Cross fire tube installation/removal methods and apparatus
The present application provides a cross fire tube installation/removal apparatus ( 100 ) for use with a combustor ( 25 ) of a gas turbine engine ( 10 ). The cross fire tube installation/removal apparatus ( 100 ) includes a cross fire tube assembly ( 110 ) having a sleeve ( 120, 130 ) with a tube groove ( 170, 180 ) therein and a cross fire tube tool ( 300 ) having a spring ( 390 ) with a spring flange ( 440 ). The spring flange ( 340 ) is sized to engage the tube groove ( 170, 180 ).
1 . A cross fire tube installation/removal apparatus for use with a combustor of a gas turbine engine, comprising:
a cross fire tube assembly;
the cross fire tube assembly comprising a sleeve with a tube groove therein; and
a cross fire tube tool;
the cross fire tube tool comprising a spring with a spring flange;
wherein the spring flange is sized to engage the tube groove; and
a reaction arm positioned on one end of the spring;
wherein the spring is retractable within the reaction arm such that the spring flange engages the tube groove.
2 . The cross fire tube installation/removal apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the spring comprises a tubular spring.
3 . The cross fire tube installation/removal apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the tubular spring comprises a plurality of spring slots therein.
4 . The cross fire tube installation/removal apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the spring is retractable within the reaction arm via a locking knob.
5 . The cross fire tube installation/removal apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the cross fire tube tool comprises a driving screw positioned within the reaction arm and the spring.
6 . The cross fire tube installation/removal apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the cross fire tube tool comprises a holder attached to the driving screw.
7 . The cross fire tube installation/removal apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the holder comprises a plurality of holder arms.
8 . A cross fire tube installation/removal apparatus comprising:
a cross fire tube assembly;
the cross fire tube assembly comprising a sleeve with a tube groove therein; and
a cross fire tube tool;
the cross fire tube tool comprising a spring with a spring flange;
wherein the spring flange is sized to engage the tube groove;
a reaction arm positioned on one end of the spring; and
a driving screw positioned within the reaction arm and the spring;
wherein the driving screw comprises a cone end for engagement with the spring flange; and
wherein the spring is retractable within the reaction arm such that the spring flange engages the tube groove and is locked into place by the cone end.
9 . The cross fire tube installation/removal apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the driving screw comprises a bearing journal positioned thereon about the cone end.
10 . The cross fire tube installation/removal apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the driving screw comprises a sleeve bearing positioned about the cone end.
11 . The cross fire tube installation/removal apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the cross fire tube assembly comprises a pair of sleeves and a bias.
12 . The cross fire tube installation/removal apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the sleeve comprises a flange with the tube groove therein.
13 . The cross fire tube installation/removal apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the cross fire tube assembly comprises a collar sized to accommodate the flange.