# US 8,739,617 B2 · GE evolution series power assembly test stand system and method

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- Number: US 8,739,617 B2
- Document ID: US8739617B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/294,638
- Filed: 2011-11-11
- Published: 2012-05-17
- Granted: 2014-06-03
- Earliest claimed: 2010-11-12
- Assignees: Norfolk Southern Corporation
- Applicants: Patrick E. Keister; Jeff M. Cutright
- Inventors: Patrick E. Keister; Jeff M. Cutright
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8739617B2

## CPC

- G01M 15/02: Details or accessories of testing apparatus
- G01M: TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES; TESTING OF STRUCTURES OR APPARATUS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR

## Abstract

A system and method for testing and maintaining a power assembly of a locomotive diesel engine. In one embodiment of the invention, the testing apparatus comprises: a first test position for securing a strongback of a power assembly; a second test position for securing a cylinder head of the power assembly; and a third test position for securing a cylinder liner. In another embodiment of the invention, the testing method comprises: securing a power assembly to a first test position; removing a cylinder head from the power assembly; securing the cylinder head to a second test position; removing a cylinder liner from the strongback assembly; placing the cylinder liner into the third test position; cleaning the cylinder liner; testing the cylinder head for possible leakage; and re-assembling the power assembly cylinder head passes the leakage tests.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A testing apparatus for a diesel engine power assembly, the testing apparatus being separate and apart from the diesel engine power assembly tested and comprising:
a first portion providing a first test position for securing a strongback of the power assembly, wherein the first portion comprises a first planar surface and a plurality of vertical pins or air—or hydraulically—actuated cylinders to secure the strongback;
a second portion providing a second test position for securing a cylinder head of the power assembly, wherein the second portion comprises a second planar surface and a plurality of vertical pins or air—or hydraulically—actuated cylinders to secure the cylinder head, and wherein the second planar surface of the second portion is movable about a hinge attached to a planar edge of the second planar surface; and
a third portion providing a third test position for securing a cylinder liner, wherein the third portion comprises a cylinder liner support.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The testing apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least a part of the first portion rotates along a coplanar axis.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The testing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second planar surface of the second portion is movable about a hinge attached to a planar edge of the second planar surface.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The testing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cylinder liner support of the third portion rotates along an axis radial to the cylinder liner.

### Claim 5

A method of testing a locomotive diesel engine power assembly, comprising:
a) securing a power assembly including a strongback to a first test position of a test stand;
b) removing a cylinder head from the power assembly while the strongback of the power assembly is secured to the first test position of the test stand;
c) securing the cylinder head to a second test position of the test stand;
d) removing a cylinder liner from the strongback; and
e) securing the cylinder liner to a third test position of the test stand.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The method of claim 5, further comprising the steps of:
cleaning and qualifying the cylinder liner for possible damage and leakage;
testing the cylinder head for possible damage and leakage; and
re-assembling the power assembly if the cylinder liner qualifies and the cylinder head passes leakage tests.