provide an inlet guide blade segment pin removal kit.SOLUTION: The present application provides an inlet guide blade segment pin removal kit for removing an inlet guide blade pin having a head with a recess from an inlet guide blade segment. The inlet guide blade segment pin removal kit comprises a bolt, a first wrench for inserting the bolt into the recess of the inlet guide blade pin, and a second wrench having an internal bore, such that application of torque to the second wrench retracts the bolt and the inlet guide blade pin into the internal bore.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This application and the patent issued hereunder relate generally to gas turbine engines, and more particularly to an inlet guide vane segment pin removal kit for removing segment pins from inlet guide vane segments mounted to the lower half of a compressor inner casing without removing the rotor. [Background technology]

[0002] In a gas turbine engine, a compressor ingests a flow of air. This flow of air may be guided into the compressor by several inlet guide vanes. The inlet guide vanes may be arranged circumferentially around the compressor inlet. Specifically, known inlet guide vanes may be supported within two semi-annular portions of a turbine assembly, such as within an upper inlet casing and a lower inlet casing. Removal and replacement of inlet guide vanes in the upper inlet casing can be relatively easy using known tools. However, removal and replacement of inlet guide vanes in the lower inlet casing can be difficult. Limited space limits access and requires removal of the entire rotor and other types of equipment. Therefore, using known tools and methods, removal of inlet guide vanes in the lower inlet casing can be difficult, time-consuming, and expensive. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Accordingly, this application and resultant patent provide an inlet guide vane segment pin removal kit for removing an inlet guide vane pin having a head with a recess from an inlet guide vane segment, the inlet guide vane segment pin removal kit including a bolt, a first wrench for inserting the bolt into the recess of the inlet guide vane pin, and a second wrench having an internal bore, the second wrench being configured to retract the bolt and the inlet guide vane pin into the internal bore when torque is applied to the second wrench.

[0004] This application and the resultant patent further provide a method for removing an inlet guide vane segment pin having a head with a recess from an inlet guide vane segment, the method can include inserting a bolt into the recess of the inlet guide vane segment pin, attaching a wrench having an internal bore to the bolt, and applying a torque to the wrench to thread the bolt and the inlet guide vane segment pin into the internal bore of the wrench.

[0005] This application and resultant patent provide an inlet guide vane segment pin removal kit for removing an inlet guide vane pin having a head with a recess from an inlet guide vane segment. The inlet guide vane removal kit can include a bolt having a first portion and a second portion, a bolt insertion wrench for inserting the second portion of the bolt into the recess of the inlet guide vane pin, and a pin removal wrench having an internal bore sized to receive the first portion of the bolt, such that application of torque to the pin removal wrench retracts the bolt and the inlet guide vane pin into the internal bore.

[0006] These and other features and improvements of the present application and the resulting patent will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the several drawings and claims. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary gas turbine engine including a compressor with several inlet guide vanes, a combustor, a turbine, a rotor shaft, and an external load. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of several inlet guide vanes extending between the inner casing and the outer casing. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the pin and bolt and the inlet guide vane segment. [Figure 4]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a banana bolt insertion wrench of the inlet guide vane segment pin removal kit described herein. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the banana bolt insertion wrench of FIG. 4 with a sprocket and bolt provided in the insertion socket. [Figure 6] FIG. 5 is a plan view of a bolt for use with the banana bolt insertion wrench of FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a pin extraction wrench of the inlet guide vane segment pin removal kit described herein. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the pin removal wrench of FIG. 7 with a sprocket having an internal bore. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the inlet guide vane segment pin removal kit in use. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the inlet guide vane segment pin removal kit in use. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the inlet guide vane segment pin removal kit in use. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the inlet guide vane segment pin removal kit in use. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Referring now to the drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like elements throughout the several views, FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a gas turbine engine 10 herein. The gas turbine engine 10 may include a compressor 15. The compressor 15 compresses an incoming airflow 20. The compressor 15 delivers the compressed airflow 20 to a combustor 25 (e.g., multiple combustor cans). Each combustor 25 mixes the compressed airflow 20 with a pressurized fuel flow 30 and ignites the mixture to generate a hot combustion gas flow 35. Although only one combustor 25 is shown, the gas turbine engine 10 may include any number of combustor cans 25 arranged circumferentially around a rotor 45. Alternatively, the combustor 25 may be an annular combustor. The hot combustion gas flow 35 is delivered to a turbine 40. The hot combustion gas flow 35 drives the turbine 40 to produce mechanical work. The mechanical work produced by the turbine 40 drives the compressor 15 and an external load 50 (such as an electrical generator) via a rotor 45 .

