Methods and systems for turbine rotor balancing
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorsDale Michael Kennedy, Wayne Garcia Edmondson, Sr.
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods and apparatus for a balance weight access assembly are provided. The assembly includes an access cover, and an access tube including a first opening, a second opening, and a substantially hollow body extending therebetween. The first opening is positioned proximate to a balance weight retainer, the second opening is positioned proximate to the access cover, and the body is positioned in substantial alignment with an installation axis of the balance weight retainer.
Claims20
A balance weight access assembly comprising:
- an access cover;
- a plenum defined adjacent to said access cover;
- a cooling circuit coupled in flow communication with said plenum, said cooling circuit configured to channel cooling air to said plenum;
- and
- an access tube comprising a first opening, a second opening, and a substantially hollow body extending therebetween, said first opening positioned proximate to a balance weight retainer, said second opening positioned proximate to said plenum, said body in substantial alignment with an installation axis of the balance weight retainer.
A method for assembling a gas turbine engine, said method comprising:
- providing a coverable aperture between a flow path of combustion gases through the gas turbine engine and an engine cooling circuit, wherein the aperture is positioned to receive cooling air channeled through the engine cooling circuit;
- and
- coupling an access tribe to the gas turbine engine in substantial alignment between a balance weight retainer on a rotor of the gas turbine engine and the aperture.
A gas turbine engine comprising:
- a turbine;
- and
- a balance weight access assembly coupled in a position adjacent said turbine, said balance weight access assembly comprising:
- an access cover;
- a plenum defined adjacent to said access cover;
- a cooling circuit coupled in flow communication with said plenum, said cooling circuit configured to channel cooling air to said plenum;
- and
- an access tube comprising a first opening, a second opening, and a substantially hollow body extending therebetween, said first opening positioned proximate to a balance weight retainer coupled to said turbine, said second opening positioned proximate to said plenum, said body in substantial alignment with an installation axis of the balance weight retainer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.