Turbomachine Support Assembly for Radially Split Casing Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Turbomachines with radially split casings face challenges in supporting internal assemblies during assembly, as external vertical supports are impractical due to inaccessibility of internal assembly portions, leading to potential damage and alignment issues.
Innovation Solution
A support assembly with a slidably disposed support member and biasing member, including a piston fluidly coupled with an accumulator to apply a hydraulic biasing force, allowing the support member to engage the casing inner surface and maintain assembly alignment and position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If external vertical supports are used to support the internal assembly, then the internal assembly can be properly supported at its center of gravity, but the solution becomes impractical or impossible when the casing only has open axial ends and portions of the internal assembly are inaccessible
Solution Approach 1:
The support assembly is designed to automatically support the internal assembly at its center of gravity without requiring manual adjustment. The biasing member (spring) automatically applies force to maintain the support member in contact with the casing inner surface, enabling the system to self-regulate and support the internal assembly without human intervention during operation
Solution Approach 2:
The support assembly acts as an intermediary mechanism between the internal assembly and the casing. It includes a support member that extends into the internal assembly and engages with the casing inner surface, providing indirect support that maintains the internal assembly's position and orientation without requiring direct access to all portions of the internal assembly
2Reliability
If internal supports are used to facilitate axial insertion, then the internal assembly can be supported during assembly, but constant manual adjustment and access to both axial ends are required
Solution Approach 1:
The support assembly automatically maintains support during assembly operations without requiring constant manual adjustment. The biasing member continuously applies force to keep the support member engaged with the casing, eliminating the need for operators to repeatedly adjust the support position or access both axial ends of the internal assembly
3Ease of manufacture
If the casing is radially split with single accessible axial end, then assembly can be simplified, but proper support and alignment of internal assembly becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The support assembly serves as an intermediary alignment mechanism that ensures precise positioning of the internal assembly within the radially split casing. The support member engages with the casing inner surface at a predetermined location, providing a reference point that maintains proper alignment and orientation of the internal assembly during insertion and operation
Solution Approach 2:
The support assembly is pre-configured with the biasing member and support member in specific positions before assembly. This preliminary configuration ensures that when the internal assembly is inserted through the single accessible axial end, the support automatically engages to maintain proper alignment and position, eliminating the need for post-assembly adjustments
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 secure and aligned assembly of internal components within turbomachines with radially split casings, preventing damage and facilitating assembly even when only one axial end is accessible, by applying a consistent biasing force to maintain the internal assembly's position and orientation.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing member disposed in a pocket extending radially inward from the recess. The biasing member may at least partially extend into the recess and may be configured to apply a biasing force to the support member disposed therein
Implementation Method 2
An accumulator may be fluidly coupled with the pocket and configured to direct a hydraulic fluid to the pocket to thereby apply a biasing force to the piston disposed in the pocket
Data Source
AI summary
A support assembly and method for supporting an internal assembly in a casing of a turbomachine are provided. The support assembly may include a support member that may be slidably disposed in a recess formed in the internal assembly and configured to engage an inner surface of the casing. A biasing member may be disposed in a pocket extending radially inward from the recess. The biasing member may at least partially extend into the recess and may be configured to apply a biasing force to the support member disposed therein.