[0009] The gas turbine engine 10 may use natural gas, various synthetic gases, liquid fuels, and / or other types of fuels, as well as 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, such as, but not limited to, a 7 Series or 9 Series heavy-duty gas turbine engine. The gas turbine engine 10 may have other configurations and may use other types of components. The inlet guide vane segment pin removal kit may also be used with other types of gas turbine engines. Multiple gas turbine engines, other types of turbines, and other types of power generation equipment may also be used herein.

[0010] Load control of the gas turbine engine 10 may be achieved in part by a number of inlet guide vanes 55. As mentioned above, the inlet guide vanes 55 may be positioned circumferentially around the inlet section 60 of the compressor 15. Specifically, by changing the position of the inlet guide vanes 55 to vary the amount of air entering the compressor 15, the power output of the gas turbine engine 10 may be adjusted. Any number of inlet guide vanes 55 may be used herein.

[0011] 2 shows the inlet guide vanes 55 in more detail. Each inlet guide vane 55 may have an airfoil portion 65 that extends from a drive gear 70 disposed about an outer casing 75 to a bushing 80 connected to an inner casing 85 through an inlet guide vane segment 90. Each inlet guide vane segment 90 is generally "L" shaped and may have several bores 95 for the bushings 80 and other components described below. In this example, a lower half 98 of the inner casing 85 is shown.

[0012] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , each inlet guide vane segment 90 may be attached to the inner casing 85 by a pair of inlet guide vane segment pins 100. Specifically, the inlet guide vane segment pins 100 may be a pair of pull-out dowel pins 110. The inlet guide vane segment pins 100 may have a recess 120 at one end, which may have a plurality of pin threads 130 formed therein. The inlet guide vane segment 90 may also be attached to the inner casing 85 by a pair of inlet guide vane segment bolts 140, or the like. The inlet guide vane segment bolts 140 may have a head 150 with a plurality of cusps 160. Other types of fasteners may be used herein. Other components and configurations may be used herein.

[0013] When repair or replacement is required or scheduled, the inlet guide vane segment pin 100 can be removed from the inlet guide vane segment 90 with an inlet guide vane segment pin removal kit 170. The inlet guide vane segment pin removal kit 170 can include two custom tools: a "banana" bolt insertion wrench 180 and a pin extraction wrench 190. The configuration of each tool 180, 190 allows access to the inlet guide vane segment pin 100 despite the limited distance between the inlet guide vane segment pin 100 and the rotor 45.

[0014] 4-6 show an example of a banana bolt insertion wrench 180. The banana bolt insertion wrench 180 can have a hollow insert body 200 with a generally curved shape 210. As the name suggests, the generally curved shape 210 of the hollow insert body 200 can be shaped like a "banana." (The color can be selected as desired.) A rotating chain 220 can be disposed within the hollow insert body 200. The rotating chain 220 can extend from a first sprocket 230 to a second sprocket 240. The sprockets 230, 240 include a plurality of teeth 250 that can rotate in cooperation with a plurality of links 260 of the chain 220. A clutch or similar mechanism can allow the sprockets 230, 240 to rotate and apply torque in only one direction. The first sprocket 230 can have an internal bore 270. An insertion socket 280 can be disposed within the internal bore 270. The insert socket 280 may have a first end 290 that couples with a drive rod 300 of the first sprocket 230 and a second end 310 that has a generally square drive adapter 320 for use as described below. Other components and configurations may be used herein.

