Abstract:
According to one aspect of the invention, an apparatus for servicing a turbine component is provided where the apparatus includes a bench member configured to receive the turbine component and at least one clamping device extending from the bench member to secure the turbine component. The apparatus further includes a bracket coupled to the bench member, wherein the bracket is configured to be coupled to a stand and to support the bench member and turbine component.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to Turkish Application No. PT 2011/10536-KO filed on Oct. 24, 2011, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The subject matter disclosed herein relates to repairing turbine components, and, more particularly, tables configured to receive turbine components during repair. 
         [0003]    Repairing, assembling and servicing large turbine components can be an inefficient and cumbersome process due to the size and weight of the parts. In some cases, large turbine components are moved around a workspace by a forklift, crane or other machinery. The use of a forklift or crane to move the components between workspaces utilizes floor space within a repair area for maneuvering the vehicle. Further, the forklift uses additional resources for power as the vehicle requires electrical or engine power to operate. Once the component is placed on a stationary table at a workspace, the repair person often needs access to certain areas of the component which are difficult to access, which can lead to operator fatigue and reduce operator productivity. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    According to one aspect of the invention, an apparatus for servicing a turbine component is provided where the apparatus includes a bench member configured to receive the turbine component and at least one clamping device extending from the bench member to secure the turbine component. The apparatus further includes a bracket coupled to the bench member, wherein the bracket is configured to be coupled to a stand and to support the bench member and turbine component. 
         [0005]    According to another aspect of the invention, a method for servicing a turbine component is provided where the method includes placing the turbine component on a bench member and securing the turbine component to the bench member via at least one clamping device extending from the bench member, wherein the bench member is supported by a bracket coupled to a stand. The method further includes moving the stand and turbine component between areas of a workspace floor, wherein the stand and turbine component are manually moved by an operator. 
         [0006]    These and other advantages and features will become more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         [0007]    The subject matter, which is regarded as the invention, is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0008]    The FIGURE is a perspective view of an exemplary turbine component service apparatus and a turbine component. 
           [0009]    The detailed description explains embodiments of the invention, together with advantages and features, by way of example with reference to the drawings. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    Turbine systems, such as steam or gas turbines, include several large components that are routinely serviced and repaired. For example, a turbine system includes a diaphragm from a compressor or turbine section of the system, wherein the diaphragm is removed for service at selected time intervals. The diaphragm may be serviced due to wear and tear over time. The servicing process may take several steps, such steps for grinding and welding worn areas of the component. A workshop floor may include several service areas or cells, wherein each cell is configured for certain types of repair, such as one cell for grinding and another cell for welding. Accordingly, when servicing the turbine component, the component is moved between workshop areas depending on the service to be performed. In addition, multiple sections of the diaphragm are serviced after the component is removed from the turbine. 
         [0011]    Referring now to the FIGURE, an exemplary turbine component service apparatus  100  is shown. The turbine component service apparatus  100  includes a bench assembly  102  and a stand  104 . The bench assembly  102  is configured to be coupled to the stand  104 . The bench assembly  102  includes a bench member  106  or plate, wherein a turbine component, such as a diaphragm  108 , is placed on and supported by the bench assembly  102 . The bench assembly  102  also includes one or more clamping devices  110  configured to secure the diaphragm  108  to the bench member  106 . The clamping devices  110  are suitable devices configured to secure the diaphragm  106  as an operator maneuvers the component for servicing. The bench assembly  102  further includes a bracket  112  with holes  114  to receive bolts to enable coupling between the bench assembly  102  and the stand  104 . 
         [0012]    As depicted, the stand  104  includes a mounting hub  116  configured to couple to the bracket  112 . The mounting hub  116  extends from a support  118 , wherein the stand  104  and support  118  are configured to enable rotation of the bench assembly  102  and diaphragm  108  about an axis  120  of the mounting hub  116  and support  118 . The support extends from a base  122  of the stand  104 , wherein the base  122  includes rolling devices, such as wheels  124 , configured to enable an operator to maneuver the turbine component service apparatus  100  around a workshop floor. 
         [0013]    The exemplary stand  104  is any suitable stand configured to support heavy and large parts or components, such as a stand for supporting a diesel engine. As depicted, the bench assembly  102  and stand  104  enable movement of large turbine components between various parts of a workspace floor by a single human operator without additional equipment or machinery. The diaphragm  108  may be a whole diaphragm or a part of a diaphragm from a turbine. As depicted, the diaphragm  108  is a half diaphragm from the turbine. In embodiments, the diaphragm  108  weighs between about 400 and about 900 pounds (lbs). An exemplary diaphragm  108  weighs greater than about 400 lbs. In embodiments, the diaphragm  108  outer diameter ranges from about 30 to about 120 inches (in). The exemplary diaphragm  108  may have an outer diameter greater than about 30 inches. Further, the dimensions of the bench assembly  102  and stand  104  may be altered depending on the size and weight of the turbine component being serviced. 
         [0014]    The depicted turbine component service apparatus  100  enables a single operator to manually maneuver the large diaphragm  108  without use of additional machinery, such as forklifts, cranes or winches, thereby saving costs while simplifying the service workspace floor. The operator may manually adjust an angle of the diaphragm  108  or manually move the component between workspace areas. By enabling rotation of the diaphragm  108  about the axis  120  by an operator, repair operations may be performed on various portions of the component without movement by the operator, thereby reducing operator fatigue. For example, the stand  104  may allow rotation and locking of the diaphragm  108  at a selected angle, such as 30, 45 or 60 degrees with respect to the floor, to enable an operator to weld and grind the component at a selected elevation and angle to reduce fatigue, thereby reducing time needed to service the component. As depicted, the turbine component service apparatus  100  enables an operator to manually move and manipulate large turbine components, such as the diaphragm  108 , for servicing without using other machinery or equipment. An exemplary turbine component service apparatus  100  enables the operator to access the leading and trailing edges, as well as the inner and outer diameters, of the diaphragm  108 . Further, portions of the component are grinded and welded at a selected angle and elevation to improve operator productivity, while movement of the component between workspaces is also simplified. 
         [0015]    While the invention has been described in detail in connection with only a limited number of embodiments, it should be readily understood that the invention is not limited to such disclosed embodiments. Rather, the invention can be modified to incorporate any number of variations, alterations, substitutions or equivalent arrangements not heretofore described, but which are commensurate with the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, while various embodiments of the invention have been described, it is to be understood that aspects of the invention may include only some of the described embodiments. Accordingly, the invention is not to be seen as limited by the foregoing description, but is only limited by the scope of the appended claims.