Patent ID: 12215594

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description illustrates exemplary support members and methods of their use by way of example and not by way of limitation. The description should enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the support members, and the description describes several exemplary embodiments of the support members. An exemplary support member is described herein in conjunction with the installation of a turbine assembly. However, it is contemplated that the support member has general application to a broad range of systems in a variety of fields other than turbine assemblies.

FIG.1is a schematic illustration of an exemplary turbine assembly100during installation at a site110(e.g., a power plant). In the exemplary embodiment, turbine assembly100is a gas turbine assembly that includes a casing102that includes a combustor casing segment104and a turbine casing segment106. A base108of turbine assembly100is coupled to casing102for structurally supporting casing102when turbine assembly100is transported to site110on a vehicle112such as, for example, a truck (i.e., base108structurally supports casing102on vehicle112to inhibit casing102from bending as a result of vibrations generated when vehicle112travels to site110). Base108includes a plurality of base members113by which turbine assembly100is supported on vehicle112. In the exemplary embodiment, members113include a pair of first base members114and a second base member116(e.g., a gib) that are arranged in a generally triangular arrangement, wherein first base members114are beneath turbine casing segment106, and second base member116is beneath combustor casing segment104. In other embodiments, turbine assembly100may be any suitable type of turbine assembly (e.g., a steam turbine assembly) that is transported to site110via any suitable transportation method (e.g., by train), and base108may include any suitable number of base members arranged in any suitable orientation that enables turbine assembly100to be installed as described herein.

In the exemplary embodiment, a frame118is erected from a foundation120at site110, and turbine assembly100is mounted on frame118when turbine assembly100is installed at site110. However, because of the weight of turbine assembly100(e.g., turbine assembly100can weigh in excess of four hundred tons in some embodiments), turbine assembly100may need to be accurately positioned on frame118to prevent damaging frame118. As such, a support system122is temporarily erected at site110to facilitate positioning turbine assembly100on frame118. More specifically, turbine assembly100is lifted onto support system122using a crane124, and turbine assembly100is then transferred from support system122onto frame118using, for example, a plurality of adjustable brackets (not shown), as described below.

Support system122is designed to temporarily position turbine assembly100elevated above foundation120such that turbine assembly100can be maneuvered, aligned, and coupled to foundation120with a level of accuracy that is difficult to achieve using only crane124. In the exemplary embodiment, support system122includes a plurality of support members125. More specifically, in the exemplary embodiment, members125include a pair of first support members126and a second support member128that are arranged in a generally triangular orientation that substantially mirrors the generally triangular arrangement of base members114and116. As such, each first support member126is oriented to receive one of the first base members114, and second support member128is oriented to receive second base member116. In other embodiments, support system122may include any suitable number of support members arranged in any suitable orientation that facilitates enabling support system122to function as described herein.

FIG.2is a perspective view of an exemplary support member200that may be used with support system122when installing turbine assembly100(shown inFIG.1) (e.g., support member200is particularly suited for use as second support member128in support system122). Notably, when turbine assembly100is lifted onto support system122using crane124(shown inFIG.1), and when turbine assembly100is transferred from support system122onto foundation120(shown inFIG.1), turbine assembly100is maneuverable in three dimensions, namely a vertical (or up-and-down) dimension along an X-axis202, a first horizontal (or side-to-side) dimension along a Y-axis204, and a second horizontal (or front-to-rear) dimension along a Z-axis206that are oriented perpendicular to one another, such that a three-dimensional space is defined in which turbine assembly100is maneuverable during installation.

In the exemplary embodiment, support member200includes a platform208that is selectively positionable on foundation120(or another suitable structure positioned on, or partly embedded in, foundation120), a linear actuator210that is selectively positionable on platform208, and a column212that is selectively positionable on linear actuator210. When support member200is assembled as illustrated, platform208, linear actuator210, and column212are in a stacked arrangement. Although linear actuator210is a hydraulic-type linear actuator (e.g., a pancake lock nut cylinder) in the exemplary embodiment, linear actuator210may be of any suitable type that facilitates enabling support member200to function as described herein (e.g., linear actuator210may be a pneumatic-type linear actuator, or a mechanical-type linear actuator in other embodiments).

FIGS.3and4are respective perspective and exploded views of platform208. In the exemplary embodiment, platform208includes a plurality of modular platform components213. More specifically, in the exemplary embodiment, components213include a first platform component214, a second platform component216, and a third platform component218. Although platform208includes three components213in the exemplary embodiment, platform208may have any suitable number of components213that facilitates enabling platform208to function as described herein.

