Method and apparatus for detecting and locating defects in a component of a turbine

• US 5,445,027 A
• Filed: 02/17/1994
• Issued: 08/29/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Siemens AG
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Zorner, Walter
• Primary Examiner(s): Williams, Hezron E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MILLER, ROSE MARY
• Application Number:
  US08/198,882
• Time in Patent Office: 558 Days
• Field of Search: 73/579, 73/583, 73/587, 73/593, 73/627, 73/629, 73/589, 73/660
• US Class Current: 73/593
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 29/14 using acoustic emission techniques echo of particles G01N29/046; measuring mechanical vibrations or acoustic waves in solids in general G01H1/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 29/26 Arrangements for orientation or scanning by relative movement of the head and the sensor mechanical steering of sound transducers or their beams G10K11/35

Abstract

In a method for the early detection and location of a change in a component of a turbine, in particular in a turbine blade, in the event of a deviation from a standard value in at least one measured value determined during operation of the turbine, an acoustic spectrum generated by the component is measured in the interior of the turbine and compared with a reference spectrum. In order to increase the intensity of signals in the acoustic spectrum, the components of the turbine, preferably runner blades, are excited from outside to acoustic emission (resonance test). An apparatus has a number of sensors for recording operating parameters of the turbine. The sensors are connected to a device for measured value conditioning. In order to detect and locate changes, an acoustic measurement probe which can be inserted from the outside into the interior of the turbine, is connected to the device.

Claims

1. A method for detecting and locating defects in a component of a turbine, which comprises:

determining at least one measured value during operation of a turbine;

comparing the at least one measured value to a standard for detecting a defect; and

when a deviation from the standard value in the at least one measured value is determined during operation of the turbine, inserting a probe into the interior of the turbine; and

measuring a first acoustic spectrum generated by a component of the turbine with the probe and comparing the first acoustic spectrum with a first reference spectrum to locate the defect.

2. The method according to claim 1, which comprises generating a second acoustic spectrum at the component by excitation from outside of the turbine, before the measurement of the second acoustic spectrum, if a deviation from the standard value in the at least one measured value is determined during operation of the turbine, and comparing the second acoustic spectrum with a second reference spectrum.

3. The method according to claim 1, which comprises stroboscopically illuminating a surface of the component generating the first acoustic spectrum, after the measurement of the first acoustic spectrum, recording an image being generated, and comparing the recorded image with a reference image.

4. The method according to claim 2, which comprises stroboscopically illuminating a surface of the component generating the second acoustic spectrum, after the measurement of the second acoustic spectrum recording an image being generated, and comparing the recorded image with a reference image.

5. The method according to claim 1, which comprises bringing a movable ultrasonic generator up to a visually inaccessible region of the component, after the measurement of the first acoustic spectrum, and if the turbine is shut down, and leading the ultrasonic generator along at least one part of a periphery of the component.

6. The method according to claim 2, which comprises bringing a movable ultrasonic generator up to a visually inaccessible region of the component, after the measurement of the second acoustic spectrum, and if the turbine is shut down, and leading the ultrasonic generator along at least one part of a periphery of the component.

7. The method according to claim 1, which comprises recording a third reference spectrum on a turbine housing, and storing the third reference spectrum as a standard value, recording a third acoustic spectrum occurring during operation on the turbine housing as a measured value, and comparing the third acoustic spectrum with the third reference spectrum.

8. The method according to claim 2, which comprises recording a third reference spectrum on a turbine housing, and storing the third reference spectrum as a standard value, recording a third acoustic spectrum occurring during operation on the turbine housing as a measured value, and comparing the third acoustic spectrum with the third reference spectrum.

9. The method according to claim 3, which comprises recording a third reference spectrum on a turbine housing, and storing the third reference spectrum as a standard value, recording a third acoustic spectrum occurring during operation on the turbine housing as a measured value, comparing the third acoustic spectrum with the third reference spectrum.

10. The method according to claim 5, which comprises recording a third reference spectrum on a turbine housing, and storing the third reference spectrum as a standard value recording a third acoustic spectrum occurring during operation on the turbine housing as a measured value, and comparing the third acoustic spectrum with the third reference spectrum.

11. A method for detecting and locating defects in a turbine blade of a turbine, which comprises:

determining at least one measured value during operation of a turbine;

comparing the at least one measured value to a standard value for detecting a defect; and

when a deviation from the standard value in the at least one measured value is determined during operation of the turbine, inserting a probe into the interior of the turbine; and

measuring an acoustic spectrum generated by a turbine blade of the turbine with the probe and comparing the acoustic spectrum with a reference spectrum to locate the defect.

12. An apparatus for detecting and locating defects in a component of a turbine, comprising:

a device for measured value conditioning of a turbine;

a plurality of sensors being connected to said device for recording operating parameters of the turbine for detecting a defect; and

an acoustic measurement probe being connected to said device and being insertable from the outside into the interior of the turbine for locating the defect.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12, including an adjusting device for vertically displacing and rotating said probe.

14. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said probe has a free end, and including a flexible head on said free end for exciting sound from turbine blades of the turbine.

15. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said probe has a free end, and including a flexible head on said free end for exciting sound from turbine blades of the turbine.

16. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said device includes means for determining at least one measured value during operation of the turbine, means for determining an acoustic spectrum generated by a component of the turbine with said probe, if a deviation from a standard value in the at least one measured value is determined during operation of the turbine, and means for comparing the acoustic spectrum with a reference spectrum.

17. An apparatus for detecting and locating of defects in a turbine blade of a turbine, comprising:

a device for measured value conditioning of a turbine;

a plurality of sensors being connected to said device for recording operating parameters of the turbine for detecting a defect; and

an acoustic measurement probe being connected to said device and being insertable from the outside into the interior of the turbine for locating the defect.