EP2546475A2

EP2546475A2 - Turbomachine enclosure canopy system

Info

Publication number: EP2546475A2
Application number: EP12176443A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Mustafa Gerengi
Original assignee: General Electric Co
Current assignee: General Electric Co
Priority date: 2011-07-15
Filing date: 2012-07-13
Publication date: 2013-01-16
Also published as: CN102877672A; US20130014793A1

Abstract

A portable retractable turbomachine enclosure canopy system 20 includes a first rail member 28 configured and disposed to be mounted to a first wall of the turbomachine enclosure, and a second rail member 29 configured and disposed to be mounted to a second wall of the turbomachine enclosure. A first fixed canopy support member 34 is mounted to the first rail member 28, and a second fixed canopy support member 35 is mounted to the second rail member 29. A first sliding canopy support member is seated on the first rail member 28, and a second sliding canopy support member is seated on the second rail member 29. An adjustable canopy support element is moveably secured between the first and second fixed canopy support members to form a fixed canopy support, and an adjustable canopy support member 48-56 is moveably secured between the first and second sliding canopy support members 48-56 to form a sliding canopy support.

Description

The subject matter disclosed herein relates generally to turbomachine enclosures and, more particularly, to a turbomachine enclosure canopy system.
Turbomachines are employed to power a wide range of machines. In many cases, turbomachines are employed to power generators that provide electrical power to a facility. Generally, the turbomachine and generator are arranged outside the facility in a separate enclosure. The enclosure is provided with an upper opening having a removable roof that facilitates repair and removal of the turbomachine.
When repair is necessary, the turbomachine is taken off line, disassembled, the removable roof is removed, and portions of the turbomachine are removed through the upper opening. In certain climates, it is not practical to leave the upper opening exposed to the environment. Rain, snow and other conditions may damage remaining portions of the turbomachine or lead to uncomfortable working conditions. Currently, once the portions of the turbomachine are removed, the roof is replaced or the upper opening is covered by a tarp. However, often times it is necessary to remove and or install additional portions of the turbomachine. Repeated removal and installation of the roof is impractical leading to increased repair time. Covering with a tarp also presents certain challenges. Often times, high winds will dislodge and completely remove the tarp or expose portions of turbomachine to weather such as rain, snow and the like.
According to one aspect of the exemplary embodiment; a turbomachine enclosure canopy system includes a first rail member configured and disposed to be mounted to a first wall of the turbomachine enclosure, and a second rail member configured and disposed to be mounted to a second wall of the turbomachine enclosure. A first fixed canopy support member is mounted to the first rail member, and a second fixed canopy support member is mounted to the second rail member. A first sliding canopy support member is seated on the first rail member, and a second sliding canopy support member is seated on the second rail member. An adjustable canopy support element is moveably secured between the first and second fixed canopy support members to form a fixed canopy support, and an adjustable canopy support member is moveably secured between the first and second sliding canopy support members to form a sliding canopy support.
According to another aspect of the exemplary embodiment, a turbomachine enclosure includes a first side wall, a second side wall, a third side wall joining the first and second side walls at a first end, and a fourth side wall joining the first and second side walls at a second end to establish a turbomachine portion having an upper opening. A turbomachine is arranged within the turbomachine portion, and a turbomachine enclosure canopy is positioned across the upper opening. The turbomachine enclosure canopy system includes a first rail member mounted to the first wall, and a second rail member mounted to the second wall. A first fixed canopy support member is mounted to the first rail member, and a second fixed canopy support member is mounted to the second rail member. A first sliding canopy support member is seated on the first rail member, and a second sliding canopy support member is seated on the second rail member. An adjustable canopy support element is moveably secured between the first and second fixed canopy support members to form a fixed canopy support, and an adjustable canopy support member is moveably secured between the first and second sliding canopy support members to form a sliding canopy support.
Various advantages and features will become more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings.
The subject matter, which is regarded as the invention, is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of a turbomachine enclosure including a turbomachine enclosure canopy system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;
FIG. 2 is a partial elevational view of the turbomachine enclosure of FIG. 1 illustrating the turbomachine enclosure canopy system shown without a canopy;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the turbomachine enclosure canopy system of FIG. 2 illustrating a drive system utilized to extend the turbomachine enclosure canopy system across a turbomachine enclosure;
FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of the turbomachine enclosure canopy system of FIG. 3 illustrating a fixed canopy support member and a sliding canopy support member;
FIG. 5 is a detail view of a roller assembly for the sliding canopy member of FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a plan view of first and second adjustable canopy support members shown secured to the sliding canopy support member of FIG. 4;
FIG. 7 depicts an adjustment member of the first adjustable canopy support member of FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 depicts an adjustment element of the second adjustable canopy support member of FIG. 6;
FIG. 9 depicts an adjustable support bar provided to support a drive system of the turbomachine enclosure canopy system of FIG. 3;
FIG. 10 depicts a first driving member of the drive system of FIG. 3;
FIG. 11 depicts a second driving member of the drive system of FIG. 3;
FIG. 12 depicts a first driven member of the drive system of FIG. 3; and
FIG. 13 depicts a second driven member of the drive system of FIG. 3.

