Hydraulic Collet Tool for Faster Gas Turbine Collar Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for removing collars from gas turbine engine systems are inefficient, often requiring several work days to disassemble due to the reliance on handheld vice grips.
Innovation Solution
A tool with a collet mechanism driven by a piston and hydraulic fluid, which moves collet fingers between a released and secured position, utilizing a spring and electric motor to rotate and remove collars from studs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If handheld vice grips are used to remove collars, then the tool is simple to operate, but the disassembly process becomes extremely time-consuming and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical system (handheld vice grips) with an automated system featuring an electric motor that rotates the collar removal tool, significantly increasing disassembly speed while maintaining ease of operation through automated control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a hydraulic system with a piston and hydraulic fluid to apply controlled force for collar removal, enabling efficient and consistent removal operations that are both fast and easy to operate through fluid power actuation
2Device complexity
If handheld vice grips are used to remove collars, then the device complexity is low, but the work time required increases to several work days
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the collar removal tool into distinct functional segments including collet fingers for gripping, a piston mechanism for force application, and an electric motor for rotation, allowing each component to perform its specific function efficiently while reducing overall disassembly time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates dynamic elements including a movable piston actuated by hydraulic fluid, rotating collet fingers driven by an electric motor, and a spring-loaded mechanism that adapts to different collar sizes, enabling fast and versatile collar removal
3Productivity
If a piston and hydraulic fluid system is used to drive collet fingers, then the collar removal becomes efficient and automated, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the collet fingers and piston mechanism to perform multiple functions: gripping the collar, applying rotational force, and adapting to various collar sizes through spring-loaded adjustment, thereby achieving high productivity with a versatile but relatively compact mechanism
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
Significantly reduces the time and effort required to disassemble gas turbine engine systems by efficiently removing collars, enhancing maintenance efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
Hydraulic fluid drives the piston to move the collet fingers to the relaxed position
Implementation Method 2
A spring operates in opposition to the hydraulic fluid to drive the piston and the collet fingers to the secured position
Implementation Method 3
The piston has a conical surface which is forced against an edge surface of an opening in the housing. The conical surface is forced against the edge surface to move the collet fingers to the secured position
Data Source
AI summary
A method comprises the steps of providing a tool over a collar secured to a stud on a gas turbine engine system. The collet is driven to rotate and remove the collar from the stud. A tool for removing collars from studs has a driver with a housing receiving a piston. A spring drives the piston, and the housing also has a hydraulic fluid supply opening for selectively receiving a hydraulic fluid to move the piston in opposition to a force from the spring. Collet fingers are movable between a released position and a secured position when a supply of hydraulic fluid is supplied into the housing.