Abstract: The wedge removal apparatus includes an elongated frame having telescopic elements at opposite ends with cylinders to engage pads along opposite sides of the frame against diametrically opposed wedges of stator core slots. The frame mounts a linear drive assembly carrying a carriage for longitudinal movement relative to the drive assembly and frame. The carriage mounts diametrically opposed heads and a cylinder displaces the heads radially outwardly to engage the wedges and compress underlying ripple springs. Saws carried by the heads cut through the wedges as the carriage is displaced along the frame and without binding because of the force applied to the wedges compressing the ripple springs. The linear drive assembly is rotated to discrete circumferential positions to cut the wedges of additional diametrically opposed slots.

Abstract: The method for in situ inspection includes providing a pair of adjacent impingement sleeves forming part of a combustor. A robotic inspection tool carrying an inspection head is inserted through an opening in the outer casing of the gas turbine and manipulated to locate the inspection head between the adjacent impingement sleeves. After inspecting the exterior surface of an impingement sleeve, the inspection tool is withdrawn from the casing. Additionally, a transition piece body forming part of a combustor is inspected by securing a robotic manipulator to an open end of the combustion casing, locating an inspection head on an inspection arm of the manipulator and manipulating the arm to locate the inspection head to inspect interior wall portions of the transition body by displacing the head axially and radially toward wall portions of the transition body.

Abstract: A robotic inspection system for gas turbine combustion components includes an exterior manipulator for visual inspection of the exterior surface of the impingement sleeve, an interior manipulator for visual inspection of the interior of the transition piece body and an annulus manipulator for inspecting the side weld seams of the transition piece body. The exterior manipulator includes an arcuate segment extending about the annular spaced impingement sleeves and a robotic subassembly including a linear rail and an upper arm and forearm mounting an inspection head pivotally coupled to one another for visual inspection of the top, bottom and side external surfaces of the impingement sleeve. The interior manipulator mounts to the open end of the combustion casing and includes an arm mounted for universal pivotal movement to the mount, actuators for pivoting the arm and motors for extending and rotating an inspection head about pan and tilt axes within the interior of the transition piece body.

Abstract: A radial clearance measurement device includes a pair of opposed drive heads, connected by an adjustable strut. Each drive head is fitted with a radial distance measurement device including a plate adapted to slide within a dovetail groove in a radial stator core slot, a spring-loaded plunger adapted to engage a surface of an armature bar located in the radial stator slot, and a linear voltage displacement transducer for measuring distance between the dovetail groove and the armature bar. The device is adapted to move through the bore of the stator, with the plungers engaged with armature bars in diametrically opposed radial stator core slots.

Abstract: A robotic inspection system for gas turbine combustion components includes an exterior manipulator for visual inspection of the exterior surface of the impingement sleeve, an interior manipulator for visual inspection of the interior of the transition piece body and an annulus manipulator for inspecting the side weld seams of the transition piece body. The exterior manipulator includes an arcuate segment extending about the annular spaced impingement sleeves and a robotic subassembly including a linear rail and an upper arm and forearm mounting an inspection head pivotally coupled to one another for visual inspection of the top, bottom and side external surfaces of the impingement sleeve. The interior manipulator mounts to the open end of the combustion casing and includes an arm mounted for universal pivotal movement to the mount, actuators for pivoting the arm and motors for extending and rotating an inspection head about pan and tilt axes within the interior of the transition piece body.

Abstract: A robotic inspection system for gas turbine combustion components includes an exterior manipulator for visual inspection of the exterior surface of the impingement sleeve, an interior manipulator for visual inspection of the interior of the transition piece body and an annulus manipulator for inspecting the side weld seams of the transition piece body. The exterior manipulator includes an arcuate segment extending about the annular spaced impingement sleeves and a robotic subassembly including a linear rail and an upper arm and forearm mounting an inspection head pivotally coupled to one another for visual inspection of the top, bottom and side external surfaces of the impingement sleeve. The interior manipulator mounts to the open end of the combustion casing and includes an arm mounted for universal pivotal movement to the mount, actuators for pivoting the arm and motors for extending and rotating an inspection head about pan and tilt axes within the interior of the transition piece body.

Abstract: A radial clearance measurement device includes a pair of opposed drive heads, connected by an adjustable strut. Each drive head is fitted with a radial distance measurement device including a plate adapted to slide within a dovetail groove in a radial stator core slot, a spring-loaded plunger adapted to engage a surface of an armature bar located in the radial stator slot, and a linear voltage displacement transducer for measuring distance between the dovetail groove and the armature bar. The device is adapted to move through the bore of the stator, with the plungers engaged with armature bars in diametrically opposed radial stator core slots.

Abstract: A robotic inspection system for gas turbine combustion components includes an exterior manipulator for visual inspection of the exterior surface of the impingement sleeve, an interior manipulator for visual inspection of the interior of the transition piece body and an annulus manipulator for inspecting the side weld seams of the transition piece body. The exterior manipulator includes an arcuate segment extending about the annular spaced impingement sleeves and a robotic subassembly including a linear rail and an upper arm and forearm mounting an inspection head pivotally coupled to one another for visual inspection of the top, bottom and side external surfaces of the impingement sleeve. The interior manipulator mounts to the open end of the combustion casing and includes an arm mounted for universal pivotal movement to the mount, actuators for pivoting the arm and motors for extending and rotating an inspection head about pan and tilt axes within the interior of the transition piece body.

Abstract: A robotic inspection system for gas turbine combustion components includes an exterior manipulator for visual inspection of the exterior surface of the impingement sleeve, an interior manipulator for visual inspection of the interior of the transition piece body and an annulus manipulator for inspecting the side weld seams of the transition piece body. The exterior manipulator includes an arcuate segment extending about the annular spaced impingement sleeves and a robotic subassembly including a linear rail and an upper arm and forearm mounting an inspection head pivotally coupled to one another for visual inspection of the top, bottom and side external surfaces of the impingement sleeve. The interior manipulator mounts to the open end of the combustion casing and includes an arm mounted for universal pivotal movement to the mount, actuators for pivoting the arm and motors for extending and rotating an inspection head about pan and tilt axes within the interior of the transition piece body.