Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The UAV includes a plurality of combustion engine modules, each combustion engine module including a respective helicopter blade propulsion system. A truss connects and separates adjacent pairs of the combustion engine modules of the plurality of combustion engine modules. Each truss includes a hollow interior portion configured to hold a fuel for at least one of the plurality of combustion engine modules. The UAV also includes a control system configured to allow a user to control the plurality of combustion engine modules and corresponding helicopter blade propulsion systems.

Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The UAV includes a plurality of combustion engine modules, each combustion engine module including a respective helicopter blade propulsion system. A truss connects and separates adjacent pairs of the combustion engine modules of the plurality of combustion engine modules. Each truss includes a hollow interior portion configured to hold a fuel for at least one of the plurality of combustion engine modules. The UAV also includes a control system configured to allow a user to control the plurality of combustion engine modules and corresponding helicopter blade propulsion systems.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided comprising a base frame having a turntable, and a vertical section configured to be mounted on the turntable via a slidable mounting platform. The vertical section has a tapered wedge configured to move up and down the vertical section. The turntable is configured to rotate at least 360 degrees, and the vertical section is configured to move in a radial direction with respect to a center of rotation of the turntable.

Abstract: A tool and a method are disclosed for cutting coils in a dynamoelectric machine. In an embodiment, the tool includes a blade having a cutting edge on a distal end thereof. The blade is operably connected on a proximal end thereof to a double acting hydraulic cylinder. The tool further includes at least one guide arm coupled to and extending longitudinally in a distal direction from the double acting hydraulic cylinder, wherein the at least one guide arm is disposed alongside the blade and extends parallel to a path of the blade.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided comprising a base frame having a turntable, and a vertical section configured to be mounted on the turntable via a slidable mounting platform. The vertical section has a tapered wedge configured to move up and down the vertical section. The turntable is configured to rotate at least 360 degrees, and the vertical section is configured to move in a radial direction with respect to a center of rotation of the turntable.

Abstract: A tool and a method are disclosed for cutting coils in a dynamoelectric machine. In an embodiment, the tool includes a blade having a cutting edge on a distal end thereof. The blade is operably connected on a proximal end thereof to a double acting hydraulic cylinder. The tool further includes at least one guide arm coupled to and extending longitudinally in a distal direction from the double acting hydraulic cylinder, wherein the at least one guide arm is disposed alongside the blade and extends parallel to a path of the blade.

Abstract: The temporary fastening system for joining upper and lower shell casings of a turbine to one another for maintenance purposes includes a stud/nut tensioning system employed in lieu of the conventional studs and nuts. Once the turbine is opened up and the inner shell and rotor removed, the upper and lower shell casings are temporarily secured to one another using studs received in registering openings in the horizontal flanges of the upper and lower shell casings and retainer plates serving as a stop for the stud/nut tensioning system. The tensioning system is hydraulically operated and avoids torsional force on the temporary studs. Once measurements are made, the turbine is again reopened and reassembled using the initially removed bolts or a third set of bolts to secure the upper and lower shell casings to one another.

Abstract: Partitions have an airfoil coupled at opposite ends to inner and outer side walls. The side walls each mount radially extending male dovetails. The inner web and outer ring of a diaphragm include complementary shaped dovetail grooves. The male dovetails have reduced diameter portions while the female grooves similarly have corresponding reduced diameter groove portions. The male dovetails are inserted into the female dovetail grooves in an aft direction with stops of the reduced male and female dovetails preventing further movement aft. Seal welds are applied to prevent forward movement of the partitions relative to the web and outer ring.

Abstract: A self indexing portable automated tenon peening device including: a peening machine in operable communication with a mounting arm; a circumferential slide assembly including a circumferential rail in operable communication with the mounting arm; an axial slide assembly including a axial slide rail in operable communication with the circumferential slide assembly; a base in operable communication with the axial slide assembly; and a programmable logic controller for controlling a position of the circumferential slide assembly and the axial slide assembly.

Abstract: Partitions have an airfoil coupled at opposite ends to inner and outer side walls. The side walls each mount radially extending male dovetails. The inner web and outer ring of a diaphragm include complementary shaped dovetail grooves. The male dovetails have reduced diameter portions while the female grooves similarly have corresponding reduced diameter groove portions. The male dovetails are inserted into the female dovetail grooves in an aft direction with stops of the reduced male and female dovetails preventing further movement aft. Seal welds are applied to prevent forward movement of the partitions relative to the web and outer ring.

Abstract: Bucket tip tenons requiring refurbishment are removed from the bucket tips by grinding. Groups of buckets are clamped on a rotatable table in positions adjacent an induction heating coil and a robotic welding arm, respectively. While one group is preheated, the other group of buckets is in a welding location, enabling the welding head on the robotic arm to sequentially apply weld buildup material to the bucket tips. After applying weld buildup material in multiple passes and sequentially to the bucket tips, the buckets are removed, stress-relieved and the weld buildup material machined to provide refurbished tenons. Upon removal of the buckets from the table, the table is rotated to locate the preheated buckets in welding locations and additional buckets are clamped to the table for preheating.

Abstract: A system and method for easily separating upper and lower turbine shells involves forming elongated access pockets vertically aligned across the upper and lower turbine shells and at multiple locations on the turbine shells. Telescoping hydraulic rams are placed into elongated access pockets at each of the multiple locations for lifting the upper shell off of the lower shell. The telescoping hydraulic rams are connected to a controller for controlling each of the rams to operate in parallel with the other rams. Once the turbine shells are separated the upper turbine shell can be removed by conventional block and rigging.

Abstract: Bucket tip tenons requiring refurbishment are removed from the bucket tips by grinding. Groups of buckets are clamped on a rotatable table in positions adjacent an induction heating coil and a robotic welding arm, respectively. While one group is preheated, the other group of buckets is in a welding location, enabling the welding head on the robotic arm to sequentially apply weld buildup material to the bucket tips. After applying weld buildup material in multiple passes and sequentially to the bucket tips, the buckets are removed, stress-relieved and the weld buildup material machined to provide refurbished tenons. Upon removal of the buckets from the table, the table is rotated to locate the preheated buckets in welding locations and additional buckets are clamped to the table for preheating.

Abstract: A pair of stands are spaced one from the other to support opposite ends of an upper shell and diaphragm halves of a turbine at locations along the upper shell axially beyond the diaphragm halves. Carts mounted on wheels each have a hydraulically actuated lift and a platform mounting support assemblies engagable with an upper diaphragm half at the midline. By engaging a diaphragm half from below the upper shell, securing the support assemblies to the upper diaphragm half and releasing the upper diaphragm half from the upper shell by removing bolts and keys to transfer the weight of the diaphragm half to the cart, the diaphragm half may be lowered from the upper shell and moved away. The diaphragm halves may then be refurbished and the process reversed to reinstall the diaphragm halves into the upper shell. During the process, the upper shell remains in its normal orientation, similarly as in the turbine.

Abstract: An assembly for lifting and supporting a journal body with respect to a stationary body including: a support bracket for being secured to said stationary body; an elongated support member to engage and support a bottom facing surface of the journal body; first and second support studs operatively coupled at a distal end thereof to a respective longitudinal end of said elongated support member and adjustably coupled at the proximal end thereof via a respective lift assembly to said support bracket, wherein each said lift assembly comprises a hydraulic cylinder operatively coupled to said proximal end of said support stud so as to selectively determine a position of said support stud with respect to support bracket thereby to selectively adjust and determine a position of said journal body with respect to said stationary body.

Abstract: A pair of stands are spaced one from the other to support opposite ends of an upper shell and diaphragm halves of a turbine at locations along the upper shell axially beyond the diaphragm halves. Carts mounted on wheels each have a hydraulically actuated lift and a platform mounting support assemblies engagable with an upper diaphragm half at the midline. By engaging a diaphragm half from below the upper shell, securing the support assemblies to the upper diaphragm half and releasing the upper diaphragm half from the upper shell by removing bolts and keys to transfer the weight of the diaphragm half to the cart, the diaphragm half may be lowered from the upper shell and moved away. The diaphragm halves may then be refurbished and the process reversed to reinstall the diaphragm halves into the upper shell. During the process, the upper shell remains in its normal orientation, similarly as in the turbine.

Abstract: An assembly for lifting and supporting a journal body with respect to a stationary body including: a support bracket for being secured to said stationary body; an elongated support member to engage and support a bottom facing surface of the journal body; first and second support studs operatively coupled at a distal end thereof to a respective longitudinal end of said elongated support member and adjustably coupled at the proximal end thereof via a respective lift assembly to said support bracket, wherein each said lift assembly comprises a hydraulic cylinder operatively coupled to said proximal end of said support stud so as to selectively determine a position of said support stud with respect to support bracket thereby to selectively adjust and determine a position of said journal body with respect to said stationary body.

Abstract: To accurately axially position and/or seal between axially facing turbine parts, a groove having a cylindrical cross-section is formed in one surface with a centerline offset toward the one surface, the groove opening through the one surface. Rod segments having corresponding cylindrical cross-sections are inserted in the groove. The rod segments have flat surfaces coextensive therewith projecting a predetermined measured distance from the one surface, thereby accurately axially locating the turbine parts relative to one another and forming a seal therebetween. The rod segments have ends abutting one another to seal the segments one to the other.

Abstract: Halves of a torus, bridge ring and nozzle are fitted up on tapered fits and clamped one to the other. Weld preps are performed on the torus and nozzle surfaces to be welded. Weld material is applied along the inner and outer radii, initially in a root pass to consume the metal, in subsequent intermediate passes to build up the base metal and finally in a rapid deposition of weld material, e.g., using submerged arc process. The nozzle box assembly half is then stress-relieved, X-rayed and machine-finished.

Abstract: Halves of a torus, bridge ring and nozzle are fitted up on tapered fits and clamped one to the other. Weld preps are performed on the torus and nozzle surfaces to be welded. Weld material is applied along the inner and outer radii, initially in a root pass to consume the metal, in subsequent intermediate passes to build up the base metal and finally in a rapid deposition of weld material, e.g., using submerged arc process. The nozzle box assembly half is then stress-relieved, X-rayed and machine-finished.