# US 2014/0150248 A1 · Methods and system for disassembling a machine > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0150248 A1 - Document ID: US20140150248A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/177,861 - Filed: 2014-02-11 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2008-04-28 - Assignees: General Electric Company - Applicants: General Electric Company - Inventors: Randall Stephen Corn; Douglas Anthony Serieno - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140150248A1 ## CPC - H02K 15/50: Disassembling, repairing or modifying dynamo-electric machines (repairing of cooling fluid boxes H02K15/38) - F01D 25/285: {Temporary support structures, e.g. for testing, assembling, installing, repairing; Assembly methods using such structures} - B23P 19/042: {specially adapted for combustion engines (shape of casings adapted to facilitate fitting or dismantling of engine parts for combustion engines F02F7/0046)} - F05D 2230/70: Disassembly methods - F05D 2230/72: Maintenance - Y10T 29/49009: Dynamoelectric machine - Y10T 29/49815: Disassembling - Y10T 29/49822: by applying force - Y10T 29/53: Means to assemble or disassemble - Y10T 29/53274: Means to disassemble electrical device - H02K: DYNAMO-ELECTRIC MACHINES (dynamo-electric relays H01H53/00; conversion of DC or AC input power into surge output power {H03K3/53}) - F01D: NON-POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, e.g. STEAM TURBINES (machines or engines for liquids F03; non-positive displacement pumps F04D) - B23P: METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; COMBINED OPERATIONS; UNIVERSAL MACHINE TOOLS (arrangements for copying or controlling B23Q) - F05D: INDEXING SCHEME FOR ASPECTS RELATING TO NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, GAS-TURBINES OR JET-PROPULSION PLANTS - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A system and methods for disassembling a rotary machine are provided. The rotary machine includes a casing having a plurality of arcuate channels. The system includes a reaction bridge that is configured to couple to the casing of the rotary machine such that the reaction bridge is moveable along a length of the casing. The reaction bridge includes a front support and a rear support that is substantially parallel to the front support. Each of the supports includes a first leg, a second leg, and a support beam extending therebetween. A force device including an actuator and an engaging rod extending therefrom is coupled to the reaction bridge. The force device is configured to apply a force substantially tangentially to a segment positioned in one of the casing arcuate channels. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for disassembling a rotary machine, said method comprising: at least partially disassembling a casing of the rotary machine to provide access to an arcuate channel defined in the casing; coupling a reaction bridge to the casing of the rotary machine, the reaction bridge including a first leg, a second leg, and a support beam extending therebetween, the reaction bridge further including a force device removably coupled to the reaction bridge; engaging a segment positioned in the arcuate channel using the force device; applying a force to the segment such that the segment is repositioned within the arcuate channel; and removing the segment from the arcuate channel. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein applying a force to the segment further comprises applying the force substantially tangentially to the segment. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) A method in accordance with claim 2, wherein applying the force substantially tangentially to the segment further comprises applying an inward force substantially tangentially to an end of the segment at a first end of the arcuate channel to reposition the segment within the arcuate channel away from the first end. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) A method in accordance with claim 2, wherein removing the segment from the arcuate channel further comprises pushing the segment from the arcuate channel. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein engaging the segment further comprises coupling the force device to the segment with an adaptor, wherein the force device includes an actuator and a rod coupled to the actuator. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) A method in accordance with claim 5, wherein removing the segment from the arcuate channel further comprises pulling the segment from the arcuate channel. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) A method in accordance with claim 5, wherein coupling the force device to the segment with an adaptor further comprises: drilling a hole in an end of the segment; and threadably coupling the adaptor to the end of the segment using the hole. ### Claim 8 A system for disassembling a rotary machine that includes a casing including a plurality of arcuate channels defined therein, said system comprises: a reaction bridge configured to removably couple to the casing of the rotary machine such that said reaction bridge is moveable along a length of the casing, said reaction bridge comprising a front support and a rear support that is substantially parallel to said front support, each of said front and rear supports comprising a first leg, a second leg, and a support beam extending therebetween; and a force device comprising an actuator and an engaging rod extending therefrom, said force device removably coupled to said reaction bridge, said force device configured to apply a force substantially tangentially against a segment positioned in one of the casing arcuate channels. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) A system in accordance with claim 8 further comprising at least one multi-position slide coupled to said reaction bridge, said at least one multi-position slide configured to support said force device. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) A system in accordance with claim 9, wherein said at least one multi-position slide comprises a plurality of holes extending therethrough such that said force device is moveable along a length of said at least one multi-position slide. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) A system in accordance with claim 8 further comprising a mounting plate configured to couple to the casing to support said reaction bridge. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) A system in accordance with claim 11 further comprising a plurality of guide plates positioned on said mounting plate to facilitate reducing deterioration of the machine during disassembly. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) A system in accordance with claim 8, wherein said actuator is a hydraulic ram. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) A system in accordance with claim 13, wherein said hydraulic ram is a 75-ton hydraulic ram with a 13 inch stroke length. ### Claim 15 A method for disassembling a rotary machine that includes a casing having an arcuate channel defined therein, said method comprising: applying an inward force to a segment positioned in the arcuate channel of the rotary machine using a first force device removably coupled to a reaction bridge, the reaction bridge being coupled to the casing of the rotary machine, the reaction bridge including a first leg, a second leg, and a support beam extending therebetween, wherein the segment is repositioned within a portion of the arcuate channel; determining that the segment is mechanically frozen within the channel; and applying an outward force to the segment using a second force device removably coupled to the reaction bridge, wherein the segment is further repositioned within a portion of the arcuate channel. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) A method in accordance with claim 15, wherein applying the outward force to the segment further comprises coupling the second force device to the segment using a clevis assembly. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) A method in accordance with claim 16, wherein coupling the second force device to the segment further comprises: drilling a hole in an end of the segment end; and threadably coupling the second force device to the end of the segment. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) A method in accordance with claim 15, wherein applying an inward force to the segment further comprises applying the inward force substantially tangentially to the segment at a first end of the arcuate channel. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) A method in accordance with claim 18, wherein applying an outward force to the segment further comprises applying the outward force substantially tangentially to the segment at a second end of the arcuate channel. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) A method in accordance with claim 19 further comprising removing the segment from the second end of the arcuate channel.