Method and System for Handling a Rotary Machine

Abstract

A method and system for handling a rotor and a stator of a rotary machine employs a frame and a carriage The carriage rides on and is guided by a parallel pair of tracks that extend away from the frame. The frame and tracks both rest on a horizontal surface. The stator can be placed on the carriage and the frame can be used to provide support to the rotor. A force may be applied between the rotor and stator in a direction to move the carriage relative to the frame.

1 . A method for handling a rotor and a stator of a rotary machine, the method employing a frame and a carriage, the method comprising the steps of:
 placing the stator on the carriage,   using the frame to provide support to the rotor, and   applying a force between the rotor and stator in a direction to move the carriage relative to the frame   
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the step of using the frame to provide support to the rotor is performed by
 applying an upward force at a first location at the rotary machine to lift the rotor; and 
 applying a force at a second location spaced from the first location in order to apply a moment to the rotor tending to upwardly bias portions of the rotor spaced inwardly from the first location 
 
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the step of using the frame to provide support to the rotor is performed by:
 applying an upward force at a first location at the rotary machine to lift the rotor; and 
 applying a downward force at a second location spaced outwardly from the first location in order to apply a moment to the rotor tending to upwardly bias portions of the rotor spaced inwardly from the first location. 
 
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 2  wherein the step of applying an upward force is performed by:
 attaching a plate at the first location, and 
 running a line down from the frame to attach to the plate 
 
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 2  employing a first and a second brace, the method comprising the steps of
 attaching the first brace at a remote end of the stator furthest from the frame; 
 placing the second brace beyond an end of the rotor that is furthest from the remote end; 
 connecting rigging between the first and the second brace; and 
 applying a force between the second brace and the rotor in a direction to drive the carriage toward the frame and toward the second brace. 
 
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 5  comprising the step of:
 fully lodging the rotor inside the stator 
 
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 2  wherein the frame has four upright legs supporting a pair of crossbeams, the step of applying an upward force being performed by:
 running a line down from one of the pair of crossbeams to transmit the upward force to the rotor. 
 
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 7  wherein the step of applying a downward force being performed by:
 positioning a given pair of the four upright legs on opposite sides of the rotor, and 
 lashing the rotary machine to a lower portion of the given pair of the upright legs to transmit the downward force to the rotor. 
 
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 8  wherein a parallel pair of tracks extend away from the frame, the step of placing the stator on the carriage being performed by:
 positioning the carriage on the tracks to be guided thereby. 
 
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 1  employing a stator brace, the method comprising the step of:
 mounting the stator brace alongside an end of the stator that is furthest from the frame, and 
 applying a force between the rotor and the stator brace in a direction to drive the carriage away from the frame and away from the rotor. 
 
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 10  comprising the step of:
 separating the rotor from the stator 
 
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the step of using the rotor to provide support to the frame is performed by:
 applying an lifting force at a first location at the rotary machine to lift the rotor, and 
 applying an upward force at a second location spaced inwardly from the first location in order to apply a moment to the rotor tending to upwardly bias portions of the rotor spaced inwardly from the first location 
 
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 12  wherein the frame has four upright legs supporting a pair of crossbeams, the step of using the frame to provide support to the rotor being performed by:
 running a line down from one of the pair of crossbeams to provide support to the rotor 
 
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 13  wherein a parallel pair of tracks extend away from the frame, the step of placing the stator on the carriage being performed by
 positioning the carriage on the tracks to be guided thereby. 
 
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the rotary machine includes a sheave coaxially attached to the rotor, the step of using the frame to provide support to the rotor being performed by coupling to the frame a portion of the sheave that is proximate to the rotor 
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 1  employing a pair of tracks and a crosstie releasably attached between the pair of tracks, comprising the steps of:
 placing the carriage on the tracks to be guided thereby, and 
 temporarily disconnecting the crosstie from the pair of tracks while placing the stator on the carriage 
 
     
     
         17 . A system for handling a rotor and a stator of a rotary machine, comprising:
 a frame adapted to rest on a horizontal surface,   a parallel pair of tracks adapted to rest on the horizontal surface and extend away from the frame; and   a carriage riding on and guided by the pair of tracks, the carriage being adapted to carry the stator.   
     
     
         18 . A system according to  claim 17  wherein the frame comprises:
 a spaced pair of parallel crossbeams, and 
 four upright legs supporting the pair of crossbeams. 
 
     
     
         19 . A system according to  claim 18  wherein the pair of tracks are connected to the frame. 
     
     
         20 . A system according to  claim 19  wherein the frame has a parallel pair of struts connected to a lower portion of the upright legs, a first adjacent pair of the upright legs being spanned by one of the pair of struts, the other one of the pair of struts spanning a second adjacent pair of the upright legs, the pair of crossbeams being transverse to the pair of struts 
     
     
         21 . A system according to  claim 17  wherein the frame has a parallel pair of struts and wherein each of the pair of tracks has a J-shaped cross-section and is connected to a different respective one of the struts. 
     
     
         22 . A system according to  claim 21 , wherein the length of the pair of tracks extending beyond the struts is adjustable 
     
     
         23 . A system according to  claim 22  wherein the pair of tracks each has a distal end, the system comprising:
 a crosstie releasably attached between the distal ends of the pair of tracks 
 
     
     
         24 . A system according to  claim 23  wherein the pair of struts each have a distal end, the system comprising:
 a cross member releasably attached between the distal ends of the pair of struts, the cross member having a lower hitch. 
 
     
     
         25 . A system according to  claim 24  wherein each of the frame has a spaced pair of upper hitches. 
     
     
         26 . A system according to  claim 23  wherein the carriage has a pair of trolleys, each of the trolleys having a support member connected between a pair of riders, each of the riders having a pair of wheels attached to a plate, each of the tracks having a stop to limit inward movement of the carriage. 
     
     
         27 . A system according to  claim 26  wherein each of the pair of wheels has a cylindrical drum adjacent a concentric circular flange. 
     
     
         28 . A system according to  claim 24  wherein the frame has a pair of legs, each having a rigging plate, each rigging plate having at least one aperture.