The detailed description explains embodiments of the invention, together with advantages and features, by way of example with reference to the drawings.
With reference to FIGS. 1-3 a turbomachine enclosure is indicated generally at 2. Turbomachine enclosure 2 includes first and second opposing side walls 4 and 5 that are joined by third and fourth opposing side walls 6 and 7to form a turbomachine portion 9 having an upper opening 11. First and second side opposing side walls 4 and 5 include corresponding first and second support rails at upper opening 11. Upper opening 11 provides access to turbomachine portion 9 to allow for installation and removal of a turbomachine such as indicated at 16. Turbomachine enclosure 2 is shown to include a portable, retractable turbomachine enclosure canopy system 20 that supports a canopy 24 across upper opening 11. Turbomachine enclosure canopy system 20 is installed across upper opening 11 during maintenance operations that require installation and removal of turbomachine components, or a complete turbomachine, through upper opening 11. During normal operation, turbomachine enclosure 2 includes a fixed cover (not shown) that extends across upper opening 11.
Turbomachine enclosure canopy system 20 includes a first rail member 28 secured to first support member 13 and a second rail member 29 secured to second support member 14. First and second rail members 28 and 29 are secured to first and second support members 13 and 14 with temporary clamps such as shown at 30 in FIG. 4. Turbomachine enclosure canopy system 20 includes a fixed canopy support 32 having a first fixed canopy support member 34 connected to a second fixed canopy support member 35 through an adjustable canopy support element 37. Adjustable canopy support element 37 provides adjustment to allow fixed canopy support 32 to be fitted to turbomachine enclosures of various sizes. First fixed canopy support member 35 includes a wall support 39 that is fixedly mounted to first rail member 28. Second fixed canopy support member 35 includes a wall support 40 that is fixedly mounted to second rail member 29. First and second fixed canopy support members 34 and 35 also include a plurality of canopy supports 42 and 43, and 44-46 respectively that position canopy 24 across upper opening 11.
Turbomachine enclosure canopy system 20 also includes a plurality of sliding canopy supports 48-56 that are adjustably coupled to fixed canopy support 32 by an extensible hinge member 57. As each sliding canopy support 48-56 includes similar structure, a description will follow referencing sliding canopy support 48 with an understanding that the remaining canopy supports 49-56 are similarly formed. It should be understood however, the sliding canopy support 56 is also provided with a plurality of canopy supports 60-63 that support canopy 24 across upper opening 11. Sliding canopy support 48 includes a first sliding canopy support member 70 operatively coupled to a second canopy support member 71 through first and second adjustable canopy support members 80 and 81. At this point reference will be made to FIGS. 4-6 in describing second sliding canopy support member 71 with an understanding that first sliding canopy support member 70 is similarly formed.
Second sliding canopy support member 71 includes a canopy support bar 86 and a spreader bar 88. Canopy support bar 86 includes a first end 91 that extends to a second end 92 through an intermediate portion 93. First end 91 is linked to a canopy support 94 having a tie down element 95 that provides an anchor point for canopy 24. In a manner similar to that described above, canopy support 94 positions canopy 24 across a portion of upper opening 11. Spreader bar 88 includes a first end section 98 that extends to a second end section 99 through an intermediate section 100. First end section 98 is secured at first end 91 of canopy support bar 86. A stiffener 103 extends between canopy support bar 86 and spreader bar 88 connecting intermediate portion 93 with intermediate section 100.
In further accordance with the exemplary embodiment, first and second sliding canopy support members 70, 71 include first and second sliding wall supports 106 and 107 respectively. As each sliding wall support 106, 107 includes similar structure, a description will follow with reference to sliding wall support 107 with an understanding that sliding wall support 106 is similarly formed. As best shown in FIG. 5, sliding wall support 107 includes a support member 120 having a first end portion 123 (FIG. 4) and a second end portion 124. First end portion 123 is coupled to second sliding canopy support member 71 at first end 91 of canopy support bar 86 and first end section 98 of spreader bar 88. Sliding wall support 107 includes a roller assembly 130 arranged at second end portion 124. Roller assembly 130 includes a first roller 133 that rests upon an upper surface (not separately labeled) of second rail member 29 and a second roller 135 that is positioned at a lower surface (also not separately labeled) of second rail member 29. Second roller 135 is mounted to a support plate 137 that is coupled at second end portion 124 of support member 120. With this arrangement, roller assembly 130 facilitates transitioning sliding canopy support 48 along second rail member 29.
As best shown in FIG. 6, canopy support bar 95 is adjustably connected to first adjustable canopy support member 80 through an adjustment member 147 and spreader bar 88 is adjustable coupled to second adjustable canopy support member 81 through an adjustment element 150. First adjustable canopy support member 80 is also shown to include a coupler 151 and second adjustable canopy support member 81 includes a couple 152 that serve to connect first sliding canopy support member 70 to second sliding canopy support member 71. As best shown in FIG. 7, second end 92 of canopy support bar 86 includes a interior portion 154 that slidingly receives an end portion (not separately labeled) of first adjustable canopy support member 80. With this arrangement, adjustment member 147 takes the form of a clamp member 159. Clamp member 159 includes a U-shaped bolt having first and second bolt ends 162 and 163. A plate 165 is mounted across first and second bolt ends 162 and 163 and tightened onto second end 92 with a pair of fasteners 167 and 168 to prevent relative movement once first adjustable canopy support member 80 is in a desired position. As shown in FIG. 8. Adjustment element 150 includes a collar 173 provided on second end section 99 of spreader bar 88. Collar 173 includes a flange 175 that slidingly receives an end portion (not separately labeled) of second adjustable canopy support member 81. A compression member 180 is selectively biased against the end portion of second adjustable canopy support member 81 to provide any desired adjustment.
In still further accordance with the exemplary embodiment, turbomachine enclosure canopy system 20 includes a drive system 190 (FIG. 4) that shifts the sliding canopy supports along first and second rail members 28 and 29. Drive system 190 is mounted to an adjustable support bar 194 that extends between first and second rail members 28 and 29. As shown in FIG. 9, adjustable support bar 194 includes first and second bar members 197 and 198 that are selectively extensible depending upon a width of turbomachine enclosure 2. More specifically, adjustment support bar 194 includes first and second adjustment sections 197 and 198 that are configured to slide one relative to the other. Adjustment section 198 includes a pair of slots 203 and 204 that are configured to receive fasteners 206 and 207 respectively. Fasteners 206 and 207 are tightened to prevent further relative movement of first and second adjustment sections 197 and 198 when adjustable support bar 194 is in place. The particular type of fasters 206 and 207 can vary.
Drive system 190 includes a gear system 211 having a crank handle 212. Gear system 211 is operatively connected to a first driving member 213 (FIG. 10) and a second driving member 214 (FIG. 11). First driving member 213 includes a first end 218 (FIG. 4) that extends to a second end 219 that is supported at a first end (not separately labeled) of first rail member 28. First end 218 is connected to gear system 211 and second end 219 includes a pulley that is rotated by first driven member 213. Similarly, second driven member 214 has a first end 227 (FIG. 4) that extends to a second end 228 supported to a first end (not separately labeled) of second rail member 29. First end 227of second driven member 214 is coupled to gear system 211 and second end 228 of second driven member 214 is provided with a pulley 229.
As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, drive system 190 also includes a first idler bar 237 mounted to a second, opposing end (not separately labeled) of first rail member 28. Idler bar 237 includes a pulley 238. Similarly, a second idler bar 239 is mounted at a second, opposing end (also not separately labeled) of second rail member 29. Second idler bar 29 includes a pulley 240. A first cable 242 extends about pulleys 221 and 238 and a second cable 246 extends about pulleys 229 and 240. A first driven member 248 is connected between cable 242 and a sliding canopy support 56 and a second driven member 250 is connected between cable 246 and sliding canopy support 56. With this arrangement, rotation of crank handle 212 operated gear system 211 causing cables 242 and 246 to shift the plurality of sliding canopy supports 48-56 along first and second rail members 28 and 29 to a desired position such that canopy 24 covers upper opening 11.
At this point it should be understood that turbomachine enclosure canopy system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment provides a simple, cost effective and easily transportable cover that can be readily deployed across an upper opening of a turbomachine enclosure during maintenance periods. In this manner, service personnel can easily extend the turbomachine enclosure canopy system to cover the upper opening while working and retract the canopy when it is necessary to install and/or remove components through the upper opening.
While the invention has been described in detail in connection with only a limited number of embodiments, it should be readily understood that the invention is not limited to such disclosed embodiments. Rather, the invention can be modified to incorporate any number of variations, alterations, substitutions or equivalent arrangements not heretofore described, but which are commensurate with the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, while various embodiments of the invention have been described, it is to be understood that aspects of the invention may include only some of the described embodiments. Accordingly, the invention is not to be seen as limited by the foregoing description, but is only limited by the scope of the appended claims.
Various aspects and embodiments of the present invention are defined by the following numbered clauses:

1. A turbomachine enclosure canopy system comprising:
- a first rail member configured and disposed to be mounted to a first wall of a turbomachine enclosure, and a second rail member configured and disposed to be mounted to a second wall of the turbomachine enclosure;
- a first fixed canopy support member mounted to the first rail member, and a second fixed canopy support member mounted to the second rail member;
- a first sliding canopy support member seated on the first rail member, and a second sliding canopy support member seated on the second rail member; and
- an adjustable canopy support element moveably secured between the first and second fixed canopy support members to form a fixed canopy support, and an adjustable canopy support member moveably secured between the first and second sliding canopy support members to form a sliding canopy support.
2. The turbomachine enclosure canopy system according to clause 1, further comprising: a canopy extending between the fixed canopy support and the sliding canopy support.
3. The turbomachine enclosure canopy system according to any preceding clause, further comprising: a drive system coupled to the sliding canopy support, the drive system being configured and disposed to selectively shift the sliding canopy support relative to the fixed canopy support.
4. The turbomachine enclosure canopy system according to any preceding clause, wherein the drive system includes a driving member extending to one of the first and second rail members, and a driven member attached to one of the first and second sliding canopy support members.
5. The turbomachine enclosure canopy system according to any preceding clause, wherein the driven member includes a first driven member attached to the first sliding canopy support member and a second driven member attached to the second sliding canopy support member.
6. The turbomachine enclosure canopy system according to any preceding clause, further comprising: a sliding wall support operatively coupled to one of the first sliding canopy support member and the second sliding canopy support member.
7. The turbomachine enclosure canopy system according to any preceding clause, further comprising: a roller assembly operatively connected to the sliding wall support, the roller assembly including at least one roller
8. The turbomachine enclosure canopy system according to any preceding clause, wherein the at least one roller includes a first roller and a second roller.
9. The turbomachine enclosure canopy system according to any preceding clause, wherein the first roller is configured and disposed to ride along a first surface of one of the first and second rail members and the second roller is configured and disposed to ride along a second, opposing surface of the one of the first and second rail members.
10. The turbomachine enclosure canopy system according to any preceding clause, further comprising: a hinge member extending between the fixed canopy support member and the sliding canopy support.
11. A turbomachine enclosure comprising:
- a first side wall, a second side wall, a third side wall joining the first and second side walls at a first end and a fourth side wall joining the first and second side walls at a second end to establish a turbomachine portion having an opening;
- a turbomachine arranged within the turbomachine portion; and
- a turbomachine enclosure canopy system positioned across the opening, the turbomachine enclosure canopy system including:
  - a first rail member mounted to the first wall, and a second rail member mounted to the second wall;
  - a first fixed canopy support member mounted to the first rail member, and a second fixed canopy support member mounted to the second rail member;
  - a first sliding canopy support member seated on the first rail member, and a second sliding canopy support member seated on the second rail member; and
  - an adjustable canopy support element moveably secured between the first and second fixed canopy support members to form a fixed canopy support, and an adjustable canopy support member moveably secured between the first and second sliding canopy support members to form a sliding canopy support.
12. The turbomachine enclosure according to any preceding clause, further comprising: a canopy extending between the fixed canopy support and the sliding canopy support.
13. The turbomachine enclosure according to any preceding clause, further comprising: a drive system coupled to the turbomachine enclosure canopy system, the drive system being configured and disposed to selectively shift the sliding canopy support relative to the fixed canopy support.
14. The turbomachine enclosure according to any preceding clause, wherein the drive system includes a driving member extending between the first and second rail members, and a driven member attached to one of the first and second sliding canopy support members.
15. The turbomachine enclosure according to any preceding clause, wherein the driven member includes a first driven member attached to the first sliding canopy support member and a second driven member attached to the second sliding canopy support member.
16. The turbomachine enclosure according to any preceding clause, further comprising: a sliding wall support operatively coupled to one of the first sliding canopy support member and the second sliding canopy support member.
17. The turbomachine enclosure according to any preceding clause, further comprising: a roller assembly operatively connected to sliding wall support, the roller assembly including at least one roller
18. The turbomachine enclosure according to any preceding clause, wherein the at least one roller includes a first roller and a second roller.
19. The turbomachine enclosure according to any preceding clause, wherein the first roller is configured and disposed to ride along a first surface of one of the first and second rail members and the second roller is configured and disposed to ride along a second, opposing surface of the one of the first and second rail members.
20. The turbomachine enclosure according to any preceding clause, further comprising: a hinge member extending between the fixed canopy support member and the first sliding canopy support member.

