Abstract:
The method is used for handing a gas turbine engine during packaging. The method comprises receiving the engine at a handling apparatus pivotally secured to the floor, removably connecting the engine to the handling apparatus, pivoting the engine while supported on the handling apparatus, lowering the engine into a container, and then removably connecting the engine to the container.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The technical field generally relates to the handling of gas turbine engines during their packaging in a container. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Oftentimes, small gas turbine engines are individually put in containers at a manufacturing or maintenance plant before being shipped elsewhere or stored. The gas turbine engines are moved within the plant on engine transport devices. They are then transferred to a fixed structure sometimes referred to as a “shipping post”. The shipping post holds the engine while one or more technicians perform some tasks on the engine. This procedure, however, often require numerous transfers from the shipping post to other supporting devices in order for the various packaging tasks to be accomplished. These transfers are time-consuming and accordingly, often result in a loss of productivity. Room for improvements exists. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    In one aspect, the present concept provides a method for handing a gas turbine engine during packaging, the method comprising: receiving the engine at a handling apparatus pivotally secured to the floor; removably connecting the engine to the handling apparatus; pivoting the engine while supported on the handling apparatus; lowering the engine into a container; and then removably connecting the engine to the container. 
         [0004]    In another aspect, the present concept provides a method for handing a gas turbine engine prior from being set in a container, the method comprising: removably connecting the engine to a rigid support of a handling apparatus, the apparatus being rotatable around a substantially vertical axis; disconnecting the engine from a structure holding the engine immediately before the handling apparatus; rotating the engine around the vertical axis of the apparatus; and then lowering the engine into the container. 
         [0005]    In a further aspect, the present concept provides a method of packaging a gas turbine engine into a container, the method comprising: receiving the engine at a handling apparatus pivotally secured to the floor; transferring the engine to the handling apparatus; performing at least one packaging task on the engine and raising the engine at least once while the engine is continuously supported by the handling apparatus; and then transferring the engine directly into the container. 
         [0006]    Further details of these and other aspects of the improvements will be apparent from the detailed description and figures included below. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0007]    Reference is now made to the accompanying figures depicting aspects of the improved method, in which: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is a semi-schematic side view of an example of an apparatus for handling a gas turbine engine in accordance with the improved method; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a schematic side view of an example of an engine being transferred from an engine transport device to an handling apparatus; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a view similar to  FIG. 2 , showing the engine being moved vertically on the handling apparatus; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a view similar to  FIG. 2 , showing the engine being pivoted so as to be right above a corresponding container; and 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a view similar to  FIG. 4 , showing the engine being lowered into the container. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0013]      FIG. 1  shows an example of an apparatus  10  for handling a gas turbine engine during packaging. The gas turbine engines to be used with this apparatus  10  are relatively small in size. However, it could be designed to handle larger engines as well. The illustrated apparatus  10  is only one of many possible designs and accordingly, the method described herein is not limited for use with the handling apparatus  10  as shown. 
         [0014]    It should be noted that the word “packaging” is a generic word designating the various tasks required to put an engine in a container, and may include the transfer of the engine from an engine transport device to the handling apparatus  10 . These tasks can include, for example, draining fluids used in the engine during a bench test, installing plugs to cover openings, securing wires together, etc. A wide range of other tasks can be done as well. Once in the container, the engine can be, for instance, shipped elsewhere or stored while in the container. The engine in the container can be a fully-assembled engine or an engine in which some parts will be assembled later. Also, the word “handling” is a generic word designating the various steps of moving the engine during packaging. 
         [0015]    The apparatus  10  shown as an example in  FIG. 1  has a base  12  secured to the floor or to a similar solid structure. The base  12  can be in the form of a plate bolted to the floor. It holds a turntable  14  having a substantially vertical pivot axis. The turntable  14  has one end secured to the base  12  and other end that is attached to the bottom end  16   a  of a substantially vertical post  16  by means of a sleeve  18 . The post  16  is rotatable around the vertical pivot axis. The apparatus  10  also comprises a substantially horizontal side arm  20  projecting from the post  16 . In the illustrated embodiment, the side arm  20  projects from the upper end of the post  16 . The connection between the post  16  and the side arm  20  can be made in a number of ways. In the illustrated example, the connection includes a sleeve  22  rigidly attached over the upper end  16   b  of the post  16 . The side arm  20  is welded or otherwise attached to the sleeve  22 . 
         [0016]    A hoist  24  is provided on the side arm  20 . The hoist  24  can include, for instance, a pneumatic motor mechanically connected to a reel supporting a chain or a sling. The illustrated example includes a sling  26 . 
