Abstract:
A modular power plant apparatus, and method of power plant assembly. An inlet air module is provided on feet which are mounted on self centering rugged linear roller guides which are linearly displaceable along a track. When the fuel-air mixing module is retracted along the roller track, the main engine housing is pivoted on an engine stand, to position the output shaft upward. An exhaust bearing plate is removable from the main rotor housing, to allow the rotating element to be removed. When exposed, hot section elements can be inspected, repaired, and replaced.

Description:
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.: 60/101,931 filed Sep. 24, 1998. 
    
    
     A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 
     1. Technical Field of the Invention 
     Our invention relates to an apparatus and method for constructing, inspecting, and servicing the rotating elements of rotary engines. More particularly, this invention relates to a novel combination of structures useful for assembly and for the inspection, repair, and replacement of hot section elements in shaft mounted rotary engines. 
     2. Background of the Invention 
     Demand for a low cost, simply built, and inexpensive to maintain thermal power plant continues to build. This urgent need has been further increased by the relatively recent deregulation of the electrical power supply market in many jurisdictions. Importantly, the prime mover in electrical generation plants is the key to providing low cost power. Thus, many electrical and/or mechanical power plants could substantially benefit from a prime mover that offers a significant improvement over currently practiced cycle efficiencies in power generation. Moreover, such prime movers could benefit substantially from an improved design and assembly structure which allows faster, quicker, and easier methods for assembly, inspection, and repair. 
     Power plant designs which are now commonly utilized in co-generation applications include (a) gas turbines, driven by the combustion of natural gas, fuel oil, or other fuels, which capture the thermal and kinetic energy from the combustion gases, (b) steam turbines, driven by the steam which is generated in boilers from the combustion of coal, fuel oil, natural gas, solid waste, or other fuels, and (c) large scale reciprocating engines, usually diesel cycle and typically fired with fuel oils. Of the currently available power plant technologies, diesel fueled reciprocating and advanced aeroderivative turbine engines have the highest efficiency levels. Since gas turbines perform more reliably than reciprocating engines, they are employed with increasing and widespread frequency. 
     In any event, particularly in view of reduced governmental regulation in the sale of electrical power, it can be appreciated that significant cost reduction in electrical power generation would be desirable. Fundamentally, given long term fuel costs, this objective can be most effectively accomplished by generating electrical power at higher overall cycle efficiency than is currently known or practiced. In order to accomplish such an objective, it is also an important and related objective to provide an engine which is simple to build, and which is easy to inspect, and in which the “hot elements” are easy to repair as and when it becomes necessary. Such improvements would enable such an engine to remain on-line for a higher percentage of the time, thus increasing the engine&#39;s availability for power generation, and thereby increasing revenue for the power company. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     We have now invented a novel modular design and engine equipment structure which simplifies the assembly, disassembly, inspection, and repair of a rotary type power plant, and in particular, for a ramjet based rotary power plant. Our invention uses the novel combination of a linear rail mounted fuel/air mixing section and an axially displaceable rotating element, which element includes a rotor, shaft, and related “hot section” equipment. In ramjet type power plants, such “hot section” equipment may include rim segments, thrust segments, and related strakes, seals, and tab locks. By disengaging the fuel/air mixing section from the engine, and by removal of the exhaust duct assembly, the ramjet engine casing (with the rotating element including the just mentioned component) can be turned on pivot mounts, to allow removal of the inlet bearing plate and associated components. Then, the rotor and the hot section components affixed thereto are available for inspection, and may easily and quickly removed for inspection, repair, or replacement. With respect to ease of assembly, and with respect to ease of inspection, our modular type rotary ramjet power plant has significant operating and maintenance advantages, when compared to those heretofore used power plants of which we are aware. 
     Importantly, the design of our linear rail mount fuel/air mixing section, as incorporated into a unique ramjet power plant design, overcomes some of the significant and serious problems which have plagued earlier attempts at the use of supersonic ramjets for efficient electrical power production. 
