IP Library Granted Patent US 11,891,914
Granted Patent B2
US 11,891,914 · App. 17/284,939 · Granted Feb 6, 2024

Safety apparatus

Inventor: Trevor Milne (Sheffield, GB)
Assignee: Siemens Energy Global GmbH & Co. KG
F01D5/025F01D21/04F02C7/00F01D5/026F01D19/00F01D21/00F01D21/06F02C3/107F05D2220/323F05D2240/24F05D2240/60F05D2260/36
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,891,914
App. No.
17/284,939
Granted
Feb 6, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

A safety apparatus for containing a release of energy from a tension stud of a rotor assembly, the safety apparatus includes an elongate member defining a longitudinal axis and at least two arms projecting away from the longitudinal axis of the elongate member. In use, in a first orientation, the elongate member is configured to be connected to a tool apparatus for applying a load energy to the tension stud and the at least two arms of the safety apparatus are configured to overlap with at least part of the tool apparatus in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the elongate member to contain the release of energy therebetween.

Claims (48)

1. A safety apparatus for containing a release of energy from a tension stud of a rotor assembly, the safety apparatus comprising:

an elongate member defining a longitudinal axis; and

at least two arms projecting away from the longitudinal axis of the elongate member,

wherein in use, in a first orientation, the elongate member is configured to be connected to a tool apparatus for applying a load energy to the tension stud and the at least two arms of the safety apparatus are configured to overlap with at least part of the tool apparatus in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the elongate member to contain the release of energy therebetween.

2. The safety apparatus according to claim 1 ,

wherein the safety apparatus is movable between the first orientation and a second orientation in which the at least two arms of the safety apparatus are clear of the tool apparatus in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the elongate member.

3. The safety apparatus according to claim 2 , further comprising:

a lifting member projecting away from the longitudinal axis of the elongate member in a first direction and the at least two arms project away from the longitudinal axis of the elongate member in a second direction, wherein the second direction is different to the first direction,

wherein, in use, the lifting member is movable to move the safety apparatus between the first orientation and the second orientation.

4. The safety apparatus according to claim 2 ,

wherein the safety apparatus is rotatable throughout approximately 90 degrees between the first orientation and the second orientation.

5. A tool assembly for applying a load to a tension stud of a rotor assembly, the tool assembly comprising:

at least one safety apparatus according to claim 1 ; and

a tool apparatus comprising:

a tool head for connecting to the tension stud;

a compression body for engaging with a shaft of the rotor assembly; and

an actuator for applying a load to the tool head and compression body,

wherein the at least one safety apparatus is connected to the tool assembly, wherein in the first orientation, at least part of the tool head is located between the at least two arms of the safety apparatus.

6. The tool assembly according to claim 5 ,

wherein the tool assembly comprises two diametrically opposed safety apparatus connected to the tool apparatus.

7. The tool assembly according to claim 5 ,

wherein the tool head comprises a removable insert, the removable insert comprising:

a male thread for engaging with a co-operative female thread within the tool head; and

a female thread for engaging with a co-operative male thread of the tension stud.

8. The tool assembly according to claim 5 ,

wherein the compression body comprises a substantially cylindrical sidewall comprising an aperture.

9. The tool assembly according to claim 5 , further comprising:

a measurement apparatus configured to measure the extension of the tension stud.

10. The tool assembly according to claim 9 ,

wherein the measurement apparatus comprises a plunger configured to extend through the tool head and engage with the tension stud.

11. The tool assembly according to claim 5 ,

wherein the actuator comprises a hydraulic load cell.

12. The tool assembly according to claim 5 ,

wherein the safety apparatus is movable between the first orientation and a second orientation in which the at least two arms of the safety apparatus are clear of the tool apparatus in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the elongate member;

the safety apparatus further comprising a lifting member projecting away from the longitudinal axis of the elongate member in a first direction and the at least two arms project away from the longitudinal axis of the elongate member in a second direction, wherein the second direction is different to the first direction;

wherein, in use, the lifting member is movable to move the safety apparatus between the first orientation and the second orientation;

wherein the tool apparatus is moveable relative to the safety apparatus in the second orientation such that the tool head is engageable with the lifting member to enable the tool assembly to be lifted as a single piece.

13. A method of applying a load to a tension stud of a rotor assembly, the method comprising:

engaging a compression body with a shaft of the rotor assembly;

connecting a tool head to the tension stud;

providing an actuator between the tool head and the compression body;

positioning the safety apparatus of claim 1 in a first orientation in which at least part of the tool head is located between the at least two arms of the safety apparatus; and

actuating the actuator to apply a load to the tool head and the compression body to provide a tension load in the tension stud.

14. The method according to claim 13 , further comprising

measuring the elongation of the tension stud via measurement apparatus.

15. The method according to claim 14 , further comprising:

determining that the tension stud has elongated by a predetermined amount; and

rotating a connector connected to a load retainer which is co-operatively threaded to the tension stud, wherein the load retainer is moved so that it engages with the shaft of the rotor assembly.

Assignments (4)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Apr 29, 2021
From: SIEMENS INDUSTRIAL TURBOMACHINERY LIMITED
To: SIEMENS ENERGY INDUSTRIAL TURBOMACHINERY LIMITED
Reel/Frame 056080/0334 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 29, 2021
From: MILNE, TREVOR
To: SIEMENS ENERGY INDUSTRIAL TURBOMACHINERY LIMITED
Reel/Frame 056080/0346 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 29, 2021
From: SIEMENS ENERGY INDUSTRIAL TURBOMACHINERY LIMITED
To: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
Reel/Frame 056080/0365 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 29, 2021
From: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
To: SIEMENS ENERGY GLOBAL GMBH & CO. KG
Reel/Frame 056080/0427 →
Priority Claims (1)
EP 18203338 · Oct 30, 2018 · regional
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20210355829A1 · Nov 18, 2021