Gas Turbine Engine Moveable Support for Maintenance Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power systems with gas turbine engines supported by fixed mounts make maintenance, repair, and replacement difficult due to the complexity and time required to unfasten and maneuver the heavy sections of the engine, which is not addressed by previous solutions like sliders and rails that do not facilitate independent support and movement of engine sections.
Innovation Solution
A support system with moveable supports that constrain and support the gas turbine engine's sections during operation, allowing independent movement and support of each section away from the longitudinal axis, enabling easier maintenance, repair, and replacement by using guide tracks and rollers for controlled sliding and securing mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fixed mounts are used to attach the gas turbine engine and power load to a stationary support structure, then the power system achieves stable operation and structural support, but replacing or repairing the gas turbine engine becomes difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure transitions from a completely stationary fixed mount system to a hybrid system where the base remains stationary while the gas turbine engine can be moved dynamically along guide rails. This allows the engine to be constrained during operation yet easily relocatable for maintenance, resolving the contradiction between operational stability and repair accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
Guide rails serve as an intermediary element between the stationary base and the gas turbine engine. These rails enable controlled movement of the engine along a predetermined path while maintaining proper alignment and support, facilitating easy removal and installation without requiring complete disassembly of fixed mounts.
2Ease of repair
If the gas turbine engine is unfastened from numerous fixed mounts for replacement, then the engine can be removed from the support structure, but the process requires considerable time and effort
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is segmented into a stationary base and a movable gas turbine engine component. This segmentation allows the engine to be independently moved along guide rails without requiring unfastening from multiple fixed mounts, significantly reducing the time and effort needed for removal and installation operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The gas turbine engine is extracted from the traditional fixed-mount configuration and placed on a mobile platform that can travel along guide rails. This extraction eliminates the need to unfasten numerous mounting points, as the engine can be freely moved along the rails for maintenance while the base remains stationary.
3Ease of operation
If lifting equipment is used to remove the gas turbine engine from the support structure, then the heavy engine can be handled, but considerable care is required to avoid collision with other objects
Solution Approach 1:
The gas turbine engine is equipped with movable support mechanisms including rollers and wheels that enable it to be dynamically moved along guide rails rather than requiring static lifting equipment. This dynamic movement system simplifies handling by providing controlled, guided motion that prevents collision while reducing the need for complex lifting apparatus.
4Ease of repair
If sections of the gas turbine engine are separated for repair, then damaged sections can be replaced, but supporting and maneuvering the heavy sections becomes quite difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Each section of the gas turbine engine is equipped with its own movable support mechanisms including rollers and wheels, enabling independent dynamic movement along guide rails. This allows heavy sections to be easily maneuvered and positioned for repair without requiring external lifting equipment, as each section can autonomously move along the guided path.
Solution Approach 2:
The gas turbine engine is divided into separable sections, each with independent movable support capabilities. This segmentation combined with individual movable supports allows each section to be independently maneuvered along guide rails for maintenance, eliminating the difficulty of handling heavy sections as a single unit.
Data Source
AI summary
A power system includes a gas turbine engine. The gas turbine engine may include a first portion, a second portion, and a longitudinal axis. The power system may also include a first moveable support engaged to the first portion of the gas turbine engine. The first moveable support may be operable to at least partially constrain movement of the first portion of the gas turbine engine during operation of the gas turbine engine. Additionally, the first moveable support may be operable to at least partially support the first portion of the gas turbine engine as the first portion of the gas turbine engine is moved away from the longitudinal axis independently of the second portion of the gas turbine engine.