Automated remote carriage for tightening generator wedges

A remote-controlled dynamoelectric machine maintenance vehicle, comprising:

• a frame;
• at least one drive module attached to the frame and having a drive train that utilizes magnetic adhesion to traverse an interior ferromagnetic surface of the dynamoelectric machine;
• a motor operatively connected to the drive module and responsive to a signal from a remote-controller, the motor providing a motive force to the drive train;
• an effectuator attached to the frame and operable to engage a wedge on the dynamoelectric machine and remotely increase a dimension of the wedge in the slot to tighten the wedge against a coil in a dynamoelectric machine slot;
• and
• wherein the dynamoelectric machine maintenance vehicle is sized and configured to fit between a stator of the dynamoelectric machine and rotor of the dynamoelectric and the wedge comprises a main body and an insert wherein movement of the insert relative to the main body in one direction increases the width of the wedge in the dynamoelectric machine slot and tightens the coil within the slot and the effectuator comprises a first and a second, spaced, telescoping members, the first, telescoping member operable, upon command, to extend from one side of the frame and engage the wedge insert and the second, telescoping member operable to extend from the one side of the frame and engage the main body of the wedge and at least one of the first and second telescoping members operable to move in the one direction relative to the other of the first and second telescoping members and tighten the wedge in the slot.