Inlet Guide Vane Puller Assembly for Limited-Access Turbine Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
The removal and replacement of inlet guide vanes in the lower half of turbine assemblies are challenging due to limited access and the difficulty in using existing tools, making the process time-consuming, laborious, and expensive.
Innovation Solution
An inlet guide vane removal assembly is provided, comprising a support frame, force devices, and a puller bracket with an open-ended slot and flanges, which facilitates the displacement and removal of the inlet guide vane by applying a force to the puller bracket, allowing for easier access and handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a gear puller is used to remove the drive gear from the lower half inlet guide vanes, then the drive gear can be removed, but the process becomes difficult, time-consuming, and laborious due to limited access and space constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The removal tool is divided into multiple components: a support frame with support plates that can be positioned at different locations around the inlet guide vane, force devices that can be independently adjusted, and a puller bracket. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function and enables the tool to adapt to the constrained space in the lower inlet casing.
Solution Approach 2:
The support frame is designed to extend in multiple dimensions, with support plates that can be positioned radially and axially to provide stable support in the limited space. The tool transitions from a simple linear puller to a three-dimensional support structure that can accommodate the complex geometry and access constraints of the lower inlet casing.
2Ease of repair
If manual removal methods are used for the lower half inlet guide vanes, then the drive gear can be removed, but the process becomes expensive and labor-intensive due to the need for scaffolding and manual operations
Solution Approach 1:
The tool is designed to be self-supporting through the support frame and support plates that distribute the removal forces across multiple attachment points. The force devices are self-contained with their own actuation mechanisms, eliminating the need for external scaffolding or additional support structures during the removal operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the inlet guide vane assembly is accessed from the lower inlet casing, then the vanes can be serviced, but the drive gear removal becomes difficult due to the external drive mechanism location and space limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The support frame with multiple support plates and adjustable force devices creates a universal removal system that can accommodate different inlet guide vane configurations and positions. The tool can be adapted to various drive gear locations and sizes, making it versatile for servicing inlet guide vanes in different turbine assembly configurations.
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 solution reduces the labor and time required for removing drive gears from inlet guide vanes, especially in hard-to-reach locations, thereby reducing maintenance and inspection time, and overall costs associated with turbine assembly servicing.
Implementation Method 1
applying a force to a puller bracket of the inlet guide vane removal assembly, such that the inlet guide vane is displaced within the turbine assembly
Data Source
AI summary
An inlet guide vane removal assembly includes a support frame with a support plate. At least one force device is coupled to the support plate. A puller bracket is attached to the at least one force device. The puller bracket has an open-ended slot defined therethrough, and a plurality of flanges positioned to engage an installed inlet guide vane. When the force device is actuated, the puller bracket is displaced relative to the support frame to facilitate removing the inlet guide vane.