Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to ultrasonic inspection of turbine components.

Abstract: An inspection system for a cylindrical member includes at least one retention member positionable about at least a portion of a circumference of the cylindrical member. The inspection system also includes a positioning system and at least one housing. The at least one housing is coupleable to the at least one retention member at each of a series of circumferential inspection locations. The at least one housing includes at least one probe. The positioning system cooperates with the at least one retention member to position the at least one probe at each of the circumferential locations. The at least one probe is configured to send and receive a signal through an interior of the cylindrical member.

Abstract: Various embodiments include an ultrasonic detection method, performed using an ultrasonic detection system having a set of corresponding transmitting phased array devices and receiving phased array devices, the method including: for each of a plurality of static positions about a portion of a machine rotor: transmitting, at a corresponding transmitting phased array device, a set of ultrasonic waves through the portion of the machine rotor, and receiving, at the corresponding receiving phased array device, the set of ultrasonic waves after transmission through the portion of the machine rotor, to obtain a set of ultrasonic detection information about the machine rotor; and forming an ultrasonic representation of the machine rotor by aligning the sets of the ultrasonic detection information about the machine rotor obtained from each of the plurality of static positions about the portion of the machine rotor.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to ultrasonic inspection of turbine components.

Abstract: Ultrasonic detection methods are disclosed. The method includes providing an ultrasonic detection system having a transmitting phased array device and a receiving phased array device. A phased array wave is transmitted through a revolutionary body from the transmitting phased array device to the receiving phased array device, thereby obtaining ultrasonic detection information about the revolutionary body. In another embodiment, the method includes positioning the transmitting phased array device and the receiving phased array device on a periphery of a turbine rotor, transmitting a phased array wave into the turbine rotor, the phased array wave not reflecting off of a reflecting feature, adjusting the positioning of the transmitting phased array devices on the periphery of the turbine rotor, and transmitting the phased array wave into the turbine rotor, the phased array wave reflecting off of a reflecting feature. The reflected phased array wave is received by the receiving phased array device.

Abstract: A method for inspecting a wye ring in a generator includes the steps of dismantling the generator to gain access to the wye ring and at least a portion of a rotor, applying a test signal to the rotor and measuring an inductive voltage at two or more locations near the wye ring. A comparing step compares results from the measuring step to determine if a fault exists in the wye ring. A predetermined difference in inductive voltage measurements indicates presence of the fault.

Abstract: A repair method is provided and includes deriving, from a model of a component, drilling vectors respectively associated with fluid flow passages of the component, obtaining location data of each of the fluid flow passages at least partially from a source other than the model and relying upon the derived drilling vectors and the obtained location data of each of the fluid flow passages to position a tool configured to modify each of the fluid flow passages.

Abstract: A method for inspecting a wye ring in a generator includes the steps of dismantling the generator to gain access to the wye ring and at least a portion of a rotor, applying a test signal to the rotor and measuring an inductive voltage at two or more locations near the wye ring. A comparing step compares results from the measuring step to determine if a fault exists in the wye ring. A predetermined difference in inductive voltage measurements indicates presence of the fault.

Abstract: Ultrasonic detection methods are disclosed. The method includes providing an ultrasonic detection system having a transmitting phased array device and a receiving phased array device. A phased array wave is transmitted through a revolutionary body from the transmitting phased array device to the receiving phased array device, thereby obtaining ultrasonic detection information about the revolutionary body. In another embodiment, the method includes positioning the transmitting phased array device and the receiving phased array device on a periphery of a turbine rotor, transmitting a phased array wave into the turbine rotor, the phased array wave not reflecting off of a reflecting feature, adjusting the positioning of the transmitting phased array devices on the periphery of the turbine rotor, and transmitting the phased array wave into the turbine rotor, the phased array wave reflecting off of a reflecting feature. The reflected phased array wave is received by the receiving phased array device.

Abstract: An apparatus adapted for servicing a turbomachine component includes a tool delivery mechanism adapted for delivering a tool to a desired location in a turbomachine. A tool support is adapted to be secured onto the body of the turbomachine, and is also configured to support the tool delivery mechanism. A machining tool is attached to the tool delivery mechanism, and includes an axial slide clamp configured to clamp to the turbomachine component, a radial slide slidably connected to the axial slide clamp, a spring connected to the axial slide clamp and the radial slide, the spring providing axial tension, and a machining bit retained at least partially within the radial slide. The apparatus is adapted to service the component of the turbomachine in-situ.

Abstract: A detection process is disclosed. The detection process includes applying a load to a preselected portion of an article. The applying of the load permits visually indiscernible cracks in the preselected portion of the article to be detected. The treated article includes a preselected portion having treated visually indiscernible cracks. The treated visually indiscernible cracks are substantially devoid of damage due to the treatment of the visually indiscernible cracks.

