Turbo-alternator Barring Gear Clutch Relocation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing barring gear assemblies for turbo-alternator groups are complex to maintain, prone to oil-related issues, and increase the bulk of the turbo-alternator group due to the presence of a clutch on the shaft, making accessibility difficult and increasing the overall size.
Innovation Solution
A barring gear assembly with a clutch system positioned below the axis of rotation, a modular design featuring a gear reducer and endless screw, and a compact configuration that allows the barring gear module to be placed between turbine rotors, reducing axial bulk and improving maintenance accessibility by removing the clutch from the shaft.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If the clutch is positioned on the shaft in the prior art arrangement, then the barring gear assembly can be connected to the shaft, but maintenance operations become highly complex and require disassembling components between the clutch and the shaft end
Solution Approach 1:
The clutch is relocated from the axial direction (on the shaft) to the radial direction (below the axis of rotation), allowing maintenance access without shaft disassembly. This spatial repositioning transforms the maintenance approach from requiring complete disassembly to allowing direct access to the clutch mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The barring gear assembly is divided into modular components, with the clutch system as a separate accessible module. This segmentation allows the clutch to be maintained independently without affecting other shaft components, simplifying maintenance operations.
2Ease of operation
If the clutch is positioned on the shaft, then the barring gear assembly can be connected to the shaft, but the shaft must be extended and the overall bulk of the turbo-alternator group increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clutch mechanism is repositioned from the axial dimension (on the shaft length) to the radial dimension (below the axis of rotation). This dimensional shift eliminates the need to extend the shaft axially while maintaining the connectability function of the clutch.
3Volume of stationary object
If the flexible coupling is placed inside the box with hydraulic coupler, then the barring gear assembly is compact, but the coupling is exposed to oil projections and vapour which shortens its shelf life
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible coupling is extracted from the enclosed box environment and repositioned externally. This removal extracts the coupling from the harmful oil-filled atmosphere, protecting it from degradation while the barring gear assembly maintains its compactness through alternative configuration.
4Ease of operation
If the clutch is positioned on the shaft, then the barring gear assembly can be connected to the shaft, but accessibility to the clutch for maintenance becomes very difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The clutch is repositioned from the constrained axial space on the shaft to the more accessible radial space below the axis of rotation. This dimensional relocation provides ample access space for maintenance personnel and tools while preserving the clutch's connectability function.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution simplifies maintenance, reduces the bulk and size of the turbo-alternator group, enhances stability and rigidity, and protects the flexible coupling from corrosive atmospheres, while allowing easier visual inspection and modular construction.
Implementation Method 1
an initial reduction is obtained through a pinion mounted on the shaft motor and a guided wheel fixed on a secondary shaft
Implementation Method 2
This initial reduction is obtained through a pinion mounted on the shaft motor and a guided wheel fixed on a secondary shaft
Implementation Method 3
a clutch system for coupling and uncoupling a secondary shaft to and from the main wheel
Data Source
AI summary
The barring gear assembly is designed to drive in rotation a shaft of a turbo-alternator group having an axis of rotation A. The barring gear assembly includes a main wheel fixed on said shaft and defining lateral sides located on either side of the axis of rotation A, a barring gear module having a support piece on which is mounted a clutch system for coupling and uncoupling a secondary shaft to and from the main wheel, the secondary shaft being driven by an auxiliary motor, and the barring gear module being positioned on one of said lateral sides (C1) of the axis of rotation A.