Abstract: A method of inspecting a connection joint including a first side coupled to an opposite second side along a bond, extending along an edge. The method includes generating at least one first sound wave at a first location on the first side, wherein the first location is at a first distance from the edge. The method also includes receiving the at least one first sound wave at a plurality of sensors coupled to the second side and determining that the bond is present at the first location. The method further includes generating at least one second sound wave at a second location on the first side, wherein the second location is offset a predetermined distance from the first location. The method also includes receiving the at least one second sound wave at the plurality of sensors and determining a width of the bond.

Abstract: The present application provides a method of inspecting a bond joint. The method may include the steps of applying an exothermic adhesive to a first shell and/or a second shell, attaching the first shell to the second shell via the exothermic adhesive to create the bond joint, allowing the exothermic adhesive to cure, and imaging the heat released by the exothermic adhesive along the bond joint. The bond joint may be a turbine blade bond joint.

Abstract: A method of inspecting a connection joint including a first side coupled to an opposite second side along a bond, extending along an edge. The method includes generating at least one first sound wave at a first location on the first side, wherein the first location is at a first distance from the edge. The method also includes receiving the at least one first sound wave at a plurality of sensors coupled to the second side and determining that the bond is present at the first location. The method further includes generating at least one second sound wave at a second location on the first side, wherein the second location is offset a predetermined distance from the first location. The method also includes receiving the at least one second sound wave at the plurality of sensors and determining a width of the bond.

Abstract: The present application thus provides a method of inspecting composite turbine blade spar caps during lay up. The method may include the steps of applying a layer to a mold, measuring a surface characteristic of the layer with a profilometer, and determining if the layer has an out of plane wave therein based on the measured surface characteristic.

Abstract: A method of making a flexible delay line for a transducer, a flexible delay line, and a transducer are provided. The method includes providing a mold having a desired geometry, applying a flexible material to the mold, curing the flexible material in the mold, and removing the cured material from the mold. The cured material forms a flexible delay line having a geometry conforming to a face of the ultrasonic transducer. The flexible delay line for a transducer includes a flexible material having an aperture shaped to receive a face of the transducer. The flexible delay line is operable to conform to a flat or an irregular surface.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods, adapted to immersively test/inspect machine components (e.g., tubes, conduits, etc.) in an in-situ manner are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system includes: a first seal member configured to sealingly engage a first portion of a machine component; a base system connected to the first seal member and configured to extend within the machine component, the base system including: a housing; and a inspection device disposed within the housing and configured to inspect the machine component; and a second seal member connected to the base system and configured to sealingly engage a second portion of the machine component.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a dimension of a defect in a component is disclosed. A linear array of acoustic transducers is used to propagate a focused ultrasonic beam along a first focal line. The focused ultrasonic beam is moved across the defect in a first array direction substantially perpendicular to the first focal line. The dimension of the defect is determined from at least one reflection of the focused ultrasonic beam from the defect as the focused ultrasonic beam moves across the defect.

Abstract: A cold spray coating process is disclosed. The cold spray coating process includes positioning a cold spray nozzle relative to a bearing assembly, rotating the bearing assembly, and directing a powdered babbitt material through the cold spray nozzle, to a surface of the rotating bearing assembly. The powdered babbitt material adheres to the surface of the rotating bearing assembly, forming a coating on the surface. Another cold spray coating process includes positioning the cold spray nozzle relative to a bearing assembly, rotating the cold spray nozzle, and directing a powdered babbitt material through the cold spray nozzle, to a surface of the bearing assembly. The powdered babbitt material adheres to the surface, the rotating of the cold spray nozzle forming a coating on the surface. Another cold spray coating process includes monitoring properties of the coating on the surface of the bearing assembly with a coating monitor.

Abstract: The present application provides a method of inspecting a bond joint. The method may include the steps of applying an exothermic adhesive to a first shell and/or a second shell, attaching the first shell to the second shell via the exothermic adhesive to create the bond joint, allowing the exothermic adhesive to cure, and imaging the heat released by the exothermic adhesive along the bond joint. The bond joint may be a turbine blade bond joint.

Abstract: A cold spray coating process is disclosed. The cold spray coating process includes positioning a cold spray nozzle relative to a bearing assembly, rotating the bearing assembly, and directing a powdered babbitt material through the cold spray nozzle, to a surface of the rotating bearing assembly. The powdered babbitt material adheres to the surface of the rotating bearing assembly, forming a coating on the surface. Another cold spray coating process includes positioning the cold spray nozzle relative to a bearing assembly, rotating the cold spray nozzle, and directing a powdered babbitt material through the cold spray nozzle, to a surface of the bearing assembly. The powdered babbitt material adheres to the surface, the rotating of the cold spray nozzle forming a coating on the surface. Another cold spray coating process includes monitoring properties of the coating on the surface of the bearing assembly with a coating monitor.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods, adapted to immersively test/inspect machine components (e.g., tubes, conduits, etc.) in an in-situ manner are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system includes: a first seal member configured to sealingly engage a first portion of a machine component; a base system connected to the first seal member and configured to extend within the machine component, the base system including: a housing; and a inspection device disposed within the housing and configured to inspect the machine component; and a second seal member connected to the base system and configured to sealingly engage a second portion of the machine component.

Abstract: A method of making a flexible delay line for a transducer, a flexible delay line, and a transducer are provided. The method includes providing a mold having a desired geometry, applying a flexible material to the mold, curing the flexible material in the mold, and removing the cured material from the mold. The cured material forms a flexible delay line having a geometry conforming to a face of the ultrasonic transducer. The flexible delay line for a transducer includes a flexible material having an aperture shaped to receive a face of the transducer. The flexible delay line is operable to conform to a flat or an irregular surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a dimension of a defect in a component is disclosed. A linear array of acoustic transducers is used to propagate a focused ultrasonic beam along a first focal line. The focused ultrasonic beam is moved across the defect in a first array direction substantially perpendicular to the first focal line. The dimension of the defect is determined from at least one reflection of the focused ultrasonic beam from the defect as the focused ultrasonic beam moves across the defect.