Method and apparatus for in-situ inspection of rotary machine components
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorsRobert M. Roney, Richard M. Hatley
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for the inspection of rotary machine components is provided. A positioning fixture is clamped to the component to be inspected, and supports a transceiver that is used during the inspection. The positioning fixture can be navigated through and between rotary machine components to the desired location to be inspected. In one example, an ultrasonic transceiver can be used to perform the inspection. The apparatus can be used to perform in-situ inspections.
Claims17
A method of inspecting a component of an assembly, said component coupled to a rotatable member of a rotary machine while the rotatable member remains coupled within an assembled rotary machine, said method comprising:
- providing a transceiver configured to transmit ultrasonic waves into and receive ultrasonic echoes from the component;
- providing a positioning fixture coupled to said transceiver and configured to position said transceiver across a face of the component, said positioning fixture including clamping means to clamp to said component, and wherein the positioning fixture includes a handle, said handle enabling the transceiver and positioning fixture to be navigated from an area outside of the rotary machine to an area inside the rotary machine;
- positioning said transceiver on a face of the component, wherein the step of positioning comprises attaching said clamping means to the component for securely mounting said transceiver on said component,
- transmitting ultrasonic waves into the component;
- receiving ultrasonic echoes;
- and
- analyzing the ultrasonic echoes.
An ultrasonic testing apparatus for testing a component of a rotary machine, said apparatus comprising:
- a transceiver configured to transmit ultrasound waves into and receive ultrasound echoes from the component;
- a positioning fixture coupled to said transceiver and configured to position said transceiver across a face of the component, said positioning fixture including clamping means to clamp to said component;
- wherein the positioning fixture includes a handle, said handle enabling the transceiver and positioning fixture to be navigated from an area outside of the rotary machine to an area inside the rotary machine.
An in-situ ultrasonic testing apparatus for testing a component of a rotatable member of a rotary machine while the rotatable member remains coupled within an assembled rotary machine, said apparatus comprising:
- a positioning fixture comprising clamping means for clamping onto said component, transceiver support means for mounting an ultrasonic transceiver, manipulator rod means for enabling said transceiver to be moved to different positions along said component;
- and
- wherein said component is a blade, bucket or airfoil of a gas turbine, steam turbine, compressor or generator.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.