Apparatus and methods for automated turbine component inspections
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorsThomas Francis Murphy, Robert M. Roney, Jr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An inspection system, in an exemplary embodiment, includes at least two base members spaced apart from each other, a support arm mounted to each base member, a linear track extending between and supported by the support arms, and a transport member coupled to the linear track. The transport member is movable along the linear track. The system further includes a transducer support arm pivotably coupled to the transport member, and a transducer assembly coupled to the transducer support arm.
Claims23
An inspection system comprising:
- at least two base members, said base members spaced apart from each other;
- a support arm mounted to each said base member;
- a linear track extending between and supported by said support arms, said track comprising a first side and a second side;
- a transport member coupled to said linear track, said transport member movable along said linear track;
- a transducer support arm pivotably coupled to said transport member;
- and
- a transducer assembly coupled to said transducer support arm, wherein said transducer assembly comprises an attachment member coupled at a first end to said transducer support arm and a support wheel coupled to a second end of said attachment member.
An inspection system for inspecting metal articles, the inspection system comprising:
- a base member;
- a support arm mounted to said base member;
- an elongate linear track mounted to said support arm, said track comprising a first side and a second side, wherein a length of said track extends generally perpendicularly to said support arm;
- a transport member coupled to said linear track, said transport member movable along said linear track;
- a transducer support arm pivotably coupled to said transport member;
- and a transducer assembly coupled to said transducer support arm.
A method of inspecting a metal article, said method comprising:
- positioning an inspection apparatus adjacent the metal article;
- and
- inspecting the metal article utilizing the ultrasonic inspection apparatus;
- the inspection apparatus comprising:
- at least two base members, the base members spaced apart from each other;
- a support arm pivotally mounted to each base member such that the support arms are each be pivotable relative to the corresponding base member;
- a linear track extending between and supported by the support arms, the track comprising a first side and a second side;
- a transport member coupled to the linear track, the transport member movable along the linear track;
- a transducer support arm pivotably coupled to the transport member;
- and
- a transducer assembly coupled to the transducer support arm.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.