Patent Publication Number: US-9885255-B2

Title: System for positioning of equipment

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a divisional of currently pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/088,720 filed on Nov. 25, 2013. The application identified above is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all that it contains in order to provide continuity of disclosure. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to apparatuses, systems, and methods for positioning pieces of equipment. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to the positioning (e.g., installation and removal) of heavy equipment, such as complex gas turbine combustors. Turbomachines (e.g., gas turbines) may include combustor units, also known as “combustors.” Combustor units are chambers which typically receive high pressure air from a compression system of a gas turbine. In the combustor, fuel is introduced and ignited to significantly heat the air. The hot gases are then directed into the first stage nozzle and turbine, where power can be extracted. Stationary power generation gas turbines have become larger and more efficient as technologies and materials have improved. Larger power generation needs and the drive for ever improving efficiency has led to the development of larger and more complex gas turbines. In turn, turbine components such as compressors, combustors and turbine casings have become larger and more complex. Given the large capital cost of these components, it is crucial to handle them safely and efficiently without causing damage. Combustion system complexity is driven by the need to meet stringent exhaust emissions requirements, which impose additional component hardware constraints (multiple fuel manifolds, multiple nozzles, high pressure seals, air shields etc.) that make handling difficult, and damage prevention imperative. 
       FIG. 1  shows a cross-sectional view of a conventional turbine assembly T. Combustors T 1 , connected to fuel nozzles T 2 , are typically located between the compressor T 3  and turbine T 4  sections of turbine assembly T. Air T 5  flows sequentially through compressor T 3 , combustor T 1 , and lastly through turbine T 4 . In axial flow compressor designs, combustors T 3  are often oriented circumferentially around the central rotor and are sometimes canted to minimize overall axial turbine length. Combustors T 1  oriented toward the upper face of turbine assembly T can be installed and removed with the aid of mechanical arms, cranes, and similar tools for positioning equipment. Pieces of equipment (e.g., combustors T 1 ) and equipment fixture points oriented toward the lower half of a machine (i.e., below the centerline) may not be accessible, however, with conventional equipment positioning tools such as overhead cranes. Other machines besides gas turbines (e.g., turbine assembly T) may feature a similar arrangement of heavy components, and therefore may have similar limitations. Manual positioning of equipment, as an alternative to using a conventional crane or mechanical device, may not be possible where the equipment to be positioned is very heavy or large (e.g., combustor T 1  of a complex gas turbine combustor). 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     At least one embodiment of the present disclosure is described herein with reference to the positioning of equipment, such as gas turbine combustors. However, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art and guided by the teachings herein that embodiments of the present invention are applicable to any scenario in which equipment fixture points are inaccessible to conventional overhead (top-down oriented) apparatuses and systems. 
     A first aspect of the present disclosure provides an apparatus including: a height adjustable table; a platform coupled to the height adjustable table; a tilt adjuster coupled to the platform, the tilt adjuster being configured to tilt the platform relative to the height adjustable table; an equipment support structure slidably connected to the platform, the equipment support structure being configured to support a piece of equipment; a drive mechanism coupled to the platform and configured to slidably move the equipment support structure across the platform; and a bracket coupled to the equipment support structure, wherein the bracket is configured to removably attach the piece of equipment. 
     A second aspect of the present disclosure provides a system including: a scaffold having a raised surface; a height adjustable table slidably connected to and positioned above the raised surface of the scaffold; a platform coupled to and positioned above the height adjustable table, the platform having a guide rail thereon; a tilt adjuster coupled to the platform, the tilt adjuster being configured to tilt the platform relative to the height adjustable table; an equipment support structure positioned above the platform and slidably connected to the guide rail; a drive mechanism configured to slidably move the equipment support structure across the guide rail of the platform; and a bracket coupled to the equipment support structure, wherein the bracket is configured to removably attach a piece of equipment. 
     A third aspect of the present disclosure provides a system including: a scaffold having a raised surface; a height adjustable table slidably connected to and positioned above the raised surface of the scaffold; an arm support structure coupled to and positioned above the height adjustable table; a length adjustable arm slidably connected to the arm support structure; and an equipment support bracket coupled to the length adjustable arm, wherein the equipment support bracket further comprises: a bracket body; and a rotatable member rotatably coupled to the bracket body for removably attaching a piece of equipment; wherein the bracket body is further configured to lock to the rotatable member in an angular orientation. 
     A fourth aspect of the present disclosure provides a method including: substantially aligning an equipment support structure with an equipment fixture point of a casing structure; adjusting the equipment support structure to have a selected height and a selected angle; sliding the equipment support structure across a platform having the selected height and the selected angle to reach the equipment fixture point; and coupling a piece of equipment to one of the equipment support structure and the equipment fixture point. 
     A fifth aspect of the present disclosure provides a method including: substantially aligning a rotatable equipment support bracket of a suspended bracket member with an equipment fixture point of a casing structure; affixing a counterweight to one of the rotatable equipment support bracket and the suspended bracket member; moving the rotatable equipment support bracket to a selected rotational position; contacting the equipment fixture point with the rotatable equipment support bracket; and coupling a piece of equipment to one of the rotatable equipment support bracket and the equipment fixture point. 
     A sixth aspect of the present disclosure provides a method including: substantially aligning an arm, having a rotatable equipment support bracket, with an equipment fixture point of a casing structure; adjusting the arm to have a selected height and a selected angle; contacting the equipment fixture point with the rotatable equipment support bracket; and coupling a piece of equipment to one of the rotatable equipment support bracket and the equipment fixture point. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
       These and other features of the disclosed apparatus will be more readily understood from the following detailed description of the various aspects of the apparatus taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings that depict various embodiments of the invention, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a cross sectional view of a conventional turbine assembly. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an apparatus, system, and piece of equipment according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an apparatus and system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  is another perspective view of an apparatus, system, and piece of equipment according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a bracket according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an apparatus being used in a method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a suspended bracket member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a suspended bracket member coupled to a piece of equipment according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a suspended bracket member being used in a method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of another system and apparatus with a piece of equipment according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a system and apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a system being used in a method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     It is noted that the drawings are not necessarily to scale. The drawings are intended to depict only typical aspects of the disclosure, and therefore should not be considered as limiting its scope. In the drawings, like numbering represents like elements between the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part thereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific exemplary embodiments in which the present teachings may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the present teachings and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be used and that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present teachings. The following description is, therefore, merely exemplary. 
     When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,” “disengaged from,” “connected to” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engaged to,” “directly connected to” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure include apparatuses, systems for positioning (e.g., installing and removing) equipment, and to methods of doing the same. In  FIG. 2 , an apparatus  2  according to an embodiment of the disclosure is shown. Apparatus  2  can position pieces of equipment  4  configured for use with an equipment fixture point  6 . Equipment fixture point  6  can be located on a larger structure, e.g., a turbine casing  8  (shown in  FIG. 2  in a partial cutaway view). In particular, apparatus  2  can position equipment  4  at an equipment fixture point  6  inaccessible to conventional overhead devices, such as cranes, which may be oriented downward and/or obstructed by another body such as turbine casing  8 . 
     Though apparatuses, systems, and methods of the present disclosure are described herein with reference to turbine casing  8 , it is understood that the present disclosure may also be applicable to other situations involving, for example, large removable pieces of equipment which are difficult or impossible to access with overhead positioning equipment, e.g., cranes. Apparatus  2  can orient equipment  4  in an upwards, angular direction to align equipment  4  with equipment fixture point  6 , as discussed herein. Other embodiments of the present disclosure include a system  10  for positioning equipment  4 , of which an embodiment of apparatus  2  can be a component. In  FIGS. 2-12 , an example set of axes X, Y, and Z are provided for the sake of clarity and demonstration. Various types of movement relative to each axis X, Y, and Z are discussed to illustrate the various types of movement provided herein. However, it is further understood that embodiments of the present disclosure can include reorienting any given reference axis to thereby adapt to various situations and design needs. 
