Abstract: Methods and systems for maintaining a machine using an in-situ vehicle (IV) is provided. The IV may be used with a machine that includes a work-piece and an interference body positioned proximate a surface of the work-piece such that a relatively small gap extends between the work-piece and the interference body. The method includes transporting the IV from external to the machine into the gap, positioning the IV in the gap such that at least a portion of the IV circumscribes a work area of the work-piece, locking the IV between the work-piece and the interference body, and manipulating a tool coupled to the IV from external to the machine, the tool configured to transfer a component between the work-piece and a storage cassette on the IV.

Abstract: A method is provided for in situ inspection of a wear pad gap in a gas turbine engine combustor. The wear pad gap is defined between a wear pad of a transition piece impingement sleeve and a forward ring of a flow duct of the combustor. The method includes coupling a guide to the combustor such that the guide at least partially extends within a space between the impingement sleeve and a body of the transition piece, displacing an inspection head along the guide within the space between the impingement sleeve and the transition piece body such that the inspection head is positioned adjacent a wear pad, and inspecting the wear pad gap.

Abstract: An inspection head for an air gap inspection device. The inspection head may include a pair of expandable shoes, an inspection device attached to the pair of shoes, and a transducer assembly attached to one of the pair of shoes.

Abstract: A probe is pulled along a cooling slot of a turbine wheel to detect defects along the slot surfaces. The cooling slot extends radially inwardly of the bases of both the dovetails and dovetail slots. A housing assembly is releasably coupled to the rim of the turbine wheel and a motor draws the probe along the cooling slot at constant speed. A guide and brushes on the probe serve to bias the probe radially outwardly against the surfaces to be inspected as the probe is drawn along the cooling slot.

Abstract: Methods and systems for maintaining a machine using an in-situ vehicle (IV) is provided. The IV may be used with a machine that includes a work-piece and an interference body positioned proximate a surface of the work-piece such that a relatively small gap extends between the work-piece and the interference body. The method includes transporting the IV from external to the machine into the gap, positioning the IV in the gap such that at least a portion of the IV circumscribes a work area of the work-piece, locking the IV between the work-piece and the interference body, and manipulating a tool coupled to the IV from external to the machine, the tool configured to transfer a component between the work-piece and a storage cassette on the IV.

Abstract: An air gap inspection device. The air gap inspection device may include a substantially rigid rail, a cart positioned on the rail, a drive system for maneuvering the cart along the rail, and an inspection head positioned on the cart.

Abstract: The cleaning system includes a plurality of generally dovetail-shaped slot blocks having a slot along a radial inner side, an abrasive media or belt and a backing tube. Upon insertion of the blocks into the dovetail slots of a rotor wheel and aligning the block slots with the cooling slot, the abrasive media and backing tube are inserted in the cooling slot tunnel. The abrasive media may extend through end feeder blocks. With the backing tube applying pressure radially outwardly against the abrasive media, back and forth motion applied manually from outboard of the rim of the rotor cleans the surfaces of the cooling slot without disassembly of the rotor.

Abstract: An air gap inspection device for a generator field or stator core. The inspection device may include first and second side drive modules and a center drive module disposed between the side drive modules. The first, the second, and the center drive modules may include a track for driving on the generator field or the stator core. The inspection device also may have a transverse assembly connected to the center drive module. The transverse assembly may include an ultrasonic module.

Abstract: An inspection head for an air gap inspection device. The inspection head may include a pair of expandable shoes, an inspection device attached to the pair of shoes, and a transducer assembly attached to one of the pair of shoes.

Abstract: An air gap inspection device. The air gap inspection device may include a mast and an inspection head attached to the mast. The mast may be in the form of a collapsible tube.

Abstract: An air gap inspection device. The air gap inspection device may include a substantially rigid rail, a cart positioned on the rail, a drive system for maneuvering the cart along the rail, and an inspection head positioned on the cart.

Abstract: A miniature air gap inspection crawler. The miniature air gap inspection crawler may include a base, a linear drive mechanism and a circumferential drive mechanism such that either the linear drive mechanism or the circumferential drive mechanism may be employed, and an inspection module connected to the base.