Method and system for detecting a crack on a turbomachine blade
First Claim
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1. A method of detecting a possible crack on a blade located within a compressor section of a turbomachine, the method comprising:
- operating a turbomachine comprising;
a compressor section, wherein the compressor section comprises a plurality of blades; and
an acoustic detection device configured for monitoring the compressor section as the turbomachine operates, wherein the acoustic detection device receives acoustic data relating to the plurality of blades;
utilizing the acoustic data to generate an acoustic signature corresponding to the plurality of blades;
determining whether the acoustic signature is within an acceptable range; and
transmitting the acoustic signature to a remote monitoring and diagnostic center;
wherein a determination that the acoustic signature is outside of the acceptable range indicates a likelihood of a crack on at least one of the plurality of blades.
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Abstract
Embodiments of the present invention may provide real-time monitoring of a compressor section to determine the possibility of a crack forming on a rotating blade. The present invention does not require the shutdown of the machine. The present invention may be configured to automatically raise an alarm if the acoustic signature of the compressor changes in way that may be consistent with the cracking of a blade.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method of detecting a possible crack on a blade located within a compressor section of a turbomachine, the method comprising:
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operating a turbomachine comprising;
a compressor section, wherein the compressor section comprises a plurality of blades; and
an acoustic detection device configured for monitoring the compressor section as the turbomachine operates, wherein the acoustic detection device receives acoustic data relating to the plurality of blades;utilizing the acoustic data to generate an acoustic signature corresponding to the plurality of blades; determining whether the acoustic signature is within an acceptable range; and transmitting the acoustic signature to a remote monitoring and diagnostic center; wherein a determination that the acoustic signature is outside of the acceptable range indicates a likelihood of a crack on at least one of the plurality of blades. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of monitoring a turbomachine for a formation of a crack on a blade of the turbomachine, the method comprising:
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operating a turbomachine comprising a plurality of blades; and
an acoustic detection device configured for monitoring the turbomachine during operation, wherein the acoustic detection device receives acoustic data relating to the plurality of blades;utilizing the acoustic data to generate an acoustic signature corresponding to the plurality of blades; comparing the acoustic signature with a related acoustic signature; determining whether the acoustic signature is within an acceptable range; generating a notification on a result of determining whether the acoustic signature is within an acceptable range of the related acoustic signature; and transmitting the acoustic signature to a remote monitoring and diagnostic center; wherein a determination that the acoustic signature is outside of the acceptable range indicates that a crack on at least one of the plurality of blades is possible. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A system for detecting an existence of a crack on a blade within a gas turbine, the system comprising:
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a gas turbine comprising a plurality of blades; an acoustic detection device configured for monitoring operation of the gas turbine, wherein the acoustic detection device receives acoustic data relating to the plurality of blades and is located adjacent the compressor section; a control system, wherein the control system performs the steps of; utilizing the acoustic data to generate an acoustic signature corresponding to the plurality of blades; and determining whether the acoustic signature is within an acceptable range; and transmits the acoustic signature to a remote monitoring and diagnostic center. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification