# US 8,784,056 B2 · System and turbine including creep indicating member > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,784,056 B2 - Document ID: US8784056B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/110,090 - Filed: 2011-05-18 - Published: 2012-11-22 - Granted: 2014-07-22 - Earliest claimed: 2011-05-18 - Assignees: General Electric Company - Applicants: Fred Thomas Willett, Jr. - Inventors: Fred Thomas Willett, Jr. - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8784056B2 ## CPC - F01D 21/003: {Arrangements for testing or measuring (for measuring vibrations G01H)} - F01D 11/08: for sealing space between rotor blade tips and stator (specially-shaped blade tips therefor F01D5/20) - F05D 2260/80: Diagnostics - F01D: NON-POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, e.g. STEAM TURBINES (machines or engines for liquids F03; non-positive displacement pumps F04D) - F05D: INDEXING SCHEME FOR ASPECTS RELATING TO NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, GAS-TURBINES OR JET-PROPULSION PLANTS ## Abstract A system includes a creep indicating member on a rotating component, and a measurement device configured to measure a change in radial position of the creep indicating member. The system allows determination of, for example, rotating component life expectancy in a turbine, without exposing the rotating component. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system comprising: a creep indicating member disposed on a rotating component; wherein the creep indicating member has a first end and a second end; wherein the first end of the creep indicating member is directly affixed to a surface of the rotating component such that the creep indicating member extends radially outward from the rotating component; wherein the second end of the creep indicating member includes a cantilevered element extending substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the rotating component prior to undergoing creepage; wherein the creep indicating member including the cantilevered element extends about an entire circumference of the rotating component; and a measurement device configured to measure a change in radial position of the cantilevered element. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the creep indicating member is integrally formed on the rotating component. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the creep indicating member is fixedly coupled to the rotating component. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The system of claim 3, wherein the creep indicating member is fixedly coupled to the rotating component using a retainer. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the cantilevered element includes a pair of longitudinally opposed cantilevered elements. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the cantilevered element extends radially beyond a surface of the rotating component. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the cantilevered element includes a seal material coupled to the rotating component using a retainer. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the creep indicating member includes a pinhead-shaped element extending from a surface of the rotating component. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the rotating component includes a rotating shaft. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a creep correlation system comprising a computer configured to correlate a creep amount of the creep indicating member with a creep amount of the rotating component. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the measurement device is operative during operation of the rotating component. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the measurement device extends through a protective shroud about the rotating component. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the creep indicating member is configured to experience higher stress than the rotating component, resulting in a greater creep rate than the rotating component. ### Claim 14 A turbine comprising: a rotating component; a creep indicating member disposed on the rotating component; wherein the creep indicating member has a first end and a second end; the first end being directly affixed to a surface of the rotating component such that the creep indicating member extends radially outward from the rotating component; and wherein the second end of the creep indicating member includes a cantilevered element; wherein, prior to undergoing creepage, the cantilevered element is in a first position, in which the cantilevered element extends in a direction substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the rotating component, and wherein, after undergoing creepage the cantilevered element is in a second position, in which the cantilevered element extends both axially and radially outwardly from the rotating component, the second position being disposed radially outwardly of the first position; and wherein the creep indicating member including the cantilevered element extends about an entire circumference of the rotating component; a measurement device configured to measure a change in radial position of the cantilevered element during operation of the rotating component; and a creep correlation system comprising a computer configured to correlate a creep amount of the creep indicating member with a creep amount of the rotating component. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The turbine of claim 14, wherein the creep indicating member includes a cantilevered element initially extending substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the rotating component. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The turbine of claim 14, wherein the creep indicating member is configured to experience higher stress than the rotating component, resulting in a greater creep rate than the rotating component. ### Claim 17 A system comprising: a creep indicating member disposed on a rotating component, the creep indicating member having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the creep indicating member is directly affixed to a surface of the rotating component such that the creep indicating member extends radially outwardly from the rotating component; and the second end of the creep indicating member includes a cantilevered element; a measurement device configured to measure a change in radial position of the cantilevered element; wherein the cantilevered element extends substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the rotating component before undergoing creepage and the cantilevered element deforms radially outwardly after undergoing creepage; and wherein the creep indicating member including the cantilevered element extends about an entire circumference of the rotating component.