Patent Description:
At least some known facilities use gas engine assemblies, such as gas generators, power turbines, and other related components. Such assemblies are physically large and heavy. Despite their physical size and weight, such assemblies may need to be moved or removed for many reasons, including during installation, during inspections, and during scheduled maintenance services, as well as for a variety of other reasons. As can be appreciated, moving such assemblies may be a difficult and time-consuming task.

In addition, in at least some known applications, a variety of lifting tools may be necessary to enable different parts, or different configurations, of a given gas engine assembly to be moved. For example, a first tool may be used to lift a first portion of an engine assembly, such as a gas generator, while a second, different, tool may be required to lift a second portion of the same engine assembly, such as a gas turbine. The need for different tools increases costs, both for the tools themselves and for their validation for use in heavy lifting. Further, many conventional tools, in addition to being specialized, are not configured to enable gas engine assemblies to be positioned laterally within an enclosure. Rather, many conventional lifting tools may require the removal of a top or upper portion of an engine assembly enclosure prior to providing access to and manipulation of an engine assembly contained therein. Removal of the top or upper portion of an enclosure adds time and costs to an inspection or maintenance event, particularly if auxiliary components of the gas engine assemblies are installed on the top or upper portion.

<CIT> describes a universal hoisting spreader device for hoisting and handling, in particular bulky loads such as power units. The hoisting device comprises a beam, on which a carriage with a suspension member can move along the beam. <CIT> discloses a lifting sling for hoisting rectangular containers comprising a channel beam with a track upon which wheeled carriers are independently movable lengthwise of the beam. <CIT> describes an apparatus for removing an aircraft engine including a U-shaped frame member, a pair of forward engine winches and associated forward engine cables and a pair of rear engine winches and associated rear engine cables. <CIT> discloses a load transfer device with upper and lower spaced beams that are connected by a connecting portion which is curved. Further, document <CIT> discloses a bracket for a hoist according to the preamble of claim <NUM>.

Accordingly, a universal lifting tool, such as a universal engine hoist capable of selectively elevating and lowering different portions of a gas engine assembly, is desirable. Further, an engine hoist capable of positioning different portions of the gas engine assembly within an engine enclosure, without partially dismantling the enclosure, is desirable.

The object of the invention is solved by a bracket for an engine hoist according to Claim <NUM> and a hoist for lifting a gas engine assembly (<NUM>) or a portion thereof according to Claim <NUM> including the bracket according to Claim <NUM>. In one aspect, a hoist for lifting a gas engine assembly or a portion thereof is described. The hoist includes a support member including an upper portion, a lower portion, and a connecting portion extending therebetween. The hoist also includes an elongate member coupled to the lower portion of the support member and extending substantially orthogonally to the lower portion, as well as at least one bracket slidably engaged with the elongate member and axially translatable along a length of the elongate member. In addition, the hoist includes a plurality of linkage members coupled to the at least one bracket, where each linkage member of the plurality of linkage members is configured to couple to the gas engine assembly or the portion thereof to enable the gas engine assembly or the portion thereof to be selectively lifted.

In another aspect, a bracket for an engine hoist is described. The bracket includes a first side portion including a first plurality of linkage connection points, a second side portion including a second plurality of linkage connection points, and a flange extending along and connecting the first side portion and the second side portion. The bracket also includes a securing member, which includes a flange receiving portion having a slot configured to receive the flange. In addition, the securing member includes a U-shaped receiving portion having opposing legs that define a central cavity arranged to receive an elongate member, where each of the legs has a slot that receives one of the first or second side portions.

In yet another aspect, a method for assembling a hoist for use with a gas engine assembly is described. The method includes providing a support member including an upper portion, a lower portion, and a connecting portion extending therebetween. The method also includes coupling an elongate member to the lower portion of the support member, where the elongate member extends substantially orthogonally to the lower portion. In addition, the method includes slidably engaging at least one bracket with the elongate member, where the at least one bracket is axially translatable along a length of the elongate member. The method also includes coupling a plurality of linkage members to the at least one bracket, where each linkage member of the plurality of linkage members is configured to attach to the gas engine assembly.

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to systems and methods for hoisting a gas engine assembly in one or more configurations, such as with and without an attached power turbine. More particularly, the systems and methods described herein enable hoisting a gas engine assembly having a plurality of different configurations. For example, the hoist may be coupled to a gas engine assembly in a first configuration, in which the gas engine assembly includes both a gas generator and a power turbine. Similarly, the hoist may be coupled to a gas engine assembly in a second configuration, in which the gas engine assembly includes only a gas generator. Moreover, the hoist enables selectively positioning the gas engine assembly, in any configuration, within an enclosure without disassembling or otherwise altering the enclosure. In fact, the hoist is configured to selectively position the gas engine assembly laterally, such as through a side door, within the enclosure.

<FIG> is a side view of an exemplary gas engine assembly <NUM>. As shown, gas engine assembly <NUM> includes a centerline A-A' and includes a first section, such as a gas generator <NUM>, and a second section, such as a power turbine <NUM>. Gas generator <NUM> has a forward end <NUM> and an aft end <NUM>. Likewise, power turbine <NUM> includes a forward end <NUM> and an aft end <NUM>. In the exemplary embodiment, aft end <NUM> of power turbine <NUM> may be coupled or connected to forward end <NUM> of gas generator <NUM> to form gas engine assembly <NUM>.

During installation and maintenance, power turbine <NUM> may be decoupled from gas generator <NUM>. As a result, it may be desirable to manipulate either gas generator <NUM> and/or power turbine <NUM> without manipulating the other. For example, in some cases, it may be desirable to hoist gas generator <NUM> without hoisting power turbine <NUM>. Likewise, in some cases, it may be desirable to hoist gas engine assembly <NUM> while gas generator <NUM> and power turbine <NUM> remain coupled together.

<FIG> is a side view of gas engine assembly <NUM> coupled to an exemplary hoist <NUM> for lifting gas engine assembly <NUM>, including, for example, portions of gas engine assembly <NUM>. Specifically, hoist <NUM> is operable, as described herein, to lift gas generator <NUM>, power turbine <NUM>, and/or gas engine assembly <NUM>, including while gas generator <NUM> and power turbine <NUM> remain coupled together. <FIG> is a perspective view of hoist <NUM> coupled to gas generator <NUM>.

Accordingly, in the exemplary embodiment and with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, hoist <NUM> includes a support member <NUM> and an elongate member <NUM> having a length, L, coupled to support member <NUM>. In some embodiments, the length L of elongate member <NUM> is at least the same length as a length of the gas engine assembly <NUM>. Alternatively, in at least some embodiments, the length L of the elongate member may be greater than or less than the length of gas engine assembly <NUM>. In some embodiments, support member <NUM> may couple to a crane or gantry. Hoist <NUM> also includes at least one of a first bracket <NUM>, a second bracket <NUM>, and/or a third bracket <NUM>, and at least one of a first plurality of linkage members 308a-b, a second plurality of linkage members 310a-b, and/or a third plurality of linkage members 312a-b. As described in additional detail herein, in at least some embodiments, hoist <NUM> may exclude support member <NUM>. Specifically, in at least one embodiment, elongate member <NUM> (or another portion of hoist <NUM>) may be coupled to a crane or gantry without using support member <NUM>.

More particularly, as described in more detail herein, in at least some embodiments (as shown in <FIG>), hoist <NUM> may include first bracket <NUM>, second bracket <NUM>, first plurality of linkage members 308a-b, and second plurality of linkage members 310a-b, such as when hoist <NUM> is coupled to a gas engine assembly <NUM> including both power turbine <NUM> and gas generator <NUM>. Similarly, when hoist <NUM> is coupled only to a portion of gas engine assembly <NUM>, such as to only gas generator <NUM> (as shown in <FIG>), an additional third bracket <NUM> and/or an additional third plurality of linkage members312a-b may be used. In other embodiments, gas generator <NUM> may be coupled to hoist <NUM> using only first bracket <NUM>, second bracket <NUM>, first plurality of linkage members 308a-b, and second plurality of linkage members 310a-b. In some embodiments, more than three brackets <NUM>-<NUM> (and associated linkage members) may be used.

As best shown with reference to <FIG>, support member <NUM> includes an upper portion <NUM>, a connecting or central portion <NUM>, and a lower portion <NUM>, wherein central portion <NUM> extends between and connects upper and lower portions <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively. In the exemplary embodiment, support member <NUM> is C-shaped, such that upper portion <NUM> is substantially elongate, lower portion <NUM> is substantially elongate, and central portion <NUM> extends arcuately between portions <NUM> and <NUM> to form the C-shape. In some implementations, support member <NUM> may include a variety of other suitable shapes. For example, in at least some implementations, central portion <NUM> is rectilinear rather than arcuate.

In the exemplary embodiment, elongate member <NUM> may be mechanically coupled to lower portion <NUM> of support member <NUM>, such as by one or more fasteners (e.g., bolts) to extend substantially orthogonally to lower portion <NUM> and substantially parallel to engine centerline A-A'. To facilitate mechanical coupling, elongate member <NUM> may include a plurality of support member connection points <NUM> arranged axially parallel to engine centerline A-A' along elongate member <NUM>. Specifically, support member connection points <NUM> may be oriented and spaced axially along at least a portion of elongate member <NUM> to facilitate balanced coupling of elongate member <NUM> to support member <NUM>. Stated another way, support member <NUM> may be coupled to elongate member <NUM> at any connection point <NUM>, depending upon a center of gravity of gas engine assembly <NUM> (or a portion thereof), to facilitate gas engine assembly <NUM> remaining balanced when it is coupled to hoist <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view of an exemplary bracket <NUM> that may be used with hoist <NUM>. In the exemplary embodiment, bracket <NUM> may be any of first bracket <NUM>, second bracket <NUM>, and/or third bracket <NUM> (or any subsequent bracket if more than three brackets are used). Moreover, in the exemplary embodiment, and as described herein, bracket <NUM> is engaged with elongate member <NUM>. <FIG> is a cutaway view illustrating elongate member <NUM> and linkage members <NUM> and <NUM> that couple elongate member <NUM> to bracket <NUM>. In <FIG>, bracket <NUM> has been removed to illustrate additional features.

Accordingly, with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, in the exemplary embodiment, bracket <NUM> includes a first side portion <NUM>, a second side portion <NUM>, and a flange <NUM> extending along and coupling first side portion <NUM> with second side portion <NUM>. As can be seen, bracket <NUM> may be generally "butterfly" shaped (e.g., inasmuch as bracket <NUM> includes angled or sloping side portions <NUM> and <NUM> resembling "wings"), although other shapes are contemplated and within the scope of the present disclosure.

In the exemplary embodiment, bracket <NUM> includes one or more linkage member connection points, such as a first plurality of linkage member connection points 410a-b and a second plurality of linkage member connection points 412a-b. As shown, one or more linkage members <NUM> and/or <NUM> may be pivotably coupled to first plurality of linkage member connection points 410a-b and/or to second plurality of linkage member connection points 412a-b. Linkage members <NUM> and <NUM> may be any of first linkage members 308a-b, second linkage members 310a-b, and/or third linkage members 312a-b (or any subsequent linkage members if more than three brackets are used).

Further, in at least some implementations, linkage member connection point 410a may be positioned laterally outward of linkage member connection point 410b. Similarly, linkage member connection point 412a may be laterally outward of linkage member connection point 412b. As described in additional detail herein, these positions may facilitate selectively coupling hoist <NUM> with any of gas generator <NUM>, power turbine <NUM>, and/or gas engine assembly <NUM>, including in embodiments where gas generator <NUM> and power turbine <NUM> are together.

In addition, in the exemplary embodiment, first side portion <NUM> and second side portion <NUM> are oriented to define a first gap <NUM> therebetween that is sized and shaped to receive at least a portion of elongate member <NUM> in a slidable engagement. More particularly, in at least some embodiments, elongate member <NUM> may include a first channel-shaped beam <NUM> and a second channel-shaped beam <NUM>. First channel-shaped beam <NUM> includes a substantially planar face <NUM> and a channel portion <NUM>. Similarly, second channel-shaped beam <NUM> includes a substantially planar face <NUM> and a channel portion <NUM>.

First channel-shaped beam <NUM> and second channel-shaped beam <NUM> are oriented such that faces <NUM> and <NUM> and are separated by a second gap <NUM>. A spacer <NUM> may be positioned within second gap <NUM>. Accordingly, first side portion <NUM> may slidably engage first channel shaped beam <NUM>, as shown, and second side portion <NUM> may slidably engage second channel shaped beam <NUM>. As a result, as described in additional detail herein, bracket <NUM> may slidably engage and translate axially, at least partially, along length L of elongate member <NUM>.

In the exemplary embodiment, bracket <NUM> also includes a securing member <NUM>. Moreover, in the exemplary embodiment, securing member <NUM> may include a flange receiving portion <NUM> having a slot <NUM> defined therein that is sized and oriented to receive flange <NUM>. In addition, securing member <NUM> includes a U-shaped receiving portion <NUM> having a first leg <NUM> and a second leg <NUM> opposing first leg <NUM>, and a connecting member <NUM> extending between and connecting first leg <NUM> and second leg <NUM>. As shown, first leg <NUM> and second leg <NUM> are oriented such that a central cavity <NUM> is defined therebetween that is sized and oriented to receive elongate member <NUM> therein in conjunction with first side portion <NUM> and second side portion <NUM> of bracket <NUM>. Specifically, in at least some embodiments, first leg <NUM> includes a first slot <NUM> that receives first side portion <NUM>, and second leg <NUM> includes a second slot <NUM> that receives second side portion <NUM>.

As best shown with reference to <FIG>, in which bracket <NUM> is cutaway, bracket <NUM> may be secured to elongate member <NUM> via one or more fasteners, such as a first plurality of fasteners <NUM>, a second plurality of fasteners <NUM>, a third plurality of fasteners <NUM>, and/or a fourth plurality of fasteners <NUM>. More particularly, first channel-shaped beam <NUM> may include a first group or plurality of receiving holes <NUM> sized to receive first fasteners <NUM> and a second group or plurality of receiving holes <NUM> sized to receive second fasteners <NUM>. Similarly, second channel-shaped beam <NUM> may include a third group or plurality of receiving holes <NUM> sized to receive third fasteners <NUM> and a fourth group or plurality of receiving holes <NUM> sized to receive fourth fasteners <NUM>.

In at least some embodiments, pluralities or groups of receiving holes <NUM>-<NUM> may be oriented to be substantially aligned axially over portions of each channel-shaped beam <NUM> and <NUM>, such that bracket <NUM> may be securely coupled to elongate member <NUM> at one or more suitable axial locations. For example, as shown, each group or plurality of receiving holes <NUM>-<NUM> may, in at least one implementation, include four individual receiving holes. In other embodiments, any other suitable number of receiving holes may be included in each of the groups or pluralities of receiving holes <NUM>-<NUM>. As a result, bracket <NUM> may selectively translate axially, as desired and as described elsewhere herein, to a suitable location relative to elongate member <NUM>. Bracket <NUM> may also be secured by inserting fasteners <NUM>-<NUM> into respective receiving holes <NUM>-<NUM>. Bracket <NUM> is thus selectively axially translatable relative to elongate member <NUM> and fixedly couplable or securable to elongate member <NUM> at a plurality of different locations relative to elongate member <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view of hoist <NUM> coupled to a portion of gas engine assembly <NUM>. Specifically, <FIG> illustrates a coupling between power turbine <NUM> of gas engine assembly <NUM> and bracket <NUM>, which as described above, may be the same as bracket <NUM>. Thus, as shown, power turbine <NUM> may be coupled to bracket <NUM> near forward end <NUM> thereof.

Accordingly, as described herein, during operation, to couple hoist <NUM> to power turbine <NUM> of gas engine assembly <NUM>, a first end of linkage member <NUM> may be coupled to linkage member connection point 410a. Similarly, a first end of linkage member <NUM> may be coupled to linkage member connection point 412a. As described herein, linkage member connection points 410a and 412a are laterally outward of linkage member connection points 410b and 412b and may be selected to facilitate coupling hoist <NUM> to power turbine <NUM>, as shown. More particularly, in the exemplary embodiment, linkage member connection points 410a and 412a may accommodate the larger diameter of power turbine <NUM>, as compared to the smaller diameter of gas generator <NUM>.

