US 6,604,285 B2 · Method and apparatus for electronically determining nozzle throat area and harmonics

Abstract

A method of determining the throat area between adjacent airfoils in a nozzle set among a plurality of nozzle sets of a machine involves providing a plurality of inspection points on a suction side of a first airfoil and a pressure side of a second airfoil, the second airfoil being adjacent to the first airfoil. A plurality of inspection points are provided on each of an outer sidewall and an inner sidewall, respectively, of the nozzle set. Positions of each of the first and the second airfoils, and the outer and inner sidewalls are determined by measuring the positions of the inspection points. The measured positions of each of the first and second airfoils, and the outer sidewall and the inner sidewall are compared with corresponding predetermined values. A finite area deviation of each of the suction side of the first airfoil, the pressure side of the second airfoil, the outer sidewall, and the inner sidewall are determined, and the individual components are combined to compute a total finite area deviation. A total known throat area is adjusted to offset for the total finite area deviation in order to determine a net total throat area.

Claims15

Dependent claims

A method of determining the throat area between adjacent airfoils in a nozzle set among a plurality of nozzle sets of a machine, the method comprising:

(a) providing a plurality of inspection points on a suction side of a first airfoil and a pressure side of a second airfoil, said second airfoil being adjacent to said first airfoil;
(b) providing a plurality of inspection points on each of an outer sidewall and an inner sidewall, respectively, of the nozzle set;
(c) determining the position of each said first and second airfoils, and said outer and inner sidewalls by measuring the positions of said inspection points;
(d) comparing the measured positions of each of the first and second airfoils, and said outer sidewall and said inner sidewall, with corresponding predetermined values;
(e) determining a finite area deviation of each of the suction side of the first airfoil, the pressure side of the second airfoil, the outer sidewall, and the inner sidewall, all from the comparison step (d);
(f) combining the finite area deviations as in step (e) to determine a total finite area deviation;
and
(g) adjusting a total known throat area to offset for the total finite area deviation to determine a net total throat area.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and apparatus for electronically determining nozzle throat area and harmonics

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for electronically determining nozzle throat area and harmonics

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims15