Inspection arrangement

• US 8,400,501 B2
• Filed: 05/06/2009
• Issued: 03/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC (Rolls-Royce Holdings Plc)
• Original Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC (Rolls-Royce Holdings Plc)
• Inventors: Heyworth, Harold, Ghulam, Younas
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Tammy
• Application Number:
  US12/453,297
• Publication Number:
  US 20090278924A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,413 Days
• Field of Search: 348/80, 348/83, 340/682, 240/539.26
• US Class Current: 348/82
• CPC Class Codes: F01D 21/003 Arrangements for testing or measuring for measuring vibrations G01H
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2260/80 Diagnostics
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/2484 Arrangements in relation to a camera or imaging device processing or control of video signals generated by an endoscope H04N23/60, H04N23/70

Abstract

It is necessary to provide inspection arrangements in order to facilitate prototype design of assemblies such as gas turbine engines as well as insitu testing of such assemblies. Previously endoscope type arrangements have been utilized, but the flexible or rigid stems in such endoscopes can cause fouling and snagging in use. By providing an inspection arrangement in which the inspection element is combined with a positioning tool such that the inspection element can be detached from the positioning tool through a releasable element, it is possible to avoid such snagging problems. The inspection element will be relatively self-sufficient and incorporate possibly a camera or other sensor for temperature of otherwise. The inspection element will typically incorporate a wireless link arrangement, or possibly incorporate a storage device for data such that the inspection element can be retrieved later with that data.

Claims

1. A method of inspecting a gas turbine engine comprising a rotor and a stationary component, the method of inspecting comprises the steps of

(a) attaching an inspection element via a releasable fixture to the rotor via a positioning tool,

(b) rotating the rotor so that the inspection element views the stationary component,

(c) relaying images from an imaging device via a wireless link.

2. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein the inspection element has a storage element to store information obtained by the inspection element.

3. An inspection arrangement comprising an inspection element and a positioning tool for positioning the inspection element, wherein the inspection element is secured to the positioning tool by a releasable element and includes a fixing to present the inspection element in use, the releasable element configured to allow the detachment of the inspection element in situ.

4. An arrangement as claimed in claim 3 wherein the inspection element comprises a camera.

5. An arrangement as claimed in claim 3 wherein the inspection element includes a lighting element.

6. An arrangement as claimed in claim 3 wherein the inspection element has a wireless link comprising a radio transmitter and/or radio receiver and/or transceiver.

7. An arrangement as claimed in claim 3 wherein the inspection element includes a temperature sensor.

8. An arrangement as claimed in claim 3 wherein the inspection element includes a PH or chemical element sensor.

9. An arrangement as claimed in claim 3 wherein the positioning tool comprises a flexible or rigid shaft.

10. An arrangement as claimed in claim 3 wherein the releasable element is configured to allow attachment of the inspection element by creating association with the releasable element greater than the fixing when required.

11. An arrangement as claimed in claim 3 wherein the releasable element is detachable from the positioning tool to allow an attachment element to be secured to the positioning tool for the inspection element.

12. An arrangement as claimed in claim 3 wherein the fixing comprises a clip and/or adhesive and/or reciprocal element to a part to which the inspection element is to be secured and/or a magnetic association and/or a latch and/or an interference element.

13. An arrangement as claimed in claim 3 wherein the inspection element is manipulatable to adjust its orientation.

14. An arrangement as claimed in claim 3 wherein the inspection element includes an optical path adjustment mechanism.

15. An arrangement as claimed in claim 14 wherein the optical path adjustment mechanism comprises mirrors and/or lenses and/or beam splitters.

16. An arrangement as claimed in claim 14 wherein the mirrors and/or lenses and/or beam splitters are adjustable to vary the object area of the inspection element.

17. An arrangement as claimed in claim 3 wherein the positioning tool comprises concentric elements relatively displaceable to each other.

18. An arrangement as claimed in claim 17 wherein the concentric elements are displaceable circumferentially and/or longitudinally.

19. An arrangement as claimed in claim 18 wherein displacement is to allow manipulation of a positioning tool and the attached inspection element.

20. An arrangement as claimed in claim 18 wherein displacement is to allow configuration of the releasable element to allow the detachment or attachment of the inspection element.