Method of supporting a tool and an apparatus for supporting a tool in an assembled apparatus

A method of supporting a tool in an assembled apparatus, the assembled apparatus having a casing and at least one surface within the casing, the casing having a first aperture and a second aperture, the method comprising the steps of

• (a) inserting a support structure through the first aperture in the casing of the apparatus, the support structure having a first end, a second end, a first portion and a second portion, the first end of the support structure being outside the casing and the second end of the support structure being inside the casing,
• (b) securing the first end of the support structure to the casing,
• (c) arranging the first portion of the support structure to abut the at least one surface within the casing,
• (d) inserting a tool through the first aperture or the second aperture in the casing, and
• (e) securing the tool to the second portion of the support structure within the casing,
• wherein the casing is a casing of a gas turbine engine, and
• wherein the second end of the support structure abuts an inner platform of a stator vane or an outer surface of a rotor and a plurality of support members abut a convex surface of a first stator vane and a concave surface of a second stator vane.

A method of supporting a tool in an assembled apparatus, the apparatus being selected from the group consisting of a turbomachine and a gas turbine engine, the assembled apparatus having a casing and at least one surface within the casing, the casing having a first aperture and a second aperture, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) inserting a support structure through the first aperture in the casing of the apparatus, the support structure having a first end, a second end, a first portion and a second portion, the support structure comprising a central member and a plurality of support members pivotally mounted on the central member, the first end of the support structure being outside the casing and the second end of the support structure being inside the casing,
• (b) securing the first end of the support structure to the casing,
• (c) arranging the second end of the support structure to abut the at least one surface within the casing, arranging the second end of the support structure to abut an inner platform of a stator vane or an outer surface of a rotor, arranging the plurality of support members to abut a first stator vane and a second stator vane,
• (d) inserting a tool through the first aperture or the second aperture in the casing, and
• (e) securing the tool to the second portion of the support structure within the casing.