Combustion Liner Positioning Tool for High-Friction Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tools for installing and removing combustion liners in gas turbines require significant force, which can damage the liners and provide unreliable positioning, due to high friction at the interface between the liner and the transition piece.
Innovation Solution
A tool comprising a mounting frame with fasteners, a positioning member with pushing and pulling surfaces, and an axial positioning mechanism that incrementally adjusts the position of the positioning member relative to the mounting frame, allowing for controlled and precise installation and removal of the combustion liner.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If significant force is applied to overcome friction at the interface between the combustion liner and transition piece, then the combustion liner can be installed or removed, but the liner or its ceramic coating may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The tool segments the force application through multiple pushing pads distributed around the liner circumference, distributing the total force across multiple contact points. This reduces the force concentration at any single point, preventing damage to the liner or ceramic coating while still achieving the necessary total force to overcome friction.
Solution Approach 2:
The pushing pads act as intermediaries between the tool and the combustion liner. These pads distribute and mediate the force transmission, reducing direct point-contact stress that could damage the liner or coating while effectively transmitting the necessary axial force to overcome interface friction.
2Ease of operation
If manual hammering or various engagement configurations are used to generate installation force, then the combustion liner can be installed, but reliable positioning of the liner is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The tool integrates multiple functions into a single device: the mounting frame provides stable positioning on the combustor, the positioning member ensures accurate liner placement, and the axial positioning mechanism controls the installation force application. This multi-functional integration ensures both ease of operation and reliable positioning simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The axial positioning mechanism provides controlled, incremental force application that can be monitored and adjusted during installation. This feedback-controlled approach ensures the liner is positioned accurately while applying only the necessary force, improving both positioning reliability and operational control.
3Ease of operation
If a seal is compressed to allow the combustion liner to insert into the transition piece, then the liner can be installed, but several hundred pounds of axial installation force are required
Solution Approach 1:
The tool is designed to be mounted directly to the combustor structure, utilizing the combustor itself as part of the force application system. The mounting frame attaches to the combustor, and the axial positioning mechanism uses this stable base to generate and transmit the necessary force, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating the need for external force generation equipment.
4Productivity
If force is applied to remove the combustion liner, then the liner can be removed, but the same level of force is required as for installation
Solution Approach 1:
The tool is designed to perform both installation and removal functions by inverting the force application direction. The same mounting frame and positioning member that guide and push the liner during installation can be reconfigured to pull and extract the liner during removal, eliminating the need for separate tools and reducing the overall force requirement through consistent mechanical advantage.
Data Source
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AI summary
This disclosure provides tools for installing and removing a combustion liner (30, 350) in a combustion casing (22, 310). A mounting frame (110) has fasteners (130, 140) positioned circumferentially around an end casing surface of the combustion casing (22, 310) and removably attaches the mounting frame (110) to the combustion casing (22, 310). A positioning member (150) has pushing surfaces and pulling surfaces distributed circumferentially around the combustion liner (30, 350). An axial positioning mechanism (200) engages the mounting frame (110) and the positioning member (150) along a common axis. The axial positioning mechanism (200) incrementally positions the positioning member (150) relative to the mounting frame (110) by adjusting a positioning distance between the mounting frame (110) and the positioning member (150).