In the exemplary embodiment, first platform component214includes an upper plate220, a lower plate222, and a plurality of spaced-apart posts224that extend between plates220and222. Upper plate220has an outer edge226, an inner edge228, and a substantially planar upper surface229that extends therebetween, such that inner edge228circumscribes an upper opening230. Similarly, lower plate222includes an outer edge232and an inner edge234oriented such that inner edge234circumscribes a lower opening236that is approximately the same size as upper opening230. Although outer edges226and232are annular in the exemplary embodiment, outer edges226and232may have any other suitable shape in other embodiments (e.g., outer edges226and232may define a polygonal shape in some embodiments). Additionally, although inner edges228and234are annular in the exemplary embodiment, inner edges228and234may be segmented and/or may be formed in any other suitable shape, and may define openings230and236with any other shape in other embodiments (e.g., inner edges228and234may have a polygonal shape in some embodiments, and/or may define respective openings230and236that are not the same shape in some embodiments). Moreover, first platform component214may include any suitable number of posts224that facilitates enabling first platform component214to function as described herein.

In the exemplary embodiment, second platform component216includes an upper plate238, a lower plate240, and a plurality of spaced-apart posts242that extend between plates238and240. Upper plate238has an outer edge244, an inner edge246, and a substantially planar upper surface247that extends therebetween, such that inner edge246circumscribes an upper opening248. Similarly, lower plate240includes an outer edge250and an inner edge252, such that inner edge252circumscribes a lower opening254that is approximately the same size as upper opening248. Although outer edges244and250are annular in the exemplary embodiment, outer edges244and250may have any other suitable shape in other embodiments (e.g., outer edges244and250may have a polygonal shape in some embodiments). Additionally, although inner edges246and252are annular in the exemplary embodiment, inner edges246and252may be segmented and/or may be formed in any other suitable shape, and may define openings248and254with any other shape in other embodiments (e.g., inner edges246and252may have a polygonal shape in some embodiments, and/or may define respective openings248and254that are not the same shape in some embodiments). Moreover, second platform component216may include any suitable number of posts242that facilitates enabling second platform component216to function as described herein.

In the exemplary embodiment, third platform component218includes an upper plate258, a lower plate260, and a post262that extend between plates258and260. Upper plate258has an outer edge264that extends around the periphery of a continuous and substantially planar upper surface266, and lower plate260has an outer edge268that extends around the periphery of a substantially planar lower surface270. Post262is generally centrally located between plates258and260such that third platform component218has a generally I-shaped cross-section. In other embodiments, upper surface266may not be continuous (e.g., upper surface266may have at least one aperture defined therein). Moreover, although third platform component218is generally I-shaped in the exemplary embodiment, third platform component218may have any other suitable shape in other embodiments (e.g., post262may not be generally centrally located between plates258and260, or third platform component218may include a plurality of spaced-apart posts262between plates258and260).

To assemble platform, second platform component216is nested within first platform component214by inserting second platform component216through upper opening230of first platform component214and into lower opening236of first platform component214. When fully nested, lower plates222and240are each substantially aligned, and upper plates220and238are each substantially aligned. Third platform component218is then nested within second platform component216by inserting third platform component218through upper opening248of second platform component216and into lower opening254of second platform component216. When third platform component218is fully nested, lower plates240and260are each substantially aligned, and upper plates238and258are each substantially aligned. Notably, upper surface229of first platform component214is substantially coplanar with upper surface247of second platform component216and with upper surface266of third platform component218. As such, upper surfaces229,247, and266are oriented to collectively define a substantially planar upper surface272of platform208within the bounds of outer edge226. In other embodiments, any suitable number of platform components213of various shapes and/or sizes may be oriented in any suitable modular arrangement relative to one another to collectively define upper surface272(e.g., platform components213may be positioned adjacent to one another, but may not be nested within one another, to define upper surface272).

FIGS.5and6are respective perspective and cross-sectional views of column212. In the exemplary embodiment, column212includes a plurality of modular column components273. More specifically, in the exemplary embodiment, components273include an upper component274and at least one base component276beneath upper component274. Upper component274has a generally tubular body278and a pair of handles280extending outward from body278. More specifically, body278has a lower surface282, an upper surface284, and a side surface286from which handles280extend. Lower and upper surfaces282and284, respectively, are each substantially planar, and are oriented substantially parallel to one another. Alternatively, lower surface282may be contoured or may be skewed relative to upper surface284(e.g., lower surface282may not be oriented substantially parallel to upper surface284). Moreover, although body278is generally cylindrical (e.g., surfaces282and284are substantially circular) in the exemplary embodiment, body278may have any other suitable shape in other embodiments (e.g., surfaces282and284may be square, rectangular, or triangular in other embodiments).

