Gas Turbine Flow Sleeve Lifting Tool Counterbalance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern gas turbine engines' heavier combustion flow sleeves are difficult to manually install and remove due to their increased size and weight, requiring a tool that is light, compact, and inexpensive for on-site use, as traditional heavy and bulky tools are unsuitable for this task.
Innovation Solution
A flow sleeve installation and removal tool featuring a shaft with a bracket and counterbalance, along with a cable connector for overhead support, allows for easy alignment and balancing of the flow sleeve, enabling it to be maneuvered into and out of the combustion can, with a compact design suitable for the confined spaces around gas turbine engines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If traditional heavy and bulky tools are used for flow sleeve installation and removal, then the tool can support the weight of the flow sleeve, but the tool becomes unsuitable for on-site use due to its heavy and bulky nature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a counterbalance weight attached to the tool shaft that offsets the weight of the flow sleeve. This counterweight mechanism allows the tool to support heavy flow sleeves while keeping the tool itself lightweight and maneuverable for on-site operations. The counterbalance is positioned to create rotational equilibrium, enabling easy positioning and alignment of the flow sleeve during installation and removal.
2Ease of operation
If a tool is designed to be light and compact for on-site use, then the tool becomes easy to maneuver and transport, but it may lack the strength to support heavy flow sleeves
Solution Approach 1:
The counterbalance weight compensates for the limited structural strength of the lightweight tool by providing mechanical support for the flow sleeve weight. This allows the tool to maintain its lightweight, compact design for easy maneuverability while the counterbalance system handles the load-bearing requirement.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable connector and overhead support structure act as intermediaries that transfer and support the weight of the flow sleeve. The tool itself remains lightweight for maneuverability, while the cable system provides the necessary strength and support capacity.
3Weight of moving object
If the flow sleeve is made heavier due to increased engine size, then the flow sleeve can accommodate larger engine requirements, but it becomes difficult to manually install and remove
Solution Approach 1:
The counterbalance weight on the tool shaft directly counteracts the increased weight of the flow sleeve, allowing technicians to easily position and maneuver the heavy component during installation and removal operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable connector and overhead support structure serve as intermediaries that bear the weight of the heavy flow sleeve, freeing the technician from directly supporting the full weight while maintaining control over positioning and movement.
4Strength
If a bracket is attached to the flow sleeve for lifting, then the flow sleeve can be supported and moved, but the bracket and lifting mechanism become heavy and bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The counterbalance weight integrated into the tool shaft provides the necessary support capability without requiring a heavy bracket structure. The counterbalance creates mechanical equilibrium that allows the lightweight bracket to effectively support and position the flow sleeve.
Solution Approach 2:
The tool shaft serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, houses the counterbalance mechanism, and acts as the mounting axis for the bracket. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate heavy support components.
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 tool facilitates safe, efficient, and cost-effective installation and removal of flow sleeves by distributing the weight to an overhead lift, allowing for easy angular alignment and movement, thus overcoming the challenges posed by the increased weight and size of modern flow sleeves.
Implementation Method 1
a counter balance to the flow sleeve, wherein the counter balance is attached to a second end region of the shaft, and a cable connector mounted to the shaft between the counter balance and the flow sleeve
Implementation Method 2
the cable connector is at a position on the shaft at which the flow sleeve is substantially balances the counter weight
Data Source
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AI summary
A flow sleeve removal tool (60) including: a shaft (64) having an axis; a bracket (62) attached to the shaft (64) including a ring (62) configured to abut and be releasably attached to an end of a flow sleeve (40) of a gas turbine engine (10); a counter balance (66) attached to the shaft (64), and a cable connector (90) mounted to the shaft (64) between the counter balance (66) and the flow sleeve (40), wherein the cable connector (90) is configured to attach to a cable (92) connected to an overhead support structure (94) and the cable connector (90) is at a position on the shaft (64) at which the flow sleeve (60) substantially balances the counter weight (66).