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EP-4033088-B1 - FUEL NOZZLE SEAL REMOVAL TOOL

EP4033088B1EP 4033088 B1EP4033088 B1EP 4033088B1EP-4033088-B1

Inventors

  • VIERHOUT, ROBERT W.

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20220125

Claims (15)

  1. A system for facilitating removal of a c-seal (120) seated in a seal channel (122) of a flange (108) of a fuel injector (102), the system comprising: a holder (104) including a mounting feature (106) configured to mount, in use, to one side of the flange (108) of the fuel injector (102); and characterised by : a block (110) including a mounting feature configured to mount to a side (109) of the flange that is axially opposite from the holder, such that the flange (108) and he seal channel (122) are, in use, located axially between the holder and the block; at least one punch aperture (116) defined in the block in the axial direction; and a punch (114) configured to pass through the at least one punch aperture in the block, wherein the punch aperture is configured to guide a tip (118) of the punch into position in the seal channel between the block and the holder, to deform the c-seal (120) seated in the seal channel (122) of the flange.
  2. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one punch aperture (116) is a plurality of punch apertures, each punch aperture configured to guide the tip (118) of the punch into position to deform a c-seal (120) seated in a seal channel (122) of the flange.
  3. The system as recited in claim 2, wherein each punch aperture in the plurality of punch apertures includes a bushing (126) seated therein, wherein the bushing is configured to facilitate guided movement of the punch through the respective aperture in the block.
  4. The system as recited in any preceding claim, wherein the block includes a plurality of pin apertures (128) therethrough for receiving pins (130) to engage with holder through mounting apertures in the flange of the fuel injector.
  5. The system as recited in claim 4, wherein the block includes a plurality of pin apertures therethrough for receiving pins to engage with the holder through mounting apertures in the flange of the fuel injector, wherein the punch apertures alternate with the pin apertures in a circumferential pattern around the block.
  6. The system as recited in claim 5, wherein the block includes three punch apertures and four pin apertures.
  7. The system as recited in any preceding claim, wherein the block defines a u-shape about a main channel (134) configured to accommodate a feed arm (136) of the fuel injector.
  8. The system as recited in claim 7, wherein the holder defines a u-shape about the main channel, wherein the holder and block are mounted to the flange with the u-shape of the holder opening in an opposite direction from that of the block.
  9. The system as recited in any preceding claim, wherein the tip (118) of the punch is shaped to fit within the seal channel (122).
  10. The system as recited in claim 9, wherein the punch includes an enlarged end (124) opposite the tip.
  11. A method of removing a c-seal (120) seated in a seal channel (122) of a flange (108) of a fuel injector (102), the method comprising: removing a fuel injector (102) from a system; and seating the fuel injector in a holder (104); and characterised by : affixing a block (110) to the fuel injector and holder, wherein the block includes a plurality of punch apertures (116) extending axially therethrough, such that the flange (108) and the seal channel (122) are, in use, located axially between the holder and the block; inserting a punch (114) into one of the punch apertures; striking the punch with a force to deform a c-seal (120) positioned between the holder and the block and engaged with the fuel injector; removing the block from the holder and fuel injector; and removing the c-seal from the fuel injector.
  12. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein inserting the punch into one of the punch apertures and striking the punch are repeated for each of the punch apertures.
  13. The method as recited in claim 11 or 12, wherein affixing the block to the fuel injector and holder includes seating a respective pin aperture (128) of the block onto a respective pin (130) passing from the holder through flange of the fuel injector.
  14. The method as recited in claim 11, 12 or 13, wherein the block defines a u-shape about a main channel (134), wherein affixing the block includes accommodating a feed arm (136) of the fuel injector in the main channel.
  15. The method as recited in claim 14, wherein the holder defines a u-shape about the main channel, wherein affixing the block includes affixing the block so the holder and block are mounted to the flange with the u-shape of the holder opening in an opposite direction from that of the block.

Description

BACKGROUND 1. Field The present disclosure relates to fuel nozzles, and more particularly to seals for fuel nozzles and their removal. 2. Description of Related Art A c-seal is used to seal between fuel injectors in gas turbine engines and the high pressure engine case. When soft materials are used for the c-seal, such as copper, brass, or the like, the c-seal can be removed from the fuel injector during maintenance using traditional techniques with relative ease. The traditional technique involves using a hammer and chisel method to remove the c-seal. However, if a harder material is used for the c-seal, removal of the c-seal from the fuel injector without damaging the fuel injector can be dependent on the skill and steady hands of the individual removing the c-seal. It is not therefore certain that damage to the injector can be avoided. A seal removal tool is disclosed in US 3 909 916 A and in US 3,286,335 A. Document DE 10 2008 056876 A disclose a system for removing a valve seat ring from the valve seat. The conventional techniques have been considered satisfactory for their intended purpose. However, there is an ever present need for improved systems and methods for simplified and damage free removal of fuel nozzle seals. This disclosure provides a solution for this need. SUMMARY A system is provided as defined by claim 1. The at least one punch aperture can be a plurality of punch apertures, each punch aperture configured to guide the tip of the punch into position to deform a c-seal seated in a seal channel of the flange. Each punch aperture in the plurality of punch apertures can include a bushing seated therein. The bushing can be configured to facilitate guided movement of the punch through the respective aperture in the block. The block can also include a plurality of pin apertures therethrough for receiving pins to engage with the holder through mounting apertures in the flange of the fuel injector. The punch apertures can alternate with the pin apertures in a circumferential pattern around the block, and there can be three punch apertures and four pin apertures. The block can define a u-shape about a main channel configured to accommodate a feed arm of the fuel injector. The holder can define a u-shape about a main channel, such that the holder and block are mounted to the flange with the u-shape of the holder opening in an opposite direction from that of the block. A method is provided as defined by claim 11. Inserting the punch into one of the punch apertures and striking the punch can be repeated for each of the punch apertures. Affixing the block to the fuel injector and holder can include seating a respective pin aperture of the block onto a respective pin passing from the holder through flange of the fuel injector. Affixing the block can include accommodating a feed arm of the fuel injector in the main channel. Affixing the block can include affixing the block so the holder and block are mounted to the flange with the u-shape of the holder opening in an opposite direction from that of the block. These and other features of the systems and methods of the subject disclosure will become more readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS So that those skilled in the art to which the subject disclosure appertains will readily understand how to make and use the devices and methods of the subject disclosure without undue experimentation, embodiments thereof will be described in detail herein below with reference to certain figures, wherein: Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a fuel nozzle seal removal system constructed in accordance with the present disclosure, showing a fuel injector mounted in the system;Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the system of Fig. 1;Fig. 3 is a schematic partial cross sectional view of a portion of the system of Fig. 1;Fig. 4 is a schematic enlarged view of the system of Fig. 3, showing a punch deforming a seal in a seal channel in the system of Fig. 1;Fig. 5 is a top down view of the system of Fig. 1 showing a deformed seal;Fig. 6 is a schematic box diagram of a method. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Reference will now be made to the drawings wherein like reference numerals identify similar structural features or aspects of the subject disclosure. For purposes of explanation and illustration, and not limitation, a partial view of an embodiment of a system in accordance with the disclosure is shown in Fig. 1 and is designated generally by reference character 100. Other embodiments of systems in accordance with the disclosure, or aspects thereof, are provided in Figs. 2-6, as will be described. The systems and methods described herein can be used for removing seals from fuel injectors with reduced variability in the results based on skill of the individual performing maintenance. A system 100, e.g. a system for removing a seal from a f