System and method for overhauling a turbine component
A separation tool is configured to extract an end cap from a main body of a turbine component. The separation tool includes a first body with a first base and a first holding portion that projects from the base and a second body with a second base and a second holding portion. The first and second bodies are separable from each other and are configured to form a contoured gap when the first and second bodies are positioned against each other in a side-by-side configuration. In addition, the first and second bodies are configured so that when the first and second bodies are brought together, a first side wall of the gap is convex and a second side wall of the gap opposing the first side wall is concave.
1 . A separation tool configured to extract an end cap from a main body of a turbine component, the separation tool comprising:
a first body with a first base and a first holding portion that projects from the first base; and
a second body with a second base and a second holding portion,
wherein both of the first and second holding portions are configured to engage the end cap of the turbine component,
wherein the first and second bodies are separable from each other and are configured to form a contoured gap when the first and second bodies are positioned against each other in a side-by-side configuration, and
wherein the first and second bodies are configured so that when the first and second bodies are brought together, a first side wall of the gap is convex and a second side wall of the gap opposing the first side wall is concave.
2 . The separation tool of claim 1 , wherein the gap comprises one or more regions in which the gap is wider than in other regions.
3 . The separation tool of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of an upper surface of the first holding portion and at least a portion of an upper surface of the second holding portion are inclined in the same direction when the first and second bodies are positioned against each other in the side-by-side configuration.
4 . The separation tool of claim 1 , wherein the first base has a larger footprint than the first holding portion and forms a lip or flange around the first holding portion.
5 . The separation tool of claim 4 , wherein the second base has a larger footprint than the second holding portion and forms a lip or flange around the second holding portion.
6 . The separation tool of claim 1 , wherein the first holding portion comprises a first contoured substantially vertical wall, the second holding portion comprises a second contoured substantially vertical wall, and the first and second contoured substantially vertical walls are configured to face each other to form the gap when the first and second bodies are brought together in the side-by-side configuration.
7 . An extraction device configured to extract a main body of a turbine component from an end cap, the extraction device comprising:
an actuator;
one or more extractors attached to the actuator;
and the separation tool of claim 1 .
8 . The extraction device of claim 7 , wherein the actuator is configured to move the one or more extractors toward the separation tool so that the one or more extractors applies a downward force against the main body of the turbine component while the separation tool prevents the end cap from moving downward.
9 . The extraction device of claim 7 , wherein the first body of the separation tool is laterally movable toward and away from the second body of the separation tool, while the second body of the separation tool is anchored to a frame of the extraction device.
10 . The extraction device of claim 9 , further comprising a rod configured to move the first body of the separation tool toward and away from the second body of the separation tool.
11 . A separation tool configured to extract an end cap from a main body of a turbine component, the separation tool comprising:
a first body with a first substantially planar base and a first block that projects from the first base, a footprint of the first planar base extending beyond a footprint of the first block; and
a second body with a second substantially planar base and a second block that projects from the second base, a footprint of the second base extending beyond a footprint of the second block,
wherein the first and second bodies are configured to be joined together in a side-by-side arrangement in which the first and second bases engage each other to prevent the first and second blocks from coming into contact with each other so that a gap remains between the first and second blocks when the first and second bodies are joined together, and
wherein the gap between the first and second blocks is curved in a lateral direction.
12 . The separation tool of claim 11 , wherein a width of the gap varies in a lateral direction.
13 . The separation tool of claim 11 , wherein the first block has a first wall, the second block has a second wall, the first and second walls are configured to face each other and form opposite sides of the gap when the first and second bodies are joined together, and wherein one of the first and second walls is concave and the other of the first and second walls is convex.
14 . The separation tool of claim 13 , wherein the first and second walls are substantially vertical.
15 . The separation tool of claim 13 , wherein each of the first and second walls comprises at least one recess.
16 . The separation tool of claim 15 , wherein the at least one recess on the first wall is positioned to oppose the at least one recess on the second wall when the first and second bodies are joined together.
17 . The separation tool of claim 11 , wherein at least a portion of an upper surface of the first block and at least a portion of an upper surface of the second block are inclined in the same direction when the first and second bodies are joined together in the side-by-side configuration.
18 . An extraction device configured to extract a main body of a turbine component from an end cap, the extraction device comprising:
a frame;
an actuator attached to the frame;
one or more extractors attached to the actuator, the actuators being movable relative to the frame;
and the separation tool of claim 11 ,
wherein the one or more extractors are configured to pass between the first and second bodies of the separation tool when the first and second bodies are joined together.
19 . The extraction device of claim 18 , wherein, the separation tool is configured to hold the turbine component so that at least a portion of the main body of the turbine component is located within gap between the first and second bodies of the separation tool, and an end cap of the turbine component rests on the first and second blocks of the separation tool.
20 . The extraction device of claim 19 , wherein, the actuator is configured to move the one or more extractors to apply a downward force against the turbine component while the main body of the turbine component is held between the first and second bodies the separation tool, and wherein the first and second bodies of the separation tool are configured to prevent the end cap of the turbine component from moving downward while at the same time allowing the main body of the turbine component to pass between the first and second bodies of the separation tool.