     First, the important aerodynamic design of the fuel/air mixing section is not compromised, yet the rotating element is easily exposed and/or removed for inspection of the “hot section” elements. This is important commercially because it enables a power plant to reduce operating and maintenance expenses, and reduces the “down-time” necessary to inspect rotating components. It is easy to understand that decreasing the “cycle time” for inspection and repair of the “hot section” components of the rotating element can have an important and revenue enhancing effect, as such improvements can dramatically improve overall plant availability. 
     Second, the use of a modular assembly method minimizes the overall time required (and thus the cost involved) to initially assemble a ramjet powered rotary engine. Therefore, our design reduces initial construction costs. 
     Third, our modular engine structure and the method of employing the same for engine assembly, inspection, and repair, represents a considerable improvement over the conventional designs, such as the horizontal split-case designs often employed in the manufacture of gas turbine and steam turbine equipment. In one important aspect, this is because our apparatus enables the power plant operator to reduce the use of overhead crane lifting equipment, as some of the key heavy components are rail mounted, and are relocatable by hand, in spite of their considerable weight. 
     In short, in order to reduce costs in power plant installation, operation, and maintenance, we have now developed a novel modular engine configuration which overcomes some specific problems inherent in the heretofore known apparatus and methods that are known to us and which have been heretofore proposed for the application of gas turbine technology or ramjet technology to stationary power generation equipment. Of primary importance, we have now developed the combination of modular components wherein at least one module is displaceably mounted on roller guides which ride on a track. Heavy duty opposing curved rollers are used to carry one or more modules on each of preferably at least two solid linear rails. In our design, the fuel-air mixing module of the ramjet engine is mounted on a plurality of linear roller feet, and more preferably, the fuel-air mixing module is mounted on at least four such roller feet. Each of such feet preferably utilizes a dual type linear roller bearing, wherein a pair of curved roller bearing tracks are mounted in stable, partially opposing, self centering fashion. 
     Ideally, the fuel-air mixing module has a casing that is provided with an interior stationary housing with a first wall surface and an exterior stationary housing with a second wall surface that are disposed substantially concentrically along a longitudinal axis, to define between the first wall surface and the second wall surface an annular inlet air plenum. Extending substantially radially between the first wall surface of the interior stationary plenum, and the second wall surface of the exterior stationary plenum, are a number of smooth, preferably airfoil shaped stators. In one embodiment, a fan is provided a pre-selected distance upstream of the airfoils, to supply air into the inlet air plenum. The blades of the fan are disposed to move air from upstream of the fan toward the airfoil shaped stators, and then on through the gap between the interior stationary plenum and the exterior stationary plenum. 
     The rotating element which may be exposed and inspected in accord with the teaching herein includes a high strength rotor. In one embodiment, the rotor comprises a steel hub with a plurality of high strength rim segments and a plurality of ramjet thrust segments. Preferably, each of the ramjet thrust segments and rim segments are detachably and replaceably affixed to the rotor. At least one, and preferably two or more ramjet engines are provided on the rotor via use of a plurality of ramjet thrust segments. The ramjet engines are situated so as to engage and to compress that portion of the airstream which is impinged by the ramjet upon its rotation about the aforementioned axis of rotation. 
     Fuel is added to the air before compression in the ramjet inlet. The fuel may be conveniently provided through use of fuel supply passageways located in airfoil shaped stators of the axial inlet air fan, which are located radially in an annular ring. Fuel injection passageways are provided communicating between the fuel supply passageways and the inlet air passageway. Fuel injected into the inlet air stream is thus well mixed with the inlet air, by use of vortex generators located on the inlet stators. Combustion of well mixed fuel occurs in the rotary ramjet combustor and against the main rotor housing. The hot combustion gases formed by oxidation of the fuel escape rearwardly from the ramjet nozzle, thrusting the ramjet tangentially about the axis of rotation, i.e., rotate the rotor and associated output shaft. The power generated by the turning output shaft portions may be used directly in mechanical form, or may be used to drive an electrical generator and thus generate electricity. 
     Importantly, when inspection is required, access to the rotating assembly may be had, once the necessary instrumentation, fuel, air, hydraulics, water, and other lines are temporarily removed, by undertaking the following key steps: 
     (a) removing the inlet air plenum (if one is used); 
     (b) rolling the fuel-air mixing module away from the main rotor housing; 
     (c) disconnecting the output rotor shaft by removing the output coupling; 
     (d) removing the exhaust gas plenum; 
     (e) pivoting the main rotor housing to place the outlet bearing plate in an upward orientation, i.e., exhaust side upward; 
     (f) removing the outlet side bearing housing; 
     (g) removing the outlet side bearing plate. 
