Patent Publication Number: US-2017356338-A1

Title: Installation tool and system for assembling a gas turbine combustor

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present subject matter relates generally to a gas turbine and more particularly to an installation tool and a method for installing an annular liner or sleeve such as a combustion liner or flow sleeve into a combustor of a gas turbine. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Gas turbines typically include a compressor section, a combustion section, and a turbine section. The combustion section generally includes an annular array of combustors arranged about an axis of the gas turbine. Each combustor includes a combustion liner which at least partially defines a combustion chamber of a respective combustor. In certain configurations, a flow sleeve may at least partially surround the combustion liner and define a flow path to a head end of the combustor. 
     When installing a combustion liner and/or a flow sleeve into a combustor, a significant amount of force is often required to overcome friction at an interface between the combustion liner and the transition duct and/or friction at an interface defined between the flow sleeve and an impingement sleeve that surrounds the transition duct. For example, a hula or spring-type seal is typically disposed at one or both of the interfaces. The hula seal must be compressed in order to permit the combustion liner to slide into the transition duct or for the flow sleeve to slide into the impingement sleeve. This often requires several hundred pounds of axial installation force. 
     Typically, a hammer may be used to provide the axial force needed to compress the hula seal(s). However, striking the respective forward ends of the combustion liner and/or the flow sleeve may result in uneven axial forces which may result in the combustion liner being improperly aligned in the combustion casing and/or not fully seated within the transition duct and/or the flow sleeve being improperly aligned in the combustion casing and/or not fully seated within the impingement sleeve. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention. 
     In one embodiment, the present subject matter is directed to an installation tool for assembling a combustor. The installation tool includes a push bar having a forward side, an aft side and a first end portion laterally opposed from a second end portion. A first alignment block is adjustably coupled to the push bar and a second alignment block is adjustably coupled to the push bar. The second alignment block is laterally spaced from the first alignment block. A first threaded rod extends through the forward side and the aft side of the push bar proximate to the first end portion. A second threaded rod extends through the forward side and the aft side of the push bar proximate to the second end portion. The first alignment block and the second alignment block extend outwardly from the aft side of the push bar between the first threaded rod and the second threaded rod. A first nut is threaded onto the first threaded rod. Rotation of the first nut applies an axial force to the push bar. A second nut is threaded onto the second threaded rod. Rotation of the second nut applies an axial force to the push bar. 
     In another aspect, the present subject matter is directed to a system for installing a combustion liner into a combustor of a gas turbine. The system comprises a push bar including a first end portion and a second end portion. The push bar extends across an opening defined in a combustor casing. The opening is sized for inserting a combustion liner therethrough. The first end portion extends over a first fastener hole defined in the combustor casing and the second end portion extends over a second fastener hole defined in the combustor casing. A first alignment block is adjustably coupled to the push bar and a second alignment block is adjustably coupled to the push bar. A forward end of the combustion liner is supported between a contact surface of the first alignment block and a contact surface of the second alignment block. An aft end of the combustion liner extends at least partially into an opening of a transition duct which is disposed within the combustor casing. A first threaded rod extends through the push bar proximate to the first end portion. An end portion of the first threaded rod is threaded into the first fastener hole of the combustor casing. A first nut is threaded to the first threaded rod and rotation of the first nut results in a force against the push bar which advances the combustion liner into the transition duct opening. A second threaded rod extends through the push bar proximate to the second end portion. An end portion of the second threaded rod is threaded into the second threaded hole of the combustor casing. A second nut is threaded to the second threaded rod and rotation of the second nut results in a force against the push bar which advances the combustion liner into the transition duct opening. 
     These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
       A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures, in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a schematic depiction of an embodiment of a gas turbine; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a cross-sectional side view of an exemplary combustor of a gas turbine; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an isometric view of a portion of an installation tool for installing a combustion liner into a combustor of a gas turbine; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a cross sectioned side view of a portion of an exemplary combustor including the installation tool as partially shown in  FIG. 3 , according to at least one embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a top view of an exemplary first alignment block according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a top view of an exemplary second alignment block according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a front view of an exemplary push bar portion of the installation tool as shown in  FIG. 3 , according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. 
     Generally, the present subject matter is directed to an installation tool and system for installing combustion liners and/or flow sleeves into a combustor of a gas turbine. Installation is accomplished by securing or attaching the installation tool to the combustor and pushing a push bar against the combustion liner or flow sleeve to force the liner into an opening of a transition duct or impingement sleeve disposed within the combustor. An axial force is exerted against the combustion liner or flow sleeve via the push bar by tightening two or more nuts threaded to two or more threaded rods which are screwed into fastener openings defined by a combustor casing, thereby pushing the combustion liner or flow sleeve into place within the combustor. 
     From description herein, it should be appreciated that the installation tool of the present subject matter is simple to use and permits a combustion liner or flow sleeve to be fully installed within a combustor within a relatively short period of time. Moreover, due to its simple design, the installation tool may be relatively inexpensive to manufacture. Further, depending on the materials chosen, the installation tool may be lightweight. As such, the tool can be carried, positioned on the combustor and otherwise used to install a combustion liner by a single maintenance worker. Thus, the installation tool of the present subject matter may replace complex and dangerous power tools and/or heavy installation tools that otherwise require a crane or similar lifting equipment to position the tool with respect to the combustion liner. 
     Referring to the drawings,  FIG. 1  illustrates a schematic depiction of an embodiment of a gas turbine  10 . The gas turbine  10  includes a compressor section  12 , a combustion section  14 , and a turbine section  16 . The combustion section  14  may include a plurality of combustors  20  (one of which is illustrated in  FIG. 2 ) disposed around an annular array about the axis of the gas turbine  10 . The compressor section  12  and turbine section  16  may be coupled by a shaft  18 . The shaft  18  may be a single shaft or a plurality of shaft segments coupled together to form the shaft  18 . During operation, the compressor section  12  supplies compressed air to the combustion section  14 . The compressed air is mixed with fuel and burned within each combustor  20  ( FIG. 2 ) and hot gases of combustion flow from the combustion section  14  to the turbine section  16 , wherein energy is extracted from the hot gases to produce work. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , a cross-sectional side view of an exemplary embodiment of a combustor  20  of a gas turbine  10 . The combustor  20  may generally include a substantially cylindrical combustion casing  22  secured to a portion of a gas turbine casing  24 , such as a compressor discharge casing or a combustion wrapper casing. As shown, a flange  26  may extend around an opening  28  of the combustion casing  22 . The flange  26  may generally be configured such that an end cover assembly (not illustrated) may be secured to the combustion casing  22 . For example, the flange  26  may define a plurality of fastener holes  30  for attaching the end cover assembly to the combustion casing  22 . 
     The combustor  20  may also include a flow sleeve  32  and a combustion liner  34  substantially concentrically arranged within the flow sleeve  32 . Both the flow sleeve  32  and the combustion liner  34  may extend, at their downstream ends, to a double walled transition piece assembly, including an impingement sleeve  36  and a transition duct  38  disposed within the impingement sleeve  36 . It should be appreciated that the impingement sleeve  36  and/or the flow sleeve  32  may be provided with a plurality of air supply holes over a portion of their surfaces, thereby permitting pressurized air from the compressor section  12  to enter a radial space or annular passage  40  defined between the combustion liner  34  and the flow sleeve  32  and/or between the transition duct  38  and the impingement sleeve  36 . 
     The combustion liner  34  may generally define a substantially cylindrical combustion chamber  42 , wherein fuel and air are injected and combusted to produce hot gases of combustion. Additionally, the combustion liner  34  may be coupled at its downstream end  44  to the transition duct  38  such that the combustion liner  34  and the transition duct  38  generally define a flow path  46  for the hot gases of combustion flowing from each respective combustor  20  to the turbine section  16  of the gas turbine  10 . 
