Gas Turbine Gearbox Moveable Support for Maintenance Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas turbine engine support systems make it difficult and labor-intensive to replace or repair the engine due to fixed mounts and the need for sequential installation of sections, which is inefficient and costly.
Innovation Solution
A power system with a moveable support system that allows partial support of the gear box via a pipe connection, enabling the gear box to be moved while disconnected from fixed mounts, facilitating easier access and manipulation of the engine sections for maintenance and repair.
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 system provides stable support, but replacing or repairing the gas turbine engine becomes difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the fixed, stationary support structure into a moveable system. The gas turbine engine is mounted on a moveable support that can be repositioned along guide tracks, allowing the engine to be easily accessed for repair while maintaining stable support during operation. This dynamic support system resolves the contradiction by providing both stability during use and ease of access during maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The support system is divided into separate components: a stationary support structure with guide tracks, a moveable support that carries the gas turbine engine, and the engine itself. This segmentation allows the engine to be isolated and moved independently along the guide tracks, facilitating repair operations while the support structure remains stable and fixed.
2Ease of operation
If the gas turbine engine is unfastened from numerous fixed mounts, then the engine can be removed from the support structure, but the process requires considerable time and effort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the fastening mechanism from multiple fixed mounts and consolidates it into a single moveable support system. Instead of unfastening the engine from numerous fixed mounts, the engine is simply released from the moveable support, which then travels along the guide tracks to the removal position. This extraction of the fastening function reduces the time and effort required significantly.
Solution Approach 2:
The moveable support acts as an intermediary between the stationary support structure and the gas turbine engine. It provides the connection and release mechanism, allowing the engine to be easily transferred between the operational position and removal position without requiring direct fastening/unfastening operations between the engine and the fixed structure.
3Ease of operation
If lifting equipment is used to remove the gas turbine engine from the support structure, then the engine can be extracted, but considerable care is required to avoid collision with other objects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic moveable support system that travels along predetermined guide tracks rather than using static lifting equipment. The guide tracks constrain the movement path, automatically guiding the engine safely away from other objects without requiring operators to exercise considerable care or use complex lifting and positioning equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The moveable support serves as an intermediary transport mechanism that carries the engine along a controlled path defined by the guide tracks. This intermediary system eliminates the need for direct manipulation of the heavy engine with lifting equipment, reducing the complexity and safety risks of the removal process.
4Ease of repair
If sections of the gas turbine engine are separated for repair, then damaged sections can be replaced, but the process requires removing the engine from the support structure and manually supporting heavy sections
Solution Approach 1:
The moveable support system provides continuous dynamic support to the gas turbine engine and its sections throughout the repair process. When sections need to be separated, the moveable support remains in place and continues to carry the engine, eliminating the need for manual support of heavy sections. The system adapts dynamically to accommodate section separation while maintaining proper support and positioning.
Data Source
AI summary
A power system includes a gas turbine engine, which may include a gear box. The gear box may include a pipe connection configured to receive a removable pipe. The power system may also include a moveable support configured to fasten to the pipe connection to at least partially support the gear box.