     It is to be understood that many variations in the modular apparatus and the method of assembling and inspecting the rotating element of a rotary engine may be provided within the general teachings of our invention. Finally, in addition to the foregoing, our novel modular power plant apparatus is simple, durable, and relatively inexpensive to manufacture, and the method of assembly and inspection is most advantageous in the provision of an easily maintainable power plant. 
     OBJECTS, ADVANTAGES, AND FEATURES OF THE INVENTION 
     From the foregoing, it will be apparent to the reader that one important and primary object of the present invention resides in the provision of novel, linear rail mounted engine modules which provide cost effective assembly, inspection, and repair of the rotating element, including the hot section components, of a ramjet powered engine utilized for generating mechanical and electrical power. 
     More specifically, an important object of the invention is to provide a simple, reliable, and safe method to relocate large, heavy engine components. 
     Other important but more specific objects of the invention reside in the provision of a modular, relocatable inlet air module for a rotating assembly, and particularly for a rotating ramjet engine, which: 
     is simple to assemble and to disassemble; 
     in conjunction with the preceding object, provides an apparatus and method which reduces the time required for assembly, disassembly, inspection, and repair of the rotating assembly elements in a power plant; 
     allows the assembly of the power plant to be done in an easy, quick manner; 
     minimizes the complexity of inspection procedures; 
     allows increased availability of a ramjet engine, compared to more complex housing and time consuming assembly techniques used for other types of power plants. 
     One key feature of the present invention is the use of a rugged linear roller guide for positioning of the relocatable fuel-air mixing module. In this design, a pair of sturdy, opposingly mounted, self-aligning curved rollers running on a cylindrical stationary race assure adequate load bearing capacity for the heavy fuel-air mixing module. The adaption of such linear roller guides to an engine assembly enables a large mass to be relocated with minimal force and effort. 
     Finally, another important feature of the present invention is the ability to easily inspect hot section components in the rotating assembly, including, in particular, the rim segments, thrust segments, strakes, and related seals and tab locks. This elegant design feature assures that all hot section components can be simply inspected, removed, repaired, or replaced as necessary, with minimum down-time for the engine. 
     Other important objects, features, and additional advantages of our invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing and from the detailed description which follows and the appended claims, in conjunction with the accompanying drawing. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of a novel ramjet power plant apparatus, showing our modular, rail mount for moving the fuel-air mixing module, and more broadly showing (a) the relocatable fuel-air mixing module with liner roller guide feet for horizontal displacement along rails (b) the main rotor and rotor housing module, held in an operating position by a tripod engine mount, (c) the exhaust module, including the gas exit plenum, (d) a gearbox (e) an electrical generator, and (f) a starter motor. 
     FIG. 2 shows the relationship of FIGS. 2A and 2B. 
     FIG. 2A is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along the centerline of the longitudinal axis of the plant. 
     FIG. 2B is a side elevation view, continuing the view of the equipment started in FIG. 2A, now showing in side elevation details of some of the ramjet power plant apparatus described in FIG. 1 above, namely the power output shaft, gearbox, an electrical generator, and starter motor. 
     FIG. 3 shows the relationship of FIGS. 3A and 3B. 
     FIG. 3A is a detailed vertical cross-sectional view of the main rotor housing, the main rotor, inlet bearing plate, outlet bearing plate, inlet and outlet bearing housings, and related water, oil, air, gas, and other utility connections. 
     FIG. 3B is a detailed vertical cross-sectional view of the inlet to the fuel-air mixing module. 
     FIG. 4 a perspective view of the exhaust gas collection assembly, showing the upper and lower exhaust duct portions, an expansion joint assembly which is placed between the main rotor housing exhaust gas outlet and the exhaust gas collection assembly, a pair of exhaust duct stands for supporting the exhaust gas duct portions, an alignment fixture, and an exhaust duct slider. 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the main engine stand, showing the opposing pivot points, pivot pins, and bottom alignment block and alignment pin. 
