Tubular Insert Jacking Bolt Mechanism for Turbomachine Casing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing jacking bolt systems for industrial equipment, such as turbomachines, require high input torque and often result in galling and seizing, making it difficult and costly to remove casing segments manually while ensuring level lifting without damaging adjacent components.
Innovation Solution
A jacking mechanism featuring a tubular insert with complementary threads and a bearing tip on the jacking bolt, which reduces friction and torque requirements, and can be synchronized with motors to maintain level lifting, using materials like phosphor bronze and stainless steel to prevent corrosion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a jacking bolt is advanced through a threaded hole in the casing to push the casing halves apart, then the casing halves can be separated, but galling and seizing occur and very high input torque is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a tubular insert as an intermediary component between the jacking bolt and the casing hole. The insert contains the threaded hole and is made of a material that is softer than the jacking bolt material, preventing direct contact and galling between the bolt and casing. This mediator resolves the contradiction by enabling force transmission while reducing friction and seizing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter of the insert to be softer than both the jacking bolt and the casing material. This parameter change creates a gradient structure where the insert deforms slightly under load, distributing stress and reducing the torque required to advance the bolt while preventing galling.
2Force
If jacking bolts are advanced manually to lift the casing half, then the casing can be separated, but the operation is time consuming and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The tubular insert with its specific material properties and threaded structure enables the jacking bolt to self-advance more easily through the casing hole. The softer insert material reduces friction and allows the bolt to thread through with less effort and time, making the system more self-serviceable and reducing manual intervention requirements.
3Force
If jacking bolts are used to push the casing halves apart, then separation is achieved, but adjacent casings or components may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter of the insert to be softer than the casing material. This creates a compliant interface that deforms under load rather than transmitting sharp force peaks to adjacent components. The material parameter change absorbs excess energy and distributes stress, preventing damage to nearby casings or internal components.
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 significantly reduces the input torque needed for lifting, minimizes damage to equipment, and facilitates efficient, level separation of casing halves, enhancing operational efficiency and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a bearing tip secured to the jacking bolt. Advancing the jacking bolt through the insert brings the bearing tip into contact with a second casing half thus moving the first casing half relative to the second casing half
Data Source
AI summary
A jacking mechanism for industrial equipment includes an insert securable in a casing hole of a first casing half of an item of industrial equipment and a jacking bolt insertable in the insert. The jacking bolt includes a jacking bolt thread meshable with an insert thread and a bearing tip secured to the jacking bolt. Advancing the jacking bolt through the insert brings the bearing tip into contact with a second casing half thus moving the first casing half relative to the second casing half. A jacking system for industrial equipment includes a plurality of jacking mechanisms configured to evenly change a gap between the first casing half and the second casing half.