IP Library Granted Patent US 11,441,444
Granted Patent B2
US 11,441,444 · App. 16/987,965 · Granted Sep 13, 2022

Electrical resistance wear indicator

Inventors: Eli Cole Warren (Wethersfield, CT); Corey A. Benoit (Uncasville, CT); Ian F. Agoos (Boston, MA); Edward F. Dreger, III (Burlington, CT)
Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
F01D21/003F01D11/08G01B7/14G01B21/16G01M15/14G01N27/20F01D11/122F01D21/04F05D2220/323F05D2240/55F05D2260/80F05D2260/83F05D2270/80
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,441,444
App. No.
16/987,965
Granted
Sep 13, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

In combination a wear indicator and a component of a gas turbine engine. The wear indicator is secured to a surface of the component of the gas turbine engine. The wear indicator including: a first component including: a post; and a ribbon wire having a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The first end is operably connected to the post and the ribbon wire is wrapped around the post.

Claims (46)

1. In combination a wear indicator and a component of a gas turbine engine, wherein the wear indicator is secured to a surface of the component of the gas turbine engine, the wear indicator comprising:

a first component including:

a post; and

a ribbon wire having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, wherein the first end is operably connected to the post, and wherein the ribbon wire is wrapped around the post; and

a second component of the wear indicator having a blind hole partially enclosing the first component, wherein the wear indicator is secured to a surface of the component of the gas turbine engine through the second component,

wherein the second component further comprises:

a first side that delaminates when impacted by a blade of the gas turbine engine;

a second side parallel to the first side, the second side being secured to the component of the gas turbine engine; and

a mid-section interposed between the first side and the second side;

wherein the mid-section is conical frustum in shape.

2. The combination of claim 1 , wherein the first component is configured to delaminate when impacted by a blade of the gas turbine engine.

3. The combination of claim 1 , wherein the component is a blade outer air seal.

4. The combination of claim 1 , further comprising a measurement device electrically connected to the first end of the ribbon wire through a first lead line and electrically connected to the second end of the ribbon wire through a second lead line, wherein the measurement device is configured to determine a resistance of the ribbon wire.

5. The combination of claim 1 , wherein:

the post is cylindrical in shape.

6. The combination of claim 1 , wherein:

the ribbon wire is wrapped around an outer surface of the post.

7. The combination of claim 1 , wherein:

the ribbon wire is wrapped around an inner surface of the post.

8. A method of detecting blade clearance in a gas turbine engine, the method comprising:

attaching a wear indicator to an inner surface of a gas turbine engine opposite a blade of the gas turbine engine, the wear indicator comprising a first plate, a second plate opposite to the first plate, and a plurality of wires extending from the first plate to the second plate, wherein the first plate is electrically connected to the second plate through the plurality of wires;

measuring a first resistance of the first plate, the second plate, and the plurality of wires;

operating the gas turbine engine at a first selected speed for a first period of time to remove material from the wear indicator;

measuring a second resistance of the first plate, the second plate, and the plurality of wires after material is removed from the wear indicator;

determining a change in resistance between the second resistance and the first resistance; and

determining an amount of material removed from the wear indicator by the blade in response to the change in resistance.

9. The method of claim 8 , further comprising:

determining a clearance between the blade and the inner surface in response to the amount of material removed from the wear indicator.

10. In combination a wear indicator and a component of a gas turbine engine, wherein the wear indicator is secured to a surface of the component of the gas turbine engine, the wear indicator comprising:

a first component including:

a post; and

a ribbon wire having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, wherein the first end is operably connected to the post, and wherein the ribbon wire is wrapped around the post; and

a second component of the wear indicator having a blind hole partially enclosing the first component, wherein the wear indicator is secured to a surface of the component of the gas turbine engine through the second component,

wherein the second component further comprises:

a first side that delaminates when impacted by a blade of the gas turbine engine;

a second side parallel to the first side, the second side being secured to the component of the gas turbine engine; and

a mid-section interposed between the first side and the second side,

wherein the mid-section is conical frustum in shape.

11. The combination of claim 10 , wherein the component is a blade outer air seal.

12. The combination of claim 10 , further comprising a measurement device electrically connected to the first end of the ribbon wire through a first lead line and electrically connected to the second end of the ribbon wire through a second lead line, wherein the measurement device is configured to determine a resistance of the ribbon wire.

13. The combination of claim 10 , wherein:

the post is cylindrical in shape.

14. The combination of claim 10 , wherein:

the ribbon wire is wrapped around an outer surface of the post.

15. The combination of claim 10 , wherein:

the ribbon wire is wrapped around an inner surface of the post.

Assignments (3)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jul 27, 2023
From: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
To: RTX CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 064714/0001 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Aug 12, 2020
From: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
To: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 053480/0152 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 12, 2020
From: WARREN, ELI COLE; BENOIT, COREY A.; AGOOS, IAN F.; DREGER, EDWARD F., III
To: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 053480/0156 →
Continuity (2)
Division 15667834 · Aug 3, 2017
Related Publication 20210108535A1 · Apr 15, 2021