     FIG. 6 is a detail of a mounting foot on the fuel-air mixing module, showing use of shock resistant opposing linear roller guides with curved rollers which roll on a solid cylindrical race. 
     FIG. 7 is a side view of the first step in a preferred method of engine assembly showing the main rotor housing pivoted into a horizontal position, wherein the intake bearing plate, close fitting rotor housing, and accompanying utility header for vacuum, fuel inlet, and compressed air. 
     FIG. 8 is a side view of a second step in a method of engine assembly, showing main rotor housing having been pivoted 180 degrees from FIG. 7, and now showing the installation of the rotating assembly, and the installation of the exhaust side bearing plate, close fitting rotor housing, and accompanying utility header for vacuum, a cooling water outlet, and compressed air. 
     FIG. 9 is a side view of a third step in a method of engine assembly, showing the main rotor housing with both inlet and outlet bearing plates affixed, with the exhaust expansion duct being affixed to the exhaust or outlet bearing plate side, and with turning arrows showing the rotation of the main rotor housing 90 degrees so that the main rotor housing is vertically disposed. 
     FIG. 10 is a side view of a fourth step in a method of engine assembly, showing the fuel-air premix module being horizontally moved toward the inlet side of the main rotor housing, so that it the two modules can be joined for operation. 
     FIG. 11 is a side view of a fourth step in a method of engine assembly, showing the exhaust gas collection assembly being assembled in an operating location, and being secured to the exhaust duct expansion joint. 
     FIG. 12 is a side view of a fifth step in a method of engine assembly, showing the step of installing an inlet air plenum, and also showing the exhaust expansion joint fully connected. 
     FIGS. 13,  14 ,  15 , and  16  are a series of drawings which show in detail the steps utilized to remove the outlet bearing housing from the outlet bearing plate. 
     FIG. 13 shows the outlet bearing housing with the external labyrinth seal (a) removed vertically, and (b) split apart for extraction from the unit. 
     FIG. 14 shows the outlet bearing housing with a pair of lifting plates being affixed to a first portion of the outlet bearing housing and to a second portion of the outlet bearing housing, so that the first and second outlet bearing housing portions may be lifted. 
     FIG. 15 shows the first and second outlet bearing housing portions being removed from the outlet bearing plate. 
     FIG. 16 shows the first and second outlet bearing housing portions being laterally spread apart, where lifting means may be utilized to remove the outlet bearing housing portions. 
     FIG. 17 provides a perspective view of the inlet bearing plate, showing the mounting flange for locating the inlet bearing housing. 
     FIG. 18 provides a perspective view of the exhaust bearing plate, showing the mounting flange for locating the outlet bearing housing. 
     FIG. 19 shows a top view of the outlet bearing housing assembly, and also showing in broken lines the pair of lifting plates described in FIGS. 13 through 16. 
     FIG. 20 provides a perspective view of first and second outlet bearing housing portions, with lifting plates secured thereabove, after the first and second bearing housing portions have been removed from the outlet bearing plate. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     First, a brief overview of the ramjet engine technology to which the present invention is applied is appropriate. Referring now to the drawing, FIG. 1 depicts a partial cut-away perspective view of a novel rotary ramjet driven power plant  100 . Major components shown in this FIG. 1 include the rotary ramjet engine assembly  102  and gear set  104 . The ramjet engine assembly  102  has a driven output shaft  108 , which is operationally coupled with gear set  104  for power transfer therethrough. Gear set  104  has power output shaft  110 , which is coupled with and rotates at a desired rate of rotation to drive an electrical generator  112 . The entire ramjet engine rotating element can be started via use of startup motor  114 , situated at the rear  113  of generator  112 . 