     In addition to positioning equipment  4 , several structures of apparatus  2  can support and/or move equipment  4 . In  FIG. 2 , apparatus  2  is shown by example to be coupled, at its base, to a height adjustable table  20 . Height adjustable table  20  can be moved upwards and downwards to adjust the vertical position of equipment  4  and/or other components located above height adjustable table  20 . A platform  22  can be coupled to (e.g., directly above) height adjustable table  20 , and thus may be raised or lowered along with height adjustable table  20 . An equipment support structure  24  may be coupled to the surface of platform  22 , and is shown by example herein as being substantially in the form of an “L” bracket supporting equipment  4 . Although equipment support structure  24  is shown by example to support equipment  4  in a cantilevered manner, equipment support structure  24  can also extend forward to support equipment  4  at or near its center of gravity. The portion of equipment support structure  24  used to contact equipment  4  can have a cross sectional area of the same or similar size as equipment  4  to create a point of coupling to apparatus  2 . In some embodiments, equipment support structure  24  can be slidably coupled to the surface of platform  22 , e.g., with one or more guide rails  48  ( FIG. 3 ) allowing equipment support structure  24  to move across the surface of platform  22 . In addition to rails, slidable coupling between equipment support structure  24  and platform  22  can be provided through, e.g., dovetails, magnetic contact, mechanically adjustable gears, rotatable couplings, and other forms of coupling capable of allowing one component to slide relative to another, whether currently known or later developed. In addition, various other slidable components discussed herein can additionally or alternatively be provided in the form of any form of slidable coupling discussed herein, in addition to others currently known or later developed. 
     As also shown in  FIG. 2 , embodiments of the present disclosure can include a system  10  for positioning equipment  4 . Embodiments of the present disclosure can safely and efficiently position (e.g., install and remove) equipment  4  with a mass of, for example, up to approximately one thousand kilograms. One or more components of system  10  can be composed of a material capable of supporting large masses and components, e.g., structural steel. Components of system  10  discussed herein can and also include various lifts, drive mechanisms, rails, bolts, brackets, etc. made from similar or stronger materials to support the mass and weight of the equipment being positioned. System  10  can include other structural components designed to move apparatus  2  and equipment  4 . In an embodiment, system  10  can include a scaffold  30  with a raised surface  32 , to which apparatus  2  can be coupled. In an embodiment, a guide track  34  can slidably connect apparatus  2  to raised surface  32  of scaffold  30 . Through guide track  34 , apparatus  2  can move across raised surface  32  of scaffold  30 . In addition, height adjustable members  36  of scaffold  30  can further adjust the height of equipment  4  and apparatus  2 . 
     Turning to  FIG. 3 , an embodiment of apparatus  2  and system  10  is shown in detail. Motion of apparatus  2  (including height adjustable table  20 ) along the direction of arrow A is possible, e.g., by apparatus  2  being slidably connected to raised surface  32  of scaffold  30 . Apparatus  2  can also be moved vertically through the use of height adjustable members  36  of scaffold  30 . Height adjustable members  36  can include mechanical latches, stops, and similar structures configured to interconnect with scaffold  30  of system  10 , allowing or prohibiting movement of scaffold  30  and raised surface  32  along the direction of arrow B. Height adjustable table  20  can be set to different heights with a height adjustment mechanism  40 , shown by example in  FIG. 3  as being in the form of a scissor lift. In other embodiments, height adjustment mechanism  40  can include, for example, a jackscrew, a hydraulic lift, and/or a pneumatic lift. Height adjustment mechanism  40  can allow height adjustable table  20  to vertically extend and retract along the direction of arrow C. As shown by example in  FIG. 3 , the position of height adjustment mechanism  40  can directly affect the height of platform  22 . 
     A tilt adjuster  42  can be coupled to platform  22 , and may be in the form of a tilting mechanical connection such as, for example, a large industrial hinge or mechanically adjustable incline capable of tilting along the direction of arrow D. If desired, tilt adjuster  42  may be powered by an external source (not shown), e.g., an electric, hydraulic, or pneumatic motor or manual geared screw adjustment. In an embodiment, a tilt support member (not shown) can be coupled between height adjustable table  20  and platform  22 . Tilt adjuster  42  can thus allow platform  22  to be adjustably moved to several angular positions. 
