Methods and apparatus for robotically inspecting gas turbine combustion components
First Claim
1. A method for in situ inspection of a wear pad gap in a gas turbine engine combustor, wherein the wear pad gap is defined between a wear pad of a transition piece impingement sleeve and a forward ring of a flow duct of the combustor, said method comprising:
- coupling a guide to the combustor such that the guide at least partially extends within a space between the impingement sleeve and a body of the transition piece;
displacing an inspection head along the guide within the space between the impingement sleeve and the transition piece body such that the inspection head is positioned adjacent a wear pad; and
inspecting the wear pad gap.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method is provided for in situ inspection of a wear pad gap in a gas turbine engine combustor. The wear pad gap is defined between a wear pad of a transition piece impingement sleeve and a forward ring of a flow duct of the combustor. The method includes coupling a guide to the combustor such that the guide at least partially extends within a space between the impingement sleeve and a body of the transition piece, displacing an inspection head along the guide within the space between the impingement sleeve and the transition piece body such that the inspection head is positioned adjacent a wear pad, and inspecting the wear pad gap.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method for in situ inspection of a wear pad gap in a gas turbine engine combustor, wherein the wear pad gap is defined between a wear pad of a transition piece impingement sleeve and a forward ring of a flow duct of the combustor, said method comprising:
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coupling a guide to the combustor such that the guide at least partially extends within a space between the impingement sleeve and a body of the transition piece; displacing an inspection head along the guide within the space between the impingement sleeve and the transition piece body such that the inspection head is positioned adjacent a wear pad; and inspecting the wear pad gap. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. Apparatus for inspecting in situ a wear pad gap in a gas turbine engine combustor, wherein the wear pad gap is defined between a wear pad of a transition piece impingement sleeve and a forward ring of a flow duct of the combustor, said apparatus comprising:
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an elongate guide; a mount for coupling said guide to the combustor such that said guide at least partially extends within a space between the impingement sleeve and a body of the transition piece and such that a portion of said guide extends adjacent the wear pad; a cam follower coupled to said guide for movement along said guide; an inspection head carried by said cam follower, said inspection head comprises a feeler gauge coupled thereto for measuring the wear pad gap, wherein said inspection head is adjacent to an exterior side of the impingement sleeve; and an actuator coupled to said cam follower for displacing said cam follower along said guide. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. Apparatus for inspecting in situ a wear pad gap in a gas turbine engine combustor, wherein the wear pad gap is defined between a wear pad of a transition piece impingement sleeve and a forward ring of a flow duct of the combustor, and wherein a casing of the combustor includes an opening for accessing an external side of the impingement sleeve, said apparatus comprising:
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a manipulator having an arcuate segment and a carriage for supporting said segment within the casing; a rail carried by said segment; a first arm carried by said rail for translatory movement therealong and pivotal movement relative to said rail about a first axis generally normal to the axis of rotation of the gas turbine engine; a second arm coupled at one end to said first arm for pivotal movement about a second axis normal to a plane containing said first arm and said second arm; and an inspection head carried by said second arm adjacent an opposite end thereof for pivotal movement about pan and tilt axes perpendicular to one another, said inspection head configured to be positioned adjacent the wear pad gap on the exterior side of the impingement sleeve, wherein said inspection head comprises a feeler gauge coupled thereto for measuring the wear pad gap. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for in situ inspection of a wear pad gap in a gas turbine engine combustor, wherein the wear pad gap is defined between a wear pad of a transition piece impingement sleeve and a forward ring of a flow duct of the combustor, said method comprising:
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inserting a robotic inspection tool carrying an inspection head through an opening in an outer casing of the combustor; robotically manipulating the tool from a location external of the casing to locate the inspection head adjacent the wear pad on an exterior side of the impingement sleeve; inspecting the wear pad gap using a feeler gauge on the inspection head; and after completion of the inspection, withdrawing the inspection tool from within the outer casing.
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Specification