     The overall structure of a rotary ramjet engine assembly  102  can be better appreciated in FIG. 2, made up of sub-parts, namely FIGS. 2A and 2B. A high strength rotor  120  has shaft portions  118  and  124 . The shaft portions  124  and  118  turn in inlet and outlet bearing housing assemblies  126  and  128 , respectively. In this FIG. 2A, one embodiment  120  of our high strength rotor design and related components is shown, illustrating rotor construction using a pair of tapered disc rotor elements  134  and  136 . As indicted in FIG. 8, at the radial distal edge  137  of rotor elements  134  and  136  are interlockingly and detachably releasably secured a plurality of radially extending ventilatable rim segments  138  in a series of rim segments from  138   1  through  138   x . As provided, in addition to the detachable rim segments  138 , one or more thrust segments are provided, using detachably affixable ramjet thrust segments  142 , each in a series of detachably affixable ramjet rim portions  142   1  through  142   x  to provide a relevant portion of the applicable ramjet structure. The basic requirements for ramjet engine technology is taught by earlier patents and patent applications of Shawn P. Lawlor, including: (1) U.S. Pat. No. 5,372,005; (2) U.S. Pat. No. 5,709,076; (3) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/213,217 (filed Mar. 3, 1994); and (4) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/149,728, filed Sep. 8, 1998. For details see the disclosures of each of such patents or applications, the full disclosures of each of which are incorporated herein by this reference. 
     Also shown in FIG. 2A is the relocatable fuel-air mixing module  200 , with legs  202  riding on opposing, dual type linear roller guide feet  204 . As indicated in FIG. 6, the feet  204  preferably ride on a cylindrical shaft linear race type track  206 . At the distal end of the track  206 , end stops  207  are provided, to retain the fuel-air mixing module on the track  206 . Track  206  may be mounted on any convenient horizontal support structure or mounting block, such as spaced apart dual support rails  208 , as shown in FIGS. 1 and 6. One source for such roller guide feet is Thomson Industries, Inc., who provides design resources for detailed engineering of their roller bearing linear roller guides at their web site, located at http://www.thomsonind.com. 
     As illustrated in FIG. 2A, the fuel-air mixing module  200  is situated in an initial assembly position, awaiting the assembly and positioning the main rotor housing  209  into an operating position, as indicated in FIGS. 1 and 3A. However, the steps necessary to assemble the ramjet engine  102  can be better appreciated by reference to FIG.  5  and FIGS. 7-13. In FIG. 7, the main rotor housing  209  is shown in a first horizontal position with the main rotor housing intake side  212  in an upward position, showing the step of lowering the intake bearing plate  214 , the intake side close fitting perforated rotor housing  216 , and the utility header assembly  218  with supply conduits for vacuum  220 , for secondary fuel  222  (normally natural gas), and for compressed air supply  224 . The intake header assembly  218  is preferably provided in the form of stacked ringlike or circular tubes, preferably circular tubes in a stackable square cross-section (when examined radially) as can be seen in FIGS. 2A and 3A. 
     We prefer to use fasteners such as bolts  230  to secure intake bearing plate  214  to the intake side  212  of the main rotor housing  209 . After the intake side bearing plate  214  has been affixed to the main rotor housing  209 , then the main rotor housing  209  is pivoted 180 degrees, as suggested by reference arrow  232  in FIG. 7, so that the main rotor housing  209  is then ready for further assembly, as shown and discussed in connection with FIG. 8 below. 
     Pivotal support during assembly and secure support during operation is provided for the main rotor housing  209  by the engine stand  240 , details of which are illustrated in FIG.  5 . First  242  and second  244  feet are provided to support the U-shaped engine stand  240 . The first  242  and second  244  feet support generally U-shaped (transverse to the longitudinal axis of the engine), upwardly and inwardly inclined inlet side support plate  246  and exhaust side support plate  248 . At the outer, distal ends  250  of inlet side support plate, and at the outer, distal ends  252  of outlet side support plate, horizontally opposing pivot blocks  260  and  262  are securely mounted. First  264  and second  266  pivot pins are provided for close interfitting passage through passageways  268  and  269  in opposing pivot blocks  260  and  262 , respectively, and for secure engagement with pivot pin receiving recesses  270  in the main rotor housing  209 . (See FIG. 3A for typical structure for pivot pin receiving recesses, and for threaded fasteners  272  used to secure pivot pins to the main rotor housing  209 ). A bottom plate  280  is provided to stabilize engine stand  240 , and stiffeners  282  are utilized as necessary to support against wedge shaped endpieces  284 . Conventional welded construction is normally preferred for construction of engine stand  240 . Affixed to the bottom plate is an alignment block  290  for use in securing an alignment pin  292  to the bottom  294  of the main rotor housing  209 , as partially seen in FIG. 3A., although the engine stand  240  has been largely deleted in this figure for clarity of presentation of engine internal components. We prefer to utilize pivot pins  264  and  266 , as well as alignment pins  292 , which have a cylindrical pin portion P of a first diameter D and a thin disc shaped backing plate BP of diameter B. Also, the cylindrical pin portion P, as well as the backing plate portion, each have a centrally located aperture A along their cylindrical axis, of sufficient diameter to accept therethrough in firm interfitting fashion the earlier mentioned threaded fasteners  272 . 
