Turbine Annular Component Removal Slide with Counterweight Base

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Solution Overview

Problem

The manual removal and installation of annular components within turbine housings are hazardous and time-consuming due to the tightness and weight of the components, leading to high physical load and prolonged downtimes.

Innovation Solution

A device with sliding rails and a slide equipped with a base plate and component receptacle device, where the base plate acts as a counterweight to stabilize the slide, allowing for safe and efficient movement of the annular component between the installation position and access point, with adjustable features to prevent wobbling and ensure precise alignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual handling of the annular component is used, then the component can be removed and installed, but the staff is easily injured and physical load is high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of handling componentVSAvoidinjury risk and physical load
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A slide device with base plate and component receptacle device is introduced as an intermediary tool between the staff and the heavy annular component. The slide allows the component to be moved along sliding rails from the installation position to the access point without direct manual handling, thereby reducing physical load and injury risk while maintaining operational capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The base plate is designed with a weight that compensates for the weight of the component received on the component receptacle device. This counterweight mechanism prevents wobbling of the slide on the sliding rails due to the additional component weight, ensuring stable and safe movement while reducing the physical effort required by staff

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

2Productivity

If manual removal and installation is performed, then the component can be handled, but the process takes a lot of time leading to long downtimes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent removal and installation speedVSAvoidturbine downtime
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The slide device serves as a specialized intermediary tool designed specifically for rapid component extraction and installation. By providing a dedicated mechanical system with sliding rails and a receptacle device, it enables faster component handling compared to general manual methods, thereby reducing turbine downtime and improving productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The component receptacle device is designed to receive and securely hold the annular component in a predetermined position. This preliminary positioning and securing action facilitates efficient movement and installation, reducing the time required for component handling operations and minimizing turbine downtime

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If the component receptacle device is positioned in the front end region of the base plate, then the component can be received, but wobbling occurs due to unfavorable weight distribution

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent reception capabilityVSAvoidslide stability on sliding rails
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The base plate is specifically designed with a weight that acts as a counterweight to compensate for the component weight received on the component receptacle device. This counterbalancing mechanism offsets the unfavorable weight distribution caused by positioning the receptacle device in the front end region, preventing wobbling and ensuring stable slide movement on the sliding rails while maintaining component reception capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

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 low-strain removal and installation of annular components, reducing physical effort and downtime, while ensuring safe handling and precise positioning, thus minimizing operational costs.

Implementation Method 1

the construction at least of the base plate being adapted to the construction of the component receptacle device in such a way that the weight of the component which is received on the component receptacle device is compensated for by way of the weight of the base plate as a counterweight

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCounterweight: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS11725541B2Method and device for removing and/or installing an annular component
Publication Date: 2023.08.15 SIEMENS ENERGY GLOBAL GMBH & CO KG
  • US11725541B2 patent drawing
  • US11725541B2 patent drawing
  • US11725541B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A device for removing and/or installing an annular component, which is arranged at a position within a turbine housing, which position is accessible via an access point of the turbine housing. A method for removing and for installing a component of this type by a device of this type.