TOOLING AND METHOD FOR VISUAL INSPECTION OF AN AIRCRAFT TURBOMACHINE PART
The visual control tool for aircraft turbomachine parts, featuring a U-shaped hook and frame, addresses the inefficiencies of existing methods by allowing selective defect visibility, thereby simplifying and standardizing the inspection process and enhancing defect identification and assessment.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2023000314
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-01-12
- Publication Date
- 2025-04-11
- Estimated Expiration
- 2043-01-12
AI Technical Summary
Existing visual control methods for aircraft turbomachine parts, particularly annular parts with radial fixing flanges, are inefficient and costly, as they require extensive operator inspection to identify defects such as marks or wear, which can be hidden or difficult to access.
A visual control tool comprising a U-shaped hook and a frame, designed to be mounted on the annular part, allowing the operator to selectively hide or reveal defects through a window in the frame, facilitating precise defect positioning and criticality assessment.
The tool simplifies and standardizes the visual control process, allowing operators to efficiently identify and assess defects across different shapes and dimensions of turbomachine parts, reducing errors and ensuring consistent control outcomes.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: TOOL AND METHOD FOR VISUALLY CHECKING AN AIRCRAFT TURBOMACHINE PART Technical field of the invention
[0001] The present invention relates to a tool and a method for visually inspecting a part of an aircraft turbomachine. Technical background
[0002] There are several techniques for inspecting an aircraft turbomachine part, the present invention relating to a visual inspection, i.e. an inspection carried out by a specialized operator or technician. This type of inspection can be carried out after the part has been manufactured or during a maintenance operation on the part or the turbomachine comprising this part.
[0003] During a visual inspection of a part, the operator must look for any defects on the part, i.e. marks or wear. Depending on several criteria, such as the type of marks or wear, their dimensions, their position, etc., the operator must determine whether these marks or wear are acceptable or not. In the absence of marks or wear on a part, this part could be used or reused in a turbomachine. In the presence of marks or wear on a part, it could be scrapped or undergo a grinding operation.
[0004] The present invention relates to the control of an annular part, that is to say a part which has an annular shape around an axis. This part comprises an annular fixing flange which is oriented in a radial direction with respect to the axis. A fixing flange is scalloped or not scalloped and generally comprises a series of axial orifices for the passage of fixing elements of the screw-nut type or the like.
[0005] This annular part equipped with a radial flange can form, for example, a journal, a casing, a cover, a shell, a wall, a disc, etc., in the turbomachine.
[0006] The present invention aims to provide a solution for visually inspecting an annular part of this type in a simple, efficient and economical manner. Summary of the invention
[0007] The invention relates to a tool for visually inspecting a part of an aircraft turbomachine, this part having an annular shape around an axis and comprising an annular fixing flange which is oriented in a radial direction with respect to the axis, the tool comprising a body formed from a single part and comprising:
[0008] - a U-shaped hook configured to be mounted on said flange, this hook comprising two side branches configured to be located respectively on both sides of the flange, and
[0009] - a frame connected to the hook and configured to cover a part to be controlled of the part, this frame defining a window through which an operator can view a portion of said part.
[0010] The invention thus proposes a simple and easy-to-use tool which essentially comprises two parts, namely a hook and a frame. The hook is used to mount the tool on the part to be inspected, this hook being intended to cooperate with the flange of this part. Since the flange is subject to defects, one of the advantages of the hook is that it makes it possible to hide the defects on the flange and therefore to be able to indicate that the defects (previously detected by the operator) in this area are located on the flange, which can be problematic. The frame covers part of the part and its window allows the operator to see part of the part through the tool. Unlike the hook which hides the defects on the flange, any defects present on the rest of the part (apart from its flange) are either visible through the window or hidden by the frame.Depending on the position of the defects, they are hidden by the tooling or visible through the tooling. The tooling therefore makes it possible to reveal or hide the defects. More specifically, the tooling makes it possible to precisely position the defects in order to determine their criticality for the part.
[0011] The tooling according to the invention is advantageously adapted to be usable on parts of different shapes and dimensions. Furthermore, it can be easily moved around a part and from one part to another, thanks to its simplicity and lightness.
