Grant County Public Utilities District - Rotor Pole Lifting Device

Grant County Public Utilities District is planning a rehabilitation of all turbine and generator units at Priest Rapids Dam beginning in August 2016. After the generator rotor is removed from the unit, the rotor poles must be removed from the rotor. They are oriented vertically in the rotor and horizontally on the floor and in shipping containers. The objective of this project is to design, manufacture and test a lifting and a turning device for Priest Rapids Dam’s generator rotor poles. The lifting device was designed to attach a 3500 pound rotor pole to a crane and lift it. The turning device is designed to orient the rotor pole. Once a design had been finalized, drawings were sent for quotes on the manufacture of the device. Busby International, Inc., out of Moses Lake, WA built the device and delivered it to Grant County PUD. Then the device was tested to ensure usability. Strain gages were applied to critical areas and two load tests were performed, both at twice the working load of the device. One test was used to ensure usability of the device when it is oriented vertically and one test was to ensure usability when it was oriented horizontally. It was found the device was sufficient for the purpose it was intended for. This device will be used for the removal and installation of all rotor poles at Priest Rapids Dam during the turbine/generator rehabilitation project