Turbomachine Casing Access Panel for Blade Maintenance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Turbomachines, such as compressors and turbines, require frequent maintenance and repair due to wear from high temperatures, pressures, and corrosive fluids, necessitating substantial disassembly for access to internal components like blades, which is time-consuming and costly.

Innovation Solution

A system and method involving access panel assemblies with selectively coupled access panels and openings in the casing of turbomachines, allowing for the inspection, repair, or replacement of blades without full disassembly, by providing access through strategically located openings and panels that can be sized to accommodate multiple stages of blades.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of repair

If substantial disassembly of the turbomachine is performed to gain access to internal components, then access to blades for inspection and repair is achieved, but maintenance time and operational downtime increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to bladesVSAvoidmaintenance time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The casing is divided into multiple sections with removable panels that can be selectively accessed. This segmentation allows technicians to access specific blade rows without disassembling the entire turbomachine, significantly reducing maintenance time while maintaining full access capability when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Access panels are extracted as separate removable components from the main casing structure. These panels can be independently removed to provide direct access to internal blade components, eliminating the need for substantial disassembly of the entire turbomachine housing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of repair

If the access opening is enlarged to accommodate blade removal, then blade replacement becomes feasible, but structural integrity and sealing of the casing are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblade replacement capabilityVSAvoidcasing structural integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The casing access structure is segmented into removable panels rather than creating large permanent openings. This maintains the structural integrity of the main casing while providing sufficient access pathways for blade removal and replacement operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Removable access panels serve as intermediary structures that bridge the need for blade access and casing integrity. These panels can be temporarily removed during maintenance and then restored, providing the necessary access without permanently compromising the casing structure or its sealing capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3095970B1System and method for provision of blade access in turbomachines

Publication Date: 2020.11.11 GENERAL ELECTRIC CO

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AI summary

A turbomachine system (10) and a servicing method include a turbomachine with a plurality of blades (21), a casing (12) disposed about the rotor (44) and the plurality of blades (21), an access opening (50) disposed in the casing (12), and an access panel (52) selectively coupled to the access opening (50), such that the access opening (50) is sized to enable inspection and repair or replacement of at least one blade of the plurality of blades (21).