Turbine component holder for imaging
AssigneeChromalloy Gas Turbine Corporation
InventorsLogan Ryan Mitchell, Zachary Michael Au Kanai'i Oras, Zachary Charles Hopkins
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A holder configured to hold a turbine component in position for internal imaging includes a main body configured to support one or more turbine components and one or more holding spaces in in the main body. Each holding space being configured to retain a corresponding turbine component. Each of the one or more holding spaces is configured to automatically secure and orient the corresponding turbine component upon the turbine component being inserted into the holding space.
Claims25
A holder configured to hold a turbine component in position for internal imaging, the holder comprising:
- a main body configured to support one or more turbine components;
- and
- one or more holding spaces in in the main body, each holding space being configured to retain a corresponding turbine component,
- wherein each of the one or more holding spaces is configured to automatically secure and orient the corresponding turbine component by way of an interference fit upon the turbine component being inserted into the holding space, and
- wherein the one or more holding spaces are configured to enable an imaging system to take an image of multiple turbine components in one or more orientations at the same time.
A holder configured to hold a plurality of turbine blades in position for internal imaging, the holder comprising:
- a main body configured to support the plurality of turbine blades;
- a first set of notches in the main body configured to hold turbine blades in a first orientation;
- and
- a second set of notches in the main body configured to hold turbine blades in a second orientation,
- wherein each of the notches of the first and second sets of notches is configured to automatically secure and orient a corresponding turbine blade upon the turbine blade being inserted into the respective notch, and
- wherein the first and second sets of notches are configured to enable an imaging system to take an image of multiple turbine blades in one or more orientations at the same time.
A method for positioning a turbine blade for x-ray imaging, the method comprising:
- sliding a turbine blade into a receiving space in a blade holder;
- and
- positioning the turbine blade and the blade holder between an x-ray source and a digital detector array,
- wherein sliding the turbine blade into the receiving space in the blade holder automatically orients the turbine blade at a target orientation for imaging the internal structure of the turbine blade,
- wherein sliding the turbine blade into the receiving space in the blade holder automatically secures the turbine blade in the receiving space, and
- wherein the receiving space enables an imaging system to take an image of the turbine blade in one or more orientations at the same time.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.