     The apparatus and method used for securing the main rotor housing is very important. The rotor  120  is rotatably secured in an operating position in a manner suitable for extremely high speed operation of the rotor  120 , such as rotation rates in the range of up to about 8,900 rpm, or even 10,000 to 20,000 rpm, or higher. In this regard, inlet side bearing  126  and outlet side bearing  128 , or suitable variations thereof, must provide adequate bearing support for high speed rotation and thrust, with minimum friction. 
     Turning now to FIG. 8, the next step in the method of assembly is illustrated, first showing the addition of the main rotating assembly  300 . The high strength rotor  120  (shown in broken lines) has shaft portions, namely output shaft portion  118  and inlet shaft  124 . The output shaft portion  118  turns in the outlet bearing housing assembly  128  (see FIG.  9 ). 
     As shown in this FIG. 8, the outlet or exhaust side  302  of the main rotor housing  209  is facing upward. Inlet bearing housing  126  is lowered (see reference arrow  303 ) to a recessed inlet bearing receiving flange  304  in intake bearing plate  214  (see FIG.  17 ). The side  305  of inlet bearing housing  126  extends downward through the preferably circular opening  307  at the center of intake bearing plate  214 . The face  306  of inlet bearing flange  308  is positioned against the recessed inlet bearing receiving flange  304 . Fasteners such as bolts  309  extend through apertures  310  in inlet bearing receiving flange  304  and cooperate with threads T in receiving apertures  312  in inlet bearing flange  308 . 
     Next, the outlet side bearing plate  314 , the outlet side close fitting perforated housing  316 , and the accompanying outlet side utility header  318  are shown suspended in position above the main rotor housing  209 , where it is ordinarily supported by lifting means such as crane hook  319 . The outlet side bearing plate  314  is then lowered into an operating position and secured via fasteners  321 . The outlet side utility header  318  provides conduits for vacuum  320 , a cooling water outlet  322 , and air inlet inlet  324 . Conduits  320 ,  322 , and  324  are preferably provided in stacked, circular tubular rings, most preferably in square shaped cross section (see FIG. 15, for example) and are welded together into a single header assembly  318 . Mounting feet, preferably L-shaped brackets  325 , secure header  318  to outlet side bearing plate  314 . 
     After the outlet bearing plate  314  is installed, the outlet bearing housing assembly  128  must be installed, by lowering the bearing housing assembly  128  down to the outlet bearing plate  314 , on which the outlet bearing housing flanges  128 F rest, and then securing the outlet bearing flanges  128 F via fasteners through holes in the flanges  128 F. This is illustrated in hidden lines in FIG.  9 . 
     FIG. 9 also shows a side view of a further step in a method of engine assembly, showing the main rotor housing with both inlet  214  and outlet  314  bearing plates affixed, with main rotor housing  209  still turned as shown in FIG. 8, so that the exhaust side  302  of main rotor housing  209  is still upward. Then, the exhaust gas expansion joint duct  340  is affixed to the exhaust exhaust or outlet side  302  of the main rotor housing  209 . The exhaust gas expansion joint duct  340  is an annular, ringlike short tubular enclosure, with an outer flexible material  342  suitable for high temperature operation in direct contact with exhaust gas, secured between mounting inlet  344  and outlet  346  mounting flanges. This annular shape is further evident by examination of the details shown in FIG. 4, where the inner flexible material  342  is shown, and where the inner inlet flange  346  and inner outlet flange  348  are depicted. 