     To move equipment support structure  24  across the surface of platform  22 , a drive mechanism  46  can be coupled (e.g., mechanically, pneumatically, hydraulically, or electrically) to equipment support structure  24 . Further, drive mechanism  46  can be positioned on height adjustable table  20 , platform  22 , equipment support structure  24 , or another component of apparatus  2 . As shown by example in  FIG. 3 , drive mechanism  46  can be a linear actuator connected to equipment support structure  24  with a threaded drive rod, allowing equipment support structure  24  to move along the direction of arrow E. In other embodiments, drive mechanism  46  can be a threaded rod, a piston, and/or a rail capable of moving substantially along guide rails  48 , e.g., along the direction of arrow E. For example, a threaded rod can move across platform  22  by being actuated, and this movement can apply a force equipment support structure  24  along the direction of desired movement, e.g., along arrow E. To provide sliding movement of equipment support structure  24  across platform  22 , a guide rail  48  can be attached to platform  22 . Equipment support structure  24  can travel across guide rail  48  in response to forces imparted from drive mechanism  46 , allowing the location of equipment support structure  24  to be adjusted. 
     A bracket  50  can project from equipment support structure  24  of apparatus  2 . Bracket  50  can removably attach equipment  4  ( FIG. 2 ) to apparatus  2  in each embodiment discussed herein. Bracket  50  may be rotatably adjusted along the direction of arrow F to be positioned in different angular orientations as discussed elsewhere herein. In addition, bracket  50  can rotate equipment  4  attached thereto ( FIG. 2 ) about a centerline axis  51  of equipment support structure  24  and/or equipment  4  ( FIG. 2 ). Additionally or alternatively, equipment support structure  24  can be configured to removably attach a forward end flange  58  (shown in  FIG. 4 ) of equipment  4  ( FIG. 2 ). An aligner  52  may also be coupled to apparatus  2 , e.g., on platform  22 , allowing a user of apparatus  2  to align equipment support structure  24  or bracket  50  with equipment  4  ( FIG. 2 ). Generally, aligner  52  may be a measuring device such as an optical measuring device, a mechanical measuring device, an angular measuring device, or similar apparatus used to indicate an orientation or position. Aligner  52  can indicate a path of alignment between apparatus  2  and equipment fixture point  6  ( FIG. 2 ). 
     Turning to  FIG. 4 , another view of apparatus  2  and system  10  is shown. An adjustable hatch  53 , dimensioned to allow passage of equipment  4 , can be located on raised surface  32  of scaffold  30 . If desired, additional guide tracks (not shown) can extend across the upper face of hatch  53 , allowing apparatus  2  to be positioned above the closed hatch  53  if desired. Adjustable hatch  53  can be opened and closed during the positioning of equipment  4 . For example, equipment  4  can be detached from equipment support structure  24  and loaded onto a mechanical arm, such as a crane, and then passed through adjustable hatch  53 . It is also understood that these steps can also occur in a different or even opposite order. 
     To move apparatus  2  across scaffold  30  via guide track  34 , a guide track drive mechanism  54  can be mechanically, hydraulically, pneumatically, or electrically coupled to height adjustable table  40 . Guide track drive mechanism  54 , similar to drive mechanism  46 , can impart a force to height adjustable table  20  to cause movement, e.g., substantially within the X-Z plane. As an example, guide track drive mechanism  54  can be in the form of a linear actuator as shown in  FIG. 4 . In other embodiments, guide track drive mechanism  54  can be a threaded rod, a piston, and/or a rail. A rotatable coupler  56  can vertically couple platform  22  (and equipment support structure  24  as shown in  FIG. 4 ) with height adjustable table  20 . Rotatable coupler  56  can permit platform  22  and any components located thereon to “swivel” or rotate along the direction of arrow G. Equipment support structure  24  can be connected to a forward end flange  58  of equipment  4 . Forward end flange  58  may be, for example, a ring projecting circumferentially from one end of equipment  4 , which can be used to engage equipment support structure  24 . In addition, forward end flange  58  can serve other structural purposes, e.g., acting as a surface of contact with other components, when installed within equipment fixture point  6  ( FIG. 2 ). To further support forward end flange  58 , one or more struts  59  can engage an end cross-section of equipment  4 . Each strut  59  can be decoupled from equipment  4 , allowing equipment  4  to be removed from apparatus  2  and system  10 . Struts  59  can have particular lengths for various types of equipment  4 , and may be exchanged for struts  59  of different sizes to accommodate different types of equipment  4 . Though struts  59  are shown by example in  FIGS. 4 and 6  as appropriate for use with apparatus  2  and system  10 , it is understood that struts  59  can also be used in other apparatuses and methods discussed elsewhere herein. 
