Abstract:
Systems and devices adapted to provide a low profile drilling and reaming tool/device are disclosed. In one embodiment, a device includes: a base housing; a fixture head connected to the base housing, the fixture head including an aperture therethrough; a rotational connector disposed within the aperture and configured to rotate within the aperture; and a fixture slidingly connected to the fixture head via the rotational connector, the fixture extending through the aperture.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The subject matter disclosed herein relates to machines and, more particularly, to systems for performing maintenance processes and/or procedures (e.g., bucket removal, bucket replacement, drilling, reaming, etc.) on turbomachines. 
         [0002]    Some power plant systems, for example, certain nuclear, simple-cycle and combined-cycle power plant systems, employ turbines in their design and operation. These turbines include a plurality of components including turbine buckets, rotors, etc. which are precisely positioned and disposed at tight clearances relative one another. During maintenance procedures, it may be difficult for technicians to access some of these turbine components as a result of their location and proximity to other components (e.g., adjacent wheels, buckets, blades, turbine shells, etc.). The tight clearances between turbine rotor components may require that a number of tools, fittings, and/or processes (e.g., custom drill bits, custom reamers, etc.) be used in order to perform maintenance processes. The multiple tools may include a variety of lengths and attachments which are switched in and out of the process by technicians in order to adjust/accommodate for clearance and component variation during maintenance. These custom tools enable technicians to drill holes of varied depth and to perform maintenance operations within very tight clearances of the turbine with minimal disassembly. However, the repeated switching of tools and components greatly increases system downtime and maintenance process duration, and the number of custom tools and attachments required for these processes may complicate maintenance procedures, limit on-site processes, and increase maintenance cost. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Systems and devices adapted to perform maintenance processes on turbomachines are disclosed. In one embodiment, a device includes: a base housing; a fixture head connected to the base housing, the fixture head including an aperture therethrough; a rotational connector disposed within the aperture and configured to rotate within the aperture; and a fixture slidingly connected to the fixture head via the rotational connector, the fixture extending through the aperture. 
         [0004]    A first aspect of the disclosure provides a device which includes: a base housing; a fixture head connected to the base housing, the fixture head including an aperture therethrough; a rotational connector disposed within the aperture and configured to rotate within the aperture; and a fixture slidingly connected to the fixture head via the rotational connector, the fixture extending through the aperture. 
         [0005]    A second aspect provides a system including: a turbine; a device connected to the turbine, the device including: a base housing, and a fixture head connected to the base housing, the fixture head defining an aperture through the device; a rotational connector disposed within the aperture and operably connected to the device, the rotational connector configured to rotate within the aperture; and a fixture configured to slidingly connect to the fixture head at a plurality of locations via the rotational connector, the fixture further configured to extend through the aperture. 
         [0006]    A third aspect provides a device including: a rotational connector configured to connect to a fixture head and define an aperture there through, the rotational connector configured to rotate within the fixture head; and a fixture configured to extend through the fixture head via the rotational connector, the fixture including: a first end disposed on a first side of the fixture head, and a second end disposed on a second side of the fixture head. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    These and other features of this invention will be more readily understood from the following detailed description of the various aspects of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings that depict various embodiments of the invention, in which: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  shows a schematic illustration of an embodiment of a device in accordance with an aspect of the invention; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  shows a schematic perspective illustration of an embodiment of a fixture head in accordance with an aspect of the invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  shows a schematic exploded illustration of an embodiment of a device in accordance with an aspect of the invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  shows a schematic illustration of an embodiment of a drill chuck in accordance with an aspect of the invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  shows a perspective schematic illustration of an embodiment of a fixture head in accordance with an aspect of the invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  shows a schematic illustration of an embodiment of a fixture head in accordance with an aspect of the invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  shows a schematic illustration of an embodiment of a device in accordance with an aspect of the invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  shows a schematic illustration of portions of a multi-shaft combined cycle power plant in accordance with an aspect of the invention; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 9  shows a schematic illustration of portions of a single-shaft combined cycle power plant in accordance with an aspect of the invention. 
       
    
    
       [0017]    It is noted that the drawings of the invention are not necessarily to scale. The drawings are intended to depict only typical aspects of the invention, and therefore should not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention. It is understood that elements similarly numbered between the FIGURES may be substantially similar as described with reference to one another. Further, in embodiments shown and described with reference to  FIGS. 1-9 , like numbering may represent like elements. Redundant explanation of these elements has been omitted for clarity. Finally, it is understood that the components of  FIGS. 1-9  and their accompanying descriptions may be applied to any embodiment described herein. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0018]    As indicated herein, aspects of the invention provide for systems and devices adapted to perform maintenance processes on turbomachines, particularly turbine rotors. These systems include a device with a base housing and a fixture head configured to operably connect with a rotational connector. The rotational connector defines an aperture through the fixture head through which a fixture (e.g., a drill bit, a reamer, etc.) may be adjustably disposed. During operation a technician may slide and/or secure the fixture within the rotational connector, performing a plurality of processes with the fixture in different positions relative to the fixture head. This fixture adjustability provides a versatile tool for maintenance processes which may be modified/adjusted during a procedure to accommodate for varying hole depth or other component characteristics without the need for removal and/or replacement of the fixture. 
         [0019]    Turning to the FIGURES, embodiments of systems and devices for performing maintenance processes on turbomachines are shown, where the systems may increase accessibility, efficiency, and versatility in maintenance processes, by providing a variable length fixture. Each of the components in the FIGURES may be connected via conventional means, e.g., via an interference fit, collet, magnet, bolt, or other known means as is indicated in  FIGS. 1-9 . Specifically, referring to  FIG. 1 , a schematic illustration of a device  100  including a fixture  110  (e.g., a drill bit, a reamer, etc.) connected to a fixture head  120  via a rotational connector  140  is shown in accordance with aspects of the invention. Device  100  may include a base housing  130  connected to fixture head  120  and configured to connect to a power source (e.g., a compressed gas supply, a compressed fluid supply, an electrical supply, etc.) via an adapter  134 . An engine  132  (shown in phantom) may be disposed within base housing  130  and connected to a control  150  which may enable operation of engine  132  and/or device  100  by a technician. In an embodiment, fixture head  120  may define an aperture  180  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) through device  100 , and rotational connector  140  may be disposed within aperture  180 . Rotational connector  140  may be operably connected to fixture head  120 , base housing  130 , and/or engine  132 . Fixture  110  may slidingly connect to rotational connector  140  and extend through aperture  180  and/or rotational connector  140 . During operation, engine  132  may rotate fixture  110  and/or rotational connector  140  relative to fixture head  120  and/or base housing  130 . In an embodiment, fixture  110  may be adjustably secured (e.g., fixture  110  may be secured at a number of locations/points within aperture  180 ) within rotational connector  140 . 
         [0020]    Turning to  FIG. 2 , a schematic illustration of portions of device  100  are shown according to embodiments of the invention. In an embodiment, device  100  may include a collet  142  and a collet cap  144 . Collet  142  may be configured to slidingly receive and/or secure/connect to fixture  110 , and collet cap  144  may connect to rotational connector  140  and/or collet  142 . Collet cap  144  may secure collet  142  within aperture  180  and adjust a diameter of collet  142 . In one embodiment, fixture  110  may be disposed/extend through aperture  180 , rotational connector  140 , collet  142 , and collet cap  144 . A position of a first end ‘A’ of fixture  110  may be adjustable relative to fixture head  120 . In an embodiment, collet cap  144  may be adjusted about collet  142  so as to secure and/or release fixture  110  from collet  142 , thereby enabling sliding/repositioning of first end A of fixture  110  relative to fixture head  120 . In one embodiment, during operation, a technician may unscrew collet cap  144  from collet  142  and/or rotational connector  140  so as to enable adjustment/sliding of fixture  110  through aperture  180  and/or collet  142 . Once fixture  110  is positioned/slid to a location desired by the technician, collet cap may be rescrewed about collet  142  and/or on rotational connector  140  to secure/squeeze fixture  110  within collet  142 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , collet cap  144  may be disposed about collet  142  and configured to connect with rotational connector  140 . Adjustment of collet cap  144  about collet  142  and/or rotational connector  140  may manipulate/control a diameter ‘K’ of collet  142 . During maintenance processes, a technician may adjust collet cap  144  so as to allow insertion of fixture  110  within collet  142  and to secure fixture  110  within collet  142 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . Collet  142  may engage/secure fixture  110  as collet cap reduces diameter K to a distance which is equivalent to a width of fixture  110 . In this manner, collet cap  144  may be partially unscrewed about collet  142  to release/reposition fixture  110 , which may be slid within collet  142  to a new position where collet cap  144  may be retightened. 
