Abstract:
A generator support system for a centerline mounted generator includes a generator support member configured and disposed to support a generator upon a support surface. The generator support member includes at least one lifting element having a lifting surface that faces the support surface.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The subject matter disclosed herein relates to the art of generators and, more particularly, to a centerline generator support system. 
         [0002]    In many installations, a generator is mounted to a platform along a centerline of a turbomachine. The turbomachine includes a shaft that extends along the centerline and is operatively connected to the generator. When the turbomachine is in operation, the shaft rotates to drive the generator. Occasionally, the generator requires maintenance and inspection. Certain maintenance and inspection tasks require that the generator be separated from the turbomachine and removed from the platform. Removing the generator from the platform requires equipment and space, as well as compliance with various codes and standards while in a maintenance position. 
         [0003]    The equipment includes lifting devices that are not only capable of raising heavy loads, but of also transitioning the entire generator to the maintenance position. At the maintenance position, the generator is lowered either onto a maintenance support or onto a floor. The lifting device can take the form of a dedicated overhead crane. As the need for maintenance and inspection is infrequent, the need for a dedicated overhead crane, which is typically built into a framework of the installation, represents a large capital expense having a lengthy payback period. Other lifting devices include portable cranes that are brought in on an as needed basis. Regardless of type, lifting a centerline generator is a time consuming and expensive operation. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    According to one aspect of the exemplary embodiment, a generator support system for a centerline mounted generator includes a generator support member configured and disposed to support a generator upon a support surface. The generator support member includes at least one lifting element having a lifting surface that faces the support surface. 
         [0005]    According to another aspect of the exemplary embodiment, a method of elevating a centerline mounted generator from a support surface includes positioning a lifting device between a lifting surface provided on a generator support member and a support surface, extending a lifting portion of the lifting device, and elevating the generator from the support surface with the lifting portion. 
         [0006]    According to yet another aspect of the exemplary embodiment, a generator system includes a centerline mounted generator having a housing, and a generator support member configured and disposed to support the generator upon a support surface. The generator support member includes at least one lifting element having a lifting surface that faces the support surface. 
         [0007]    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 
         [0008]    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: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is perspective view of a centerline-mounted generator including a generator support system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is an elevational view of a generator support member including a lifting element that takes the form of a lifting pocket in accordance with an aspect of the exemplary embodiment; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is an elevational view of the generator support member of  FIG. 2  illustrating a lifting device arranged in the lifting pocket; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is an elevational view of the generator support member of  FIG. 3  illustrating a lifting portion extending from the lifting device to elevate the generator from a support surface; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is an elevational view of the generator support member of  FIG. 4  shown lowered onto a roller member positioned between the generator support member and the support surface; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is an elevational view of a generator support member including first and second lifting elements in accordance with another aspect of the exemplary embodiment; 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is an elevational view of the generator support member of  FIG. 6  illustrating first and second lifting devices positioned between the support surface and corresponding ones of the first and second lifting elements; 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is an elevational view of the generator support member of  FIG. 7  illustrating first and second lifting portions extending from respective ones of the first and second lifting devices to the first and second lifting elements to elevate the generator from the support surface; and 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is an elevational view of the generator support member of  FIG. 7  shown lowered onto a roller member positioned between the generator support member and the support surface. 
       
    
    
       [0018]    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 
       [0019]    With reference to  FIG. 1 , a generator system constructed in accordance with an exemplary embodiment is indicated generally at  2 . Generator system  2  includes a centerline-mounted generator  4  having a housing  6  which surrounds a stator  8 . Generator  4  is also shown to include a brush enclosure housing  10  and a generator terminal enclosure  12 . As will be discussed more fully below, generator  4  is supported upon first and second support structures  13  and  14  having corresponding support surfaces  15  and  16 . First and second support structures  13  and  14  are positioned between first and second concrete piers  19  and  20 . Generator  4  is operatively connected, along a centerline, to a turbomachine (not shown). 
         [0020]    In accordance with the exemplary embodiment shown, support structure  13  includes first and second rail elements  28  and  29  shown embedded in support surface  15 . Similarly, support structure  14  includes first and second rail elements  32  and  33  embedded in support surface  16 . In further accordance with the exemplary embodiment shown, generator system  2  includes a generator support system  40 . Generator support system  40  includes four generator support members, two of which are shown at  43  and  44 . Generator support members  43  and  44  support and position generator  2  upon first and second support surfaces  15  and  16  as will be detailed more fully below. At this point it should be understood that the number and position of the generator support members can vary. 
         [0021]    Reference will now be made to  FIGS. 2-5  in describing generator support member  43  with an understanding that generator support member  44  includes corresponding structure. Generator support member  43  includes a first end  53  that abuts first support surface  15  and a second end  54  that abuts generator  4 . Second end  54  can be secured to centerline-mounted generator  4  using a variety of fastening systems (not shown). Generator support member  43  also includes a first side  56  and a second side  57 . First and second ends  53 ,  54 , and first and second sides  56 ,  57  are separated by a central web portion  60 . Generator support member  43  is secured to first support structure  13  by a plurality of fastener members  62 - 67  and a corresponding plurality of fastener elements  69 - 74 . Fastener members  62 - 67  take the form of externally threaded rods that are anchored in first support structure  13 . Fastener elements  69 - 74  take the form of threaded nuts that are operatively engaged with fastener members  62 - 67 . 
