Patent Publication Number: US-2016221091-A1

Title: Turbomachine blade ring segment cutting tool and related guide

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The disclosure relates generally to turbomachine maintenance, and more particularly, to a turbomachine blade ring segment cutting tool and a related guide. 
     Industrial turbomachines include a series of stator vanes that include stationary blades extending from an outer casing interposed with a plurality of moving blades coupled to a rotor that act to move/compress a working fluid or be moved by a working fluid. One illustrative turbomachine includes a compressor, which are used widely to provide a compressed fluid for, for example, combustion in a combustor of a gas turbine. As any industrial machine, turbomachines require periodic maintenance. 
     One time consuming maintenance process is replacing the blades such as stator vanes from a turbomachine like a compressor. In particular, certain stages of a turbomachine may include stator blades that are mounted to one or more ring segments that are mounted in a slot in the turbomachine casing. Each ring segment includes a number of blades, and collectively a set of ring segments can create a complete ring of radially extending blades. Oftentimes these ring segments are extremely difficult to remove from the slots of the casing. One approach to remove the ring segments includes cutting the blades off of the ring segments, and exposing the ring segments to a grinding tool or arc gouging process to cut/destroy the ring segments so they may be collapsed and removed from the slots. Arc gouging includes creating an electric arc between a tip of an electrode, e.g., a carbon electrode, and a target workpiece. As the arc is applied, the metal becomes molten and an air jet stream applied along the electrode pushes the molten metal away, thus leaving a groove in the target workpiece. The grinding tool creates a similar groove through grinding. The grinding approach and arc gouging approach are both time consuming and may cause damage to the turbomachine casing if the tool&#39;s work element passes through the ring segment to the casing. In addition, cutting of the ring segment may still require application of force from peening guns, hydraulic rams, etc., to ensure removal. 
     Another approach to removing the ring segments employs a circular saw mounted to a large bridge that spans the turbomachine casing and a mechanism, including pulleys and a motor, to pivot the cutting wheel of the saw about a center point of the casing. After the stator blades are removed from the ring segments, the circular saw cuts a kerf into the remaining ring such that the ring segments can be removed. The bridge is positioned by fixation to the horizontal joint of the casing, and is a very complicated structure. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     A first aspect of the disclosure provides a cutting tool for cutting a blade mount ring segment from a ring segment slot in a turbomachine casing having a plurality of ring segment slots along an inclined surface, the cutting tool comprising: a motor; a cutting blade driven by the motor to cut the ring segment; a support element for supporting the motor; a guide for guiding the tool circumferentially relative to the ring segment, the guide including: a rip fence extending from the support element and including a slide member for slidingly engaging a respective empty ring slot that is axially displaced in the turbomachine casing from the slot in which the ring segment is positioned, and at least one incline compensating member coupled to the support element for slidingly engaging the inclined surface of the turbomachine casing and positioning the support element such that the cutting blade cuts the ring segment. 
     A second aspect of the disclosure provides a guide for circumferentially guiding a cutting tool for cutting a blade mount ring segment from a ring segment slot in a turbomachine casing having a plurality of ring segment slots along an inclined surface, the cutting tool including a support element for supporting a cutting element of the cutting tool, the guide including: a rip fence extending from the support element and including a slide member for slidingly engaging a respective empty ring slot that is axially displaced in the turbomachine casing from the slot in which the ring segment is positioned; and at least one incline compensating member coupled to the support element for slidingly engaging the inclined surface of the turbomachine casing and positioning the support element such that the cutting element cuts the ring segment. 
     The illustrative aspects of the present disclosure are designed to solve the problems herein described and/or other problems not discussed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other features of this disclosure will be more readily understood from the following detailed description of the various aspects of the disclosure taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings that depict various embodiments of the disclosure, in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows a cross-sectional view of a turbomachine casing including a cutting tool and guide according to embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  shows a perspective, lower frontal view of a cutting tool and guide according to embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 3  shows a perspective, upper rear view of a cutting tool and guide according to embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of the cutting tool and guide of  FIGS. 2-3  in position for cutting a ring segment on a turbomachine casing. 
         FIG. 5  shows a front view of the cutting tool and guide of  FIGS. 2-3  in position for cutting a first ring segment in an inclined surface on a turbomachine casing. 
         FIG. 6  shows a front view of the cutting tool and guide of  FIGS. 2-3  in position for cutting a ring segment in the middle of an inclined surface on a turbomachine casing. 
         FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of an alternative cutting tool with the guide of  FIGS. 2-3  in position for cutting a ring segment on a turbomachine casing. 
     
    
    
     It is noted that the drawings of the disclosure are not to scale. The drawings are intended to depict only typical aspects of the disclosure, and therefore should not be considered as limiting the scope of the disclosure. In the drawings, like numbering represents like elements between the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     As indicated above, the disclosure provides a cutting tool for cutting a blade mount ring segment from a ring segment slot in a turbomachine casing having a plurality of ring segment slots along an inclined surface. In addition, a guide for a cutting tool is provided. 
     Referring to the drawings,  FIG. 1  shows a turbomachine casing  100  in a state of maintenance in which a cutting tool  120  and a related guide  150  ( FIG. 2 ) according to embodiments of the invention may be employed. In this setting, the turbomachine rotor has been removed. Turbomachine casing  100  can be part of a large variety of turbomachines, e.g., steam turbine, gas turbine, compressor, etc In the example shown, turbomachine casing  100  is a compressor half-shell. In the example shown, turbomachine casing  100  (hereinafter “casing  100 ”) includes a linear section  102  and an integral frusto-conical section  104 . Linear section  102  includes a plurality of slots  106  that extend circumferentially about an interior surface of section  102 . Each slot  106  receives a series of circumferentially arranged individual blades (not shown, removed). In contrast, frusto-conical section  104  includes a plurality of blade mount ring segment slots  108 A-E that extend circumferentially about an interior surface  110  of section  104 . As indicated, interior surface  110  (hereafter “inclined surface  110 ”) is inclined to accommodate sequentially decreasing sized blade stages of the turbomachine. An axial internal angle α of inclined surface  110  of the turbomachine casing can vary depending on the type of turbomachine, number of stages, size of blades, etc. 
     Blade mount rings  111 A-E are each formed of a number segments  112  seated in each slot  108 A-E. Each ring segment  112  may extend circumferentially a portion of the circumference, e.g., 60°, 45°, 30°, of casing  100 . Each ring segment  112  typically includes a number of integral, circumferentially spaced stationary blades extending radially therefrom (not shown) toward an axis A of casing  100 . Sets of corresponding, rotating, rotor blades would extend from a rotor (removed) between the sets of stationary blades, forming the various stages of the compressor in section  104 . With the blades in place, a number of ring segments  112  can be used within each slot  108 A-E to provide equally spaced blades about an axis A of casing  100  and to form rings  111 A-E. At the illustrated stage of maintenance, however, the blades have been cut from rings  111 A-E and ground down, leaving just ring segments  112  in respective slots  108 A-E, perhaps with some remnants of the blades (see  FIG. 4 ). Cutting tool  120  may cut all or any number of ring segments  112  from a given slot  108 A-E, depending on what is necessary to remove rings  111 A- 111 E. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2-4 , details of cutting tool  120  and guide  150  will now be described.  FIG. 2  shows a perspective, lower frontal view of cutting tool  120  with guide  150 ;  FIG. 3  shows a perspective, upper rear view of cutting tool  120  with guide  150 ; and  FIG. 4  shows an enlarged perspective view of cutting tool  120  with guide  150  in position for cutting a ring segment  112  in a slot  108 A on casing  100 , and in particular, frusto-conical section  104 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2-4 , in one embodiment, cutting tool  120  is provided as any now known or later developed circular saw capable of cutting ring segments  112 , e.g., a Steelmax® brand metal cutting circular saw or similar commercially available circular saw. To this end, cutting tool  120  may include a motor  122  for rotatably driving a cutting element  124  in the form of a cutting blade to cut ring segment  112 . Motor  122  may include any now known or later developed form of rotary power, e.g., hydraulic, electric, pneumatic, etc. The cutting blade may include any now known or later developed rotary cutting blade capable of cutting the material of ring segments  112 . The cutting blade may also include any special cutting features, e.g., carbon tips, etc., required, and may have any diameter necessary to ensure non-binding cutting. It is emphasized that while embodiments of the invention are illustrated with cutting tool  120  as a circular saw, guide  150  may also be applied to a wide variety of other cutting tools with other forms of cutting elements, e.g., grinding wheel, cutting torch, arc gouging electrode, laser cutting tool, etc. Regardless of the type of cutting tool or cutting element, as will be described, cutting element  124  may create a kerf  190  ( FIGS. 5-6 ) in ring segment  112  with a width sufficient to remove a sufficient amount of ring element  112  such that remaining portions of the ring segment can be radially removed from a respective slot  108 A-E, as will be described herein. The size of the kerf may be user defined depending on various features of ring segment  112 , e.g., material flexibility, width, etc. 
