Visual inspection-based generator retention assembly tightness detection
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorsFrancis Alexander Reed, Robert Martin Roney, Jr.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for visually detecting and measuring retention assembly tightness are disclosed. In an embodiment, an optical device is used to obtain at least an image of a retention assembly, the optical device being insertable into a slot between two stator core laminations and directable toward a side view of the retention assembly. The image is displayed on a display, and a measurer is used to determine a tightness of a retention assembly.
Claims20
An apparatus for inspecting a retention assembly of a dynamoelectric machine, the apparatus comprising:
- an optical device configured to obtain at least an image of the retention assembly, the optical device being insertable into a slot between two stator core laminations and directable toward a side view of the retention assembly, wherein the retention assembly includes at least a wedging member, a shim, and a retaining ripple spring between the wedging member and the shim;
- a display configured to display an image obtained by the optical device;
- and
- a measurer configured to measure a distance between the wedging member and the shim.
A dynamoelectric machine comprising:
- a rotor;
- a stator surrounding the rotor;
- and
- a visual inspection device installed in a core of the stator, the visual inspection device including:
- an optical device configured to obtain at least an image of a retention assembly, the retention assembly including a wedging member, a shim, and a retaining ripple spring between the wedging member and the shim, the optical device being installed in a slot between two stator core laminations and directable at a side view of the retention assembly;
- a display configured to display an image obtained by the optical device;
- and
- a measurer configured to measure a distance between the wedging member and the shim.
A method for visually inspecting a retention assembly of a dynamoelectric machine, the method comprising:
- placing an optical device in a stator core of the dynamoelectric machine, the placing including positioning the optical device in a slot between at least two stator core laminations, and directing the optical device toward a side view of the retention assembly,
- wherein the retention assembly includes a wedging member, a shim, and a retaining ripple spring located between the wedging member and the shim;
- using the optical device, obtaining and transmitting an image of the retention assembly to a display;
- measuring a distance between the wedging member and the shim using the image;
- calculating a remaining deflection of the retaining ripple spring, the remaining deflection being equal to a difference between the distance between the wedging member and the shim and a thickness of the retaining ripple spring;
- and
- determining a load on the retaining ripple spring in units of force, using the remaining deflection of the retaining ripple spring and a known load versus deflection correlation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.