     During assembly or disassembly operations when it is desired to secure the main rotor housing  209  in a horizontal position, a mounting stand  350  is utilized. The mounting stand  350  has a foot  352  for placement on the foundation adjacent to the engine stand  240 , and a locking pin  356  for insertion into one of the external pivot connections or pivot pin receiving locations  270  in the annular shaped main rotor housing  209 . 
     After the exhaust gas expansion duct  340  is mounted to the exhaust side  302  of the main rotor housing  209 , the main rotor housing  209  is turned to a vertical orientation, as indicated by reference arrow  360  in FIG.  9 . Then, as indicated by reference arrow  370  in FIG. 10, the fuel-air mixing module is moved (preferably on the feet  204  and track  206  earlier described) into engagement with the inlet side  212  of the main rotor housing  209 . When alignment is achieved, then the outlet flange  380  of the fuel-air mixing module  200  is secured to the inlet side  214  of the main rotor housing  209  by way of fasteners  382 . 
     In FIG. 11, the exhaust gas collection assembly  400  is shown being assembled into an operating location, and sealingly secured to the outlet flange  344  and inner outlet flange  348  of the exhaust gas duct expansion joint  340 . As better seen in FIG. 4, the exhaust gas collection assembly includes a first exhaust stand  402  and a second exhaust stand  404  on which a lower portion  406  of the annular exhaust gas collection chamber  407  is mounted. An upper portion  408  of the annular exhaust gas collection chamber  407  is provided for mounting at preferably horizontal first  410  and second  412  flanged joints. For reference, exhaust gases exit the annular exhaust gas collection chamber  407  via exhaust port  420 , shown with exit flanges  422  for mounting to the plant combustion gas exhaust system. The finished, attached exhaust gas collection assembly  400  is shown attached at FIG.  12 . 
     FIG. 12 also illustrates the step of installing the inlet air plenum  450  at the air intake or upstream side  452  of the fuel-air mixing module  200 . 
     The overall configuration of the inlet bearing plate  214  and the outlet bearing plate  314  can be seen in FIGS. 17 and 18. The intake bearing plate  214  is in the basic form of a circular disk, and has been described above with respect to flange  304  and circular central passageway  307 . For passage of the fuel-air mixture through the intake bearing plate  214 , a plurality of segmented annular passageways  454  are provided. In the exhaust bearing plate  314 , is also in the basic form of a circular disc, and similar segmented annular passageways  456  are provided for exit of hot combustion gases. With respect to the mounting of exhaust bearing housing  128 , the exhaust bearing flange  128 F (see FIG.16) seats on the exhaust bearing plate bearing receiving flange  457 . The output shaft  118  extends through central aperture  458  and into the output bearing housing  128 . Threads T are provided in receiving apertures  459  in flange  457 , for receipt of mounting bolts  580  (described below) to secure bearing housing  128  to exhaust bearing plate  314 . 
     FIGS. 13,  14 ,  15 , and  16  are a series of drawings which show in detail the steps utilized to remove the outlet bearing housing  128  from the outlet bearing plate  314 . 
     FIG. 13 shows the outlet bearing housing  128  with two external labyrinth seal portions  460  removed vertically, and then also shows the very same labyrinth seal portions with reference numeral  460 ′, after the seal portions have been split apart for extraction from the outlet bearing housing  128 . 
     Next, FIG. 14 shows the first  128 A and second  128 B portions of outlet bearing housing  128  with a pair of lifting plates  500  and  502  being affixed to the first portion  128 A and to the second portion  128 B of the outlet bearing housing  128 , so that the first portion  128 A and that the second portion  128 B of the outlet bearing housing  128  may be lifted. Temporary lifting plates  500  and  502  are preferably provided in small, stiff, planar form, such as a one inch thick steel plate, with a throat cutout portion  504  and  506 , in plates  500  and  502 , respectively, which allows close fitting engagement of the first  128 A and second  128 B bearing housing portions when the throat portions  504  and  506  are inserted adjacent the shaft  124  in close fitting proximity. A pair of spaced apart, outwardly and preferably radially extending, elongated through plate spacer track passageways  510  and  512  are provided in plate  500 . Similarly, a pair of spaced apart, outwardly and preferably radially extending passageways  514  and  516  are provided in plate  502 . Attachment bolt apertures  520  and  522  are provided in plate  500  for affixing plate  500  via one or more, and preferably two fasteners such as bolts  532  to flange  530  which is attached to the end  534  of shaft  128 . Attachment bolt apertures  540  and  542  are provided in plate  502  for affixing plate  502  via one or more, and preferably two fasteners such as bolts  544  to flange  550  which is attached to the end  534  of shaft  128 . 
