Method and apparatus for aligning a circular recuperator core
AssigneeSolar Turbines Incorporated
InventorsDouglas R. Ervin, Leonard Holman, Robert M. Jones
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Abstract
A method for aligning a circular core. The method has a work station which defines an inner chucking portion being movable between a lower position and an upper position and a retracted position and an expanded position. The work station defines an upper portion being movable between a first position and a second position and a loading position and a clamping position. The clamping position has a plurality of positions. The circular core being aligned during at least a portion of the plurality of positions. And, the work station having a welding station.
Claims9
A method of aligning a plurality of cells forming a recuperator core said recuperator core having a circular configuration defining an axis “A” about which is formed an inner diameter “ID” and an outer diameter “OD”, said method of aligning comprising the steps of:
- positioning an inner sealing ring about an inner chucking portion;
- aligning a first end of said inner sealing ring with an end of said inner chucking portion;
- expanding said inner chucking portion into an expanded position maintaining said first end of said inner sealing ring flush with said end of said inner chucking portion, said inner sealing ring being centered about said axis “A”;
- positioning an upper portion about said inner chucking portion, said upper portion being in a loading position;
- positioning a preestablished quantity of said plurality of cells within said upper portion in a preestablished relationship;
- and
- moving said upper portion from said loading position to a clamping position and properly aligning each of said plurality of cells one to another.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.