Method and device for determining defects in a turbine blade

1. A method for determining defects in a turbine blade, comprising:

configuring a probe fixing device for attachment to a portion of a blade surface and a portion of a blade root surface of a section of the turbine blade to be examined, wherein a surface of the probe fixing device is shaped to engage the portion of the blade surface and the portion of the blade root surface in a manner that fixes the probe fixing device into a particular position with respect to the section of the turbine blade to be examined;

attaching the probe fixing device over the section of the turbine blade to be examined;

attaching a probe to the probe fixing device;

connecting the probe to a measuring and evaluation device emitting an ultrasonic pulse signal by the probe;

receiving an echo signal reflected by defects or shape boundaries in the turbine blade via a phased-array ultrasonic test method;

comparing the received echo signal with a reference echo signal; and

determining defects by evaluating differences between the echo signal and the reference echo signal.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein a pulse-echo method is used as the phased-array ultrasonic test method.

3. The method as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the reference echo signal is determined from model calculations.

4. The method as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the reference echo signal is determined from measurements on an essentially defect-free turbine blade.

5. The method as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the probe is constructed as a phased-array probe where the ultrasonic pulse signal can be emitted in different directions.

6. The method as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the ultrasonic pulse signal can be emitted in an angular range between −45° to +45° with respect to a main direction of irradiation that extends essentially perpendicularly to the turbine blade surface at the location of the probe.

7. A measuring and evaluation device for determining defects in turbine blades, comprising:

a probe;

a fixing device for attachment to a section of a turbine blade to be examined, wherein a rigid surface of the fixing device is preformed as negative impression of a portion of a blade surface and a portion of a blade root surface of the section of the turbine blade to be examined, wherein an interaction of the surface of the probe fixing device with the portion of the blade surface and the portion of the blade root surface fixes the probe fixing device into a particular position with respect to the section of the turbine blade to be examined;

an ultrasonic pulse signal source connected to the probe that provides an ultrasonic pulse signal;

an ultrasonic echo signal receiver that receives an ultrasonic echo signal; and

a display device for displaying the echo signal.

8. The device as claimed in claim 7 , wherein the probe is constructed as a phased-array probe.

9. The device as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the fixing device is selected from the group consisting of plastic, wood and rubber.

10. The device as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the fixing device has a recess for accommodating the probe.

11. The device as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the fixing device is attachable to the blade surface and the blade root surface of the section of the turbine blade to be examined.

12. The device as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the fixing device is attached to the blade surface and the blade root surface of the section of the turbine blade to be examined by a deformable ultrasonic transmission paste.