Abstract: A method includes inserting a flexible cable into a cleaning region of a channel of a component via a cleaning port, rotating the flexible cable about an axis within the channel to interact a tip with deposits disposed within the cleaning region of the channel, moving the flexible cable within the cleaning region of the channel along a length of the channel, and removing portions of the deposits from the cleaning region of the channel via a second port. The flexible cable includes the axis and the tip. A diameter of the tip is different than a diameter of the flexible cable. The tip is configured to loosen the portions of the deposits.

Abstract: A system is provided having a probe assembly configured to inspect components of an assembled flange connection when the probe assembly is disposed within a bore of the components. The probe assembly includes a shaft configured to be aligned with an axis of the assembled flange connection, one or more ultrasound probes coupled to the shaft, and one or more encoders. The one or more ultrasound probes are configured to interface with an interior surface of the bore of the components, to emit ultrasound signals into the components, and to receive ultrasound signals from the components. The one or more encoders are coupled to the shaft and are configured to determine a position of the one or more ultrasound probes relative to a reference point of the assembled flange connection during an inspection of components of the assembled flange connection.

Abstract: A system is provided having a probe assembly configured to inspect components of an assembled flange connection when the probe assembly is disposed within a bore of the components. The probe assembly includes a shaft configured to be aligned with an axis of the assembled flange connection, one or more ultrasound probes coupled to the shaft, and one or more encoders. The one or more ultrasound probes are configured to interface with an interior surface of the bore of the components, to emit ultrasound signals into the components, and to receive ultrasound signals from the components. The one or more encoders are coupled to the shaft and are configured to determine a position of the one or more ultrasound probes relative to a reference point of the assembled flange connection during an inspection of components of the assembled flange connection.

Abstract: A system includes a probe assembly configured to inspect components of an assembled flange connection when the probe assembly is disposed within a bore of the components. The probe assembly includes a shaft configured to be aligned with an axis of the assembled flange connection, one or more ultrasound probes coupled to the shaft, and one or more encoders. The one or more ultrasound probes are configured to interface with an interior surface of the bore of the components, to emit ultrasound signals into the components, and to receive ultrasound signals from the components. The one or more encoders are coupled to the shaft and are configured to determine a position of the one or more ultrasound probes relative to a reference point of the assembled flange connection during an inspection of components of the assembled flange connection.

Abstract: A method includes inserting a flexible cable into a cleaning region of a channel of a component via a cleaning port, rotating the flexible cable about an axis within the channel to interact a tip with deposits disposed within the cleaning region of the channel, moving the flexible cable within the cleaning region of the channel along a length of the channel, and removing portions of the deposits from the cleaning region of the channel via a second port. The flexible cable includes the axis and the tip. A diameter of the tip is different than a diameter of the flexible cable. The tip is configured to loosen the portions of the deposits.

Abstract: A system for inspecting a dynamoelectric machine is provided. The dynamoelectric machine includes a rotor, a stator and a radial gap existing between the rotor and the stator. The system includes a sled configured for insertion into the radial gap between the rotor and the stator. The sled is configured to transport an optical device along the radial gap. The optical device obtains an image of the radial gap, a portion of the rotor and a portion of the stator. The sled is configured for attachment to a push rod and the push rod is used to move the sled and optical device along the radial gap. The system is configured for entry into a single end of the dynamoelectric machine.

Abstract: A system for inspecting a dynamoelectric machine is provided. The dynamoelectric machine includes a rotor, a stator and a radial gap existing between the rotor and the stator. The system includes a sled configured for insertion into the radial gap between the rotor and the stator. The sled is configured to transport an optical device along the radial gap. The optical device obtains an image of the radial gap, a portion of the rotor and a portion of the stator. The sled is configured for attachment to a push rod and the push rod is used to move the sled and optical device along the radial gap. The system is configured for entry into a single end of the dynamoelectric machine.

Abstract: A system includes a probe assembly configured to inspect components of an assembled flange connection when the probe assembly is disposed within a bore of the components. The probe assembly includes a shaft configured to be aligned with an axis of the assembled flange connection, one or more ultrasound probes coupled to the shaft, and one or more encoders. The one or more ultrasound probes are configured to interface with an interior surface of the bore of the components, to emit ultrasound signals into the components, and to receive ultrasound signals from the components. The one or more encoders are coupled to the shaft and are configured to determine a position of the one or more ultrasound probes relative to a reference point of the assembled flange connection during an inspection of components of the assembled flange connection.

