Stator bar handler and method

摘要

A flexible bar handler (10) that comprises a mobile carriage (14); a lift boom assembly (12) rotatably attached to rotate around a vertical axis of the carriage (14) to swing a distal end of the boom assembly (12) back and forth and pivotally attached to pivot around a horizontal axis of the carriage (14) to raise and lower the distal end of the boom assembly (12); and a lift bracket (16) comprising an elongated rail with receptor-shaped cross section (114) to lengthwise accommodate a bar, the lift bracket (16) being attached at a point on its length at the distal end of the longitudinal boom assembly (12) opposed to a counter weight attached at an opposite proximal end of the boom assembly (12), wherein the lift bracket (16) is pivotally attached to a horizontal pin (106) at the point to permit the lift bracket (16) to tilt to one side or the other so as to raise and lower the lift bracket (16) ends. A method of handling a stator bar; comprises loading the bar into a lift bracket (16) comprising an elongated rail with receptor-shaped cross section (114), wherein the lift bracket (16) is part of a flexible bar handler (10) that includes a mobile carriage (14); manipulating the lift bracket (16) by (i) swinging an end of the boom assembly (12) back and forth, (ii) raising or lowering an end of the boom assembly (12), (iii) tilting the lift bracket (16) to tilt the bracket to one side or the other so as to raise and lower the lift bracket (16) ends or (iv) moving the bar forward or backward by the mobile carriage (14) to position the bar for unloading into the stator slot; and unloading the bar into the slot.