Claims

A turbomachine enclosure canopy system (20) comprising:
a first rail member (28) configured and disposed to be mounted to a first wall of a turbomachine enclosure, and a second rail member (29) configured and disposed to be mounted to a second wall of the turbomachine enclosure;

a first fixed canopy support member (34) mounted to the first rail member (28), and a second fixed canopy support member (35) mounted to the second rail member (29);

a first sliding canopy support member seated on the first rail member (28), and a second sliding canopy support member seated on the second rail member (29); and

an adjustable canopy support element moveably secured between the first and second fixed canopy support members to form a fixed canopy support, and an adjustable canopy support member (48) moveably secured between the first and second sliding canopy support members (34, 35) to form a sliding canopy support.
The turbomachine enclosure canopy system (20) according to claim 1, further comprising: a canopy extending between the fixed canopy support (34) and the sliding canopy support.
The turbomachine enclosure canopy system (20) according to any preceding claim, further comprising: a drive system (190) coupled to the sliding canopy support, the drive system being configured and disposed to selectively shift the sliding canopy support relative to the fixed canopy support.
The turbomachine enclosure canopy system (20) according to claim 3, wherein the drive system (190) includes a driving member extending to one of the first and second rail members, and a driven member attached to one of the first and second sliding canopy support members.
The turbomachine enclosure canopy system (20) according to any preceding claim, wherein the driven member includes a first driven member attached to the first sliding canopy support member and a second driven member attached to the second sliding canopy support member.
The turbomachine enclosure canopy system (20) according to any preceding claim, further comprising: a sliding wall support operatively coupled to one of the first sliding canopy support member and the second sliding canopy support member.
The turbomachine enclosure canopy system (20) according to claim 6, further comprising: a roller assembly operatively connected to the sliding wall support, the roller assembly including at least one roller.
The turbomachine enclosure canopy system (20) according to claim 7, wherein the at least one roller includes a first roller and a second roller.
The turbomachine enclosure canopy system (20) according to claim 8, wherein the first roller is configured and disposed to ride along a first surface of one of the first and second rail members and the second roller is configured and disposed to ride along a second, opposing surface of the one of the first and second rail members.
The turbomachine enclosure canopy system (20) according to any preceding claim, further comprising: a hinge member extending between the fixed canopy support system and the sliding canopy support.
A turbomachine enclosure (20) comprising:
a first side wall, a second side wall, a third side wall joining the first and second side walls at a first end and a fourth side wall joining the first and second side walls at a second end to establish a turbomachine portion having an opening;

a turbomachine arranged within the turbomachine portion; and

a turbomachine enclosure canopy system positioned across the opening, the turbomachine enclosure canopy system including:
a first rail member (28) mounted to the first wall, and a second rail member (29) mounted to the second wall;

a first fixed canopy support member mounted to the first rail member, and a second fixed canopy support member mounted to the second rail member;

a first sliding canopy support member seated on the first rail member, and a second sliding canopy support member seated on the second rail member; and

an adjustable canopy support element moveably secured between the first and second fixed canopy support members to form a fixed canopy support, and an adjustable canopy support member moveably secured between the first and second sliding canopy support members to form a sliding canopy support.
The turbomachine enclosure (20) according to claim 11, further comprising: a canopy extending between the fixed canopy support and the sliding canopy support.
The turbomachine enclosure (20) according to claim 11 or claim 12, further comprising: a drive system (190) coupled to the retractable canopy support system, the drive system being configured and disposed to selectively shift the sliding canopy support relative to the fixed canopy support.
The turbomachine enclosure (20) according to claim 13, wherein the drive system includes a driving member extending between the first and second rail members, and a driven member attached to one of the first and second sliding canopy support members.
The turbomachine enclosure (20) according to claim 14, wherein the driven member includes a first driven member attached to the first sliding canopy support member and a second driven member attached to the second sliding canopy support member.