IMPINGEMENT SHIELD SHAPING TOOL AND METHOD FOR USING SAME

Abstract

A tool assembly for shaping an impingement shield for use with a turbine engine is provided. The tool assembly includes a bracket, a connecting member, and at least one support member. The connecting member is coupled to a force device and a zipper strip that is coupled to the impingement shield. The support member is positioned on the impingement shield via pads that are moveable to accommodate the contour of the impingement shield. By pulling the zipper strip, the zipper strip may be straightened and/or the impingement shield may be shaped.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The subject matter disclosed herein relates generally to tools and, more particularly, a tool for use in shaping impingement shields used in turbine engines.

At least some known turbine engines include a transition piece that extends from a combustor to a turbine. At least some known transition pieces include an impingement shield that is formed from two semi-circular halves that are coupled together using at least one zipper strip. Each zipper strip is typically welded to the longitudinal joint formed where the two semi-circular halves meet. As a result of being exposed to the heat generated by the welding process and/or during operation in the turbine engine, the impingement shield may become deformed. Deformations in the impingement shield may cause non-uniform airflow around the impingement shield which may result in decreasing the performance of the turbine engine.

As part of routine maintenance of known turbine engines, the impingement shield may be disassembled. During disassembly of known impingement shields, the zipper strips are typically removed by grinding both the zipper strip and the welds that couple the zipper strip to the impingement shield. However, because the zipper strip and/or impingement shield are often deformed, the grinding process may be difficult and multiple grinding tools may be required. Accordingly, a need exists for a tool that can be used to straighten a zipper strip and/or to reshape an impingement shield that has been deformed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, a tool assembly for shaping an impingement shield comprising a zipper strip is provided. The tool assembly comprises a bracket comprising a first portion, a second portion, and a channel that extends from the first portion to the second portion. The tool assembly further comprises a connecting member sized to be at least partially inserted through at least a portion of the channel and configured to coupled to at least a portion of the zipper strip. The tool assembly further comprises at least one support member coupled to the second portion.

In another embodiment, a system for shaping impingement shields comprising a zipper strip is provided. The system comprises a tool assembly that includes a bracket comprising a first portion, a second portion, and a channel that extends from the first portion to the second portion. The tool assembly further comprises a connecting member sized to be at least partially inserted through at least a portion of the channel and configured to coupled to at least a portion of the zipper strip. The tool assembly further comprises at least one support member coupled to the second portion. The system further comprises a force device coupled to the connecting member.

In yet another embodiment, a method for shaping an impingement shield that is coupled to a zipper strip is provided. The method comprises coupling a tool assembly to the zipper strip. The tool assembly includes a bracket comprising a first portion, a second portion, and a channel that extends from the first portion to the second portion. The tool assembly also includes a connecting member sized to be at least partially inserted through at least a portion of the channel and at least one support member coupled to the second portion. The method further comprises coupling a force device to the tool assembly and pulling the zipper strip using the force device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary tool assembly that may be used to straighten a zipper strip and/or shape an impingement shield used with a turbine engine;

FIG. 2 is an alternative perspective view of the exemplary tool assembly in FIGS. 1; and

FIG. 3 is another alternative perspective view of the exemplary tool assembly in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The embodiments described herein provide a shaping tool that may be used to straighten a zipper strip and/or shape an impingement shield used with a turbine engine. As described in more detail herein, the tool may be coupled to a zipper strip used to join together the two halves of the impingement shield. The tool may facilitate reshaping the zipper strip, and the associated impingement shield coupled to the zipper strip, to a desired contour or profile. The impingement shield may be arcuate, but may otherwise have any other profile. Returning an impingement shield to a pre-determined profile facilitates removal of the zipper strip and/or improved cooling within the engine as a result of improved uniformity of airflow around the shield. These and other benefits may be realized in accordance with the present disclosure.

In FIGS. 1-3, an exemplary tool assembly 100 is illustrated that includes a bracket 105 that is generally rigid. In the exemplary embodiment, bracket 105 is assembled from a steel material. Alternatively, or additionally, bracket 105 may be assembled from any other material that enables assembly 100 to function as described herein.

Tool assembly 100 includes a connecting member 110 that is slideably coupled to assembly 100 via a channel 112 that extends from a first portion 114 of assembly 100 to a second portion 116. In the exemplary embodiment, connecting member 110 includes a first coupling portion 118 at a first end 120. First coupling portion 118 enables connecting member 110 to couple to a coupling portion 120 on a zipper strip 122 coupled to an impingement shield 124. For example, in one embodiment, connecting member 110 is a ½″ diameter, 13 NPT-threaded rod. Alternatively, member 110 may be any threaded rod, and connecting portion 120 may be any fastening device, such as a nut, on zipper strip 122 that couples to first coupling portion 118. Alternatively, first coupling portion 118 and/or coupling portion 120 may be any mechanical fastener that enables connecting member 110 to couple to zipper strip 122 to enable assembly 100 to function as described herein.

