MULTI COORDINATE REFERENCE SYSTEM FOR POSITIONING BLADED DRUM

• US 20160292308A1
• Filed: 03/17/2016
• Published: 10/06/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC (Rolls-Royce Holdings Plc)
• Original Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC (Rolls-Royce Holdings Plc)
• Inventors: HUCKERBY, Karl, STOCK, Eoin
• Granted Patent: US 10,546,071 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F01D 21/003 Arrangements for testing or measuring for measuring vibrations G01H
• CPC Class Codes: F01D 5/005 Repairing methods or devices
• CPC Class Codes: F01D 5/34 Rotor-blade aggregates of unitary construction , e.g. formed of sheet laminae; discs formed of sheet laminae F01D5/028; ceramic materials F01D5/284, composite materials F01D5/282
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 19/02 Multi-stage pumps
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 27/001 Testing thereof; Determination or simulation of flow characteristics; Stall or surge detection, e.g. condition monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 29/321 for axial flow compressors
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2220/32 in gas turbines
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2230/72 Maintenance
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2230/80 Repairing, retrofitting or upgrading methods
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2260/80 Diagnostics
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2260/83 Testing, e.g. methods, components or tools therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/272 using photoelectric detection means
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 5/0004 Supports G01B5/025 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 5/25 for testing the alignment of axes
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 30/00 Computer-aided design [CAD]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 50/60 Efficient propulsion technologies, e.g. for aircraft

Abstract

A method provides for measuring an assembled component including two or more parts, the method including the steps of: providing the component with a plurality of unique markers for detection during a scanning process; defining a first of the unique markers and aligning the first defined unique marker with a first element of the component; defining a second of the unique markers and aligning the second defined unique marker with a second element of the component; scanning the component and unique markers to capture a digitised version of the component and the relative positions of the first and second defined unique markers; and aligning a nominal CAD model of a part of the component with the equivalent part of the digitised version of the component using the relative positions of the first and second defined unique markers.

Claims

1. A method of measuring an assembled component comprising two or more parts, the method comprising the steps of:

providing the component with a plurality of unique markers for detection during a scanning process;

defining a first of said unique markers and aligning said first defined unique marker with a first element of the component;

defining a second of said unique markers and aligning said second defined unique marker with a second element of the component;

scanning the component and unique markers to capture a digitised version of the component and the relative positions of the first and second defined unique markers; and

,

aligning a nominal CAD model of a part of the component with the equivalent part of the digitised version of the component using the relative positions of the first and second defined unique markers.

2. A method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of:

defining a third of said unique markers and aligning said third defined unique marker with a third element of the component;

wherein the scanning step additionally captures the position of the third defined unique marker relative to the first defined unique marker; and

,

aligning a nominal CAD model of a further part of the component with an equivalent part of the digitised version of the component using the relative positions of the first and third defined unique markers.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein the third element is provided on a circumferential surface of the component and the first element is provided on a portion of the assembled component remote from the circumferential surface.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the second element is provided on a circumferential surface of the component and the first element is provided on a portion of the assembled component remote from the circumferential surface.

5. A method according to claim 3, further comprising the step of supplementing the first element with a datum element.

6. A method according to claim 5, wherein the first element comprises an aperture provided in the component and the datum element comprises a pin inserted into the aperture.

7. A method according to claim 5, further comprising the step of machining part of the component based on a comparison between said part of the digitised version of the component and the aligned nominal CAD model.

8. A method according to claim 7, wherein the machining step is computer controlled, and wherein the datum element provides a locating feature to ensure correct alignment of the component prior to the machining step.

9. A method according to claim 1 wherein said unique markers are provided on a reference frame which is assembled around and attached to the component.

10. A method according to claim 9 wherein said reference frame is attached to the component using mounting hardware which ensures alignment of the defined unique markers with the defined elements of the component.

11. A method according to claim 9 wherein said reference frame comprises a plurality of discrete parts, and wherein each defined unique marker is provided on a different part of the reference frame.

12. A method according to claim 11, wherein parts of the reference frame are supported in discrete sections on a support frame prior to being attached to the component, and wherein each discrete section is movable towards the component on actuators provided on the support frame.

13. A method according to claim 12, wherein the component is rotated relative to the support frame prior to attachment of each supported part of the reference frame to align the defined unique marker with its respective element of the component.

14. A method according to claim 12, wherein the support frame is rotated relative to the component prior to attachment of each supported part of the reference frame to align the defined unique marker with its respective element of the component.

15. A method according to claim 1, wherein the scanning step comprises a first stage, in which the positions of the defined unique markers are captured, and a second stage in which a plurality of spaced images is captured by the scanning device, and wherein the positioning of the scanning device during the second stage is optimised using the positions of the defined unique markers captured during the first stage.

16. A method according to claim 1, wherein the two or more parts of the assembled component each comprise a body of rotation and/or an array of elements about a circumferential surface of each part, wherein each part may have rotational symmetry.

17. A method of assessing or repairing an assembled component comprising the method of claim 1.