In the exemplary embodiment, column212includes a plurality of base components276. More specifically, in the exemplary embodiment, components276include a first base component288, a second base component290, a third base component292, and a fourth base component294. In the exemplary embodiment, base components276are the same size and shape as each other and, thus, their respective positions within column212are interchangeable. For example, in the exemplary embodiment, the relative positions of first base component288and fourth base component294could be switched, and/or the relative positions of second base component290and third base component292could be switched. More specifically, each base component276has a disc-shaped body296and a pair of handles297that extend outward from body296. Body296has an upper surface298, a lower surface299, and a side surface295from which handles297extend. Lower surface299includes a protruding central region293that is substantially the same size and shape, and/or is contoured similarly, as lower surface282of upper component274. Upper surface298is formed with a recessed central region291that is sized to receive (and thereby engage) lower surface282of upper component274and, therefore, lower surface299of each base component276in a mating relationship. Alternatively, base components276may be sized, shaped, and/or contoured in any suitable manner that facilitates enabling base components276to be interchangeably positioned beneath upper component274in the manner set forth herein. Moreover, although column212includes five components in the exemplary embodiment, column212may have any other number of components that facilitates enabling column212to function as described herein.

FIG.7is a rear elevational view of support member200as it is being used to install turbine assembly100(shown inFIG.1) (i.e., after turbine assembly100has already been lifted onto support system122using crane124during the installation of turbine assembly100at site110, as shown inFIG.1). In the exemplary embodiment, support member200functions as second support member128(shown inFIG.1) of support system122(also shown inFIG.1). When turbine assembly100is being lifted onto support system122using crane124, second base member116of base108(shown inFIG.1) needs to be accurately aligned with support member200along a plane300oriented substantially parallel to Y-axis204(shown inFIG.2) and Z-axis206(also shown inFIG.2). To facilitate such alignment, support member200is assembled on foundation120by a person (not shown) standing beneath turbine assembly100when turbine assembly100is suspended above support system122using crane124.

Because platform208is designed to support the weight of turbine assembly100, platform208may be fabricated from a metal material such that that the overall weight of platform208is difficult for one person (or multiple people) to lift by hand. However, because platform208is modular as described above, platform208is designed to be lifted and positioned on foundation120one component at a time, and without the assistance of power lifting equipment such as a crane (not shown). Platform208can thus be moved by hand into position beneath second base member116along plane300when turbine assembly100is suspended above support system122, such that platform components213(shown inFIG.4) are arranged in a nested manner and oriented as shown inFIG.3to collectively define upper surface272of platform208beneath second base member116. Optionally, to further facilitate handling platform components213, at least one platform component213(e.g., first platform component214) may have a plurality of sections215that can be individually lifted and seated in abutment with one another at respective joints217, as shown inFIG.4.

With turbine assembly100suspended above platform208using crane124such that platform208is aligned with second base member116along plane300, linear actuator210is then seated on upper surface272underneath second base member116. Notably, because it can be difficult for the operator of crane124to align second base member116over linear actuator210with accuracy, the person assembling support member200can manually move linear actuator210to any location on upper surface272by visually aligning linear actuator210with second base member116along plane300(e.g., linear actuator210can have an off-center location on upper surface272in some instances). In that regard, the modular nature of platform208facilitates manually increasing or decreasing the size of upper surface272as appropriate, which in turn facilitates increasing or decreasing the range for moving linear actuator210into alignment with second base member116. In other words, the modular nature of platform208facilitates making platform208large enough to permit moving linear actuator210to various locations on upper surface272in a manner that accommodates misalignment of second base member116by the operator of crane124, while still allowing the person assembling support member200to move platform208by hand.

After linear actuator210is positioned beneath second base member116, column212is positioned on linear actuator210to increase the height of support member200along X-axis202, thereby reducing the distance that turbine assembly100needs to be lowered in order for second base member116to contact support member200. Because column212is designed to support the weight of turbine assembly100, the overall weight of column212may make column212difficult for one person (or multiple people) to lift by hand. However, like platform208, column212has a modular design as described above, and therefore can be lifted into place one component at a time, without the assistance of power lifting equipment such as a crane (not shown). More specifically, base component(s)276of column212are first positioned on linear actuator210, and upper component274of column212is then positioned on base component(s)276.