         [0017]    Gas turbine engines often have two opposite integrated side plates by which the engine can be connected to another structure. The handling apparatus  10  comprises a rigid side support  30  having one end in sliding engagement with the post  16  and an opposite end that can be removably connected to one of the side plates of the engine through an engine mount. The support  30  is said to be rigid, which means that the support  30  is normally rigidly holding the engine in the same position. This facilitates the tasks of the technician or technicians. This does not exclude the possibility of having an adjustable support in which the orientation of the engine can be changed in accordance with one or more degrees of freedom. The connection of the side support  30  with the post  16  can include a flange  32  or another element that is operatively connected to the post  16 . In the illustrated example, the flange  32  of the side support  30  is slidably connected to a vertically-extending slot (not shown) on the side of the post  16 . The slot, the side arm  20  and the support  30  are in registry with each other. The support  30  is held by the sling  26  of the hoist  24 , which sling has a free end attached to a hook or a hole provided on the support  30 . 
         [0018]    If desired, the post  16  can be provided with a plurality of spaced-apart horizontal holes  40  crossing the vertically-extending slot on the post  16 . One or more pins can then be inserted below the support  30  to prevent the engine when one is connected to the support  30 , from falling towards the floor in case of a failure of the hoist  24  or any of the parts to which it is connected. 
         [0019]    A brake  42  can be used next to the base  12  to prevent the turntable  14 , and thus all the other elements connected thereto, from rotating when that is not required. In the illustrated example, the brake  42  includes an actuator with a piston having an end engaging the bottom side of a disk  14   a  on the pivotable side of the turntable  14 . The actuator of the brake  42  can be electric, pneumatic, hydraulic, etc. 
         [0020]      FIGS. 2 to 5  show an example of a gas turbine engine being handled in accordance with the improved method.  FIG. 2  shows an engine  50  being brought to an handling apparatus  10  using an engine transport device  52 . The side of the engine  50  is removably connected to the support  30 , using bolts for instance or another removable connector. Once connected to the apparatus  10 , the engine  50  can be disconnected from the engine transport device  52  and the engine transport device  52  is moved away from the vicinity of the apparatus  10 . The technician or technicians can then perform the tasks required to prepare the engine  50 . The height of the engine  50  with reference to the floor can be changed, if and whenever required, as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0021]      FIG. 4  shows the engine  50  immediately before being lowered into a corresponding container  60  opened at the top thereof. The container  60  is essentially a box designed to facilitate the handling of the engine  50  during shipping and prevent damage thereto, including during storage. The internal frame  62  of the container  60  can be designed to hold the engine  50  so as to prevent any movement thereof. It should be noted that the container  60  is only schematically illustrated in the figures and that a container may be designed with movable lids allowing the engine  50  to be completely encased in the container  60 . 
         [0022]    The container  60  is positioned on a side of the apparatus  10 , such as that slide that is opposite the workspace provided for technician or technicians. The post  16  is then pivoted around the axis of the turntable  14  until the engine  50  be right above the desired location in the container  60 . 
         [0023]      FIG. 5  shows the engine  50  after being lowered into the container  60 . The engine  50  can then be bolted or otherwise secured to the frame  62  inside the container  60 . The engine  50  is detached from the support  30  afterwards. 
         [0024]    As can be appreciated, the new method of handling an engine minimises the transfer of the engine  50  to a bear minimum. The handling of the engine  50  is then more easy and efficient. 
         [0025]    The above description is meant to be exemplary only, and one skilled in the art will recognize that changes can be made to what is described above without departing from the scope of the appended claims. For example, the hoist can be manually powered or powered using an electric or hydraulic motor. The hoist motor, if any, and its reel do not necessarily need to be provided on a side arm. It can be provided on the post itself, for instance, and the sling or chain can then reach the proper location on the side arm using one or more pulleys. Alternatively, the hoist can be in the form of a screw inside the post and engaged to a follower designed to move the support up or down. A side arm can then be omitted. The slot along the post and which receives the edge of the support can be replaced by an equivalent system, such as a slot in the support and which engages a vertical flange projecting on the side of the post, a carriage with rolls engaged around the post, etc. The brake at the bottom of the apparatus can include pins or similar fasteners to be inserted in corresponding holes so as to prevent the apparatus from rotating. Although it has been suggested in the detailed description that the engine be connected inside the container before disconnecting it from the support of the apparatus, thereby maintaining a constant attachment with a rigid structure at all time, it is possible to design the container so as to temporally support the engine while it is disconnected from the support and prior to connecting it to the container. Although the post is said to be vertical or substantially vertical, it can define a certain angle with the vertical. Similarly, a side arm connected to the post must not necessarily be horizontal and can define a certain angle with the horizontal. It is possible to have a portion of the support of the apparatus being detachable from the rest of the apparatus. This way, the detachable portion can remain with the engine in the container. The engine transport device may be different than that shown in  FIG. 2 . Still other modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art, in light of a review of this disclosure, and such modifications are intended to fall within the appended claims.