Nondestructive inspection heads for components having limited surrounding space
View Patent ↗An inspection head where non-destructive inspection is structured to fit into narrow spaces, and to accurately and repeatably move an inspection probe along a surface to be inspected. Movement of the inspection head along an X, Y, Z, Θ, and Φ-axis is precisely controlled by individual drive mechanisms.
1. A nondestructive inspection head system for the inspection of a turbine disk component on a turbine rotor assembly, comprising:
means for raising and lowering an interchangeable inspection head along a Y-axis into a location to be inspected;
the interchangeable inspection head configured to inspect a turbine disk component comprising;
a Y-axis drive;
a drive selected from the group consisting of an X-axis drive, a Θ-axis drive and a Φ-axis drive;
a Z-axis drive,
wherein the Z-axis drive includes a motor structured to drive the head in a first direction, and a spring structured to drive the head in an opposing direction,
wherein a plurality of interconnected, substantially parallel slides adjacent to each other and structured to slide with respect to each other;
an arm structured to actuate sliding motion of the slides;
a spring structured to bias the arm in a first direction; and
a motor-driven pulley structured to move the arm in the opposing direction;
a sensor; and
a coupling medium delivery/recirculation system structured to:
dispense a coupling media between the sensor and the turbine disk, and recirculate the coupling media via a catch basin arranged below the turbine disk.
2. The inspection head system according to claim 1 , further comprising a θ-axis drive.
3. The inspection head system according to claim 2 , wherein the θ-axis drive includes a motor-driven belt, with the belt driving a leadscrew operatively connected to a gear that is operatively connected to the head.
4. The inspection head system according to claim 1 , wherein the X-axis drive includes a lead screw actuated by a motor-driven pulley.
5. The inspection head system according to claim 1 , further comprising a probe holder structured to hold a probe in a floating manner.
6. The inspection head system according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor is selected from the group consisting of ultrasound and eddy current.
7. The inspection head system according to claim 6 , wherein the sensor comprises a pair of ultrasonic probes.
8. The inspection head system according to claim 6 , wherein the coupling media is water.
9. The inspection head system according to claim 1 , further comprising at least two rollers structured to engage a surface of the component being inspected.
10. The inspection head system according to claim 5 , wherein the probe is secured within a probe housing, and the probe is spring-biased away from the probe housing.
11. A nondestructive inspection head system for the inspection of a turbine disk component on a turbine rotor assembly, comprising:
a base having a stand and rail support structured to raise and lower an interchangeable inspection head along a Y-axis into a location to be inspected of the turbine disk component;
the interchangeable head comprising:
an Y-axis drive operatively connected to the head;
a drive selected from the group consisting of a X-axis drive, a θ-axis drive and a Φ-axis drive, operatively connected to the head;
a Z-axis drive operatively connected to the head,
wherein the Z-axis drive includes a motor structured to drive the head in a first direction, and a spring structured to drive the head in an opposing direction,
wherein a plurality of interconnected, substantially parallel slides adjacent to each other and structured to slide with respect to each other;
an arm structured to actuate sliding motion of the slides;
a spring structured to bias the arm in a first direction; and
a motor-driven pulley structured to move the arm in the opposing direction; and
a sensor operatively connected to the X, Y or Φ-axis drive that detects defects in an inspected turbine disk component; and
a coupling medium delivery/recirculation system structured to:
dispense a coupling media between the sensor and the inspected turbine disk component, and
recirculate the coupling media via a catch basin arranged below the inspected turbine disk component.
12. The inspection head system according to claim 11 , wherein the inspected turbine disk component comprises an attached turbine blade.
13. The inspection head system according to claim 12 , wherein the blade is a steam turbine blade.
14. The inspection head system according to claim 13 , further comprising a probe connected to the head selected from the group consisting of ultrasound and eddy current.
15. The inspection head system according to claim 12 , further comprising a probe holder structured to hold a probe in a floating manner, and wherein the probe is secured within a probe housing and the probe is spring-biased away from the probe housing.