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TIL 1068-2R1
GE POWER GENERATION
GLOBAL PRODUCT & TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT
April 11, 1997

TECHNICAL INFORMATION LETTER

VARIABLE INLET GUIDE VANE
ASSEMBLY - INNER BUSHING
INSPECTION

bushing that improved wear resistance of the outside

diameter of the bushing by incorporating a tight fit
between the outer diameter of the bushing and the
inside diameter of the inner segment. The bushing
material and design have not changed.

APPLICABLE TO
Selected MS5001, MS5002 gas turbines and all
MS6001, MS7001, and MS9001 gas turbines.

Operation of the gas turbine with excessive bushing

clearance can result in the inlet guide vane cracking
and possible vane failure.

PURPOSE
TIL 1068-2 provided revised techniques, procedures
and guidelines for inspection of variable Inlet Guide
Vane (IGV) inner bushings for turbines operating at
IGV settings of 84 or less. This information has not
changed from the original TIL.

As IGVs are opened beyond 84o , the aerodynamic

damping forces diminish. Under this condition the
IGV is more susceptible to chatter, which could lead
to increased bushing wear. Since operating at such
open settings is beyond our experience, it is prudent
to increase the inspection frequency for units running
at IGV settings greater than 84. Once sufficient
operating experience is gained, the inspection
frequency will be revised as appropriate.

This TIL revision includes inspection schedule and

clearance limits for all turbines operating at IGV
settings greater than 84. Information in this TIL
should be used in conjunction with information in the
Inspection and Maintenance Manual of the Gas
Turbine Service Manual set provided with the gas
turbine.
BACKGROUND / DISCUSSION
The frequency of inspection and clearances are a
function of frame size, IGV vintage, IGV setting, and
inner bushing design. The following Technical
Information Letters contain a section addressing
inspection of variable inlet guide vane inner bushings:

TIL 522B - Variable Inlet Guide Vane Inspection

TIL 532-CR2 - Variable Inlet Guide Vane Inspection
TIL 1013-3R3 - Variable Inlet Guide Vane Inspection
TIL 1041-3A - Summation of TIL's for VIGV Inspection

To increase the accuracy of measurement readings,

the procedure to measure the clearance between
each guide vane's inner spindle and bushing was
revised in TIL 1068-2. The procedure introduced in TIL
1068-2 made use of a dial indicator and is still the
current procedure. Previous inspection criteria for
bushing wear incorporated the use of a wire gauge. In
addition, TIL 1068-2 introduced a new

RECOMMENDATIONS
GE recommends the following procedure for
inspection of inlet guide vanes for bushing
wear (also see Figure 1):
Caution should be exercised to ensure that the
inlet guide vane controls have been rendered
inoperable during measurements and inspection.
Failure to do so could result in injury to
personnel.
With the gas turbine shut-down and the inlet guide
vanes secured in the fully open position for loaded
operation, use a dial indicator to measure motion
normal to the vane chord. Position the indicator to
read as close to the vane inner button as possible,
then deflect the vane to both sides of the bushing
clearance and record the full dial indicator reading. It
is important to note than any residue in the clearance
area be removed prior to measuring bushing
clearances with the dial indicator.
Variable inlet guide vanes should be inspected for
bushing wear according to a schedule as listed in
Table 1. Special attention should be paid to the
clearance limits as defined in the table. If any
clearance measured is equal to or greater than that

Printed on recycled paper.

TIL Category: E,F,G,H,I,J

COPYRIGHT 1997, GE

The information published in this Technical Information Letter is offered to you by GE in consideration of its ongoing sales and service relationship with your
organization. However, since the operation of your plant involves many factors not within our knowledge, and since operation of the plant is in your control and
ultimate responsibility for its continuing successful operation rests with you, GE specifically disclaims any responsibility for liability based on claims for
damage of any type, i.e. direct, consequential or special that may be alleged to have been incurred as result of applying this information regardless of whether
it is claimed that GE is strictly liable, in breach of contract, in breach of warranty, negligent, or is in other respects responsible for any alleged injury or damage
sustained by your organization as a result of applying this information.

TIL 1068-2R1
Page 2

in the table, immediate action should be taken to

replace the bushing(s).

bushings are loose or free to turn, restake the

segments to tighten the bushing fit. Do not
overstake, the inlet guide vanes should be free to
actuate.

On units fitted with Chemloy bushings (GE drawing

numbers 315A9681, 339A9913, and 328A7020) that
do not exceed the wear limits specified, verify that the
bushings are not loose in the inner segment holes. If

Contact your local GE representative for assistance or

for additional information.
Figure 1

VIGV in fully
open position
1. Set vanes to the full open
position.

2. Set up dial indicator to measure

motion normal to the vane cord.
Position the indicator to read as
close to the vane inner button as
possible.

Airflow
Direction

VIGV

3. Deflect vane in a tangential

direction (perpendicular to the air
flow direction) to both sides of the
bushing clearance and record full
dial indicator reading.

2
Bushing

Dial Indicator

Table 1
Frame Size

VIGV Type

Bushing

Clearance Limits
for Bushing
Changeout (>= inches)

Inspection Interval
(Hours)

403 Stainless
403 Stainless
GTD 450

158A7888P004/5/6
315A9681 or 339A9913
315A9681 or 339A9913

0.050
0.050
0.075

16,000

GTD 450

339A9913

0.075

16,000

403 Stainless
403 Stainless
GTD 450

158A7888
315A9681 or 339A9913
315A9681 or 339A9913

0.070
0.070
0.100

16,000

MS7001F/FA/FA+

GTD 450

339A9913

0.100

16,000

MS9001F/FA

GTD 450

328A7020

0.100

16,000

MS5001, MS5002, MS6001*

*Pre Model FA
MS6001FA
MS7001* , MS9001*

*Pre Model F

Note
Note
Note
Note

1: For unit specific drawing number identification, refer to Model List Item 1301
2: For unit specific drawing number identification, refer to Model List Item 0811
3: Nominal Base Load IGV angle of 84 or Lower
4: Nominal Base Load IGV angle greater than 84 (i.e. 86 or 88)

5,000
8,000
3
3

8,000
8,000

4
4

8,000
8,000
3
3
3

8,000
8,000
8,000

4
4
4