Connecting member 110 includes a second end 128 that includes a second coupling portion 126 that enables connecting member 110 to couple to a force device 130. For example, second coupling portion 126 may threadably couple to force device 130 such that a desired force is induced to second coupling portion 126 and to connecting member 110. In the exemplary embodiment, bracket 105 includes at least one force device coupling portion 132 that enables force device 130 to coupled to bracket 105. Force device coupling portion 132, in the exemplary embodiment, is a channel 134 that enables force device 130 to bolt to bracket 105. More specifically, channel 134 includes a counter-sink portion 136 that is sized to receive a nut therein. Alternatively, force device 130 may be coupled to bracket 105 with any fastening mechanism that enables assembly 100 to function as described herein. It should be appreciated that force device 130 may be coupled to bracket 105 such that force device 130 does not move in relation to bracket 105, while a force induced on connecting member 110 causes member 110 to move with respect to bracket 105. First portion 114 of bracket 105 may include a recessed portion 138 that is sized to receive at least a portion of force device 130 therein.

Tool assembly 100 includes at least one support member 140 that extends from bracket 105 and that is oriented generally parallel to connecting member 110. More particularly, in the exemplary embodiment, support member 140 extends from bracket second portion 116. Moreover, in the exemplary embodiment, support member 140 includes a support portion 142 and a movable portion 144. Movable portion 144 includes a pad 146 and a moveable joint 148 that enables pad 146 to move with respect to support portion 142. Pad 146 may be selectably positioned, using joint 148, such that a pad surface 150 is oriented substantially tangentially to an arcuate surface of impingement shield 124. In other words, joint 148 enables pad 146 to be selectively positioned against impingement shield 124 such that pad surface 150 mates against the shape or contour of impingement shield 124. Pad 146 may self-adjust to the contour of impingement shield 124 when support member 140 is positioned against impingement shield 124. Alternatively, any support member 140 may be used that enables assembly 100 to function as described herein. Support portion 142 of support member 140 may be coupled to bracket 105 or to a support channel 152 in bracket 105. More particularly, support channel 152 may be positioned in a support arm 154 in bracket second portion 116 and may extend from second portion 116 to first portion 114. In the exemplary embodiment, support portion 142 is slideably coupled to support channel 152 to enable a distance 155 of separation between bracket 105 and pad 146 to be selectably adjusted.

During operation, one or more force device coupling portions 120 are coupled to zipper strip 122. For example, in one embodiment, three nuts, e.g., ½″ diameter number 12-thread, stainless-steel nuts, may be welded to zipper strip 122 at three different locations, e.g., near both ends 170, 172 and a middle 174. Force device 130 is coupled to connecting member 110 via second connecting portion 126. In one embodiment, force device 130 is a hydraulic jack, such as model RCH 121 Holl-o-ram commercially available from ENERPAC in Milwaukee, Wis. Alternatively, force device 130 may be any other device, including without limitation, a hollow-centered ram, that enables assembly 100 to function as described herein.

Connecting member 110 is coupled to zipper strip 122 via first coupling portion 118 of connecting member 110 and via coupling portion 120 of zipper strip 122. For example, the threads of first coupling portion 118 may be coupled with complementary threads on coupling portion 120. Assembly 100 is positioned with respect to impingement shield 124 to enable pads 146 to contact impingement shield 124.

Force device 130 exerts a force on connecting member 110 to selectably move connecting member 110. In the exemplary embodiment, force device 130 moves connecting member 110 in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to zipper strip 122. As connecting member 110 moves towards force device 130, zipper strip 122 is drawn towards bracket 105. Accordingly, support member 140, including pads 146, exerts a force against impingement shield 124 as zipper strip 122 is drawn towards bracket 105. In the exemplary embodiment, the opposing forces exerted on impingement shield 124 by connecting member 110 in one direction and by support members 140 in an opposite direction facilitate straightening zipper strip 122 and/or reshaping impingement shield 124 to a pre-determined profile.

Force device 130 may continue to induce a force on connecting member 110 until a pre-determined force or pressure is reached, until zipper strip 122 and/or impingement shield 124 have a desired shape or profile, and/or until connecting member 110 has traveled a pre-determined distance relative to bracket 105. For example, if force device 130 is a hydraulic jack, the jack may induce a force on connecting member 110 until the hydraulic pressure reaches a predetermined range, such as 1,000 pounds per square inch (PSI) to 1,200 PSI. In one embodiment, a contour gauge (not shown) is used to determine whether impingement shield 124 has been reshaped to the desired profile. It should be appreciated that, given the age and other properties of impingement shield 124, a spring-back of the impingement shield 124 may occur after force is removed from connecting member 110. Accordingly, impingement shield 124 and/or zipper strip 122 may be pulled beyond the pre-determined profile to allow for spring-back to the desired profile.

