EP3332097B1

EP3332097B1 - Turbine system structure alignment assembly

Info

Publication number: EP3332097B1
Application number: EP15759959.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Adrian Adam KLEJC; Thomas Michael MERLAU; Kenneth Damon Black; Stuart Craig Hanson; Sean Cornelius O'meara
Original assignee: General Electric Co
Current assignee: General Electric Co
Priority date: 2015-08-06
Filing date: 2015-08-06
Publication date: 2020-01-29
Anticipated expiration: 2035-08-06
Also published as: WO2017023181A1; EP3332097A1

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The subject matter disclosed herein relates to turbine systems and, more particularly, to an alignment assembly for turbine system structures, as well as a method of aligning turbine system structures.
A turbine, such as an industrial gas turbine engine, is supported by a base or foundation that often includes beams that the turbine rests on. Typically, one or more axial beams extending along a longitudinal direction of the turbine are included. The turbine requires alignment while disposed on the base and the alignment assemblies and methods are designed based on the presence of axial beams and cross beams. For a variety of reasons, the axial beam(s) may be removed from certain base assemblies, such as those that support large gas turbine engines where external equipment limits the available space for such beams. Bases that do not include axial beams impose challenges associated with alignment of the turbine. This is due to the introduction of twisting issues when the forward or aft end of the turbine is moved independently. Space for tooling that is required to perform alignment operations is limited, particularly in areas where leg supports at the forward and/or aft end of the turbine are present. An example is shown in the patent application US-2010/218508 .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention, an alignment assembly includes a base and a support leg extending from the base, the leg configured to support a portion of a turbine system structure. Also included is a first support leg portion disposed on a surface of the base and coupleable thereto. Further included is a second support leg portion angularly oriented relative to the first support leg portion and coupleable to the turbine system structure. Yet further included is a jack assembly moveable on the surface of the base and configured to vertically and laterally adjust the turbine. The alignment further comprises at least one low friction plate disposed on the surface of the base to provide slideable adjustment of the jack assembly.
According to another aspect of the invention, an alignment assembly includes a base and a support leg extending from the base, the support leg configured to support a portion of a turbine system structure. Also included is a jack assembly disposed in a recess defined by the support leg in a repeatedly removable manner, the jack assembly configured to engage the portion of the turbine for vertical and lateral adjustment thereof.
According to yet another aspect of the invention, a method of aligning a turbine is provided. The method includes placing a portion of the turbine on at least one support leg extending from a base. The method also includes coupling the turbine to the at least one support leg. The method further includes disposing a jack assembly on the base. The method yet further includes laterally sliding the jack assembly to a position proximate the turbine with at least one low friction plate. The method also includes vertically adjusting the turbine with the jack assembly. The method further includes laterally adjusting the turbine with the jack assembly.
These and other advantages and features will become more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF 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 side view of an alignment assembly according to a first embodiment of the invention, the turbine alignment assembly in a first operating condition;
FIG. 2 is a side view of the alignment assembly according to the embodiment of FIG. 1, the alignment assembly in a second operating condition; and
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the alignment assembly according to a second embodiment of the invention.

The detailed description explains embodiments of the invention, together with advantages and features, by way of example with reference to the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a portion of a turbine, such as a gas turbine engine 10, is shown in a supported condition. Although reference is made to a gas turbine engine, it is to be understood that any type of turbomachine, such as a steam turbine, for example, may benefit from the embodiments described herein. Additionally, a generator may similarly benefit from the embodiments described herein. For purposes of discussion herein, a gas turbine engine will be referenced throughout. The portion of the gas turbine engine 10 is an end portion of the turbine and the embodiments described herein are applicable to both the forward end region and the aft end region of the gas turbine engine 10.
The gas turbine engine is supported by a alignment assembly 12 that forms a portion of a foundation that is secured to the ground. As will be appreciated from the description herein, the alignment assembly 12 is configured to support and adjust the position of the gas turbine engine 10 in a reliable and convenient manner.
The alignment assembly 12 includes a base 14 that is part of a larger overall foundation that generally supports the entire gas turbine engine 10. The base may be formed of any geometry and extends vertically from a ground surface. The base includes a surface 16 that is suited to allow an operator to comfortably perform alignment operations at a suitable height. In one embodiment, the surface 16 is located at approximately a height that corresponds to an average human's waist. A support leg 18 is disposed on the surface 16 and extends therefrom. In one embodiment, the support leg 18 is disposed directly on the surface 16, such that direct contact is made between the support leg 18 and the surface 16. In another embodiment, one or more intervening components may be disposed between the support leg 18 and the surface 16, thereby disposing the support leg 18 in indirect contact with the surface 16.
The support leg 18 includes a first support leg portion 20 and a second support leg portion 22. The first support leg portion 20 is disposed on the surface 16 of the base 14 in the direct or indirect manner described above. The first support leg portion 20 is configured to be coupled to the base 14 in any suitable manner. In the illustrated example, one or more mechanical fasteners 21 are employed to couple the support leg 18 to the base 14. The second support leg portion 22 is oriented at an angle to the first support leg portion 20 and is configured to at least partially support the end region of the gas turbine engine 10 in a coupled or uncoupled manner. In the illustrated embodiment, the support leg 18 comprises a substantially L-shaped geometric orientation based on a relative angle of about 90 degrees between the first support leg portion 20 and the second support leg portion 22. As one can clearly appreciate, embodiments that deviate from the illustrated relatively perpendicular alignment may be employed. It is further contemplated that a single leg portion is provided.
As illustrated in FIG. 1, a jack assembly 24 is provided to vertically adjust the end region of the gas turbine engine 10. The jack assembly 24 rests on the surface 16 of the base 14, however, it is to be appreciated that the jack assembly 24 may rest on another component that is disposed on the surface 16 of the base 14. The jack assembly 24 is moveable on the surface 16 to facilitate convenient maneuvering of the jack assembly 24 to obtain desired position relative to the end region of the gas turbine engine 10. To enhance the ability to move the jack assembly 24, one or more low friction plates 26 are disposed between the jack assembly 24 and the base 14. This allows the jack assembly 24 to be adjusted by simply sliding the jack assembly. Once the jack assembly 24 is properly positioned and has vertically adjusted the end region of the gas turbine engine 10, the support leg 18 is vertically adjusted by removing or inserting one or more shims 28 between the first support leg portion 20 and the surface 16 of the base 14. Prior to setting the final vertical position of the gas turbine engine 10, the jack assembly 24, while supporting the gas turbine engine 10, is conveniently slid in a non-vertical manner via the low friction plate(s) 26. This allows the end region of the gas turbine engine to be adjusted in a horizontal plane to align the end region in a desirable orientation in all three axes. Lateral motion with the jack assembly 24 may be imparted by any suitable motion inducing assembly or system that is an external or internal assembly or system. This can be done by different mechanisms such as electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic, mechanical and electrical, for example. Suitable motion depends on requirements and needs of operation as well as from availability. Once the support leg 18 and the end region of the gas turbine engine 10 are in the desired positions, the jack assembly 24 may be removed.
Referring to FIG. 2, in addition to the vertical adjustment of the support leg 18 and the gas turbine engine 10, lateral adjustment of the support leg 18 and the gas turbine engine 10 is permitted by the alignment assembly 12, as discussed above. In addition to, or as an alternative to, the lateral adjustment with the jack assembly 24, the support leg 18 is moveable relative to the base 14 for lateral adjustment that includes axial adjustment, transverse adjustment and combinations thereof. The support leg 18 is coupled to the base 14 in a manner that allows a degree of lateral adjustment of the support leg 18, thereby allowing lateral adjustment of the gas turbine engine 10. Once in the desired lateral position, a final coupling of the support leg 18 to the base 14 is performed. In one embodiment, this includes positioning a brace 30 in abutment with the support leg 18 and coupling the brace 30 to both the support leg 18 and the base 14 with mechanical fasteners 31 or the like, as shown in the illustrated embodiment.
Although a single support leg 18 is described herein, it is to be appreciated that a plurality of support legs may be included in any of the embodiments described herein to provide support at multiple locations of the gas turbine engine 10.
Referring to FIG. 3, an alternative embodiment of the turbine alignment assembly is illustrated and referred to with numeral 40. The turbine alignment assembly 40 includes a base 42 and a support leg 44 extending therefrom in a coupled manner. As with the embodiments described above, the support leg 44 is configured to support a portion of the turbine, such as the forward end region or the aft end region. However, it is to be appreciated that the alignment assembly 40 may be positioned in alternative locations depending upon the particular structure being adjusted (e.g., steam turbine, generator, etc.). The support leg 44 defines a recess 46 that provides an access region for a jack assembly 48 to be repeatedly inserted and removed therein. The jack assembly 48 and the recess 46 each include respective portions that are of a geometry which corresponds to the other component to provide at least partial insertion of the jack assembly 48 within the recess 46. Upon desired positioning of the jack assembly 48, coupling of the jack assembly 48 to the base 42 is made to secure the position of the jack assembly 48. The jack assembly 48 then vertically adjusts the gas turbine engine 10 in the manner described above in conjunction with the other embodiments. The jack assembly 48 may be left in place to maintain the desired vertical position or may be removed subsequent to the insertion of shims or the like to maintain the vertical position.
The jack assembly 48 also includes one or more sliding plates 50 that facilitate lateral movement of the structure being aligned. The sliding plate(s) 50 may be located on top of the jack assembly 48 to be in direct contact with an engagement surface of the structure to be adjusted or may be beneath the jack assembly 48. Regardless of the position of the sliding plate(s) 50, lateral adjustment of the structure is achieved in a convenient manner. The sliding plate(s) 50 may be formed of a low friction material, such as Teflon or may be a ball bearing assembly. Alternative materials or assemblies are contemplated, such that friction is reduced or controlled if required, thereby rendering lateral movement of the structure convenient.
The embodiments of the turbine alignment assembly described herein advantageously provide convenient and reliable adjustment of a portion of the gas turbine engine 10 in both vertical and lateral directions. Such adjustment is otherwise cumbersome due to the lack of adequate space for necessary equipment. By essentially splitting the forward or aft leg, such space is provided.
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.

Claims

An alignment assembly comprising:
a base (14);

a support leg (18) extending from the base (14), the leg (18) configured to support a portion of a turbine system structure;

a first support leg portion (20) disposed on a surface of the base (14) and coupleable thereto;

a second support leg portion (22) angularly oriented relative to the first support leg portion (20) and coupleable to the turbine system structure; and

a jack assembly (24) moveable on the surface of the base (14) and configured to vertically and laterally adjust the turbine system structure,

characterised in that it comprises at least one low friction plate (26) disposed on the surface of the base to provide slideable adjustment of the jack assembly (24).
The alignment assembly of claim 1, wherein the support leg is moveable relative to the base during lateral adjustment of the turbine system structure.
The alignment assembly of claim 1, further comprising at least one shim (28) disposed between the support leg and the base.
The alignment assembly of claim 1, further comprising a brace (30) in abutment with the support leg and coupled thereto, the brace also coupled to the base.
The alignment assembly of claim 1, wherein the portion of the turbine system structure supported by the support leg comprises a forward end region of a gas turbine engine.
The alignment assembly of claim 1, wherein the portion of the turbine system structure supported by the support leg comprises a rear end region of a gas turbine engine.
The alignment assembly of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of support legs.
The alignment assembly of claim 1, wherein the turbine system structure comprises one of a gas turbine engine, a steam turbine engine and a generator.
A method of aligning a turbine comprising:
providing the alignment assembly of any of claims 1 to 8;

placing a portion of the turbine on at least one support leg extending from a base;

coupling the turbine to the at least one support leg;

disposing a jack assembly on the base;

laterally sliding the jack assembly to a position proximate the turbine with at least one low friction plate;

vertically adjusting the turbine with the jack assembly;

laterally adjusting the turbine with the jack assembly.
The method of claim 9, further comprising sliding the at least one support leg relative to the base to laterally adjust the turbine.
The method of claim 9, further comprising coupling the at least one support leg to the base.
The method of claim 9, further comprising placing the jack assembly on the base and within a recess defined by the at least one support leg.
The method of claim 9, further comprising placing at least one shim between the at least one support leg and the base subsequent to vertically adjusting the turbine with the jack assembly.