Monitoring thermal barrier coating deterioration via acoustic response to gas flow, pressure and impact
AssigneeSiemens Westinghouse Power Corporation
InventorsRonald T. Harrold, Zal N. Sanjana
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of monitoring the condition of a thermal barrier coating on a turbine blade or vane during operation of the turbine is provided. The method includes providing a means for receiving acoustic output of the blade or vane during operation of the turbine and monitoring the acoustic output over time, to determine the condition of the thermal barrier coating on the blade or vane. The acoustic output arises from a force on the blade or vane, such as that due to impact of particles, a pulse of gas pressure or constant gas flow. An apparatus employing the above method for monitoring the condition of the thermal barrier coating during operation of the turbine, is also provided.
Claims15
A method of monitoring the condition of a thermal barrier coating on a turbine blade or vane in a combustion turbine comprising:
- providing a means for receiving acoustic output of said blade or said vane during operation of said turbine;
- and
- monitoring the magnitude of surface waves of said acoustic output over time to detect deterioration of said thermal barrier coating on said blade or said vane;
- said acoustic output arising from a force applied by working gas or its constituents on said blade or said vane.
An apparatus for monitoring the condition of a thermal barrier coating on a turbine blade or vane in a combustion turbine comprising:
- means for receiving acoustic output of said blade or said vane during operation of said turbine;
- and
- means for monitoring the magnitude of surface waves of said acoustic output over time to detect deterioration of said thermal barrier coating on said blade or said vane during operation of said turbine;
- said acoustic output arising from a force applied by working gas or its constituents on said blade or said vane.
A method of monitoring the condition of a thermal barrier coating on a turbine blade or vane in a combustion turbine comprising:
- introducing non-damaging particles into a gas stream of said turbine;
- providing a means for receiving acoustic output of said blade or said vane, said acoustic output arising from impact of said non-damaging particles on said blade or vane during operation of said turbine;
- and
- monitoring the magnitude of surface waves of said acoustic output over time to detect deterioration of said thermal barrier coating on said blade or said vane.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.