Method for removing an end cap of a combustor cap assembly

Abstract

A method for removing an end cap assembly from a combustor cap assembly includes inserting a push rod through an opening in a back plate portion of the cap assembly. One end of the push rod is engaged with a radial support feature of the end cap assembly and a substantially linear force is applied to the push rod. The force is distributed to the radial support feature, thereby preventing damage to a cap plate portion of the end cap assembly.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for removing an end cap assembly from a combustor cap assembly, comprising:
 a. inserting a push rod through an opening in a back plate portion of the cap assembly;   b. engaging one end of the push rod with a radial support feature of the end cap assembly; and   c. applying a force to the push rod.   
     
     
         2 . The method as in  claim 1 , wherein the push rod is threaded, the method further comprising threading the push rod into the opening until the one end of the push rod engages with the radial support feature. 
     
     
         3 . The method as in  claim 2 , wherein the step of applying a force to the push rod further comprises applying torque to the push rod. 
     
     
         4 . The method as in  claim 1 , wherein the step of applying a force to the push rod includes providing an opposing force to at least one of an outer barrel assembly or an inner barrel assembly of the cap assembly. 
     
     
         5 . The method as in  claim 1 , further comprising removing a mechanical fastener from the opening prior to inserting the push rod through the opening. 
     
     
         6 . The method as in  claim 1 , further comprising removing a plurality of mechanical fasteners that extend radially between an inner barrel of the cap assembly and the end cap assembly prior to applying the force to the push rod. 
     
     
         7 . The method as in  claim 1 , further comprising coupling the push rod to an alignment plate. 
     
     
         8 . A method for removing an end cap assembly from a combustor cap assembly, comprising:
 a. inserting a plurality of push rods through a plurality of corresponding openings defined in a back plate of the cap assembly;   b. engaging one end of each push rod with a radial support feature of the end cap assembly;   c. mounting the cap assembly within a press; and   d. applying a force to the push rods via the press.   
     
     
         9 . The method as in  claim 8 , further comprising boring the openings into the back plate prior to inserting the plurality of push rods through the plurality of openings. 
     
     
         10 . The method as in  claim 8 , further comprising removing a fastener from each of the openings prior to inserting the plurality of push rods through the openings. 
     
     
         11 . The method as in  claim 8 , wherein the step of applying a force to the push rods includes providing an opposing force via the press to at least one of an outer barrel assembly or an inner barrel assembly of the cap assembly. 
     
     
         12 . The method as in  claim 8 , further comprising positioning an outer barrel of the cap assembly on a vertical support. 
     
     
         13 . The method as in  claim 8 , further comprising coupling the push rods to an alignment plate, wherein the force is applied to the push rods via the alignment plate. 
     
     
         14 . A method for separating an end cap assembly from an inner barrel of a combustor cap assembly, comprising:
 a. removing a plurality of mechanical fasteners that extend between the inner barrel and the end cap assembly;   b. inserting a plurality of push rods through a corresponding plurality of openings defined within one or more retention plates of the cap assembly;   c. engaging one end of each push rod with a radial support feature of the end cap assembly;   d. positioning an outer barrel portion of the cap assembly atop one or more vertical supports; and   e. applying a force to the push rods.   
     
     
         15 . The method as in  claim 14 , wherein the push rods are threaded, the method further comprising threading the push rods into the openings until the one end of each push rod engages with the radial support feature. 
     
     
         16 . The method as in  claim 15 , wherein the step of applying a force to the push rods further comprises applying torque to the push rods. 
     
     
         17 . The method as in  claim 14 , further comprising coupling the push rod to an alignment plate. 
     
     
         18 . The method as in  claim 17 , wherein the force is applied to the push rods via the alignment plate. 
     
     
         19 . The method as in  claim 14 , further comprising positioning the cap assembly within a press, wherein the force is applied to the push rods via the press. 
     
     
         20 . The method as in  claim 14 , wherein the force is applied to the push rods via a manual tool.