         [0021]    Turning to  FIG. 5 , a schematic illustration of portions of a device  500  are shown with fixture  110  extending through fixture head  120  according to embodiments. Fixture  110  includes first end A disposed on a first side of aperture  180 , and second end B disposed on a second side of aperture  180 . In this embodiment, second end B and first end A are located proximate fixture head  120  at a substantially equivalent distance ‘D.’ Collet cap  144  is connected to collet  142  and rotational connector  140 , and disposed about collet  142  so as to decrease the diameter of collet  142  and form an interference fit with fixture  110 , thereby securing fixture  110  within aperture  180  and/or fixture head  120  at this position. In another embodiment, shown in  FIG. 6 , a device  550  includes second end B which may be disposed at a distance ‘E’ relative to fixture head  120  which is much less than a distance ‘G’ between fixture head  120  and first end A. In an embodiment, a technician may adjust a position of fixture  110  to switch between device  500  and device  550  by adjusting collet cap  144  to slide and secure fixture  110  within collet  142  and rotational connector  140 . In another embodiment, shown in  FIG. 7 , a backplate  192  may be disposed on fixture head  120 . Backplate  192  may be slidingly disposed on fixture head  120  and may substantially cover a spindle lock. 
         [0022]    Turning to  FIG. 8 , a schematic view of portions of a multi-shaft combined-cycle power plant  900  is shown. Combined-cycle power plant  900  may include, for example, a gas turbine  942  operably connected to a generator  944 . Generator  944  and gas turbine  942  may be mechanically coupled by a shaft  911 , which may transfer energy between a drive shaft (not shown) of gas turbine  942  and generator  944 . Gas turbine  942  may be connected to device  100  of  FIG. 1  or other embodiments described herein. Also shown in  FIG. 8  is a heat exchanger  946  operably connected to gas turbine  942  and a steam turbine  948 . Heat exchanger  946  may be fluidly connected to both gas turbine  942  and steam turbine  948  via conventional conduits (numbering omitted). Heat exchanger  946  may be a conventional heat recovery steam generator (HRSG), such as those used in conventional combined-cycle power systems. As is known in the art of power generation, HRSG  946  may use hot exhaust from gas turbine  942 , combined with a water supply, to create steam which is fed to steam turbine  948 . Steam turbine  948  may optionally be coupled to a second generator system  944  (via a second shaft  911 ). It is understood that generators  944  and shafts  911  may be of any size or type known in the art and may differ depending upon their application or the system to which they are connected. Common numbering of the generators and shafts is for clarity and does not necessarily suggest these generators or shafts are identical. Generator system  944  and second shaft  911  may operate substantially similarly to generator system  944  and shaft  911  described above. Steam turbine  948  may be connected to device  100  of  FIG. 1  or other embodiments described herein. In one embodiment of the present invention (shown in phantom), device  100  may be used to perform maintenance processes in either or both of steam turbine  948  and gas turbine  942 . In another embodiment, shown in  FIG. 9 , a single-shaft combined-cycle power plant  990  may include a single generator  944  coupled to both gas turbine  942  and steam turbine  946  via a single shaft  911 . Gas turbine  942  and steam turbine  946  may be connected to device  100  of  FIG. 1  or other embodiments described herein. 
         [0023]    The system of the present disclosure is not limited to any one particular machine, driven machine, turbine, fan, blower, compressor, power generation system or other system, and may be used with other power generation systems and/or systems (e.g., combined-cycle, simple-cycle, nuclear reactor, etc.). Additionally, the systems and devices of the present invention may be used with other systems not described herein that may benefit from the versatility, mobility, and functionality of the systems and devices described herein. 
         [0024]    The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof 
         [0025]    This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.