Annular Combustor Liner Tool for Turbine Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for removing and installing turbine combustor liners and flow sleeves are inefficient and time-consuming, relying on manual winches and unshaped tools.
Innovation Solution
A tool with an annular frame, radial mount portions, and hooks designed to engage and manipulate combustor liners and flow sleeves, allowing for coaxial alignment and rotational engagement with stoppers for efficient removal and installation, using bolts or hydraulic jacks for force exertion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual winches and unshaped tools are used for removing and installing combustor liners, then the process can be performed with simple equipment, but the operation becomes time-consuming and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The tool is divided into distinct functional segments: an annular frame portion for structural support, multiple mount portions for attachment points, and hook portions for engaging the combustor liner. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function efficiently, enabling faster and more reliable removal and installation operations compared to unshaped tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The hook portions are pre-formed with specific geometries designed to engage with stoppers on the combustor liner. The tool is prepared in advance with these engagement features, allowing operators to quickly connect and disengage the liner without requiring complex manual manipulation or ad-hoc tool fabrication during maintenance operations.
2Productivity
If specialized shaped tools with hooks and mount portions are used, then removal and installation efficiency improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The annular frame structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural rigidity, offers multiple mount portions for attachment, and maintains coaxial alignment during operations. The hook portions are designed to engage with various combustor liner configurations. This multi-functionality reduces the need for multiple specialized tools, effectively managing complexity while improving productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The annular frame portion utilizes a curved, ring-like geometry that naturally provides structural strength and stability. This curved structure distributes loads evenly around the combustor liner, improving engagement reliability without requiring additional complex support elements. The circular geometry also facilitates easy coaxial alignment during installation and removal operations.
3Reliability
If hooks with specific aperture geometries are used to engage stoppers, then the engagement reliability improves, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hook portions feature apertures with specific local geometries optimized for engaging stoppers. The aperture includes a first planar surface for primary contact and a second planar surface perpendicular to it for secondary contact and orientation. This localized geometric specialization at the engagement point ensures reliable stopper engagement while the rest of the tool structure can be manufactured with standard tolerances, balancing reliability with manufacturability.
Data Source
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AI summary
A tool (200) includes an annular frame portion (202) including a mount portion (204) extending radially from the frame portion, a hook portion (210) arranged on the mount portion, the hook portion sized and shaped to engage a member of a tubular component of a turbine combustor, and a force exertion portion (206, 208) arranged on the mount portion, the force exertion portion operative to engage a portion of the turbine combustor.