Bearing assembly removal system and method

A system comprising:

• a casing;
• a bearing assembly positioned in the casing;
• a shaft extending axially through the bearing assembly, the shaft being at least partially supported by the bearing assembly;
• and
• means for removing the bearing assembly from the casing while generally maintaining the position of the shaft in the casing.

A system comprising:

• a gas turbine comprising:
• a casing;
• a shaft at least partially positioned in the casing and comprising an axially-extending passage defining an inside surface of the shaft;
• and
• a bearing assembly through which the shaft extends in a horizontal direction, the bearing assembly being positioned in the casing and adapted to at least partially support the shaft;
• a device adapted to be coupled to the gas turbine, the device comprising:
• a fulcrum block;
• an arm adapted to pivot about the fulcrum block;
• a lift block pivotally coupled to the arm and adapted to at least partially extend within the passage defined by the shaft, the lift block comprising at least one arcuate surface adapted to apply a force against the inside surface of the shaft in response to the pivoting of the arm about the fulcrum block;
• a base member adapted to support the fulcrum block;
• a fastener adapted to extend through the arm and be movably coupled to the base member, wherein the arm pivots about the fulcrum block when the fastener extends through the arm, is movably coupled to the base member, and moves relative to the base member;
• and
• a plate coupled the base member and adapted to be coupled to the casing to couple the device to the gas turbine, wherein the base member extends away from the plate and towards the shaft when the plate is coupled to the casing;
• a first configuration in which:
• the plate is coupled to the casing to couple the device to the gas turbine;
• the fulcrum block is supported by the base member;
• the lift block at least partially extends within the passage of the shaft;
• the fastener extends through the arm and is movably coupled to the base member;
• the bearing assembly at least partially supports the shaft;
• and
• relative movement between the bearing assembly and the shaft in the horizontal direction is generally prevented;
• and
• a second configuration in which:
• the plate is coupled to the casing to couple the device to the gas turbine;
• the fulcrum block is supported by the base member;
• the lift block at least partially extends within the passage of the shaft;
• the fastener extends through the arm and is movably coupled to the base member;
• the at least one arcuate surface applies the force against the inside surface of the shaft;
• and
• relative movement between the bearing assembly and the shaft in the horizontal direction is generally permitted.

A system comprising:

• a casing;
• a bearing assembly positioned in the casing;
• a shaft extending axially through the bearing assembly, the shaft being horizontally oriented in the casing and at least partially supported by the bearing assembly, the shaft comprising an axially-extending passage defining an inside surface of the shaft;
• a lift block adapted to at least partially extend within the passage defined by the shaft, the lift block comprising at least one surface adapted to apply a force against the inside surface of the shaft;
• an arm to which the lift block is pivotally coupled;
• and
• a fulcrum block about which the arm is adapted to pivot;
• wherein, when the lift block at least partially extends within the passage defined by the shaft, the at least one surface of the lift block applies the force against the inside surface of the shaft in response to the pivoting of the arm about the fulcrum block.