US4096614A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for removing stator vanes
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1975-09-02
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Granted: 1978-06-27
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Expires: 1995-09-02
Abstract
Abstract A stator vane is removed from an arcuate casing by placing a conforming mold over the vane airfoil with portions thereof extending axially on either side of the airfoil to provide driving surfaces, and repetitiously imparting a precisely directed impact to the driving surfaces to move the vane circumferentially within the casing. Impact to the driving surfaces is made by way of an elongated arm which is supported at its one end so as to be pivotable about the axis of the casing, and whose other end is bifurcated to straddle the vane row and impinge against the driving surfaces. In this way the individual vanes may be removed from a single stage without incurring significant damage thereto and without removing any vanes of adjacent stages.
Inventors
- 👤 Alvin J. Brungard
- 👤 Richard M. Galloway
- 👤 Donald P. Kerwick
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 04:10
CPC Classifications
F; F01; F01D; F01D9/00; F01D9/02; F01D9/04; F01D9/042; F01D25/00; F01D25/28; F01D25/285; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49316; Y10T29/49318; Y10T29/53; Y10T29/53796; Y10T29/53896; Y10T29/53991
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
113 words
An apparatus for removing a single turbomachinery vane and associated platform from a circumferential slot containing a plurality of vanes in an arcuate casing section comprising: (a) support means for placement on the concave side of the casing; (b) an elongate strike element having its one end pivotably supported by said support means on the axis of the casing and having on its free end a knocker element for imparting a dynamic impact against the single vane and away from the plurality of vanes with the resultant force being in a direction aligned with the plane of the circumferential slot to effect removal of the vane from the slot in a circumferential direction.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
113 words
An apparatus for removing a single turbomachinery vane and associated platform from a circumferential slot containing a plurality of vanes in an arcuate casing section comprising: (a) support means for placement on the concave side of the casing; (b) an elongate strike element having its one end pivotably supported by said support means on the axis of the casing and having on its free end a knocker element for imparting a dynamic impact against the single vane and away from the plurality of vanes with the resultant force being in a direction aligned with the plane of the circumferential slot to effect removal of the vane from the slot in a circumferential direction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A turbomachinery vane removing apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said knocker element extends axially outwardly on either side of the vane.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A turbomachinery vane removing apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said free end is bifurcated to straddle the circumferential vane row.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A turbomachinery vane removing apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said knocker element is placed adjacent the inner side of the vane platform.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A turbomachinery vane removing apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said knocker element surrounds the airfoil portion of the vane.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
A turbomachinery vane removing apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said knocker element includes a holder and an insert disposed therein, said holder being adapted to receive the impact from said striker element and said insert being adapted to transmit the impact to the vane.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The turbomachinery vane removing apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein said insert surrounds the airfoil portion of the vane.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The turbomachinery vane removing apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein said insert is a cast element.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The turbomachinery vane removing apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said support means includes an axle extending at least the length of the casing section.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The turbomachinery vane removing apparatus as set forth in claim 9 and including a pair of base elements straddling the length of said casing section for pivotably supporting said axle therebetween.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The turbomachinery vane removing apparatus as set forth in claim 10 wherein said pair of base elements are attached to the respective ends of said casing section.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The turbomachinery vane removing apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein said axle has attached thereto a lever for rotation thereof.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
64 words
A method of removing a turbomachinery vane from an arcuate casing section comprising the steps of: (a) placing a knocker element over the airfoil portion of the blade so that it extends radially outwardly on either side thereof to provide driving surfaces; and (b) imparting an impact to said driving surfaces in a generally tangential direction to move the vane circumferentially within the casing.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
64 words
A method of removing a turbomachinery vane from an arcuate casing section comprising the steps of: (a) placing a knocker element over the airfoil portion of the blade so that it extends radially outwardly on either side thereof to provide driving surfaces; and (b) imparting an impact to said driving surfaces in a generally tangential direction to move the vane circumferentially within the casing.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method of removing a turbomachinery vane as set forth in claim 13 and including the preliminary step of casting a portion of said knocker element.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method of removing a turbomachinery vane as set forth in claim 13 wherein said impact imparting step is accomplished by pivoting an elongate striker element about the axis of the casing.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-06-26 | 1981-12-26 | 1982-06-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-06-26 | 1985-12-26 | 1986-06-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-06-26 | 1989-12-26 | 1990-06-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |