Apparatus and methods for automatically inspecting dovetails on turbine rotors
First Claim
1. A system for automated inspection of dovetails of a turbine rotor, comprising:
- an annular body for releasably encompassing a shaft of a turbine rotor and having a traction device for engaging the rotor shaft;
a drive coupled to the traction device to rotate the body about the rotor shaft; and
a transducer carried by said body for rotation therewith enabling the transducer to scan a dovetail of the rotor as the body rotates about the rotor shaft.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A scanner assembly for dovetail inspection of the wheels of a turbine rotor includes a series of circumferentially pivotally connected links: a motor link, transmission links, an encoder link, an adjustable link, free links and a base link mounting a transducer. The motor link mounts a motor for driving rollers on the transmission links and rotating the scanner assembly about the rotor shaft. The encoder link mounts an encoder for determining the circumferential position of the transducer about the shaft. The adjustable link enables the assembly to be tightened or loosened about the rotor shaft. The free links and base link complete the circular scanner assembly about the shaft. A single scan for a full 360° investigates the plurality of hooks on the side of the wheel opposite the transducer.
11 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A system for automated inspection of dovetails of a turbine rotor, comprising:
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an annular body for releasably encompassing a shaft of a turbine rotor and having a traction device for engaging the rotor shaft;
a drive coupled to the traction device to rotate the body about the rotor shaft; and
a transducer carried by said body for rotation therewith enabling the transducer to scan a dovetail of the rotor as the body rotates about the rotor shaft. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for automatically scanning the dovetails of a turbine rotor without rotation of the rotor, comprising the steps of:
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mounting an annular body including a plurality of links pivoted to one another in a closed loop about the rotor;
providing a transducer on one of said links for scanning the dovetail at a predetermined radial location outwardly of said rotor; and
rotating the annular body about said shaft to scan the dovetail. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification