Clearance measuring method and apparatus
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorsBruce W. Stowe, Joseph C. Young, Jerome P. Clark
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for obtaining a cold clearance measurement between a rotating member and a stationary member of a partially or fully assembled turbine, using measuring equipment which can be removed from within the turbine without requiring turbine disassembly.
Claims28
A retaining clip for engaging a device for use in measuring the clearance between a rotating member and a stationary member of a turbine, which retaining clip comprises:
- (a) a base;
- and
- (b) holder means for releasably engaging said measuring device and operatively associated with said base;
- wherein said retaining clip is capable of disintegration during operation of said turbine without damaging said turbine.
A method for measuring the clearance between a rotating member having a plurality of blades and a stationary member for enclosing said rotating member to form an assembled combination, said method comprising:
- (a) attaching a retaining clip to one of said blades;
- (b) locating a measuring device within said retaining clip so that said device is releasably engaged by said retaining clip;
- (c) connecting a harness means between said measuring device and remote measuring equipment through an aperture in said stationary member, while assembling said combination;
- and thereafter;
- (d) measuring said clearance while simultaneously rotating said rotating member of said assembled combination and withdrawing said harness means through said aperture;
- and thereafter,
- (e) releasing said measuring device from said retaining clip by pulling on said harness means;
- (f) withdrawing said harness means and attached measuring device from said assembled combination, through said aperture, without disassembling said combination;
- and thereafter,
- (g) removing said retaining clip from said blade by operation of a turbine comprising said assembled combination.
An assembled combination including a rotating member having a plurality of blades associated therewith and a stationary member for enclosing said rotating member, and further comprising:
- (a) a retaining clip attached to one of said blades and including a base and a holder means operatively associated with said base;
- (b) a measuring device releasably engaged by said retaining clip;
- and
- (c) harness means extending through an aperture in said stationary member and between said measuring device and remote measuring equipment;
- so that said measuring device can measure the clearance between said rotating member and said stationary member of said assembled combination and thereafter be removed from said retaining clip and from within said assembled combination, after said measurement has been performed, without disassembling said combination, and so that said retaining clip can be removed from said blade by operation of a turbine comprising said assembled combination.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.