Reheat Stop Valve Yoke Extraction with Uniform Hydraulic Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for disassembling steam turbines, particularly removing the support yoke from a reheat stop valve, are challenging due to oxide build-up creating a tight fit, making it difficult to apply a uniform force without compromising safety.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a hydraulic cylinder with a pushing means and attaching mechanism that allows for even force application directly to the support yoke from within the reheat stop valve, avoiding interaction with the valve's sealing surfaces and ensuring a secure, safe extraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If hydraulic cylinders are placed between the support yoke and the valve casing to apply extraction force, then the support yoke can be extracted from the valve casing, but the force may be applied unevenly causing the support yoke to bind on protruding studs and compromising technician safety
Solution Approach 1:
A specialized extraction tool with a pushing member and distributing member is introduced as an intermediary between the hydraulic cylinder and the support yoke. The pushing member contacts the support yoke while the distributing member contacts multiple protruding studs simultaneously, ensuring uniform force distribution and preventing binding during extraction
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state of force application from concentrated (direct hydraulic cylinder contact) to distributed (through the distributing member contacting multiple studs). This parameter change in force distribution ensures even separation force application and prevents uneven binding on individual studs
2Reliability
If extreme caution is used when pushing the support yoke from the valve casing, then technician safety is maintained, but the extraction process becomes difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The extraction tool with its distributing member acts as a mediator that inherently provides safe and uniform force application through its design. The distributing member's geometry ensures contact with multiple studs simultaneously, eliminating the need for extreme caution while maintaining safety and significantly improving extraction efficiency
3Strength
If there are no good flat sections on the support yoke or valve casing, then the components maintain their structural integrity, but there is no ideal surface to rest a hydraulic cylinder for safe and effective force application
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from requiring a flat surface for hydraulic cylinder placement (2D contact) to using a distributing member that contacts multiple discrete points (protruding studs) in three-dimensional space. This dimensional change allows force application without compromising component structural integrity while providing adequate surfaces for operation
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
Facilitates safe and efficient separation of the support yoke from the reheat stop valve by applying a uniform force, preventing binding and ensuring technician safety during maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
a hydraulic cylinder for applying a pushing force to the support yoke
Data Source
AI summary
A device to extract a support yoke from a reheat stop valve of a steam turbine is provided. The device includes a hydraulic cylinder for applying a pushing force to the support yoke, an attachment weldment for attaching the hydraulic cylinder to the reheat stop valve casing, and a conical cylinder coupled to the hydraulic cylinder and configured to evenly impart the pushing force to the support yoke from within the reheat stop valve in order to separate the reheat stop valve from the support yoke. A method to extract a support yoke from a reheat stop valve of a steam turbine is also provided.