In addition, a second end of linkage member <NUM>, opposite the first end, may be coupled to a first connection point <NUM> of power turbine <NUM>, which may be formed integrally with a casing or frame of power turbine <NUM> (such as by casting) and/or may otherwise be situated on an exterior surface of power turbine <NUM>. Likewise, a second end of linkage member <NUM> may be coupled, opposite the first end, to a second connection point <NUM> of power turbine <NUM>, which may be cast in a casing or frame of power turbine <NUM> and/or otherwise situated on an exterior surface of power turbine <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view of hoist <NUM> mechanically coupled to a portion of gas engine assembly <NUM>. Specifically, <FIG> illustrates a coupling between gas generator <NUM> of gas engine assembly <NUM> and bracket <NUM>. As shown, gas generator <NUM> may couple to bracket <NUM> near forward end <NUM>.

Accordingly, as described herein, during use, to couple hoist <NUM> to only gas generator <NUM> of gas engine assembly <NUM>, a first end of linkage member <NUM> may be coupled to linkage member connection point 410b. Similarly, a first end of linkage member <NUM> may be coupled to linkage member connection point 412b. As described herein, linkage member connection points 410b and 412b are laterally inward of linkage member connection points 410a and 412a and may be selected to facilitate coupling of hoist <NUM> to gas generator <NUM>, as shown. More particularly, linkage member connection points 410b and 412b may be selected to accommodate the smaller diameter of gas generator <NUM>, as compared to the larger diameter of power turbine <NUM>.

In addition, a second end of linkage member <NUM>, opposite the first end, may be coupled to a first connection point <NUM> of gas generator <NUM>, which may be cast in a casing or frame of gas generator <NUM> and/or otherwise situated on an exterior surface of gas generator <NUM>. Likewise, a second end of linkage member <NUM>, opposite the first end, may be coupled to a second connection point <NUM> of gas generator <NUM>, which may be cast in a casing or frame of gas generator <NUM> and/or otherwise situated on an exterior surface of gas generator <NUM>.

Moreover, as best shown with returning reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, to facilitate coupling of hoist <NUM> with either of power turbine <NUM> and/or gas generator <NUM>, one or more additional brackets, such as brackets <NUM> and/or <NUM> may also be coupled, via linkage members 310a-b and/or 312a-b, near aft end <NUM> of gas generator <NUM>. For example, in at least one embodiment, and as shown in <FIG>, bracket <NUM> and linkage members 310a-b may couple to gas generator <NUM> near aft end <NUM> to balance and secure gas engine assembly <NUM> relative to hoist <NUM>.

Similarly, in at least one embodiment, and as shown in <FIG>, bracket <NUM>, bracket <NUM>, linkage members 310a-b, and linkage members 312a-b may couple to gas generator <NUM> near aft end <NUM> to balance and secure gas generator <NUM> relative to hoist <NUM>. Although in the several illustrated embodiments, a range of two to three brackets <NUM>-<NUM> and corresponding linkage members <NUM>-<NUM> are described, it will be appreciated that any suitable number of brackets and linkage members may be implemented, depending, for example, upon a weight of the object to be hoisted.

As a result, hoist <NUM> facilitates lifting gas engine assembly <NUM>. Specifically, hoist <NUM> may be configured or arranged to lift one or more portions of gas engine assembly <NUM> independently from one another. For example, hoist <NUM> is operable, as described herein, to lift gas generator <NUM>, power turbine <NUM>, and/or gas engine assembly <NUM> in its entirety. Hoist <NUM> may thus function, it will be appreciated, as a universal lifting mechanism for different portions and combinations of gas engine assembly <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view of an exemplary operation of hoist <NUM> to lift and position gas engine assembly <NUM> into an enclosure <NUM>. Accordingly, in the exemplary embodiment, in addition to the features described elsewhere herein, one unique advantage of hoist <NUM> may be that hoist <NUM> may facilitate positioning gas engine assembly <NUM> within a structure that includes a top portion <NUM>, such as enclosure <NUM>. More particularly, the C-shape (or similar) of support member <NUM> may facilitate rotation of gas engine assembly into and/or out of a side door <NUM> of enclosure <NUM>. As a result, hoist <NUM> may permit placement of gas engine assembly <NUM> within enclosure <NUM> without the necessity of removing top portion <NUM>. This feature may be advantageous in a variety of circumstances, such as when top portion <NUM> cannot be removed (e.g., because it is integral with the rest of enclosure <NUM>), in tight spaces where it would be cumbersome to remove top portion <NUM>, and the like. Further, although not shown, upper portion <NUM> of support member <NUM> may be coupled to and/or suspended from a suitable mechanical frame, such as a gantry and/or another anchor point, such as a ceiling mounted anchor point.