     In one embodiment, shown in  FIG. 2 , the transition duct  38  may be coupled to the downstream end  44  of the combustion liner  34  with a compression or hula seal  48 . In particular, the hula seal  48  may be disposed at overlapping ends of the transition duct  38  and combustion liner  34  to seal the interface between the two components. Generally, a hula seal  48  comprises a circumferential metal seal configured to be spring/compression loaded between inner and outer diameters of mating parts. It should be appreciated, however, that the interface between the combustion liner  34  and the transition duct  38  need not be sealed with a hula seal  48 , but may generally be sealed by any suitable seal known in the art. 
     The combustion liner  34  may also include one or more male liner stops  50  that engage one or more female liner stops  52  secured to the flow sleeve  32  or, in combustors  20  without a flow sleeve  32 , the combustion casing  22 . In particular, the male liner stops  50  may be adapted to slide into the female liner stops  52  as the combustion liner  34  is installed within the combustor  20  to indicate the proper installation depth of the combustion liner  34  as well as to prevent rotation of the liner  34  during operation of the gas turbine  10 . Additionally, the liner stops  50 ,  52  may ensure proper circumferential alignment of the liner  34  within the combustor  20 . 
     In one embodiment, the female liner stops  52  may be substantially “U-shaped” and the male liner stops  50  may be substantially rectangular in cross-section such that the male liner stops  50  slides into and engages with the female liner stops  52 . However, it should be appreciated that the liner stops  50 ,  52  may generally have any shape and/or configuration to assist in installation of the combustion liner  34  and/or prevent rotation of the combustion liner  34  during operation. Moreover, it should be appreciated that, in alternative embodiments, the male liner stops  50  may be disposed on the flow sleeve  32  or combustion casing while the female liner stops  52  are disposed on the combustion liner  34 . 
     Generally, when installing a combustion liner  34  within a combustor  20 , the combustion liner  34  may initially be pushed into the combustor  20  by hand. However, as the combustion liner  34  is pushed into the combustor  20 , a point may be reached where hand-force is insufficient to achieve proper installation depth into an upstream opening or end  54  of the transition duct  38 . For example, in embodiments utilizing a hula seal  48  to seal the interface between the combustion liner  34  and the transition duct  38 , a significant amount of axial force may be required to compress the hula seal  48  and thereby properly position the combustion liner with respect to the transition duct  38 . Such axial force, as will be described below, may be provided by an installation tool  100  of the present subject matter to ensure that the combustion liner  34  is fully and properly installed within the combustor  20  particularly within the upstream opening  54  of the transition duct  38 . 
     In accordance with an aspect of the present subject matter,  FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7  illustrate an embodiment and/or components of an embodiment of an installation tool  100  for installing a combustion liner  34  and/or a flow sleeve  32  within a combustor  20 .  FIG. 3  provides an isometric view of a portion of the installation tool  100 . As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the installation tool  100  includes a push bar  102  having a forward side  104 , an aft side  106  and a first end portion  108  laterally opposed from a second end portion  110 . A first alignment block  112  is adjustably coupled to the push bar  102 . A second alignment block  114  is also adjustably coupled to the push bar  102 . The second alignment block  114  is laterally spaced from the first alignment block  112  along the aft side  106  of the push bar  102 . As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the push bar  102  of the installation tool  100  may be configured as an “I-beam.” However, it should be appreciated that the push bar  102  may generally have any suitable shape and/or cross-section. 