Abstract: A hand-carried taping machine for taping an elongated object is disclosed. The machine includes a powered gear set operably coupled to a body and powered by a drive system. An applicator head includes a substantially C-shaped gear in meshing engagement with the powered gear set such that the substantially C-shaped gear rotates about an application axis under control of the drive system, and a tape reel mount for rotatably mounting a reel of tape on the substantially C-shaped gear for rotation about the application axis and application of the tape to the elongated object. A non-powered guide system operably couples to the body for guiding the applicator head along the elongated object with transient engagement with the elongated object such that the elongated object is maintained in a vicinity of the reel of tape.

Abstract: A hand-carried taping machine for taping an elongated object is disclosed. The machine includes a powered gear set operably coupled to a body and powered by a drive system. An applicator head includes a substantially C-shaped gear in meshing engagement with the powered gear set such that the substantially C-shaped gear rotates about an application axis under control of the drive system, and a tape reel mount for rotatably mounting a reel of tape on the substantially C-shaped gear for rotation about the application axis and application of the tape to the elongated object. A non-powered guide system operably couples to the body for guiding the applicator head along the elongated object with transient engagement with the elongated object such that the elongated object is maintained in a vicinity of the reel of tape.

Abstract: Methods and systems for maintaining a machine using an in-situ vehicle (IV) is provided. The IV may be used with a machine that includes a work-piece and an interference body positioned proximate a surface of the work-piece such that a relatively small gap extends between the work-piece and the interference body. The method includes transporting the IV from external to the machine into the gap, positioning the IV in the gap such that at least a portion of the IV circumscribes a work area of the work-piece, locking the IV between the work-piece and the interference body, and manipulating a tool coupled to the IV from external to the machine, the tool configured to transfer a component between the work-piece and a storage cassette on the IV.

Abstract: Methods and systems for an in-situ inspection system includes at least one source of an inspection fluid, a source of an atomizing fluid, a control panel configured to control a flow of at least one of the inspection fluid and the atomizing fluid, and a mixing box configured to mix the inspection fluid with the atomizing fluid.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and systems for machinery testing and inspection using a manipulator are provided. The apparatus includes a tubular shaft, an operator end coupled to the tubular shaft and including a first spool rotatably coupled to the operator end, an effector including an attachment end that includes a second spool rotatably coupled to the attachment end, and a control cable channeled through the shaft from the first spool to the second spool. The control cable is wound at least partially around the first spool and is wound at least partially around the second spool such that rotation of the first spool rotates the second spool using the control cable.

Abstract: Methods and systems for maintaining a machine using an in-situ vehicle (IV) is provided. The IV may be used with a machine that includes a work-piece and an interference body positioned proximate a surface of the work-piece such that a relatively small gap extends between the work-piece and the interference body. The method includes transporting the IV from external to the machine into the gap, positioning the IV in the gap such that at least a portion of the IV circumscribes a work area of the work-piece, locking the IV between the work-piece and the interference body, and manipulating a tool coupled to the IV from external to the machine, the tool configured to transfer a component between the work-piece and a storage cassette on the IV.

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: A tool for driving a stator slide under a stator wedge within a radial slot of a stator core includes a frame including a pair of elongated rail members, the frame provided with a pair of handles at respective opposite ends of the elongated rail members. A force application cart is located between the rail members, the force application cart having a drive block thereon. A drive is connected to the frame, substantially intermediate opposite ends of the frame, the drive having an on/off trigger located on one of the handles. A lead screw is threadably engaged at one end with the force application cart and connected at an opposite end to the drive such that the drive rotates the lead screw when actuate; wherein in use, rotation of the lead screw causes axial movement of the force application cart and the drive block along the elongated rail members.

Abstract: A process for installing a stator slide under a stator wedge in a radially oriented slot of a stator core assembly includes: a) loading windings in the radial slot, the radial slot having axially extending dovetail grooves in opposing sidewalls thereof; b) loading at least one stator wedge and stator slide in the dovetail grooves of the slot, and tightening the at least one stator wedge with the stator slide; c) loading at least one additional stator wedge in the dovetail grooves; d) locating at least one additional stator wedge slide relatively loosely under the additional stator wedge: and e) using the at least one stator wedge as a force reaction point, applying a force to the additional stator slide to drive the additional stator slide under the additional stator wedge.

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 machine is provided for stripping the ground wall insulation from a stator bar quickly and in such a manner that the copper strands will not be damaged. The apparatus of the invention includes a power driven cutting tool for milling or routing the insulation from a portion of the insulated bar, a sensing device for detecting the location of the copper strands and a height adjustment assembly for determining a disposition of the bar with respect to the cutting tool. In an exemplary embodiment, the height adjustment assembly is adjusted in accordance with the location of the copper strands as detected by the sensing device to substantially prevent the cutting tool from making damaging contact with the copper strands.