The above-described embodiments provide efficient and cost-effective methods and systems for shaping zipper strips and/or impingement shields. A tool assembly is provided that may be used with impingement shields of varying sizes to straighten a zipper strip prior to removing the zipper strip. A straightened zipper strip is easier to remove than a deformed strip and may be removed using fewer tools. An impingement shield that has the above-described profile, together with a straightened zipper strip, provides improved airflow and cooling to the turbine engine system.

Exemplary embodiments of a tool assembly and method of operating same are described above in detail. The tool assembly and method of operating same are not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, but rather, components of the tool assembly and/or steps of operating the tool assembly may be utilized independently and separately from other components and/or steps described herein. The tool assembly may be used during an impingement shield repair process to straighten a zipper strip before the zipper strip is removed from the impingement shield. Alternatively, or additionally, the tool assembly may be used to adjust the profile of the impingement shield before the zipper strip is removed or after a new zipper strip is installed. It should be appreciated that any coupling portions, e.g., nuts, coupled to the zipper strip, should be removed before the impingement shields are installed in the turbine engine. Additionally, the tool assembly may also be used in combination with other machines and methods, and is not limited to practice with only a turbine engine as described herein. Rather, the exemplary embodiment can be implemented and utilized in connection with many other systems. While zipper strips and impingement shields have been used in the exemplary embodiments described herein, it is contemplated that the tool assembly and method of operating same may be used to straighten or otherwise shape a variety of objects, including, without limitation, objects with a contoured or arcuate surface.

Although specific features of various embodiments of the invention may be shown in some drawings and not in others, this is for convenience only. In accordance with the principles of the invention, any feature of a drawing may be referenced and/or claimed in combination with any feature of any other drawing.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.

Claims

1. A tool assembly comprising:

a bracket comprising a first portion, a second portion, and a channel that extends from the first portion to the second portion;

a connecting member sized to be at least partially inserted through at least a portion of said channel, said connecting member oriented to couple to at least a portion of a zipper strip coupled to an impingement shield used in a turbine engine; and

at least one support member coupled to the second portion of said bracket.

2. A tool assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein said second portion comprises at least one support arm, said at least one support member is coupled to said at least one support arm.

3. A tool assembly in accordance with claim 2, further comprising at least one support channel that extends from said at least one support arm to said first portion for slideably coupling said at least one support member to said bracket.

4. A tool assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein said at least one support member comprises a pad and a moveable joint.

5. A tool assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein said connecting member is a threaded rod.

6. A tool assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein said connecting member comprises a first coupling portion and a second coupling portion.

7. A tool assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein said bracket further comprises a force device coupling portion for use in coupling a force device to said bracket.

8. A system comprising:

a tool assembly comprising: a bracket comprising a first portion, a second portion, and a channel that extends from the first portion to the second portion; a connecting member sized to be at least partially inserted through at least a portion of said channel, said connecting member configured to couple to at least a portion of a zipper strip coupled to an impingement shield used in a turbine engine; and at least one support member coupled to the second portion of said bracket; and

a force device coupled to said connecting member.

9. A system in accordance with claim 8, wherein said force device is coupled to said bracket.

10. A system in accordance with claim 8, wherein said second portion comprises at least one support arm, wherein said at least one support member is coupled to said at least one support arm.

11. A system in accordance with claim 10, further comprising at least one support channel that extends from said at least one support arm to said first portion for slideably coupling said at least one support member to said bracket.

12. A system in accordance with claim 8, wherein said at least one support member comprises a pad and a moveable joint.

13. A system in accordance with claim 8, wherein said connecting member is a threaded rod.

14. A system in accordance with claim 8, wherein said connecting member comprises a first coupling portion and a second coupling portion.

15. A system in accordance with claim 8, wherein said bracket further comprises a force device coupling portion that extends from said first portion to said second portion.

16. A method for shaping an impingement shield used in a turbine engine, said method comprising:

coupling a tool assembly to a zipper strip coupled to the impingement shield, wherein the tool assembly includes: a bracket having a first portion, a second portion, and a channel that extends from the first portion to the second portion; a connecting member sized to be at least partially inserted through at least a portion of the channel; and at least one support member coupled to the second portion;

coupling a force device to the tool assembly; and

repositioning the zipper strip with respect to the impingement shield using the force device.

17. A method in accordance with claim 16, wherein pulling the zipper strip comprises pulling the zipper strip until the impingement shield has a pre-determined profile.

18. A method in accordance with claim 16, further comprising positioning the at least one support member on a surface of the impingement shield.

19. A method in accordance with claim 16, wherein coupling a force device to the tool assembly comprises coupling the force device to the connecting member.

20. A method in accordance with claim 19, wherein coupling a tool assembly to a zipper strip comprises coupling the connecting member to the zipper strip.