External casing functional access port

摘要

A functional access port in a machine casing, a machine having a functional access port, and a method of monitoring a machine via a functional access port are disclosed herein. In an embodiment, an access port is provided in the external casing of an industrial machine. The access port comprises a passageway through the external casing of the machine, providing access to an interior of the machine. The access port further includes a removable passageway cover for removably occluding the passageway. A location, a size, a shape, and an orientation of the passageway relative to the external casing are strategically selected in accordance with engineering and design requirements to provide access through the passageway to a desired location on the interior of the machine while the external casing is in place, with minimal to no disassembly of the casing.

主权项

1. An access port for a turbomachine, the access port comprising:
a passageway through an external casing of the turbomachine; a removable passageway cover for removably occluding the passageway,
wherein a location, a size, a shape, and an orientation of the passageway relative to the external casing are strategically selected to provide access through the passageway to a desired location on an interior of the turbomachine while the external casing is in place; and a tool insert for the access port, wherein the tool insert is sized and dimensioned to be inserted into the access port when the removable passageway cover is removed, such that the tool insert and the removable passageway cover are interchangeably and alternatively inserted into the passageway, wherein when inserted into the access port, the tool insert or the removable passageway cover is secured to the external casing of the turbomachine by a bolt, wherein a head of the bolt is keyed such that a mated tool of a non-standard size and a non-standard shape is required to remove the bolt, and wherein the tool insert further comprises a repair tool, the repair tool being configured to radially outwardly remove at least one turbomachine blade and radially inwardly insert at least one replacement turbomachine blade through the access port.