Segmented Liner Protective Cover for Turbine Rotor Shipping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional shipping methods for turbine rotors are inadequate in protecting sensitive components like bearings during transportation, leading to potential damage and increased maintenance costs due to inadequate protection and the difficulty in removing packaging without causing further damage.

Innovation Solution

A protective cover system for turbine rotors comprising a liner portion and an outer casing that securely covers the rotor's sensitive areas, providing enhanced protection and ease of removal without cutting, using a combination of deformable materials and secure coupling mechanisms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If plastic wrap and cardboard are used to protect rotor components during shipping, then some protection is provided, but the protection is inadequate for sensitive components like bearings and the packaging is difficult to remove without causing damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection adequacyVSAvoidpackaging removal ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The protective cover is divided into multiple liner portions (first liner portion, second liner portion, third liner portion) that can be separately positioned on different rotor components. Each liner portion can be independently removed or damaged without affecting the entire protective system, allowing selective removal while maintaining protection where needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The liner portions act as an intermediary layer between the rotor components and the outer casing. This intermediary layer provides the necessary protection during shipping while being easily removable or destructible without damaging the rotor, solving both the protection adequacy and removal ease requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If standard packaging materials are used, then the packaging is simple and easy to apply, but the protection provided is insufficient for highly sensitive rotor components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepackaging application simplicityVSAvoidcomponent protection level

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The protective cover uses flexible liner portions made of deformable material that can be easily applied to various rotor component shapes. These thin film-like liners provide adequate protection for sensitive components while maintaining ease of application and removal, bridging the gap between simple packaging and reliable protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The protective cover combines different materials - the deformable liner portions for direct contact with rotor components and the more rigid outer casing for structural protection. This composite structure provides enhanced protection for sensitive components while maintaining relative ease of application and removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentUS11577907B2Protective cover for rotor and associated shipping apparatuses

Publication Date: 2023.02.14 GE INFRASTRUCTURE TECH LLC

AI summary

Protective covers for rotors are disclosed. The protective covers may include a first liner portion contacting and covering a first portion of the rotor, and a second liner portion positioned adjacent and at least partially aligned circumferentially with the first liner portion. The second liner portion may contact and cover a second portion of the rotor. The protective covers may also include an outer casing covering the first liner portion and the second liner portion.