# US 10,502,090 B2 · Borescope plug > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,502,090 B2 - Document ID: US10502090B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/231,023 - Filed: 2016-08-08 - Published: 2018-02-08 - Granted: 2019-12-10 - Earliest claimed: 2016-08-08 - Assignees: United Technologies Corporation - Applicants: United Technologies Corporation - Inventors: Fabian D. Betancourt; Amarnath Ramlogan; Lisa P. O'Neill - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10502090B2 ## CPC - F01D 21/003: {Arrangements for testing or measuring (for measuring vibrations G01H)} - F01D 9/041: {using blades (F01D5/148 takes precedence)} - F01D 11/003: {by packing rings; Mechanical seals} - F01D 25/24: Casings (modified for heating or cooling F01D25/14); Casing parts, e.g. diaphragms, casing fastenings (casings for rotary machines or engines in general F16M {; special arrangements in stators dealing with breaking-off of part of rotor F01D21/045}) - F05D 2220/32: in gas turbines - F05D 2260/30: Retaining components in desired mutual position - F05D 2260/80: Diagnostics - F05D 2260/941: particularly aimed at mechanical or thermal stress reduction - F01D: NON-POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, e.g. STEAM TURBINES (machines or engines for liquids F03; non-positive displacement pumps F04D) - F05D: INDEXING SCHEME FOR ASPECTS RELATING TO NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, GAS-TURBINES OR JET-PROPULSION PLANTS ## Abstract A borescope plug for a gas turbine engine includes a base attachable to a case and defining a base cavity, a shank having a base engagement element at a first end of the shank, and a plug member located at a second end of the shank, the plug member configured to plug a borescope aperture in a borescope vane cluster. The base engagement element fits within the base cavity such that the base moveably retains the base engagement element and wherein the base engagement element can move within the base cavity. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A borescope plug comprising: a base attachable to a case and defining a base cavity; a shank having a base engagement element at a first end of the shank; and a plug member located at a second end of the shank, the plug member configured to plug a borescope aperture in a borescope vane cluster, wherein the base engagement element fits within the base cavity such that the base moveably retains the base engagement element and wherein the base engagement element can move within the base cavity, and an integrally formed retainer that is integrally formed with the base, the integrally formed retainer defining a plurality of fingers defining a portion of the base cavity, the plurality of fingers arranged to receive the base engagement element in the base cavity when in an open position and are closable to movably secure the base engagement element within the base cavity. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The borescope plug of claim 1, further comprising a flange located between the second end of the shank and the plug member. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The borescope plug of claim 1, wherein the integrally formed retainer fits around the base engagement element and keeps the shank and the base movably together while allowing the shank and plug member to rotate about a plug axis. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The borescope plug of claim 1, wherein the base includes a first anti-rotation element and the base engagement element includes a second anti-rotation element, wherein the first anti-rotation element engages with the second anti-rotation element such that the shank and plug member are prevented from rotating about a shank axis. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The borescope plug of claim 1, further comprising a seal that sealing engages between the plug member and a wall of the borescope aperture when the plug member is installed into the borescope aperture. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The borescope plug of claim 5, wherein the plug member includes a seal recess that receives and retains the seal therein. ### Claim 7 A gas turbine engine comprising: a case having a case aperture; a borescope vane cluster installed on an inner diameter of the case proximate the case aperture and having a borescope aperture; and a borescope plug comprising: a base fixedly attached to the case and defining a base cavity; a shank having a base engagement element at a first end of the shank; and a plug member located at a second end of the shank, the plug member plugging the borescope aperture in the borescope vane cluster, wherein the base engagement element fits within the base cavity such that the base moveably retains the base engagement element and wherein the base engagement element can move within the base cavity, and an integrally formed retainer that is integrally formed with the base, the integrally formed retainer defining a plurality of fingers defining a portion of the base cavity, the plurality of fingers arranged to receive the base engagement element in the base cavity when in an open position and are closable to movably secure the base engagement element within the base cavity. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The gas turbine engine of claim 7, the borescope plug further comprising a flange located between the second end of the shank and the plug member. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The gas turbine engine of claim 7, wherein the integrally retainer fits around the base engagement element and keeps the shank and the base movably together while allowing the shank and plug member to rotate about a plug axis. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The gas turbine engine of claim 7, wherein the base includes a first anti-rotation element and the base engagement element includes a second anti-rotation element, wherein the first anti-rotation element engages with the second anti-rotation element such that the shank and plug member are prevented from rotating about a shank axis. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The gas turbine engine of claim 7, the borescope plug further comprising a seal that sealing engages between the plug member and a wall of the borescope aperture when the plug member is installed into the borescope aperture. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The gas turbine engine of claim 11, wherein the plug member includes a seal recess that receives and retains the seal therein.