Gas Turbine Casing Alignment via Radial Reference Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for assembling gas turbines require a dedicated alignment jig for axial alignment of turbine casing parts, which is time-consuming and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
The turbine casing is divided into a first casing and a second casing, each divided into upper and lower halves, with multiple sets of radial reference surfaces and notches that allow for alignment without a dedicated jig, using flanges and knock pins to ensure accurate positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a dedicated alignment jig is used for axial alignment of turbine casing parts, then alignment precision is improved, but device complexity and assembly time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The turbine casing parts themselves provide alignment functionality through built-in reference surfaces and notches. The first and second casing parts have radially opposite notches that serve as self-contained alignment features, eliminating the need for external alignment jigs. The reference surfaces on the flanges enable the parts to align with each other autonomously during assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The reference surfaces and notches serve multiple functions: they provide alignment references, define angular positions, and guide the assembly process. These features are integrated into the casing structure itself, making the casing parts multi-functional by combining structural support with alignment functionality.
2Measurement precision
If a dedicated alignment jig is used for axial alignment, then alignment accuracy is improved, but assembly time is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The reference surfaces and notches are pre-formed on the casing parts during manufacturing. This preliminary preparation of alignment features eliminates the need for time-consuming alignment operations during assembly, as the parts are designed to align automatically when brought together.
Solution Approach 2:
The casing parts perform their own alignment function through the integrated reference surfaces and notches, eliminating the need for external alignment tools and the time required to operate them. The self-aligning features enable workers to simply bring the parts together without additional alignment steps.
3Ease of manufacture
If the turbine casing is divided into multiple parts, then ease of assembly and transport is improved, but alignment complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The turbine casing is divided into multiple manageable parts (first casing and second casing) that can be manufactured, transported, and assembled separately. Each part includes integrated reference surfaces and notches that simplify the assembly process by providing built-in alignment features, thereby reducing overall alignment complexity despite the segmentation.
Solution Approach 2:
The reference surfaces and notches act as intermediary alignment features between the separated casing parts. These features mediate the connection between parts by providing geometric references that guide proper positioning and alignment during assembly, making the segmentation process manageable.
Data Source
AI summary
A turbine casing divided in an axial direction into a first casing and a second casing coupled to each other by flanges of the first casing and the second casing. The first casing and the second casing are divided into two parts as viewed from the axial direction, the two parts being an upper half casing and a lower half casing. The turbine casing having three or more sets of a first radial reference surface and a second radial reference surface in a circumferential direction, the first radial reference surface being disposed in a flange peripheral portion of the first casing, and the second radial reference surface being disposed in a flange peripheral portion of the second casing. Each first radial reference surface is located at an equal distance from a turbine central axis. Each second radial reference surface is located at an equal distance from the turbine central axis.