       FIG. 4  provides a cross sectioned side view of a portion of the combustor  20  including the installation tool  100  integrated in a system for installing a combustion liner into a combustor  20 . As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4  collectively, a first threaded rod  116  extends through the forward side  104  and the aft side  106  of the push bar  102  proximate to the first end portion  108 . A second threaded rod  118  extends through the forward side  104  and the aft side  106  of the push bar  102  proximate to the second end portion  110 . In particular embodiments, the first and/or the second threaded rods  112 ,  114  may be formed as a cap screw or headed bolt. Referring to  FIG. 4 , the first threaded rod  116  has a forward end portion  120  that is axially spaced from an aft end portion  122  with respect to an axial centerline of the first threaded rod  116 . The second threaded rod  118  has a forward end portion  124  that is axially spaced from an aft end portion  126  with respect to an axial centerline of the second threaded rod  118 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the aft end portion  122  of the first threaded rod  116  is threaded into a first fastener hole  128  of the plurality of fastener holes  30  and the aft end portion  126  of the second threaded rod  118  is threaded into a second fastener hole  130  of the plurality of fastener holes  30 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4  collectively, the installation tool or system  100  includes a first nut  132  which is threaded onto the first threaded rod  116  and a second nut  134  which is threaded onto the second threaded rod  118 . Rotation of the first nut  132  results in an axial or pushing force to the first end portion  108  of the push bar  102  thereby resulting in axial translation of the combustion liner  34  towards or into the upstream end  54  of the transition duct  38  ( FIG. 2 ) and rotation of the second nut  134  results in an axial or pushing force to the second end portion  110  of the push bar  102  also resulting in axial translation of the combustion liner  34  towards or into the upstream end  54  of the transition duct  38  ( FIG. 2 ). It should also be appreciated that the installation tool  100  may be used in concert with other combustor components such as the casing  22 , the combustion liner  34  and the transition duct  38  to make up a system for installing a combustion liner  34  within a combustor  20 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4  collectively, the first alignment block  112  and the second alignment block  114  extend axially or outwardly from the aft side  106  of the push bar  102  and are positioned between the first threaded rod  116  and the second threaded rod  118 . 
       FIG. 5  provides a top view of the first alignment block  112  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the first alignment block  112  includes an inner portion  136  and an outer portion  138 . The inner portion  136  of the first alignment block  112  includes and/or defines at least one contact surface or wall. The contact surface may be formed complementary to the shape of the combustion liner  34  and/or to the flow sleeve  32 . In one embodiment, the inner portion  136  of the first alignment block  112  includes a first arcuate shaped contact surface  140  and a second arcuate shaped contact surface  142 . In one embodiment, a radius  144  of the first arcuate shaped contact surface  140  is greater than a radius  146  of the second arcuate shaped contact surface  142 . In particular embodiments, the arcuate shaped contact surface(s)  140 ,  142  may be formed by one or more removable contact pad(s). Thus, the contact pads for the first alignment block  112  may serve as the interface between the installation tool  100  and the combustion liner  34  during installation. As such, it should be appreciated that, in one embodiment, the contacts pads may be formed from a relatively soft material to prevent damage to the combustion liner  34 . For example, the contact pads may be formed from a soft thermoplastic, such as DERLIN, or any other suitable soft material, such as wood. 
       FIG. 6  provides a top view of the second alignment block  114  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in  FIG. 6 , the second alignment block  114  includes an inner portion  148  and an outer portion  150 . The inner portion  148  of the second alignment block  114  includes and/or defines at least one contact surface. The contact surface may be formed complementary to the shape of the combustion liner  34  and/or to the flow sleeve  32 . In one embodiment, the inner portion  148  of the second alignment block  114  includes a first arcuate shaped contact surface  152  and a second arcuate shaped contact surface  154 . A radius  156  of the first arcuate shaped contact surface  152  is greater than a radius  158  of the second arcuate shaped contact surface  154 . In particular embodiments, the contact surface(s)  152 ,  154  may be formed by one or more removable contact pad(s). Thus, the contact pads for the second alignment block  114  may serve as the interface between the installation tool  100  and the combustion liner  34  during installation. As such, it should be appreciated that, in one embodiment, the contacts pads may be formed from a relatively soft material to prevent damage to the combustion liner  34 . For example, the contact pads may be formed from a soft thermoplastic, such as DERLIN, or any other suitable soft material, such as wood. 