In at least some embodiments, and as described elsewhere herein, hoist <NUM> may also exclude C-shaped support member <NUM>, which may facilitate a direct connection or coupling between elongate member <NUM> (and/or another portion of hoist <NUM>) and a support framework, such as a crane or gantry system. In these embodiments, hoist <NUM> may facilitate straight and/or relatively simplified (e.g., up and down) manipulation of gas engine assembly <NUM>, without the need to rotate gas engine assembly <NUM> in through a side door <NUM> of enclosure <NUM>. Thus, in some embodiments, hoist <NUM> may include support member <NUM> (e.g., a C-shaped support member <NUM>) for maneuvering and rotating gas engine assembly <NUM> (or portions thereof) in through side door <NUM> and other lateral maneuvering. However, in other embodiments, hoist <NUM> can be reconfigured to exclude support member <NUM>, which may simplify assembly of hoist <NUM> and which may be suitable for more vertical maneuvering of gas engine assembly <NUM> or portions thereof.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary process <NUM> for forming hoist <NUM>. In at least some embodiments, as described in additional detail above, process <NUM> includes providing <NUM> support member <NUM> including upper portion <NUM>, lower portion <NUM>, and central portion <NUM> extending therebetween. In addition, in the exemplary embodiment, process <NUM> further includes coupling <NUM> elongate member <NUM> to lower portion <NUM> of support member <NUM>, where elongate member <NUM> extends, as described herein, substantially orthogonally to lower portion <NUM>. Process <NUM> may also include slidably engaging <NUM> at least one bracket <NUM>, <NUM>, and/or <NUM> with elongate member <NUM>, where the one or more brackets <NUM>, <NUM>, and/or <NUM> are axially translatable along a length L of elongate member <NUM> and where the one or more brackets <NUM>, <NUM>, and/or <NUM> can be mechanically fixed to elongate member <NUM>, once positioned. In addition, in at least some embodiments, process <NUM> may include coupling <NUM> one or more of linkage members <NUM>-<NUM> to the one or more brackets <NUM>-<NUM>, as described above, where each linkage member <NUM>-<NUM> is configured to attach to gas engine assembly <NUM>.

The systems and methods described herein thus facilitate attachment of a unique hoist to a gas engine assembly in various configurations. For example, the hoist facilitates attachment to a gas engine assembly in a first configuration, in which the gas engine assembly includes both a gas generator and a power turbine. Likewise, the hoist facilitates attachment to a gas engine assembly in a second configuration, in which the gas engine assembly includes only the gas generator or only the power turbine. Moreover, the hoist facilitates positioning the gas engine assembly, in any configuration, within an enclosure without disassembling or otherwise altering the enclosure. Rather, the hoist is arranged to position the gas engine assembly laterally, such as through a side door, within the enclosure.

Claim 1:
A bracket (<NUM>) for an engine hoist (<NUM>), the bracket (<NUM>) comprising:
a first side portion (<NUM>) including a first plurality of linkage connection points (<NUM>);
a second side portion (<NUM>) including a second plurality of linkage connection points (<NUM>);
a flange (<NUM>) extending along and connecting the first side portion (<NUM>) and the second side portion (<NUM>);
characterized by a securing member (<NUM>) including:
a flange receiving portion (<NUM>) having a slot (<NUM>) configured to receive the flange (<NUM>); and
a U-shaped receiving portion (<NUM>) having opposing legs (<NUM>, <NUM>) that define a central cavity (<NUM>) in which an elongate member (<NUM>) of the engine hoist (<NUM>) is receivable, each of the legs (<NUM>, <NUM>) having a slot (<NUM>, <NUM>) that receives one of the first or second side portions (<NUM>, <NUM>).