×

Apparatus and method for ultrasonic inspection of rotating machinery while the machinery is in operation

  • US 5,942,690 A
  • Filed: 11/25/1997
  • Issued: 08/24/1999
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/25/1997
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
Patent Images

1. A method of inspecting at least one portion of a rotating turbine rotor using an ultrasonic stroboscope, wherein the turbine rotor is mounted in a turbine housing and the inspection is performed while the turbine is operating, said method comprising the steps of:

  • selecting the rotor component to be inspected;

    synchronizing said ultrasonic stroboscope with the rotation of said turbine rotor so that a plurality of emitted ultrasonic pulses from a first transducer are directed towards the selected component at a frequency substantially related to the rotation frequency of said rotor to cause said rotating turbine component to appear acoustically stationary;

    receiving at least a first echo of at least one of said plurality of emitted ultrasonic pulses using a second transducer, said first echo resulting from said at least one emitted ultrasonic pulse encountering a discontinuity in said turbine component; and

    supplying information related to said at least one echo for further analysis.

View all claims
  • 1 Assignment
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×