Apparatus and methods for removing and installing an upper diaphragm half relative to an upper shell of a turbine

摘要

A pair of stands are spaced one from the other to support opposite ends of an upper shell and diaphragm halves of a turbine at locations along the upper shell axially beyond the diaphragm halves. Carts mounted on wheels each have a hydraulically actuated lift and a platform mounting support assemblies engagable with an upper diaphragm half at the midline. By engaging a diaphragm half from below the upper shell, securing the support assemblies to the upper diaphragm half and releasing the upper diaphragm half from the upper shell by removing bolts and keys to transfer the weight of the diaphragm half to the cart, the diaphragm half may be lowered from the upper shell and moved away. The diaphragm halves may then be refurbished and the process reversed to reinstall the diaphragm halves into the upper shell. During the process, the upper shell remains in its normal orientation, similarly as in the turbine.