Turbine Alignment Assembly With Angled Support Legs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Turbine alignment is challenging in bases without axial beams due to space constraints and twisting issues, especially when external equipment limits available space for tooling, particularly at the forward or aft ends of the turbine.
Innovation Solution
An alignment assembly with a base, support legs, and a jack assembly that includes low friction plates for vertical and lateral adjustment, allowing for precise positioning of the turbine system structure without the need for axial beams, using a combination of angled support leg portions and a removable jack assembly with sliding plates for easy maneuvering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If axial beams are removed from the base assembly to accommodate external equipment, then space availability for equipment installation is improved, but turbine alignment becomes difficult due to twisting issues and lack of structural support
Solution Approach 1:
The support leg is divided into multiple segments including a first support leg portion coupled to the base, a second support leg portion angled relative to the first, and a third support leg portion that contacts the turbine. This segmentation allows each portion to independently accommodate movement and twisting while maintaining overall alignment capability, resolving the contradiction between space availability and alignment ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment assembly incorporates adjustable components including the angled support leg portions that can be positioned at different angles, and a jack assembly that can be vertically adjusted. These dynamic elements allow the system to adapt to twisting and movement during alignment operations, maintaining ease of operation even without axial beams.
2Measurement precision
If the forward or aft end of the turbine is moved independently for alignment, then alignment precision is improved, but twisting issues occur due to lack of structural rigidity
Solution Approach 1:
The turbine support structure is segmented into multiple independent support leg portions rather than a single rigid beam. This allows the forward and aft ends to be supported separately, enabling independent movement for precise alignment while the segmented structure absorbs the resulting twisting stresses without compromising overall stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The support leg portions are designed with adjustable parameters including angle of inclination and vertical position. By changing these parameters, the system can accommodate independent movement of turbine ends for alignment while maintaining structural stability through optimized geometric configuration.
3Ease of operation
If tooling is introduced to perform alignment operations in limited space, then alignment capability is improved, but available space for tooling becomes insufficient at forward and aft ends
Solution Approach 1:
The jack assembly is designed to nest within the recess formed by the angled support leg portions. This nesting arrangement allows the alignment tooling to be compact and fit within the limited space at the forward and aft ends of the turbine, maintaining alignment capability without requiring additional external space.
Solution Approach 2:
The support leg portions are arranged at angles to each other, creating a three-dimensional recess space rather than a flat surface. This dimensional arrangement provides access points and working space for alignment tooling in directions that would not be available with a conventional flat base, effectively increasing available space for tooling operations.
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
Enables reliable and convenient vertical and lateral adjustment of turbine systems, overcoming space limitations and twisting issues, by providing a flexible and space-efficient method for alignment.
Implementation Method 1
at least one low friction plate disposed on the surface of the base to provide slideable adjustment of the jack assembly
Data Source
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AI summary
An alignment assembly includes a base (14) and a support leg extending from the base, the leg configured to support a portion of a turbine system structure. Also included is a first support leg portion (20) disposed on a surface of the base (14) and coupleable thereto. Further included is a second support leg portion (22) angularly oriented relative to the first support leg portion (20) and coupleable to the turbine system structure (10). Yet further included is a jack assembly (24) moveable on the surface of the base (14) and configured to vertically and laterally adjust the turbine.