US 2005/0028340 A1 · Instrumented transition alignment fixture and method

Abstract

Aspects of the invention relate to a fixture and a method to assist in the alignment of the inlet end of a transition duct and a combustor component in a turbine engine. The fixture includes a plurality of pressure transducers spaced on a mandrel so as to correspond to the target alignment location of the transition. The plurality of pressure transducers produce signals, which can be converted by a signal processor into an actual alignment location signal. A display can be provided for presenting graphical images of the target alignment location and the actual alignment location responsive to the actual alignment location signal received from the signal processor. Thus, a user can view the movement of the graphical image of the actual alignment location relative to the graphical image of the target alignment location such that the user can adjust the transition's position until the graphical images are substantially aligned.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A fixture for aligning the inlet end of a transition with the combustor section of a turbine engine comprising:

a flange adapted for mounting to a combustor section component of a turbine engine;
a mandrel extending substantially perpendicularly from the flange, the mandrel being sized and shaped to correspond to a target alignment location of the transition, the mandrel having an outer peripheral surface;
and
a plurality of pressure transducers spaced on the outer peripheral surface of the mandrel so as to correspond to the target alignment location of the transition, wherein the plurality of pressure transducers produce signals.

1 more element

A method of aligning the inlet end of a transition with the combustor section of a turbine engine comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a combustor section component of a turbine engine;
(b) providing a generally hollow transition duct having an inlet end, an outlet end, and an inner periphery;
(c) providing a fixture, the fixture including a flange, a mandrel and a plurality of pressure transducers;
the flange being adapted for mounting to the combustor section component;
the mandrel extending substantially perpendicularly from the flange, the mandrel being sized and shaped to correspond to a target alignment location of the transition, the mandrel having an outer peripheral surface;
and
a plurality of pressure transducers spaced on the outer peripheral surface of the mandrel so as to correspond to the target alignment location of the transition, wherein the plurality of pressure transducers produce signals;
(d) mounting the fixture to the combustor section component such that at least a portion of the mandrel including the plurality of pressure transducers extends beyond the combustor component;
(e) placing the inlet end of the transition over the extending portion of the mandrel such that each of the plurality of pressure transducers substantially engage the inner periphery of the transition;
(f) the plurality of pressure transducers generating a signal in response to pressure exerted on the transducers by the transition;
(g) providing a signal processor operatively connected with the plurality of pressure transducers, the signal processor generating an actual alignment location signal responsive to the signals received from the plurality of pressure transducers;
(h) providing a display operatively connected to the signal processor, the display presenting a graphical image representative of the target alignment location, the display further presenting a graphical image representative of an actual alignment location responsive to the actual alignment location signals received from the signal processor;
and
(i) comparing the graphical image of the target alignment location to the graphical image of the actual alignment location.

11 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Instrumented transition alignment fixture and method

Life of this patent

Instrumented transition alignment fixture and method

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20