Gas Turbine Exhaust Diffuser Removal Tool
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for disconnecting and reconnecting exhaust diffusers from gas turbine engines are cumbersome and time-consuming, requiring manual intervention and increasing plant downtime.
Innovation Solution
A diffuser removal tool that couples to both the exhaust collector and diffuser, using a lead screw assembly and linear bearing assemblies to axially displace the diffuser into the collector while maintaining vertical support and alignment, facilitating controlled removal and reinstallation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual methods are used to disconnect and reconnect exhaust diffusers, then operators can perform maintenance activities, but the process becomes cumbersome and time-consuming, increasing plant downtime
Solution Approach 1:
A specialized removal tool acts as an intermediary device between the exhaust diffuser and the operator. The tool includes a clamp assembly that attaches to the diffuser, linear bearing assemblies that guide movement, and a lead screw assembly that provides controlled displacement. This intermediary mechanism enables easy disconnection and reconnection of the exhaust diffuser without requiring cumbersome manual operations, directly addressing the productivity and time loss issues.
2Reliability
If operators manually handle exhaust diffuser removal, then they can perform necessary maintenance, but they must enter confined spaces which reduces safety
Solution Approach 1:
The removal tool serves as a mediator that eliminates the need for operators to physically enter confined spaces. The tool's clamp assembly attaches to the exhaust diffuser, and the lead screw assembly with linear bearings provides controlled movement externally. Operators can perform all necessary operations from outside the confined space, significantly improving safety while maintaining ease of operation through the tool's user-friendly design.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the exhaust diffuser is disconnected from the turbine rear frame, then maintenance activities can be performed, but maintaining axial alignment becomes difficult without proper support
Solution Approach 1:
The linear bearing assemblies create a guided path that maintains the exhaust diffuser's axial alignment during removal and reinstallation. The bearings are positioned to support the diffuser at multiple points, ensuring it remains equidistant from the turbine rear frame and maintains proper orientation throughout the operation. This equipotential approach to positioning ensures stability and correct alignment without requiring complex adjustment procedures.
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
This solution reduces the time and effort required for diffuser removal and reinstallation, enhances safety by eliminating the need for operators to enter confined spaces, and decreases plant downtime, thereby increasing availability.
Implementation Method 1
a lead screw assembly coupled between the pair of support arms and to the clamp and wedge assembly via a wedge of the clamp and wedge assembly
Implementation Method 2
a pair of linear bearing assemblies coupled to the pair of support arms and to the clamp and wedge assembly via wedges of the clamp and wedge assembly
Implementation Method 3
a clamp and wedge assembly coupled to an exhaust diffuser, wherein the clamp and wedge assembly includes multiple wedges and a clamp
Data Source
AI summary
A diffuser removal tool for displacing an exhaust diffuser from a gas turbine engine is provided, which includes a pair of support arms, a clamp and wedge assembly coupled to an exhaust diffuser, and a lead screw assembly coupled between the support arms and to the clamp and wedge assembly via a wedge of the clamp and wedge assembly. The tool also includes a pair of linear bearing assemblies coupled to the support arms and to the clamp and wedge assembly via wedges of the clamp and wedge assembly. The lead screw assembly is configured to displace the diffuser in an axial direction relative to a longitudinal axis of the gas turbine engine while the linear bearing assemblies are configured to both enable the displacement of the diffuser in the axial direction while vertically supporting the diffuser to maintain alignment between the diffuser and the gas turbine engine.