FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to industrial Turbo-generators and in
particular a structural support-device for large size rotor of turbo-generators.
More particularly, the invention relates to a universal transport frame device for
safe transportation of large size rotor assembly for turbo-generators.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Turbo-generator rotor is one of the heaviest and longest components in a power
plant. The component warrants a safe-handling during various stages of its
manufacture, assembly, transportation, and installation. It is to be ensured that
every exposable part of the rotor is protected from metal to metal contact.
Though the principal component of the rotor is a rotor forging, the generator
rotor is actually an assembly of several components. It is machined from a single
forging, slotted to assemble winding, and provided space to accommodate
winding protection components against centrifugal forces. There are several
other components for example, coupling, fans, exciter armature fitted to the
rotor. Damage to any of the above components affects the generator
performance and hence it is necessary to ensure ultra-safe handling of the rotor
assembly.
Transport of turbo-generator is one of the critical activates which has a bearing
on the design data including the machine size and assembly. The parameters for
example, length, maximum diameter or weight of the generator are the decisive
factors to select the mode of dispatch which is also influenced by the quality of

roads and bridges enroute. In view of the round cross sections of the rotor with
various steps, including a massive length, the rotor assembly is highly
susceptible to damage, if not safely handled during transportation by mounting
on a meticulously designed transport frame. During transport, according to prior
art, the rotor is firmly supported to a frame which in turn is anchored to the
chassis of the transporting vehicle. As per prior art shown in Figure - 1, the rotor
transport frame is a welded structure comprising plates and sheets and rolled
sections. The frame is fabricated corresponding to the dimension of a particular
rotor. The prior art transport frame hence is tailor made, based on a specific
generator module, envisaged for transportation. It is manufactured as a single
piece fabricated device. As it is a tailor made construction, manufacturing cycle
time is more and the transport frame members are to be decided and made
available well in advance. The transport frame as per prior art is suitable to carry
only a single correspondingly-sized rotor. Thus, the prior art transport frames are
not interchangeable.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the invention, to propose a universal transport frame
device for safe transportation of large-sized rotor frame assembly, which
eliminates disadvantages of prior art.
Anther object of the invention is to propose a universal transport frame device
for safe transportation of large-sized rotor frame assembly, which is modular in
construction, and adjustable corresponding to size of the rotor assembly.

A further object of the invention is to propose a universal transport frame device
for safe transportation of large-sized rotor frame assembly, in which the
mounting supports are slidable and the length is adjustable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention proposes a modular construction of a transport frame
device, comprising a plurality of standard rolled sections and sheets of mild steel.
A device as per invention is shown in Figure 2. The device consists of at least
four carriages which slide along the length of transport frame device. Out of the
four, two carriages are intended to support the rotor at the journals and two at
the barrel near the retaining ring seating. The carriages are mounted on a pair of
channels centrally routed along the length of the transport frame. The channel
pair is arranged such that a slot is formed in between to axially guide the
carriages. The movement of the carriages is arrested from coming out of position
by providing a central inverted T sliding means. The portion of the carriage that
carries the rotor essentially consists of a hollow box with top open. A wooden log
of outer rectangular shape and central inner radius is placed inside the hollow
box. The inner radius of the wooden log matches with the rotor barrel or journal
diameter as the case may be. The outer two carriages carry the wooden logs
whose inner surface is semi-circular with radius matching to the radius of the
rotor journal.
The outer carriages are located along the length of the twin channel assembly
such that the rotor journals are supported on the wooden logs. During transport
of the rotor, the axial movement of the rotor is arrested by the above carriages

as the inner carriage pair acts as stoppers and restrain the retaining rings from
moving away. At the same time, the outer carriages restrain the movement of
the rotor by acting as stoppers at the journals.
The advantage of the inventive device is that a single transport frame can be
used for rotors of different barrel lengths and diameters and different bearing
spans and diameters. For generators in a defined capacity range, either the
length or diameter of the rotor barrel gets changed to limit rotor weight within a
range, the journal diameter being the same. In the event, the rotor barrel length
increases or decreases, the location of the inner carrier sections are moved away
or moved inside respectively in relation to the rotor centre line such that they are
in contact with the inner edge of the retaining rings. In the event, the barrel
diameter changes, the wooden blocks placed inside the inner carriages are
replaced with those matching the modified barrel diameter. Hence, other than
the wooden blocks, the construction of the transport frame remains unchanged.
Thus a common base frame is made suiting to a rating of turbo-generators.
Depending on the final requirement, the wooden blocks alone would be made
and fitted inside the carriages and the carriage locations determined as per the
actual barrel length and journal spans. This flexibility to use the same frame for
rotors of different barrel diameters and different journal diameters allow
standardisation, reduction in transport frame inventory, reduced manufacturing
cycle time, and reduced cost.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
Figure 1 - shows the transport frame as per prior art.
Figure 2 - shows the details of a transport frame device as per invention.

Figure 3 - shows the details of the wooden insert.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
As shown in figure-2, the transport frame device as per invention consists of two
longitudinal beam sections made out of mild steel that support the generator
rotor. The central section of the frame is reinforced with steel channels. The two
carriages that support the rotor barrel are sliding type as per fabrication. The
carriages are welded to the beams once the rotor is placed on them. The
arrestors welded to the carriages, guide them to move straight during initial
position adjustment.
As shown in figure -3, the carriages that support the journals or barrel consist of
the wooden insets that are turned at their bore such that the rotor journal and
barrel sit tightly in position. This arrangement does not allow the rotor to move
loose during transport.
In the event the rotor is intended to be used to carry rotor of different barrel
diameter or journal size, the corresponding wooden block will be inserted into
the carriage.
As shown in figure 1, carriages position 2 are rigidly welded to the frame
structure according to prior art. As the mass of the rotor is decided by the barrel
position 1, the lifting trunions are provided just below the carriages. Carriages for
supporting the journal position 4 are shown in position 3.
As shown in figure 3, and according to the invention, the carriages that support
the journal and barrel are shown at position numbers 2 and 3 respectively.

WE CLAIM
1. A universal transport frame device for safe transportation of large-sized
rotor frame assembly, comprising:
- a frame member consisting of two longitudinal metal beam, the central
section of the frame member being structurally strengthened by a pair
of reinforced metal channel members;
- at least four carriages mounted centrally on said channel members
being slidable along the length of the frame member, the channel pair
being disposed in such a way that a slot being formed in-beam to
allow axial movement of the carriages;
- a first pair of the two-pairs of carriages supporting the rotor on the
journals, a second pair of the carriages supporting the rotor on the
barrel adjacent the retaining ring seating;
- a centrally-inverted T-sliding means provided on the frame member to
arrest de-positioning of the carriages,
characterized in that device comprises a hollow-box portion configured
with top-open on the first pair of carriages to absorb a substantial load-
component of the rotor, in that a rectangular shape wooden log with a
central inner radius is placed on the hollow box, in that the inner radius of
the wooden log matches with one of the diameter of the barrel and the
journal, and in that the second pair of the carriages carry the wooden log.
2. A universal transport frame device for safe transportation of large-sized
rotor frame assembly, as substantially described and illustrated herein
with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The invention relates to a universal transport frame device for safe
transportation of large-sized rotor frame assembly, comprising a frame member
consisting of two longitudinal metal beam, the central section of the frame
member being structurally strengthened by a pair of reinforced metal channel
members; at least four carriages mounted centrally on said channel members
being slidable along the length of the frame member, the channel pair being
disposed in such a way that a slot being formed in-beam to allow axial
movement of the carriages; a first pair of the two-pairs of carriages supporting
the rotor on the journals, a second pair of the carriages supporting the rotor on
the barrel adjacent the retaining ring seating; a centrally-inverted T-sliding
means provided on the frame member to arrest de-positioning of the carriages,
device comprises a hollow-box portion configured with top-open on the first pair
of carriages to absorb a substantial load-component of the rotor, in that a
rectangular shape wooden log with a central inner radius is placed on the hollow
box, in that the inner radius of the wooden log matches with one of the diameter
of the barrel and the journal, and in that the second pair of the carriages carry
the wooden log.