# US 9,038,253 B2 · System and method for lifting a casing section > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,038,253 B2 - Document ID: US9038253B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/097,655 - Filed: 2011-04-29 - Published: 2012-11-01 - Granted: 2015-05-26 - Earliest claimed: 2011-04-29 - Assignees: General Electric Company - Applicants: John William Herbold; Randall Stephen Corn; James Bradford Holmes; Charles V. Spanos - Inventors: John William Herbold; Randall Stephen Corn; James Bradford Holmes; Charles V. Spanos - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9038253B2 ## CPC - F01D 25/285: {Temporary support structures, e.g. for testing, assembling, installing, repairing; Assembly methods using such structures} - B66C 1/107: {for lifting engines} - F05D 2230/68: using auxiliary equipment for lifting or holding - F05D 2230/72: Maintenance - Y10T 29/49721: with disassembling - Y10T 29/53: Means to assemble or disassemble - Y10T 29/53657: to apply or remove a resilient article [e.g., tube, sleeve, etc.] - Y10T 29/53909: Means comprising hand manipulatable tool - F01D: NON-POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, e.g. STEAM TURBINES (machines or engines for liquids F03; non-positive displacement pumps F04D) - B66C: CRANES; LOAD-ENGAGING ELEMENTS OR DEVICES FOR CRANES, CAPSTANS, WINCHES, OR TACKLES ({specially adapted for lifting invalids A61G7/10;} rope, cable, or chain winding mechanisms, braking or detent devices therefor B66D; specially adapted for nuclear reactors G21) - F05D: INDEXING SCHEME FOR ASPECTS RELATING TO NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, GAS-TURBINES OR JET-PROPULSION PLANTS - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A system for lifting a first casing section relative to a second casing section is disclosed. The system may generally include a guide member configured to be coupled to the second casing section so as to generally extend lengthwise in a lift direction of the first casing section and a sleeve member configured to be coupled to the first casing section. The sleeve member may be movably disposed on the guide member such that the sleeve member is displaced along a length of the guide member as the first casing section is lifted in the lift direction. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for lifting a first casing section relative to a second casing section, the system comprising: a guide member configured to be coupled to the second casing section so as to generally extend lengthwise in a lift direction of the first casing section, said guide member defining a plurality of openings, said plurality of openings including a first set of openings and a second set of openings, said first set of openings being defined in said guide member so as to be circumferentially offset from said second set of openings; a sleeve member movably disposed on said guide member, said sleeve member being configured to be coupled to the first casing section such that said sleeve member is displaced in said lift direction as the first casing section is lifted; and a retention device configured to be coupled to said guide member at differing locations along a length of said guide member, at least a portion of said retention device being configured to be received within one of said plurality of openings. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein said plurality of openings is spaced apart along said length of said guide member. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein said guide member and said sleeve member each have a tubular configuration. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein said retention device comprises at least one shear pin. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a lifting mechanism configured to lift the first casing section in said lift direction. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The system of claim 5, wherein said lifting mechanism comprises at least one raising device. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a guide flange extending from said guide member and a mounting plate attached to the second casing section, said guide flange being configured to be attached to said mounting plate. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7, wherein said mounting plate is attached to a horizontal flange of the second casing section. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a sleeve flange extending from said sleeve member and a mounting plate attached to the first casing section, said sleeve flange being configured to be attached to said mounting plate. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9, wherein said mounting plate is attached to a horizontal flange of the first casing section. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the first casing section comprises a first turbine casing section and the second casing section comprises a second turbine casing section. ### Claim 12 A method for lifting a first casing section relative to a second casing section, the method comprising: coupling a sleeve member to the first casing section; coupling a guide member to the second casing section, said sleeve member being movably disposed on said guide member, said guide member defining a plurality of openings; lifting the first casing section relative to the second casing section in a lift direction; inserting at least a portion of a retention device within one of said plurality of openings as said sleeve member is displaced in said lift direction; and moving said retention device to another opening of said plurality of openings disposed adjacent to a bottom end of said sleeve member as said sleeve member is displaced in said lift direction. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, further comprising mounting at least one support member between said first casing section and an adjacent casing section. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, further comprising installing a travel beam for translating the first casing section in an axial direction.