Turbine assembly maintenance methods
The present invention is directed to in situ methods for maintaining turbine assemblies. One such method includes: disposing a maintenance apparatus on the rotor; positioning the maintenance apparatus proximate to the damaged region by rotating the rotor; and repairing the damaged region by operating a repair tool disposed on the apparatus. Another method includes: disposing a maintenance apparatus on the stator; positioning the damaged region proximate to the maintenance apparatus by rotating the rotor; and repairing the damaged region by operating a repair tool disposed on the apparatus.
1. A method for maintenance of a turbine assembly, the turbine assembly comprising a rotor and a stator, the rotor comprising a damaged region, the method comprising:
disposing a remotely controllable maintenance apparatus on the stator;
positioning the damaged region proximate to the maintenance apparatus by rotating the rotor; and
repairing the damaged region by operating a repair tool disposed on the apparatus.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein a camera is disposed on the apparatus, wherein the camera is operable to remotely transmit visual data to a receiver.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the camera is operable to wirelessly transmit visual data to the receiver.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising anchoring the apparatus subsequent to disposing of the apparatus.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the operating the repair tool comprises remotely transmitting a control signal to the apparatus.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the operating the repair tool comprises wirelessly transmitting the control signal to the apparatus.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein operating the repair tool comprises removing material from the damaged region.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein operating the repair tool comprises disposing a repair material on the damaged region.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein operating the repair tool comprises moving the repair tool relative to the damaged region.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the damaged region is a crack and the repairing the damaged region comprises repairing the crack.
11. The method of claim 1 , further comprising removing the apparatus from the turbine assembly.