     Turning to  FIG. 5 , an embodiment of bracket  50  is shown in detail. Bracket  50  can include a bracket body  60 , to which other components of bracket  50  can be connected. Bracket body  60  can be rotatably attached to equipment support structure  24 , allowing bracket  50  to rotate along arrow J to various orientations. A rotatable member  62 , designed to removably attach equipment  4  ( FIGS. 2, 4 ) can project from bracket body  60  at an angle I relative to at least one axis, e.g., axis Z. Rotatable member  62  can extend partially or completely through bracket body  60  and terminate at a bracket lock  64 . Bracket lock  64  can be rotated to different orientations along the direction of arrow J, examples of which are designated in  FIG. 5  by phantom lines. Bracket lock  64  can be locked into place at a chosen location via inserting a bolt or pin (not shown) through locking mechanisms  66 . As demonstrated by example in  FIG. 5 , locking mechanisms  66  can be in the form of holes configured to accept a locking component (not shown) such as a bolt or pin, thereby preventing further rotation. As a result, the orientation of rotatable member  62  can be further customized by using locking mechanisms  66  to hold rotatable member  62  at a particular position. 
     Turning to  FIG. 6 , an example method of using apparatus  2  or system  10  to position (e.g., install or remove) equipment  4  is shown. Equipment support structure  24  can be substantially aligned with equipment fixture point  6 , which may be located within turbine casing  8 . As used herein, the term “substantial alignment” or “substantially aligned” can refer to any alignment by which equipment support structure  24  can be moved to reach equipment fixture point  6 . If desired, height adjustable table  20  can be moved across scaffold  30  (e.g., via guide track  34 ) to reach a desired location, and the vertical position of height adjustable table  20  can also be adjusted (e.g., with height adjustment mechanism  40 ). The various components of apparatus  2  and/or system  10 , discussed elsewhere herein, can be moved to adjust the positions of platform  22  and equipment support structure  24 , thereby allowing apparatus  2  to reach a selected height and a selected angle relative to at least one axis, e.g., axis Z. In addition, the angular orientation of platform  22  and equipment support structure  24  can be adjusted via tilt adjuster  42  and/or rotatable coupler  56 . A user can then move equipment support structure  24  (e.g., with drive mechanism  46  and guide rail  48 ) across platform  22  to reach equipment fixture point  6 . Having been positioned with apparatus  2  and/or system  10 , equipment  4  can be coupled to equipment support structure  24  or equipment fixture point  6 . In addition, rotatable member  62  ( FIG. 5 ) of bracket  50  ( FIG. 5 ) can be rotated about a centerline axis of equipment  4  to adjust the angular orientation of equipment  4  while equipment  4  is being positioned. 
     Embodiments of a method for positioning of equipment  4  can optionally include further actions. For example, height adjustable table  40  can move across scaffold  30  (e.g., via guide track  34 ) with equipment  4  being attached thereto. Equipment  4  can be physically removed from equipment support structure  24  with the aid of an external component (not shown), such as a mechanical arm (e.g., a crane). Adjustable hatch  53  can then be opened, and the mechanical arm can pass equipment  4  through adjustable hatch  53  along the direction of arrow K. As a result, equipment  4  can be removed from system  10  in a stable and secure manner. It is also understood that the actions discussed herein can be carried out in a different or reverse order. 
