Turbo machine service apparatus

• US 8,956,100 B2
• Filed: 05/03/2012
• Issued: 02/17/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/2012
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Davi, Michael Alan, Fernandez, Paul Robert, Herbold, John William, Hynous, Andrew Thomas, O'Meara, Sean
• Primary Examiner(s): Crawford, Gene
• Assistant Examiner(s): Randazzo, Thomas
• Application Number:
  US13/463,044
• Publication Number:
  US 20130292229A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,020 Days
• Field of Search: 198/465.1, 410/44, 410/45, 414/334, 414/387, 414/402
• US Class Current: 414/334
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 1/02 with parallel up-and-down movement of load supporting or containing element in combination with tipping B60P1/34; devices for lifting or lowering bulky or heavy goods for loading or unloading purposes, movable on wheels or the like, e.g. fork-lift trucks, B66F9/06 ; suspensions with electronic levelling control during loading or unloading B60G17/0157
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 3/14 the object being a workshop for servicing, for maintenance, or for carrying workmen during work lifting devices for movable platforms or cabins for workmen B66F11/04

Abstract

Solutions for minimizing the impact of servicing a turbo machine are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus for conveying a turbo machine component can include: a motive system for moving the apparatus along a surface; a platform system operably connected to the motive system, the platform system for supporting the component of the turbo machine, the platform system can include: a first portion fixed to the motive system; and a second portion moveably coupled to the first portion, the second portion for modifying a position of the turbo machine component; and a control system operably connected to the platform system, the control system for controlling at least one of a rate of movement or a direction of the second portion of the platform system.

Claims

1. An apparatus for conveying a turbo machine component, the apparatus comprising:

a motive system for moving the apparatus along a surface;

a platform system operably connected to the motive system, the platform system oriented substantially parallel to the surface for supporting the turbo machine component and including;

a first portion coupled to the motive system,

wherein the first portion includes a front platform and a rear platform that is substantially parallel to the front platform; and

a second portion substantially parallel to and moveably coupled to the first portion,

wherein the second portion is located between the front platform and the rear platform,

the second portion configured to move relative to the first portion in either of a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the surface or a direction that is substantially perpendicular to a direction of travel of the apparatus along the surface,

wherein the second portion is configured to move relative to the first portion in only one of either the direction that is substantially perpendicular to the surface or the direction that is substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel at a time,

wherein the second portion is further configured such that it can be positioned above the first portion to increase the distance between the second portion and the surface,

wherein the second portion is further configured such that it can be positioned flush with the surface to facilitate the loading of the turbo machine component on to the platform system,

the second portion for modifying a position of the turbo machine component;

at least one fastener coupled to the platform system for fastening the turbo machine component to the platform system,

wherein the at least one fastener includes a turbo machine rotor stand for holding a turbo machine rotor in place;

a lifting device operably coupled to the platform system for modifying the position of the turbo machine component;

a guard system removably coupled to the platform system,

wherein the guard system is convertible into one of a plurality of positions including a removed position, a retracted position, and an expanded position, wherein the guard system is detached from the platform system when in the removed position, encloses the apparatus when in the retracted position, and encloses an area larger than the apparatus and a human operator when in the expanded position, and wherein a composition of the guard system blocks pollutants from entering an area enclosed within the guard system; and

a control system operably connected to the platform system, the control system for controlling at least one of the lifting device, the plurality of positions of the guard system, a rate of movement or a direction of the second portion of the platform system.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

an adjustment system engagably coupled to the platform system and operably connected to the control system, the adjustment system for modifying the position of the turbo machine component by moving the second portion of the platform system with respect to the first portion of the platform system.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one service device operably connected to the platform system, the at least one service device designed to operate on the turbo machine component, wherein the at least one service device includes one of a scope, a borescope, an ultrasonic instrument, or an optical measuring device; and

a power system operably coupled to the at least one service device, the power system for powering the at least one service device, wherein the power system includes at least one of a hydraulic power source, a pneumatic power source, or an electrical power source.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the motive system includes at least one of a track system or a set of wheels.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the guard system in the expanded position creates a protective enclosure for the apparatus and provides external environmental protection for the apparatus and the human operator.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a stabilization unit for stabilizing the platform system.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a storage unit coupled to the platform system, the storage unit having at least one of a hook or a hanger for storing at least one part of the turbo machine component.