     In particular embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the first alignment block  112  is adjustably coupled to the push bar  102  via at least one mechanical fastener  160  such as a bolt. The at least one mechanical fastener  160  extends through a first bolt slot  162  defined by the push bar  102 .  FIG. 7  provides a front view of the push bar  102  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in  FIG. 7 , the first bolt slot  162  may extend laterally across a portion of the push bar  102 . The first bolt slot  162  may be formed so as to allow for lateral adjustment of the first alignment block  112  to accommodate different sized combustion liners or flow sleeves. 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , the push bar  102  may define a first rod slot  164  that extends laterally across a portion of the push bar  102  proximate to the first end portion  108 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the first threaded rod  116  extends through the first rod slot  164 . The first rod slot  164  may be formed to allow for use of the installation tool  100  on multiple combustor types with different sized casing openings. 
     In particular embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the second alignment block  114  is adjustably coupled to the push bar  102  via at least one mechanical fastener  166  such as a bolt. The at least one bolt  166  extends through a second bolt slot  168  defined by the push bar  102 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , the second bolt slot  168  may extend laterally across a portion of the push bar  102 . The second bolt slot  168  may be formed so as to allow for lateral adjustment of the second alignment block  114  to accommodate different sized combustion liners or flow sleeves. As shown in  FIG. 7 , the push bar  102  may define a second rod slot  170  that extends laterally across a portion of the push bar  102  proximate to the second end portion  110 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the second threaded rod  118  extends through the second rod slot  170 . The second rod slot  170  may be formed to allow for use of the installation tool  100  on multiple combustor types with different sized casing openings. 
     The present subject matter is also directed to a method of installing a combustion liner  34  within a combustor  20 , which will be described with reference to the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 . Initially, the combustion liner  34  may be inserted, at least partially, into the combustor  20 . For instance, the combustion liner  34  may be loosely set into position to the point where hand force limits further installation depth into the upstream end or opening  54  of the transition duct  38 . The installation tool  100  of the present subject matter may then be secured to the casing  22  of the combustor  20 . Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, the first alignment block  112  and the second alignment block  114  should be adjusted laterally to accommodate for the diameter of the combustion liner  34 . The push bar  102  may be secured to the flange  26  of the combustion casing  22  by threading the first threaded rod  116  and the second threaded rod  118  into the corresponding fastener holes  128 ,  130 . The first nut  132  and the second nut  134  may be tightened against the forward side  104  of the push bar  102 . The first nut  132  and the second nut  134  may be tightened via a wrench or other torque generating device to apply an axial force to the push bar  102 , thereby advancing the combustion liner  34  into the transition duct  38 . The force applied to the combustion liner  34  via the push bar  102  will be sufficient to overcome any friction otherwise preventing installation of the combustion liner  34  (e.g. the friction/force required to compress the hula seal  48 ). The first and second nuts  132 ,  134  may be rotated until the aft side of the push bar  102  contacts with the flange  26  of the combustor casing  22 . 
     In one embodiment, the push bar  102  may generally be pushed against the combustion liner  34  until the input toque required on the first and second nuts  132 ,  134  sharply increases, indicating that the male liner stops  50  of the combustion liner  34  have fully engaged the female liner stops  52  disposed on the flow sleeve  32  or combustion casing  22 . Additionally, it should be appreciated that, in one embodiment, the male liner stops  50  of the combustion liner  34  may need to be circumferentially aligned with corresponding female liner stops  52  in order to properly install the combustion liner  34  within the combustor  20 . This may be achieved by a maintenance worker visually aligning the male liner stops  50  with the female liner stops  52  as the combustion liner  34  is initially inserted within the combustor  20 . Alternatively, the installation tool  100  of the present subject matter may be used in conjunction with an alignment guide configured to guide each male liner stop  50  into its corresponding female liner stop  52 . 
     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 include 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.