[0015] The banana bolt insertion wrench 180 can be used to insert the custom bolt 330. The custom bolt 330 can have a first portion 340 sized to mate with the drive adapter 320 of the banana bolt insertion wrench 180. The first portion 340 can also have several first threaded portions 350 sized to mate with the pin removal wrench 190, as described below. The custom bolt 330 also has a second portion 360, which has several second threaded portions 370 sized to mate with the pin threads 130 of the recess 120 of the inlet guide vane segment pin 100. Other components and configurations may be used herein.

[0016] 7 and 8 show an example of a pin removal wrench 190. The pin removal wrench 190 may have a hollow pin removal body 380 with a generally curved shape 390. The generally curved shape 390 of the hollow pin removal body 380 may be shaped like a "banana," similar to the banana bolt insertion wrench 180. (The color may be selected as desired.) A rotating chain 400 may be disposed within the hollow pin removal body 380. The rotating chain 400 may extend from a first sprocket 410 to a second sprocket 420. The sprockets 410, 420 include a plurality of teeth 430 that can rotate in cooperation with a plurality of links 440 of the chain 400. The sprockets 410, 420 may be unidirectionally rotatable and torqueable via a clutch or similar mechanism. The first sprocket 410 may have an internal bore 450 with a plurality of sprocket threads 460 formed therein. The sprocket threads 460 may be sized to mate with the first threaded portion 350 of the custom bolt 330. Other components and other configurations may be used herein.

[0017] 9-12 show the inlet guide vane segment pin removal kit in use. In FIG. 9, the first portion of the custom bolt 330 is inserted into the insertion socket 280 of the banana bolt insertion wrench 180. The banana bolt insertion wrench 180 is placed around the inlet guide vane segment pin 100 so that the second threaded portion 370 of the second portion 360 of the custom bolt 330 contacts the pin threads 130 of the recess 120 of the inlet guide vane segment pin 100. The banana bolt insertion wrench 180 is then torqued so that the custom bolt 330 threads into the recess 120 of the inlet guide vane segment pin 100. The banana bolt insertion wrench 180 can then be removed.

[0018] In FIG. 10 , the pin puller wrench 190 can be positioned around the custom bolt 330 inserted into the recess 120 of the inlet guide vane segment pin 100. Specifically, the first threaded portion 350 of the first portion 340 of the custom bolt 330 can contact the sprocket threads 460 of the internal bore 450 of the pin puller wrench 190. As shown in FIG. 11 , the pin puller wrench 190 can be torqued until it contacts the inlet guide vane segment 90. As shown in FIG. 12 , the pin puller wrench 190 can be further torqued to fully retract the custom bolt 330 and inlet guide vane segment pin 100 into the internal bore 450 of the pin puller wrench 190. With the custom bolt 330 and inlet guide vane segment pin 100 retracted, the pin puller wrench 190 can then be removed. This process can then be repeated for the next inlet guide vane segment pin 100. Other different components, configurations, and method steps may be used herein.

[0019] Thus, the inlet guide vane segment pin removal kit 170 allows the inlet guide vane segment pin 100 to be removed from the inlet guide vane segment 90 in a quick and efficient manner. The tools in the inlet guide vane segment pin removal kit 170 are able to access the inlet guide vane segment pin 100 despite the limited space between the inlet guide vane segment pin 100 and the rotor 45. Thus, the inlet guide vane segment pin 100 can be removed and replaced without removing the rotor 45 and associated equipment. Not having to remove the rotor 45 saves significant time and money.

