Gas turbine engine with inspection port and method for using the same

A method of inspecting a component within a gas turbine engine, wherein the component comprises a solid metallic material, the method comprising:

• extending a transducer through an inspection port that provides access through a core gas path of the gas turbine engine to a component disposed radially inside of the core gas path, wherein the transducer is configured to perform an inspection of a metallic component disposed radially inside of the core gas path;
• providing a baseline inspection response signal that is produced by using the transducer to perform an initial inspection of the metallic component, the initial inspection including transmitting a first initial signal into the metallic component and sensing the metallic component for a second initial signal produced as a result of the first initial signal being transmitted into the metallic component, wherein the baseline inspection response signal is representative of the second initial signal and is unique to the metallic component;
• using the transducer to inspect the metallic component, the inspection including transmitting a first signal into the metallic component and sensing the metallic component for a second signal produced as a result of the first signal being transmitted into the metallic component, and producing an inspection response signal representative of the second signal;
• and
• evaluating the inspection response signal to determine the presence or absence of a defect in the metallic component using the baseline response signal.

A gas turbine engine, comprising:

• a compressor section;
• a combustor section;
• a turbine section having a rotor stage and a stator vane stage;
• a core gas path extending through the compressor section, the combustor section, and the turbine section;
• and
• an inspection port disposed within the compressor section, wherein the inspection port is configured to provide access through a portion of the core gas path that extends within the compressor section and to a component disposed radially inside of the portion of the core gas path that extends within the compressor section.