If linear actuator210and column212subsequently need to be repositioned on upper surface272(e.g., if the operator of crane124moves turbine assembly100out of alignment), linear actuator210and column212can be repositioned on upper surface272as desired. For example, linear actuator210and column212can be repositioned together as a single unit (e.g., by sliding linear actuator210along upper surface272with column212seated on linear actuator210), or linear actuator210and column212can be repositioned individually as separate units (e.g., column212can be disassembled and removed from linear actuator210to lift or slide linear actuator210along upper surface272, and column212can then be reassembled on linear actuator210at the new position). Moreover, the number of base components276that are positioned beneath upper component274is selectable to suit a desired height of support member200along X-axis202(i.e., more base components276may be added/removed to increase/decrease the height of support member200as desired). For example, in one embodiment, column212may be assembled without any base components276(i.e., upper component274may be seated directly on linear actuator210). In other embodiments, column212may be assembled to have only one base component276, or column212may be assembled with more than four base components276. Alternatively, support member200may be assembled without column212(i.e., without upper component274and without base component(s)276) such that linear actuator210is positioned at the top of support member200for directly engaging turbine assembly100(e.g., base108), as set forth in more detail below.

After support member200is fully assembled in alignment beneath second base member116, turbine assembly100is then lowered toward support system122until second base member116contacts upper surface284of upper component274. With turbine assembly100resting on support member200in this manner, turbine assembly100(e.g., base108) can then be engaged from the front/rear along Z-axis206, from the side(s) along Y-axis204, and/or from underneath along X-axis202using a plurality of adjustable brackets (e.g., suitable fixators) (not shown), and support member200can then be disassembled, partly lowered (via linear actuator210), or otherwise removed from contacting second base member116.

With support member200no longer supporting turbine assembly100, the adjustable brackets are then operable to further maneuver turbine assembly100while it is elevated above frame118(shown inFIG.1), and then to seat turbine assembly100on frame118(e.g., by shifting turbine assembly100forward-and-rearward along Z-axis206and/or shifting turbine assembly100side-to-side along Y-axis204, and then lowering turbine assembly100onto frame118along X-axis202). Notably, by seating turbine assembly100on support system122(e.g., on support member200) before engaging turbine assembly100with the adjustable brackets, the adjustable brackets can be operated to engage turbine assembly100(e.g., base108) while turbine assembly100is at rest, as opposed to engaging turbine assembly100while turbine assembly100is suspended using crane124alone. Thus, support system122(e.g., support member200) facilitates reducing the risk of turbine assembly100being released by crane124onto the adjustable brackets with turbine assembly100misaligned relative to the adjustable brackets, thereby damaging the adjustable brackets beneath the weight of turbine assembly100. Such a scenario could cause significant delay in the installation process by necessitating removal of turbine assembly100, repair of the adjustable brackets, and/or repositioning of turbine assembly100.

The methods and systems described herein provide a support member for use when positioning heavy objects with accuracy and precision. For example, the methods and systems provide a support member for use in elevating a turbine assembly during installation. More specifically, the methods and systems provide a support member that can be assembled and repositioned beneath a turbine assembly, without having to lift the support member into position using power lifting equipment, such as a crane. Additionally, the methods and systems facilitate accurately positioning a turbine assembly on a support system using a crane, such that the turbine assembly can be engaged by adjustable brackets for further maneuvering of the turbine assembly and seating of the turbine assembly on its frame. Thus, the methods and systems facilitate installing a turbine assembly on its frame with less risk of damaging the adjustable brackets used to shift the turbine assembly into position relative to the frame. As such, the methods and systems facilitate reducing the time needed to install a turbine assembly by, for example, reducing the risk of delays that may otherwise occur when improperly positioning the turbine assembly on its adjustable brackets and/or its frame. The methods and systems therefore facilitate reducing the cost of installing a turbine assembly.

Exemplary embodiments of methods and systems are described above in detail. The methods and systems described herein are not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, but rather, steps of the methods and components of the systems may be utilized independently and separately from other method steps and system components described herein. For example, the methods and systems described herein may have other applications not limited to practice with turbine assemblies. Rather, the methods and systems described herein can be implemented and utilized in connection with various other industries.

While the invention has been described in terms of various specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the claims.