     Turning to  FIG. 7 , an apparatus  102  for carrying out a method according to an embodiment of the disclosure is shown. Bracket  50  can be coupled to a terminus of a suspended bracket member  120 . Suspended bracket member  120  can be coupled to a mechanical component or device located overhead and coupled to suspended bracket member  120  at support terminus  122  via a crane or hoist (not shown). Suspended bracket member  120  may have any geometry configured to extend circumferentially about turbine casing  8  ( FIGS. 2, 6 ) or any similarly large structure. For example, suspended bracket member  120  can be in the form of a “C-hook,” a “J-hook,” or another assembly capable of extending about the surface of a larger structure, such as turbine casing  8  ( FIG. 2 ). The coupling of suspended bracket member  120  at support terminus  122  can permit a user to move suspended bracket member  120  in three dimensions, shown by example in  FIG. 7  along arrows L, M, and N. As described herein, suspended bracket member  120  can have a structure between support terminus  122  and bracket  50  that wraps around a larger structure or casing, such as turbine casing  8  ( FIGS. 2, 6 ) as shown and discussed elsewhere herein. 
     Similar to the embodiment shown and described with reference to  FIG. 5 , rotatable member  62  can be coupled to bracket  50  and project therefrom. Rotatable member  62  can be rotated along the direction of arrow J to be oriented in various rotational positions, and can be locked into place with bracket lock  64  ( FIG. 5 ) and locking mechanism  66  ( FIG. 5 ) or any similar mechanisms currently known or later developed. Rotatable member  62  can thus be rotated along the direction of arrow J to reach various angular orientations. To accommodate large masses, a counterweight  130  can be affixed to bracket  50 , and may allow apparatus  102  to support weights of up to, e.g., one thousand kilograms. It is understood that bracket  50  and rotatable member  62  can support even greater weights by using different types of counterweights  130 . Counterweights  130  can be composed of, e.g., lead, sand, water, or other substances capable of balancing the weight of equipment  4  to increase stability and control. 
     Turning to  FIG. 8 , equipment  4  can be coupled to bracket  50  of suspended bracket member  120 . Counterweight  130  can be affixed to an opposite or offsetting area of suspended bracket member  120  to balance the load and increase control over equipment  4  as it moves. If desired, counterweight  130  may be affixed to suspended bracket member  120  at approximately the same time as the coupling of equipment  4  to bracket  50 . In addition, counterweight  130  can be removed from suspended bracket member  120  after equipment  4  has been removed from bracket  50 . In an embodiment, equipment  4  can be a component of a gas turbine combustor, such as a combustor connected to a fuel nozzle assembly, as found in complex turbomachines, e.g., a combustor T 1  ( FIG. 1 ) with one or more fuel nozzle assemblies T 2  ( FIG. 1 ). Rotatable member  62  ( FIGS. 5, 7 ) can also rotate equipment  4  about its axial centerline axis, allowing equipment  4  to be adjusted during the positioning of equipment  4 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , an apparatus  102  can be used in a method according to the present disclosure. Bracket  50  can be substantially aligned with and moved to an equipment fixture point  6  through the use of suspended bracket member  120 . Equipment  4  can be suspended from above with apparatus  102 , and coupled to either bracket  50  or equipment fixture point  6  to position equipment  4 . As a result, equipment  4  can be positioned at points that would normally be inaccessible to a simple crane or other conventional overhead device. It is understood that terminus  122 , during the positioning of equipment  4 , is connected to an overhead crane, hoist, or other lift device used to move suspended bracket member  120 . However, this connection is omitted in  FIG. 9  for the purposes of clarity. 
     In  FIG. 10 , an apparatus  202 , and a system  210  according to an embodiment of the disclosure are shown. Apparatus  202  and system  210  can be used in methods according to the present disclosure to position equipment  4 . In some embodiments, equipment  4  can be a gas turbine combustor T 1  ( FIG. 1 ) and/or a fuel nozzle assembly T 2  ( FIG. 1 ) of a turbine assembly T ( FIG. 1 ). 