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

[0021] Other aspects of the present invention are provided by the following embodiments. [Embodiment 1] 1. An inlet guide vane segment pin removal kit for removing an inlet guide vane pin having a head with a recess from an inlet guide vane segment, the kit including: a bolt; a first wrench for inserting the bolt into the recess of the inlet guide vane segment pin; and a second wrench having an internal bore, wherein application of a torque to the second wrench draws the bolt and the inlet guide vane segment pin into the internal bore. [Embodiment 2] 2. An inlet guide vane segment pin removal kit as described in embodiment 1, wherein the inlet guide vane segment is attached to a lower half of an inner casing. [Embodiment 3] 3. The inlet guide vane segment pin removal kit of claim 1 or 2, wherein the first wrench includes a bolt insertion wrench for inserting the bolt into the inlet guide vane segment pin. [Embodiment 4] The inlet guide vane segment pin removal kit of any one of embodiments 1 to 3, wherein the bolt includes a first portion having a first thread portion and a second portion having a second thread portion. [Embodiment 5] 5. The inlet guide vane segment pin removal kit of any one of embodiments 1 to 4, wherein the bolt insertion wrench includes an insertion socket, the insertion socket being sized to receive a first portion of the bolt. [Embodiment 6] An inlet guide vane segment pin removal kit according to any one of embodiments 1 to 5, wherein a second threaded portion of the second part of the bolt is sized to receive the threads of the recess of the inlet guide vane segment pin. [Embodiment 7] The inlet guide vane segment pin removal kit according to any one of embodiments 1 to 6, wherein the bolt insertion wrench includes a body portion having a generally curved shape. [Embodiment 8] An inlet guide vane segment pin removal kit according to any one of embodiments 1 to 7, wherein the main body portion includes a first sprocket, a second sprocket, and a chain between the first sprocket and the second sprocket. [Embodiment 9] 9. The inlet guide vane segment pin removal kit of any one of embodiments 1 to 8, wherein the second wrench includes a pin removal wrench. [Embodiment 10] 10. The inlet guide vane segment pin removal kit of any one of embodiments 1 to 9, wherein the pin removal wrench includes an internal bore. [Embodiment 11] The inlet guide vane segment pin removal kit of any one of embodiments 1 to 10, wherein the internal bore includes a sprocket thread, the sprocket thread being sized to receive a first threaded portion of the first part of the bolt. [Embodiment 12] 12. The inlet guide vane segment pin removal kit of any one of embodiments 1 to 11, wherein the internal bore is sized to receive the bolt and the inlet guide vane segment pin. [Embodiment 13] 13. The inlet guide vane segment pin removal kit of any one of embodiments 1 to 12, wherein the pin removal wrench includes a body portion having a generally curved shape. [Embodiment 14] An inlet guide vane segment pin removal kit according to any one of embodiments 1 to 13, wherein the main body portion includes a first sprocket, a second sprocket, and a chain between the first sprocket and the second sprocket. [Embodiment 15] 1. A method for removing an inlet guide vane segment pin having a head with a recess from an inlet guide vane segment, the method comprising: inserting a bolt into the recess of the inlet guide vane segment pin; attaching a wrench having an internal bore to the bolt; and torquing the wrench to thread the bolt and the inlet guide vane segment pin into the internal bore of the wrench. [Embodiment 16] 1. An inlet guide vane segment pin removal kit for removing an inlet guide vane pin having a head with a recess from an inlet guide vane segment, the kit including: a bolt having a first portion and a second portion; a bolt insertion wrench for inserting the second portion of the bolt into the recess of the inlet guide vane segment pin; and a pin removal wrench having an internal bore sized to receive the first portion of the bolt, wherein application of torque to the pin removal wrench retracts the bolt and the inlet guide vane segment pin into the internal bore. [Embodiment 17] 17. The inlet guide vane segment pin removal kit of any one of embodiments 1 to 16, wherein the inlet guide vane segment is attached to the lower half of the inner casing. [Embodiment 18] 18. The inlet guide vane segment pin removal kit of any one of embodiments 1 to 17, wherein the bolt insertion wrench includes an insertion socket, the insertion socket being sized to receive a first portion of the bolt. [Embodiment 19] The inlet guide vane segment pin removal kit of any one of embodiments 1 to 18, wherein the bolt insertion wrench includes a first sprocket, a second sprocket, and a chain between the first sprocket and the second sprocket. [Embodiment 20] The inlet guide vane segment pin removal kit of any one of embodiments 1 to 19, wherein the pin removal wrench includes a first sprocket, a second sprocket, and a chain between the first sprocket and the second sprocket. [Explanation of symbols]