     A first pair of threaded rods  560  and  562 , each with washer W and nut N, are provided for using plate  500  for lifting bearing housing portion  128 A. A second pair of threaded rods  564  and  566 , each with washer W and nut N, are provided for using plate  502  for lifting bearing housing portion  128 B. For removal of the bearing housing portions  128 A and  128 B, the threaded rods  560 ,  562 ,  564 , and  566  are securely affixed to the inlet side of the adjacent bearing housing portions  128 A or  128 B, preferably by using an appropriately sized threaded receiving portion  570  or  570 , as can be visualized in FIG. 16, for instance. Also in FIG. 16, it can be seen how the threaded rods  562  and  566  have been employed to urge bearing portions  128 A and  128 B upward and outward, after removal of the bearing fasteners  580  (see FIGS. 13 or  14 , and then compare FIG. 15, where fasteners  580  have been removed). 
     By comparison of FIGS. 19 and 20, the use of the elongated passageways  500 ,  510 ,  514  and  516  can be understood. Specifically, once the bearing housing portions  128 A and  128 B are raised to an upward, disconnected position, then the bearing housing portions  128 A and  128 B are spread apart as seen in FIG. 20, leaving only the bearing  600  itself adjacent the shaft  128 . Then, by removal of fasteners  532  and  544 , etc., lifting lugs  602  and  604  may be utilized with any convenient lifting means to separately remove bearing housing portions  128 A and  128 B; see FIG. 20 generally, although it must be understood that the threaded rods  560 ,  562 ,  564 , and  566  have been repositioned radially inward, at least with respect to the plates  500  and  502 , for temporary storage of those plates. 
     Although the method of removal of the outlet bearing housing portions  128 A and  128 B have just been described in detail, it is to be understood that the installation of the outlet bearing housing portions  128 A and  128 B may be accomplished in reverse fashion. Likewise, although the installation of the remainder of the components of the ramjet engine have been taught in detail, particularly with respect to FIGS. 7 through 12, it is to be understood that the disassembly process may be accomplished in reverse fashion. Given the detailed teachings herein, the entire process may now be repeated in either direction without particular difficulty or undue experimentation by those of skill in the art and to whom this specification is directed. 
     Importantly, the novel, modular assembly, disassembly, and inspection method illustrated offers superior advantages in the assembly, disassembly, and in the operation and maintenance of such power plants. The apparatus and method described is an important improvement in providing a compact, easily constructed, cost effective power plant. It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, including those made apparent from the proceeding description, are efficiently attained. Since certain changes may be made in carrying out the construction of a power generation apparatus and in the execution of the method of assembling, inspecting, and repairing a power generation plant as described herein, while nevertheless achieving desirable results in accord with the principles generally set forth herein, it is to be understood that the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. For example, while there have been exemplary designs set forth for a modular and relocatable air inlet, many other embodiments are also feasible to attain the result of the principles of the apparatus and via use of the methods disclosed herein. 
     All the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims and the drawing) and/or any steps in the method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of the features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. 
     Each feature disclosed in this specification (including in any accompanying claims, the drawing, and the abstract), may be replaced by alternative features serving the same or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features. 
     Therefore, it will be understood that the foregoing description of representative embodiments of the invention have been presented only for purposes of illustration and for providing an understanding of the invention, and it is not intended to be exhaustive or restrictive, or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed herein. As such, it is intended to cover the structures and methods described therein, and not only the equivalents or structural equivalents thereof, but also equivalent structures or methods. Thus, the scope of the invention is intended to include variations from the embodiments provided which are nevertheless described by the broad meaning and range properly afforded to the language used herein, or to the equivalents thereof.