     Generally, scaffold  30  with raised surface  32  and guide track  34  located thereon can be used in system  210 . Height adjustable table  20  can be slidably connected to and positioned above raised surface  32  of scaffold  30 , and the capacity for sliding can be provided by height adjustable table  20  being coupled to guide track  34 . Apparatus  202  can also include an arm support structure  222  rotatably coupled to and positioned above height adjustable table  20  through a rotatable coupler RC. A length adjustable arm  224  can be slidably connected to arm support structure  222 , and thus movable to various vertical positions. Length adjustable arm  224  can be in the form of a mechanical arm such as the “Zero-G®” mechanical arm available from Equipois, Inc., or a “portable articulating tool support” similar to the installation shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,325,777. Bracket  50  can be coupled to an end of length adjustable arm  224 , and can removably attach equipment  4 . The components of bracket  50  can be substantially similar to those discussed with respect to  FIG. 5 , such as bracket body  60  ( FIG. 5 ), rotatable member  62  ( FIG. 5 ) rotatably coupled to bracket body  60  ( FIG. 5 ), bracket lock  64  ( FIG. 5 ) with locking mechanism  66  ( FIG. 5 ), and/or similar mechanisms currently known or later developed. 
     In  FIG. 11 , several types of motion achievable with apparatus  202  and system  210  are shown, as indicated by arrows J, O, P, Q, and R. Similar to other embodiments of the disclosure, guide track  34  can allow height adjustable table  20  to move along the direction of arrow A, height adjustable members  36  can allow scaffold  30  to move along the direction of arrow B, and height adjustment mechanism  40  can extend or retract height adjustable table  20  along the direction of arrow C. In an embodiment, length adjustable arm  224  can be coupled to arm support structure through an arm support rail  226 , allowing length adjustable arm  224  to slide vertically to reach various positions along the direction of arrow O. In addition, length adjustable arm  224  can be locked into place on arm support rail  226  via mechanical locking devices (not shown) such as latches, pins, etc. Arm support structure  222  can also be rotatably coupled to height adjustable table  20  through rotatable coupler RC, and as a result can be rotated along the direction of arrow P to adjust the placement of length adjustable arm  224  and bracket  50 . Length adjustable arm  224  can be further customized by including one or more rotatable joints  228  (two shown by example in  FIG. 11 ) thereon, which as an example can be rotated along the direction of arrows Q and/or R to influence the position of bracket  50 . Bracket  50  can also be rotatably coupled to length adjustable arm  224 , and thus rotated along the direction of arrow R to adjust the position of rotatable member  62 . 
       FIG. 12  depicts an example method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. A user of apparatus  202  and/or system  210  can substantially align bracket  50  of length adjustable arm  224  with equipment fixture point  6 . During or following the substantial aligning of bracket  50  with equipment fixture point  6 , length adjustable arm  224  can be adjusted to have a selected height and a selected angle relative to a reference level, e.g., the X-Z plane. Bracket  50  can contact equipment fixture point  6 , and couple equipment  4  to bracket  50  or equipment fixture point  6 , thereby positioning (e.g., installing or removing) equipment  4 . In an embodiment, the method can include moving arm support structure  222  and length adjustable arm  224  across raised surface  32  of scaffold  30  via guide track  34 . The method can also optionally include adjusting the heights of apparatus  202  and system  210  via height adjustable members  36 . Through rotatable member  62  ( FIGS. 5, 7, 11 ), a user can rotate equipment  4  about its centerline axis  51  during removal or before installation. In addition, a user can adjust rotatable member  62  without equipment  4  being coupled thereto to adjust the angular orientation of bracket  50 . 
     The various embodiments discussed in this disclosure can offer several technical and commercial advantages. An advantage obtainable from embodiments of the present disclosure is the ability to position (e.g., install or remove) large and heavy components configured for use in a region inaccessible to conventional mechanical equipment (e.g., cranes). Another advantage realized from embodiments of the present disclosure is the ability to safely position heavy gas turbine combustors, which as an example may have a mass of up to, for example, approximately one thousand kilograms. An additional advantage is the ability to move and position gas turbine combustors which may be coupled to a fuel nozzle assembly. 
     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. 
     This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and 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 language of the claims.