8. A system for conveying a turbo machine component, the system comprising:

a propulsion system for moving the system along a surface; and

a mobile base system removably coupled to the propulsion system, the mobile base system including;

a platform system for supporting the turbo machine component, the platform system oriented substantially parallel to the surface and including;

a first portion having an attachment device for coupling to the propulsion system,

wherein the first portion includes a front platform and a rear platform that is substantially parallel to the front platform;

a second portion substantially parallel to and moveably coupled to the first portion,

wherein the second portion is located in between the front platform and the rear platform, the second portion configured to move relative to the first portion in either of a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the surface or a direction that is substantially perpendicular to a direction of travel of the system along the surface,

wherein the second portion is further configured such that it can be positioned flush with the surface to facilitate the loading of the turbo machine component on to the platform system,

wherein the second portion is further configured such that it can be positioned above the first portion to increase the distance between the second portion and the surface,

wherein the second portion is configured to move relative to the first portion in only one of either a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the surface or a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel at a time;

at least one fastener coupled to the platform system for fastening the turbo machine component to the platform system,

wherein the at least one fastener includes a turbomachine rotor stand for holding a turbomachine rotor in place;

a lifting device operably coupled to the platform system for moving the position of the turbo machine component;

a guard system removably coupled to the platform system,

wherein the guard system is convertible into one of a plurality of positions including a removed position, a retracted position, and an expanded position, wherein the guard system is detached from the platform system when in the removed position, encloses the apparatus when in the retracted position, and encloses an area larger than the system and a human operator when in the expanded position, and wherein a composition of the guard system blocks pollutants from entering an area enclosed within the guard system; and

a control system operably connected to the platform system, the control system for controlling at least one of the lifting device, the plurality of positions of the guard system, a rate of movement or a direction of the second portion of the platform system.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the mobile base system further comprises:

an adjustment system engagably coupled to the platform system, the adjustment system for modifying the position of the turbo machine component by moving the second portion of the platform system with respect to the first portion of the platform system.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the mobile base system further comprises a motive system having at least one of a track system or a set of wheels.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the mobile base system further comprises:

at least one service device operably connected to the mobile base system for servicing the turbo machine component, wherein the at least one service device includes one of a grit blaster, a grinder, or a welder; and

a power system coupled to the platform system, the power system for powering the at least one service device.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein the mobile base system further comprises:

a rotating tool storage unit coupled to the platform system having at least one attachment for storing at least one sub-component from the turbo machine component, and wherein the propulsion system includes at least one of a tug, a forklift or a truck.

13. The system of claim 8, wherein the guard system in the expanded position creates a protective enclosure for the apparatus and provides external environmental protection for the apparatus and the human operator.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the guard system in the expanded position creates a protective enclosure for the apparatus and provides external environmental protection for the apparatus and the human operator.

14. An apparatus for conveying a turbo machine component, the apparatus comprising:

a motive system for moving the apparatus along a surface;

a platform system operably connected to the motive system, the platform system oriented substantially parallel to the surface for supporting the turbo machine component and including;

a first portion coupled to the motive system,

wherein the first portion includes a front platform and a rear platform that is substantially parallel to the front platform;

a second portion substantially parallel to and moveably coupled to the first portion,

wherein the second portion is located in between the front platform and the rear platform, the second portion configured to move relative to the first portion in either of a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the surface or a direction that is substantially perpendicular to a direction of travel of the apparatus along the surface,

wherein the second portion is configured to move relative to the first portion in only one of either the direction that is substantially perpendicular to the surface or the direction that is substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel at a time,

the second portion further configured such that it can be positioned flush with the surface or positioned above the first portion to increase the distance between the second portion and the surface; and

at least one fastener coupled to the platform system for fastening the turbo machine component to the platform system,

wherein the at least one fastener includes a turbomachine rotor stand for holding a turbomachine rotor in place;

a guard system removably coupled to the platform system, wherein the guard system is convertible into one of a plurality of positions including a removed position, a retracted position, and an expanded position, wherein the guard system is detached from the platform system when in the removed position, encloses the apparatus when in the retracted position, and encloses an area larger than the apparatus and a human operator when in the expanded position, and wherein a composition of the guard system blocks pollutants from entering an area enclosed within the guard system;

a rotating tool storage unit coupled to the platform system having at least one of a hook or a hanger, for storing at least one sub-component from the turbo machine component; and

a control system operably connected to the platform system, the control system for controlling at least one of the plurality of positions of the guard system, a rate of movement of the platform system, or a direction of the second portion of the platform system.