Turbine component holder for imaging

1 . A holder configured to hold a turbine component in position for internal imaging, the holder comprising:

a main body configured to support one or more turbine components; and

one or more holding spaces in in the main body, each holding space being configured to retain a corresponding turbine component,

wherein each of the one or more holding spaces is configured to automatically secure and orient the corresponding turbine component by way of an interference fit upon the turbine component being inserted into the holding space, and

wherein the one or more holding spaces are configured to enable an imaging system to take an image of multiple turbine components in one or more orientations at the same time.

2 . The holder of claim 1 , wherein the holder is configured to hold turbine components in multiple orientations.

3 . The holder of claim 1 , wherein each of the one or more holding spaces are in the form of a notch in the main body, each notch being open at the top and at opposing lateral sides.

4 . The holder of claim 3 , wherein each notch is oriented at an angle relative to a horizontal plane so that the notch receives a corresponding turbine component along a plane that intersects horizontal at the angle.

5 . The holder of claim 3 , wherein each of the one or more holding spaces are configured to receive the corresponding turbine component from above.

6 . The holder of claim 1 , wherein the one or more holding spaces includes two sets of holding spaces with each holding space of the first set being configured to hold a corresponding turbine component at a first orientation and each holding space of the second set being configured to hold a corresponding turbine component at a second orientation.

7 . The holder of claim 1 , wherein the one or more holding spaces are bound by opposing contoured surfaces.

8 . The holder of claim 1 , wherein the holder is formed by way of 3D printing.

9 . The holder of claim 1 , wherein the holder is configured to hold a turbine blade.

10 . An x-ray imaging system for imaging a plurality of turbine blades, the system comprising:

an x-ray source;

a digital detector array;

the holder of claim 1 , the holder being positioned between the x-ray source and the digital detector array; and

a control system configured to actuate the x-ray source and receive data from the digital detector array.

11 . The holder of claim 1 , wherein the one or more holding space comprises multiple holding space, wherein adjacent holding spaces share a common wall, and wherein adjacent holding spaces is configured to hold respective turbine components in different orientations.

12 . A holder configured to hold a plurality of turbine blades in position for internal imaging, the holder comprising:

a main body configured to support the plurality of turbine blades;

a first set of notches in the main body configured to hold turbine blades in a first orientation; and

a second set of notches in the main body configured to hold turbine blades in a second orientation,

wherein each of the notches of the first and second sets of notches is configured to automatically secure and orient a corresponding turbine blade upon the turbine blade being inserted into the respective notch, and

wherein the first and second sets of notches are configured to enable an imaging system to take an image of multiple turbine blades in one or more orientations at the same time.

13 . The holder of claim 12 , wherein each of the notches of the first and second sets of notches is open at the top and at opposing lateral sides.

14 . The holder of claim 13 , wherein each of the notches is configured to receive the corresponding turbine blade from above.

15 . The holder of claim 12 , wherein each notch of the first and second sets of notches is oriented at an angle relative to a horizontal plane so that the notch receives a corresponding turbine blade along a plane that intersects horizontal at the angle.

16 . The holder of claim 12 , wherein the notches of the first and second sets of notches are bound by opposing contoured surfaces.

17 . The holder of claim 16 , wherein the notches of the first and second sets of notches are configured to hold a root portion of a corresponding turbine blade.

18 . The holder of claim 12 , wherein the holder is formed by way of 3D printing.

19 . An x-ray imaging system for imaging a plurality of turbine blades, the system comprising:

an x-ray source;

a digital detector array;

the holder of claim 12 , the holder being positioned between the x-ray source and the digital detector array; and

a control system configured to actuate the x-ray source and receive data from the digital detector array.

20 . The holder of claim 12 , wherein the first and second sets of notches are located in the main body in an alternating arrangement in which each notch from the first set of notches is adjacent to a corresponding notch from the second set of notches, and wherein said adjacent notches share a common wall.

21 . A method for positioning a turbine blade for x-ray imaging, the method comprising:

sliding a turbine blade into a receiving space in a blade holder; and

positioning the turbine blade and the blade holder between an x-ray source and a digital detector array,

wherein sliding the turbine blade into the receiving space in the blade holder automatically orients the turbine blade at a target orientation for imaging the internal structure of the turbine blade,

wherein sliding the turbine blade into the receiving space in the blade holder automatically secures the turbine blade in the receiving space, and

wherein the receiving space enables an imaging system to take an image of the turbine blade in one or more orientations at the same time.

22 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the receiving space is one of a first set of receiving spaces in the blade holder and the blade holder comprises a second set of receiving spaces,

wherein the receiving spaces of the first set can only receive respective turbine blades in a first orientation, and

wherein the receiving spaces of the second set can only receive respective turbine blades in a second orientation different from the first orientation.

23 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the turbine blade is one of multiple types of turbine components, wherein the method further comprises loading multiple types of turbine components onto the blade holder and imaging the multiple turbine components simultaneously, and wherein the blade holder holds the different turbine components in different orientations.

24 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the turbine blade is held in place within the receiving space by gravity.

25 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the turbine blade is held in place by an interference fit.