     Regardless of the type of cutting element employed, cutting tool  120  also includes a support element  130  for supporting the cutting element. In terms of a circular saw, support element  130  supports, among other things, motor  122  and cutting element  124 . In the example shown, support element  130  may take the form of a rigid plate, e.g., a metal plate. However, as will be apparent, support element  130  need to be a plate or planar. Support element  130  may be part of a conventional circular saw and modified to accommodate guide  150 , or constructed as a separate part that forms part of the guide. In the circular saw example, cutting element  124  extends through an opening  132  in support element  130 , in a conventional manner. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , where cutting tool  120  includes a mechanical cutting element  124  such as a cutting blade, cutting tool may include an optional cutting depth adjuster  134  for selectively controlling an extent to which cutting element  124  extends from support element  130 . In the embodiment shown, a front mount  136  ( FIG. 2 ) of cutting tool  120  includes a pivot that allows motor  122  and cutting element  124  to pivotally move relative to plate  130 , altering an extent to which cutting element  124  extends from support element  130 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , cutting depth adjuster  134  may include a knob  138  capable of clamping a position of motor  122  and cutting element  124  relative to support element  130 . Knob  138  may include a threaded fastener  140 , e.g., a nut, that tightens onto a bolt (within knob  138 ) that is coupled to motor  122 , i.e., a housing therefor, and rides in a curved guide slot  144  affixed to support element  130 . Rotation of knob  138  tightens the nut and bolt together, clamping the pivotal position of motor  122  relative to support element  130  and hence the extent to which cutting element  124  extends from opening  132  in support element  130 . While one form of cutting depth adjuster  134  has been illustrated, it is emphasized that a large variety of other known or later developed cutting depth adjusters may also be employed. Further, where cutting element  124  includes a mechanism capable of electronic depth control (e.g., cutting torch, etc.), cutting depth adjuster  134  may be omitted. Cutting tool  120  may also optionally include any other now known or later developed ancillary structures for a power tool such as but not limited to: one or more handles  146 , a movable cutting element shroud  148 , alignment indicia, safety features such as automatic shutoff and two-points-of-contact operating switches, bevel adjustment, variable speed and power settings, vibration isolators, power supply cords/hoses, etc. 
     With continuing reference to  FIGS. 2-4 , a guide  150  for guiding cutting tool  120  circumferentially relative to ring segments  112  is also illustrated. Guide  150  may include a rip fence  152  and at least one incline compensating member  154 A,  154 B. Collectively, rip fence  152  and incline compensating member(s)  154 A,  154 B position cutting element  124  to cut ring segments  112  in a particular slot  108 A-E by allowing controlled circumferential sliding of cutting tool  120  relative to the ring segment. More particularly, rip fence  152  axially positions cutting element  124  such that it can maintain its axial position by slidingly engaging an already empty slot in casing  100 . Further, incline compensating member(s)  154 A,  154 B slidingly engage inclined surface  110  to angularly maintain the position of cutting element  124  to cut ring elements  112 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 2-4 , rip fence  152  may extend from support element  130  and include a slide member  160 . As used herein, “axial” refers to the direction of axis A of casing  100 , and “radial” refers to a direction substantially perpendicular to axis A. Hence, rip fence  152  may extend axially from support element  130  relative to casing  100 , and cutting element  124  extends substantially radially relative to casing  100 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , slide member  160  is configured for slidingly engaging a respective empty ring slot  106 ,  108  ( 106  as shown) that is axially displaced in turbomachine casing  100  from the slot ( 108 A as shown) in which a ring segment  112  to be cut is positioned. As will be described, as ring segments  112  are removed, those slots  108 A-E from which the segments are removed can be used as the empty slots in which slide member  160  moves for cutting of a subsequent ring segment. Rip fence  152  may further include an adjustable arm  162  supporting slide member  160 . As illustrated, adjustable arm  162  may include a number of members  164  shaped and sized to position slide member  160  at an appropriate distance from cutting element  124  to position cutting element  124  to cut ring segment  112 . Slide member  160  and members  164  may be arranged to extend up and over structures in casing  100 , if necessary. Adjustable arm  162  couples to support element  130  and may be configured to adjustably change the distance of slide member  160  from cutting element  124  in any number of ways. As shown in  FIG. 3 , members  164  may be selectively coupled to support element  130  at any of a number of predefined lateral positions by way of a number of fasteners  166  that couple to support element  130 , e.g., threaded fasteners that thread into support element  130 . Although one form of adjustable arm  162  has been illustrated, it is emphasized that a large number of alternative length-adjustable arm structures exist and may be employed and are considered within the scope of the invention. For example, length adjustable arms may come in form of, e.g., selectively positionable telescopic members, selectively positionable sliding members, etc. Adjustable arm  162  may be made of any material having sufficient rigidity and strength to withstand the function of motor  122  and cutting element  124 , e.g., steel. A set of adjustable arms  162  may be provided having differently length ranges to accommodate different casings, e.g., with different spacing between slots  106 ,  108 , different sized slots, different sized ring segments, etc. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , slide member  160  is illustrated from a lower position. Slide member  160  is affixed to or formed as part of adjustable arm  162 , e.g., using any conventional fastening mechanism such as threaded fasteners, welding, uniform construction, etc. As shown, slide member  160  may include a number of features to ensure it maintains sliding contact with an empty slot  106 ,  108  in casing  100 . In particular, slide member  160  may include a number of features to maintain sliding engagement with an axially facing surface  161  ( FIGS. 4-6 ) of a respective empty slot  106 ,  108  in which slide member  160  is slidingly engaged such that cutting element  124  maintains a desired axial position relative to a ring segment  112  to be cut. 
     In one embodiment, shown in  FIG. 2 , slide member  160  may include a curved casing engaging surface  170  configured to substantially mate with a circumferential arc of inclined surface  110  of casing  100  in empty ring slot  106 ,  108 . That is, surface  170  has a curvature that substantially matches that of casing  100 . Slide member  160  may be made of any material having sufficient strength and sliding ability to withstand prolonged sliding engagement with inclined surface  110  of casing  100 , e.g., a metal such as steel or aluminum, a hard plastic such as nylon or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or other similar materials. In one embodiment, all of slide member  160  may include a metal such as steel or aluminum. In another embodiment, however, a body  172  of slide member  160  may include a metal such as steel, and curved casing engaging surface  170  may include a hard plastic such as PTFE. In this latter case, surface  170  may be constructed so as to be replaceable, e.g., with fasteners or other coupling mechanisms to body  172 . 
     Slide member  160  may also include one or more roller bearings  174  for rollingly engaging axially facing surface  161  ( FIG. 4-6 ) of empty ring slot  106  (as shown),  108 . Roller bearing(s)  174  may be substantially vertically oriented in body  172 , and may be made of a metal, e.g., steel, or hard plastic such as PTFE. Alternatively, bearings  174  may be angled so as to substantially match a radius of casing  100 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , slide member  160  may also further include a retaining member  178  for engaging a circumferential groove  180  ( FIGS. 5-6 ) in empty ring slot ( 106  in  FIG. 5, 108B  in  FIG. 6 ) to slidingly retain the slide member in the empty ring slot. More particularly, as shown in  FIGS. 5-6 , each groove  106 ,  108  includes a circumferential groove  180  that extends circumferentially therealong on both sides thereof at a radially outward end thereof. Retaining member  178  extends from body  172  in a position such that it may engage with circumferential groove  180  and slide therealong to retain slide member radially in empty slot  106 . As illustrated, in one embodiment, retaining member  178  includes a number of axially protruding pins extending from body  172  of slide member  160  to engage an underside of groove  180 . It is understood, however, that retaining member  178  may include a wide variety of alternative structures that may provide the same function, e.g., more or less pins, a curved rib, etc. A set of slide members  160  may be provided having differently arced, casing engaging surfaces  170 , a differently positioned retaining member  178 , differently positioned or sized bearings  174 , etc., to accommodate different casings, e.g., with different diameters, different curvatures, different sized slots, different sized ring segments, different spacing between slots, etc. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4-6 , incline compensating member(s)  154 A,  154 B may be coupled to support element  130  for slidingly engaging inclined surface  110  of casing  100  and positioning support element  130  such that cutting element  124  (e.g., blade) of cutting tool  120  cuts ring segment  112 . Any number of incline compensating members  154  may be employed, and each member may extend a different distance from support element  130  to slidingly engage inclined surface  110  of casing  100 . In one embodiment, a pair of incline compensating members  154 A,  154 B may be employed, one to each side of cutting element  124  and each slidingly engaging a different portion of inclined surface  110 . More or less members  154  may be employed, if desired. As shown best in  FIG. 5 , each incline compensating member  154  is sized to extend from support element  130  a generally radial distance sufficient to maintain a position of support element  130  relative to inclined surface  110 , i.e., based on where the particular member is axially positioned on support element  130 . In the embodiments shown, each incline compensating member  154  has a radial length to maintain support element  130  substantially parallel with an axis A ( FIG. 1 ) of casing  100 . In this manner, as shown in  FIG. 5 , assuming cutting element  124  is positioned substantially perpendicular to support element  130 , the cutting element will cut ring element  112  in a substantially vertical direction. It is emphasized that a substantially vertical cut is not necessary in all cases, and cutting tool  120  may be employed with incline compensating members  154  that do not position support element  130  substantially parallel to axis A ( FIG. 1 ). Further, assuming support element  130  is positioned substantially parallel to axis A ( FIG. 1 ), cutting element  124  may be angled relative to support element  130 , e.g., by use of a conventional bevel adjustment on a circular saw. 
