Microwave system for monitoring turbine blade vibration
AssigneeWestinghouse Electric Corp.
InventorsMichael Twerdochlib, Robert J. Beeson, David E. Bateman, Paul F. Rozelle, John F. DeMartini
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method for monitoring turbine blade vibrations comprises the step of transmitting a continuous wave of microwave energy toward a rotating row of blades. Each passage of an individual blade tip through the path of the continuous wave produces a signal indicative of the time at which each passage occurs. The signal is then monitored and analyzed to detect blade vibrations. The signal can be based on a standing wave or a reflected wave.
Claims10
A method for monitoring turbine blade vibrations, comprising the steps of:
- (a) transmitting a continuous wave of microwave energy towards a rotating row of blades, wherein a reflected wave is produced upon passage of an individual blade tip through the path of said continuous wave such that a standing is produced by an interaction of the transmitted wave with the reflected wave and wherein a disturbance in said standing wave resulting from the passage of said blade tip produces a signal indicative of the time at which each said passage occurs;
- (b) monitoring said signal;
- and
- (c) analyzing said signal to determine an elapsed time between passages of individual blades through the path of said continuous wave to detect vibrations of said blades.
A method for monitoring turbine blade vibrations, comprising the steps of:
- (a) producing a standing wave in a waveguide having an aperture positioned adjacent a rotating row of blades, wherein each passage of an individual blade tip past said aperture produces a signal indicative of the time at which each said passage occurs, said signal comprising a disturbance in said standing wave;
- (b) monitoring said signal;
- and
- (c) analyzing said signal to detect vibrations of said blades.
A method for monitoring turbine blade vibrations, comprising the steps of:
- (a) producing a travelling continuous wave in a waveguide having an aperture positioned adjacent a rotating row of blades, wherein each passage of an individual blade tip past said aperture produces a signal indicative of the time at which each said passage occurs, said signal comprising a reflected wave;
- (b) monitoring said signal;
- and
- (c) analyzing said signal to detect vibrations of said blades.
A system for monitoring turbine blade vibrations, comprising:
- (a) a microwave transmitter transmitting continuous wave energy;
- (b) a waveguide having a first aperture coupled to said transmitter and a second aperture positioned adjacent a rotating row of blades, wherein each passage of an individual blade tip through the path of said continuous wave produces a signal indicative of the time at which each said passage occurs;
- and
- (c) analyzing means for analyzing said signal to detect vibrations of said blades.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.