Apparatus for moving turbine shell

Abstract

An apparatus for moving a turbine shell of a turbomachine is provided. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a shell support having a first member and a second member coupled to a side of an upper portion of a turbine shell. The apparatus also includes an actuator coupled to the shell support. The actuator may rotate the upper portion of the turbine shell to expose internal components of a turbine system. The apparatus may also include a platform positioned adjacent the shell support and a pivot assembly coupled to the shell support and actuator. The pivot assembly of the apparatus may be positioned on a first surface of the platform. Additionally, the apparatus may include a securing structure positioned on a second surface of the platform for preventing movement of the shell support during the rotating of the upper portion of the turbine shell.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus comprising:
 a shell support having a first member and a second member coupled to a side of an upper portion of a turbine shell; and   an actuator coupled to the shell support, the actuator for rotating the upper portion of the turbine shell to expose internal components of a turbine system.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator rotates the upper portion of the turbine shell to a range of approximately 80 degrees and approximately 95 degrees from horizontal. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator is selected from the group consisting of a mechanical ball screw actuator, a hydraulic actuator, a pneumatic actuator, and an electric actuator. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first member is coupled to a plurality of apertures on a vertical flange of the upper portion of the turbine shell, the plurality of apertures on the vertical flange for coupling the upper portion of the turbine shell to a compressor casing during operation of the turbine system. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second member is coupled to a plurality of openings on a horizontal flange of the upper portion of the turbine shell, the plurality of openings on the horizontal flange for coupling the upper portion of the turbine shell to a lower portion of the turbine shell during operation of the turbine system. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the first member and the second member are coupled to the upper portion of the turbine shell after the upper portion of the turbine shell is positioned above and separated from the lower portion of the turbine shell. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 5  further comprising:
 a platform positioned adjacent the shell support; 
 a pivot assembly coupled to the shell support and the actuator, the pivot assembly positioned on a first surface of the platform; and 
 a securing structure positioned on a second surface of the platform, the securing structure for substantially preventing movement of the shell support during the rotating of the upper portion of the turbine shell. 
 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the securing structure is coupled to a support for supporting the shell support during the rotation the upper portion of the turbine shell. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator is operably connected to a control system configured to control the actuator during the rotating of the upper portion of the turbine shell. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator rotates the upper portion of the turbine shell to engage a support structure positioned adjacent the turbine shell. 
     
     
         11 . A system comprising:
 a shell rotating apparatus coupled to opposing sides of an upper portion of a turbine shell, the shell rotating apparatus including:
 a shell support having a first member and a second member coupled to the upper portion of the turbine shell; and 
 an actuator coupled to the shell support, the actuator for rotating the upper portion of the turbine shell to expose internal components of a turbine system; and 
   a control system operably connected to the actuator of the shell rotating apparatus, the control system configured to control the actuator during the rotating of the upper portion of the turbine shell.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising a support structure positioned adjacent the shell rotating apparatus, the support structure for supporting the upper portion of the turbine shell after the rotating of the upper portion of the turbine shell by the actuator of the shell rotating apparatus. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the actuator of the shell rotating apparatus rotates the upper portion of the turbine shell to a range of approximately 80 degrees and approximately 95 degrees from horizontal. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the actuator is selected from the group consisting of a mechanical ball screw actuator, a hydraulic actuator, a pneumatic actuator, and an electric actuator. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the first member is coupled to a plurality of apertures on a vertical flange of the upper portion of the turbine shell, the plurality of apertures on the vertical flange for coupling the upper portion of the turbine shell to a compressor casing during operation of the turbine system. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the second member is coupled to a plurality of openings on a horizontal flange of the upper portion of the turbine shell, the plurality of openings on the horizontal flange for coupling the upper portion of the turbine shell to a lower portion of the turbine shell during operation of the turbine shell. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the first member and the second member are coupled to the upper portion of the turbine shell after the upper portion of the turbine shell is positioned above and separated from the lower portion of the turbine shell. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the shell rotating apparatus further includes:
 a platform positioned adjacent the shell support;   a pivot assembly coupled to the shell support and the actuator, the pivot assembly positioned on a first surface of the platform; and   a securing structure positioned on a second surface of the platform, the securing structure for substantially preventing movement of the shell support during the rotating of the upper portion of the turbine shell.   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the securing structure is coupled to a support for supporting the shell rotating apparatus during the rotation the upper portion of the turbine shell.