[0022] 10. Gas Turbine Engine 15 Compressor 20 Airflow 30 Fuel flow 35 Combustion gas flow 40 Turbine 45 rotors 50 External Load 55 Inlet guide vane 60 Entrance 65 Airfoil part 70 Drive Gear 75 outer casing 80 Bushing 85 Inner casing 90 inlet guide vane segment 95 bore 98 Lower half 100 Inlet guide vane segment pin 110 Removable dowel pin 120 recess 140 Inlet guide vane segment bolt 150 head 160 Point 170 Inlet Guide Vane Segment Pin Removal Kit 200 Insertion body 220 Rotating Chain 230 1st sprocket 240 Second sprocket 250 teeth 260 Links 270 internal bore 280 Insertion Socket 290 First End 300 Drive Rod 310 second end 320 drive adapter 330 Custom Bolt 340 First Part 350 First thread section 360 Second Part 370 Second thread section 380 Hollow body with pin removed 390 Almost curved shape 400 turn chain 410 1st sprocket 420 second sprocket 430 teeth 440 Links 450 internal bore 460 sprocket thread

Claims

1. 1. An inlet guide vane segment pin removal kit for removing an inlet guide vane pin having a head with a recess from an inlet guide vane segment, comprising: bolt, a first wrench for inserting the bolt into the recess of the inlet guide vane segment pin; and a second wrench having an internal bore, wherein application of a torque to the second wrench draws the bolt and the inlet guide vane segment pin into the internal bore; Inlet guide vane segment pin removal kit.

2. The inlet guide vane segment pin removal kit of claim 1 , wherein the inlet guide vane segment is attached to a lower half of an inner casing.

3. The inlet guide vane segment pin removal kit of claim 1 , wherein the first wrench comprises a bolt insertion wrench for inserting the bolt into the inlet guide vane segment pin.

4. The inlet guide vane segment pin removal kit of claim 3 , wherein the bolt includes a first portion having a first threaded portion and a second portion having a second threaded portion.

5. The inlet guide vane segment pin removal kit of claim 4 , wherein the bolt insertion wrench includes an insertion socket, the insertion socket sized to receive a first portion of the bolt.

6. The inlet guide vane segment pin removal kit of claim 4 , wherein a second threaded portion of the second part of the bolt is sized to receive the threads of the recess of the inlet guide vane segment pin.

7. The inlet guide vane segment pin removal kit of claim 3 , wherein the bolt insertion wrench includes a generally curved body portion.

8. The inlet guide vane segment pin removal kit of claim 7 , wherein the body portion includes a first sprocket, a second sprocket, and a chain between the first sprocket and the second sprocket.

9. The inlet guide vane segment pin removal kit of claim 4 , wherein the second wrench comprises a pin puller wrench.

10. The inlet guide vane segment pin removal kit of claim 9 , wherein the pin puller wrench includes an internal bore.

11. The inlet guide vane segment pin removal kit of claim 10 , wherein the internal bore includes sprocket threads, the sprocket threads being sized to receive a first threaded portion of the first portion of the bolt.

12. The inlet guide vane segment pin removal kit of claim 10 , wherein the internal bore is sized to receive the bolt and the inlet guide vane segment pin.

13. The inlet guide vane segment pin removal kit of claim 9 , wherein the pin extractor wrench includes a generally curved body portion.

14. The inlet guide vane segment pin removal kit of claim 13 , wherein the body portion includes a first sprocket, a second sprocket, and a chain between the first sprocket and the second sprocket.

15. 1. A method for removing an inlet guide vane segment pin having a head with a recess from an inlet guide vane segment, comprising: inserting a bolt into a recess in the inlet guide vane segment pin; attaching a wrench having an internal bore to the bolt; Torquing the wrench to thread the bolt and the inlet guide vane segment pin into the internal bore of the wrench. A method comprising:

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