     As shown best in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , each incline compensating member  154 A,  154 B may include a curved casing engaging surface  182  configured to substantially mate with a circumferential arc of internal surface  110  of casing  100 . Surface  182  allows incline compensating member(s)  154 A,  154 B to slidingly support cutting tool  120  relative to inclined surface  110  as it is moved circumferentially as it cuts ring element  112  in a uniform and safe manner. Each incline compensating member  154  may be made of any material having sufficient strength and sliding ability to withstand prolonged sliding engagement with interior surface  110  of casing  100 , e.g., a metal such as steel, or a hard plastic such as nylon or PTFE. In one embodiment, each incline compensating member  154  may include steel. In another embodiment, however, similar to slide member  160 , a body of each member  154  may include a metal such as steel, and curved casing engaging surface  182  may include a hard plastic such as PTFE. In this latter case, surface  182  may be constructed so as to be replaceable, e.g., with fasteners or other coupling mechanisms to the body. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 3 and 5 , and as shown best in  FIG. 3 , one or more curved casing engaging surface(s)  182  of incline compensating member(s)  154 A,  154 B may also include an axial bevel  186  configured to substantially mate with an axial internal angle α of inclined surface  110  of casing  100 . Axial bevel  186  also allows incline compensating member(s)  154 A,  154 B to slidingly support cutting tool  120  relative to inclined surface  110  as it is moved circumferentially as it cuts ring element  110  in a uniform and safe manner. In one embodiment, for a particular casing  100  or for a set of casings  100 , a set of incline compensating members  154  may be provided to accommodate each ring element  112  regardless of which slot  108 A-E the ring segment is positioned. The set of compensating members  154  may have members with different curvatures of surface  182 , different bevel angles  186 , different lengths, etc. In any event, as observed by comparing  FIGS. 5 and 6 , each incline compensating member  154  would be configured for selective coupling to support element  130 , e.g., with threaded fasteners. Each compensating member  154  could be beveled to accommodate supporting support element  130  at a desired angle relative to axis A ( FIG. 1 ) of casing  100 , e.g., substantially parallel, regardless of the slot  108 A-E in which the ring segment  112  to be cut is positioned. 
     Turning to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , operation of cutting tool  120  is illustrated. In  FIG. 5 , cutting tool  120  is positioned for cutting a ring element  112  that is in a first ring segment slot  108 A adjacent to linear section  102  of casing  100 . This is the same scenario shown in  FIGS. 1-4 . Here, slide member  160  of rip fence  152  is positioned in a slot  106  closest to frusto-conical section  104  and adjacent ring segment slot  108 A of casing  100  such that cutting element  124  is positioned to cut ring segment  112  in slot  108 A. In this position, incline compensating member  154 A is in contact with inclined surface  110  and thus includes a bevel  186 , while member  154 B is in contact with linear section  102  of casing  100 , and does not require a bevel. In contrast in  FIG. 6 , cutting tool  120  is positioned for cutting a ring element  112  that is in a ring segment slot  108 C that is in the middle of frusto-conical section  104  of casing  100 . Here, slide member  160  of rip fence  152  is positioned in a slot  108 B closest to and adjacent ring segment slot  108 C of casing  100  such that cutting element  124  is positioned to cut ring segment  112  in slot  108 C. Any ring segment that was in slot  108 B that would prevent movement of cutting tool  120  to cut the ring element in slot  108 C has already been removed. In this position, both incline compensating members  154 A,  154 B are in contact with inclined surface  110 , and both include a bevel  186  to substantially match with inclined surface  110 . 