Abstract: A system and method for determining wedge tightness in a dynamoelectric machine is provided. The dynamoelectric machine includes a rotor, stator and a wedge assembly having at least one wedge for retaining a coil. The system includes a force application device for applying a predetermined force or a known quantity of force to a wedge, and the force is applied in a substantially radial direction. A measuring device for measuring movement of the wedge, measures a movement distance relative to a surface of an adjacent core surface. The system can be inserted between the rotor and the stator, and the movement distance is obtained by evaluating a distance to an adjacent core surface and a distance to a surface of the wedge.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for visually detecting and measuring retention assembly tightness are disclosed. In an embodiment, an optical device is used to obtain at least an image of a retention assembly, the optical device being insertable into a slot between two stator core laminations and directable toward a side view of the retention assembly. The image is displayed on a display, and a measurer is used to determine a tightness of a retention assembly.

Abstract: A system and method for determining wedge tightness in a dynamoelectric machine is provided. The dynamoelectric machine includes a rotor, stator and a wedge assembly having at least one wedge for retaining a coil. The system includes a force application device for applying a predetermined force or a known quantity of force to a wedge, and the force is applied in a substantially radial direction. A measuring device for measuring movement of the wedge, measures a movement distance relative to a surface of an adjacent core surface. The system can be inserted between the rotor and the stator, and the movement distance is obtained by evaluating a distance to an adjacent core surface and a distance to a surface of the wedge.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for visually detecting and measuring retention assembly tightness are disclosed. In an embodiment, an optical device is used to obtain at least an image of a retention assembly, the optical device being insertable into a slot between two stator core laminations and directable toward a side view of the retention assembly. The image is displayed on a display, and a measurer is used to determine a tightness of a retention assembly.

Abstract: To achieve improved ultrasonic testing coverage of a finished machined component, the present invention applies a method for modifying a finished machine component forging for ultrasonic inspection. A forging envelope may be constructed in the shape of a right circular cylinder that surrounds a machine component forging. Then material may be added to the forging envelope in the direction of the forging equal to about 2 times a wavelength of an ultrasonic inspection device. Additional material may then be added to an inspection surface of the forging envelope equal to the dimension of a transducer dead zone, if the forging cannot be inspected ultrasonically from two opposing surfaces in the forged direction. Lastly, material may be added to the forging envelope in a direction perpendicular to the forging direction equal to a transducer footprint plus the break edge radius.

Abstract: A process for producing a rotor, the rotor formed thereby, as well as turbines in which such a rotor is installed. The rotor is formed by casting an ingot to have first and second regions formed of different alloys that intermix during casting to define a transition zone therebetween. The ingot is forged to yield a rotor forging that contains axially-aligned first and second alloy regions and a transition zone therebetween. The effects of the transition zone can be mitigated by modeling the transition zone and then off-center machining the forging so that the axis of rotation of the machined monolithic rotor is more centrally located with respect to the transition zone.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method and apparatus for generating an image of an article, wherein the image represents the articles elastic modulus. The method comprises the steps of measuring a time of flight value at a point on a test sample utilizing ultrasonic sound waves, measuring the position of the point, calculating a thickness value for the test sample, calculating a velocity value utilizing the time of flight value and the thickness value, calculating a density value for the test sample, calculating a Poisson's ratio value for the test sample, calculating an elastic modulus value utilizing the velocity value, the density value, and the Poisson's ratio value, assigning a shade of gray, or a color, to the elastic modulus values on the image, and, constructing an image utilizing the position of the point and the shaded, or colored, elastic modulus values.

Abstract: A method for non-destructively inspecting a composite structure with a single ultrasonic transducer includes determining a calibration amplitude of ultrasonic transmissions emitted by the single ultrasonic transducer to a reflector in a fluid-filled immersion tank and received back at the single ultrasonic transducer. The method also includes inserting the composite structure into the fluid-filled immersion tank between the reflector and the single ultrasonic transducer. In addition, the method includes scanning the composite structure with the single ultrasonic transducer to measure ultrasonic amplitudes for sound waves traveling through the composite structure, reflecting off the reflector plate and then traveling back through the structure to the single ultrasonic transducer.

Abstract: To achieve improved ultrasonic testing coverage of a finished machined component, the present invention applies a method for modifying a finished machine component forging for ultrasonic inspection. A forging envelope may be constructed in the shape of a right circular cylinder that surrounds a machine component forging. Then material may be added to the forging envelope in the direction of the forging equal to about 2 times a wavelength of an ultrasonic inspection device. Additional material may then be added to an inspection surface of the forging envelope equal to the dimension of a transducer dead zone, if the forging cannot be inspected ultrasonically from two opposing surfaces in the forged direction. Lastly, material may be added to the forging envelope in a direction perpendicular to the forging direction equal to a transducer footprint plus the break edge radius.