Turbine extension nut support tool

A nut support tool configured for use in combination with a vertically extending bolt assembly on a casing and located for assembly and disassembly of a nut on the bolt assembly, the bolt assembly including an upper nut engaged on an upper end of a threaded shaft and a lower nut engaged on a lower end of the threaded shaft, and each of the upper and lower nuts having an access opening, the nut support tool comprising:

• a vertical span assembly including a vertical structure defining a longitudinal span axis for extending generally parallel to the threaded shaft of a bolt assembly located on the casing, the vertical span assembly including telescoping outer and inner tubes;
• the vertical span assembly additionally including an upper support structure extending from an upper end of the vertical structure generally perpendicular to the longitudinal span axis and including an upper support pin extending generally parallel to the longitudinal span axis for engagement in the access opening in an upper nut whereby the nut support tool can be supported from the upper nut;
• an arm assembly extending from a lower end of the vertical structure generally perpendicular to the longitudinal span axis and including a support for engagement with the lower nut;
• and
• a stabilizer assembly located along the vertical structure between the upper support structure and the arm assembly, the stabilizer assembly extending generally perpendicular to the longitudinal span axis and including a stabilizer tube positioned over the inner tube to selectively adjust the position of the stabilizer assembly along the vertical span assembly and an engagement foot assembly for engaging a portion of a casing that supports the bolt assembly.

A nut support tool for use in combination with a vertically extending bolt assembly for assembly and disassembly of a nut on the vertically extending bolt assembly for a horizontal turbine flange joint of a turbine casing, the bolt assembly including an upper nut engaged on an upper end of a threaded shaft above the flange joint and a lower nut engaged on a lower end of the threaded shaft below the flange joint, and each of the upper and lower nuts having an access opening, the nut support tool comprising:

• a vertical span assembly comprising:
• an outer tube weldment including an elongated outer tube having an upper end and a lower end, an upper support structure extending from the upper end of the outer tube perpendicular to a longitudinal span axis of the vertical span assembly;
• an upper support pin extending through the upper support structure and extending beyond a lower side of the upper support structure for engagement with the access opening in an upper nut;
• and
• an inner tube weldment including an elongated inner tube having an upper end and a lower end, the upper end of the inner tube extending into and being adjustable along the outer tube, and including a lower flange extending radially outwardly at the lower end of the inner tube;
• a swivel arm assembly comprising:
• a swivel tube surrounding the lower end of the inner tube and resting on the lower flange;
• a swivel arm including a proximal end attached to the swivel tube and including a distal end spaced from the swivel tube in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal span axis;
• and
• a lower guide pin extending through the distal end of the swivel arm and extending beyond an upper side of the swivel arm for engagement with the access opening of a lower nut;
• a stabilizer assembly comprising:
• a stabilizer tube positioned over the inner tube at a location above the swivel arm assembly;
• a coupler structure affixed to the stabilizer tube, the coupler structure extending to opposing lateral sides of the stabilizer tube;
• a stabilizer arm supported to each of the lateral sides of the coupler structure, each of the stabilizer arms including a proximal end located at the coupler structure and an opposing distal end;
• and
• an engagement foot structure attached to the distal end of each of the stabilizer arms for engagement with laterally spaced locations on the turbine casing.