         [0022]    In accordance with the exemplary embodiment shown, generator support member  43  includes a lifting element  80  that takes the form of a lifting pocket  83  formed in central web portion  60 . Lifting pocket  83  includes a lifting member  86  having a first or lifting surface  88  that faces first support surface  15  and a second surface  89 . Lifting pocket  83  is also shown to include a support member  92  that extends between second surface  89  of lifting member  86  and second end  54 . Support member  92  provides additional structural support to lifting member  86  when generator  4  is raised from first and second support surfaces  15  and  16  as will be described more fully below. 
         [0023]    In further accordance with the exemplary embodiment shown, when it is desired to raise generator  2  from a first position, wherein generator support member  43  rests upon first support surface  15  such as shown in  FIG. 2 , fastener elements  69 - 74  are removed from fastener members  62 - 67  and a lifting device  100  is placed in lifting pocket  83  such as shown in  FIG. 3 . At this point, a lifting portion  104  is caused to extend from lifting device  100  and moved into engagement with lifting surface  88  as shown in  FIG. 4  causing generator support member  43  to be raised upward until first end  53  clears fastener members  62 - 67  or a lower most element (not separately labeled) clears first support surface  15 . Once generator support member is sufficiently elevated, first and second roller members  108  and  109  are positioned between first support surface  15  and first end  53  as shown in  FIG. 5 . Roller members  108  and  109  are secured to first and second ends  53  and  54  by corresponding attachment members  112  and  113 . Once attachment members  112  and  113  are secured, generator support member  43  is lowered onto first support surface  15 . In the embodiment shown, each roller member  108  and  109  includes a corresponding roller element or wheel  116 ,  117  that rests upon rail elements  28  and  29  respectively. Once each generator support member is similarly elevated and supported, generator  4  can be shifted upon first and second support structures  13  and  14  to a maintenance position for any necessary servicing. 
         [0024]    Reference will now be made to  FIGS. 6-9  in describing a generator support member  130  in accordance with another exemplary embodiment. Generator support member  130  includes a first end  133  that is in contact with first support surface  15  and a second end  134  that is in contact with generator  4 . Generator support member  130  also includes a first side  136  and a second side  137 . First and second ends  133 ,  134 , and first and second sides  136 ,  137  are separated by a central web portion  140 . Generator support member  130  is also shown to include a plurality of support members  143 - 146  that extend between first and second ends  133  and  134  to provide additional structural support. In a manner similar to that described above, generator support member  130  is secured to first support structure  13  by a plurality of fastener members  152 - 157  and a corresponding plurality of fastener elements  159 - 164 . Fastener members  152 - 157  take the form of externally threaded rods that are anchored in first support structure  13 . Fastener elements  159 - 164  take the form of threaded nuts that are operatively engaged with fastener members  152 - 157 . 
         [0025]    In accordance with the exemplary embodiment shown, generator support member  130  includes a first lifting element  170  mounted to first side  136  and a second lifting element  171  mounted to second side  137 . First lifting element  170  includes a lifting member  178  having a first or lifting surface  180  that faces first support surface  15  and a second surface  181 . Lifting member  178  is secured to first side  136  by an attachment element  184 . Similarly, second lifting element  171  includes a lifting member  190  having a first or lifting surface  192  that faces first support surface  15  and a second surface  193 . Lifting member  190  is secured to second side  137  by an attachment element  195 . 
         [0026]    When it is necessary to raise generator  4  from support structure  13 , fastener elements  159 - 164  are removed from fastener members  152 - 157 , and first and second lifting devices  203  and  204  are placed between first support surface  15  and respective ones of first and second lifting elements  170 ,  171  as shown in  FIG. 7 . At this point, a first lifting portion  207  is extended from first lifting device  203 . At the same time, a second lifting portion  208  is extended from second lifting device  204 . First and second lifting portions  207  and  208  continue to extend until first end  133  clears fastener members  152 - 157 . Once clear, a roller member  214  is positioned between first support surface  15  and first end  133  and centered upon a rail element  216 . In a manner similar to that described above, rail element  216  is embedded in first support surface  15 . Roller member  214  includes an attachment member  219  that supports a roller element or wheel  221 . Attachment member  219  is secured to first end  133  with roller element  211  being positioned above rail element  216 . In addition to serving as an interface, attachment member  219  maintains a desired height of first end  133  above fastener members  152 - 157 . Once in place, generator support member  130  is lowered causing roller element  221  to rest upon rail element  216 . Once all generator support members are similarly arranged, generator  4  can be rolled or transitioned along support structures  13  and  14  to a maintenance position for servicing. 
         [0027]    At this point it should be understood that the exemplary embodiments provide a system for raising and translating a generator without the need for costly capital equipment such as overhead cranes. The system can employ a wide range of available lifting devices to raise and position each support member on a roller member or other device that can transition along a rail or other substantially planar surface. Once all roller members are in position, the generator can be readily moved to a maintenance position using available equipment. In the maintenance position, the generator can either rest on a support surface such as a floor, or be placed upon a support structure. 
         [0028]    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.