     In either of the positions shown in  FIG. 5 or 6 , cutting tool  120  is initially powered on by turning motor  122  on to rotate cutting element  124 . As cutting element  124  turns, cutting tool  120  is aligned such that rip fence  152 , and in particular slide member  160  engages in a respective empty slot ( 106  in  FIG. 5, 108B  in  FIG. 6 ). Cutting element  124  may be initially plunged into ring segment  112  to make an initial cut in this position, e.g., where cutting element  124  includes a cutting blade. A depth of cut of cutting element  124  can be adjusted by cutting depth adjuster  134  ( FIG. 3 ) or other depth adjusting mechanism, if provided. The depth of cut can be user defined to cut as deep into ring segment  112  as desired. Typically, cutting element  124  is set such that it cuts through all or most of ring segment  112  but ideally does not penetrate into casing  100 , thus preventing damage to casing  100 . Where material remains in the bottom of kerf  190 , it can be manually removed, allowing remaining portions of ring segment  112  to collapse into kerf  190  and thus allow removal thereof. As cutting element  124  initially cuts into ring segment  112 , slide member  160  is brought into contact with axially facing surface  161 , which axially positions cutting element  124  relative to ring segment  112 . Additionally, retaining member(s)  178 , where provided, may seat in groove  180 , radially retaining slide member  160  in empty slot  106 ,  108 , and roller bearings  174  engage axially facing surface  161  of the empty slot. (It is noted that while casing  100  has been illustrated in a horizontal position, it may also be arranged in a vertical fashion. In this case, retaining member(s)  178  may also function to prevent cutting tool  120  from falling out of the empty slot  106 ,  108  as cutting tool  120  is moved horizontally within ring segments  112  as it cuts.) Cutting element  124  is ideally positioned near an axial middle of ring segment  112 , but that is not necessary in all instances. Once the initial cut is made, cutting tool  120  may be moved circumferentially relative to casing  100  such that slide member  160  of rip fence  152  slidingly engages axially facing surface  161 , i.e., with roller bearing  174 , of the empty ring slot, maintaining a desired axial location of cutting element  124  in ring segment  112 . As cutting tool  120  is moved circumferentially, incline compensating member(s)  154  maintains a radial position of cutting tool relative to casing, e.g., maintains support element  130  substantially parallel to axis A ( FIG. 1 ). Cutting tool  120  progressively cuts ring segment  112  as it is moved circumferentially. Each ring  111 A-E ( FIG. 1 ) may be cut in one full circumferential movement of cutting tool  120 , or one or more segments  112  of a ring  111 A-E may be cut individually. In any event, once each ring segment  112  is cut, the ring segment includes a kerf  190  ( FIGS. 5 and 6 ) of sufficient axial width that the remaining portions of ring segment  112  can be readily removed from the respective slot. That is, cutting element  124  may have a kerf width sufficient to remove a sufficient amount of a ring element  112  such that remaining portions of the ring segment can radially removed from a respective slot  108 A-E. Each remaining portion of a ring segment  112  may be removed in a number of ways. For example, the remaining portions may be forced axially so as to break any remaining connection therebetween. Once broken, the remaining portions can be readily removed radially relative to casing  110 . 
     While slide member  160  and incline compensating members  154  have been described herein as sliding surfaces, it is emphasized that each member can be readily replaced with other elements that allow linear movement of cutting tool  120  relative to casing  100 . For example, members  160 ,  154  could include roller bearings or cat tracks, rather than surfaces in contact with casing  100 . In addition, guide  150  has been described herein as being employed with a cutting tool  120  in the form of a circular saw. It is emphasized that guide  150  could also be employed with other cutting systems. For example, as shown in  FIG. 7 , guide  150  could be employed with a cutting tool  220  in the form of, for example, grinding wheel, cutting torch, arc gouging electrode, laser cutting tool, or any other form of linear cutting system for metal that can be positioned using guide  150 . 
     Cutting tool  120 ,  220  and/or guide  150  for use with a cutting tool provide an alternative to arc gouging out ring segments if they have become seized in a turbomachine casing, thus saving time and costs. In addition, since cutting tool  120 ,  220  with guide  150  safely and quickly cuts ring segment  112 , the tool is safer than conventional techniques. Cutting tool  120  is also easy to set up and is implemented manually without a complicated mounting bridge or automated propulsion system. 
     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. 
     The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the disclosure in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the disclosure and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the disclosure for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.