[0012] The tooling according to the invention may comprise one or more of the following characteristics, taken alone or in combination with each other:
[0013] - the U-hook has a generally curved shape and has a curvature configured to be similar to that of said flange;
[0014] - the two branches of the hook are connected to each other by a bridge which has a shape generally curved and which is configured to bear radially on the flange;
[0015] - at least one of said branches comprises a support projection configured to come to rest on one side of the flange;
[0016] - the frame comprises a support projection configured to come into contact with said part of the room;
[0017] - the frame has a generally curved shape;
[0018] - the frame is inclined relative to the hook;
[0019] - the frame comprises two curved profiles, respectively internal and external, of which the circumferential ends are connected to each other by lateral uprights, these profiles and uprights delimiting between them said window;
[0020] - the internal profile has a dimension, in particular radial, greater than that of the external profile, and greater than a circumferential thickness of each of the side uprights;
[0021] - the frame comprises at least one edge, in particular on the inside of said window, forming a tracing rule on the part;
[0022] — said at least one edge is chosen from an external edge of the internal profile, an edge internal of the external profile, and a side edge of each of the side uprights;
[0023] - the body has a generally curved shape and an angular extent of between 10 and 30° around an axis, which is configured to coincide with the axis of the part;
[0024] — the body is made of plastic material, such as TPU for example.
[0025] The present invention also relates to a method for visually inspecting an aircraft turbomachine part, using a tool as described above, the part having an annular shape around an axis and comprising an annular fixing flange which is oriented in a radial direction with respect to the axis, the method comprising the steps consisting of:
[0026] a) positioning the body of the tool on the part by mounting the hook on the flange, the two lateral branches of the hook being located respectively on the two sides of the flange, and
[0027] b) checking the part, and in particular the part of the part on which the body is mounted, this checking step being carried out by an operator.
[0028] The method according to the invention may comprise one or more of the following features or steps, taken alone or in combination with each other:
[0029] - the part is a journal which comprises a frustoconical wall, and said flange is radially outwardly oriented and located at the outer periphery of the frustoconical wall, the body of the tool being positioned in step a) so that its frame is mounted on a portion of an outer frustoconical surface of this frustoconical wall;
[0030] — the hook axially clamps the flange at the end of step a), the frame being supported or away from the room;
[0031] — the hook is in radial support on the flange at the end of step a);
[0032] - step b) comprises the sub-steps of:
[0033] + verification by the operator if there are marks or wear which are located on the part and which are hidden by the body of the tool, and
[0034] + operator checks if there are any marks or wear that are visible through the tool window;
[0035] — more particularly, step b) comprises the sub-steps of:
[0036] + verification by the operator if there are marks or wear which are located on the room and which are hidden by the frame, and in particular by its internal profile,
[0037] + verification by the operator if there are marks or wear which are located on the room and which are hidden by the hook,
[0038] + operator checks if there are any marks or wear that are visible through the window;
[0039] - at least one line is drawn on the part along one of the edges of the frame;
[0040] - after steps a) and b), the method comprises a step c) of moving the body of the tooling on the part, by rotation of the body mounted on the part around the axis of the part, then step b) is repeated;
[0041] - steps b) and c) are repeated as many times as necessary in order to control the entire outline of the room;
[0042] — the flange is scalloped and / or includes axial orifices for the passage of elements of screw-nut type fixing for example. Brief description of the figures
[0043] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear during the reading of the detailed description which follows for the understanding of which reference will be made to the appended drawings in which:
[0044] [Fig-1] [Fig.l] is a partial schematic perspective view of a part annular to be controlled of an aircraft turbomachine;
[0045] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is an enlarged view of part of [Fig.l];
[0046] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is an axial sectional view of the part of [Fig.l];
[0047] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a view similar to that of [Fig.2] and shows a tooling of control according to one embodiment of the invention, which is mounted on the part to be controlled;
[0048] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] is a sectional view along line VV of [Fig.4];
[0049] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] is an enlarged view of a detail of [Fig.5];
[0050] [Fig.7] [Fig.7] is an enlarged view of another detail of [Fig.5]; and
[0051] [Fig.8] [Fig.8] is a view similar to that of [Fig.4] and illustrating a method of control according to the invention. Detailed description of the invention
[0052] [Fig.l] shows a part 10 for an aircraft turbomachine.
[0053] This part 10 has an annular shape around an axis X which is generally the longitudinal axis of the turbomachine.
[0054] In the example shown, the part 10 is a journal although this example is not limiting.
[0055] The part 10 comprises an annular wall 12 and an annular flange 14 which extends in a radial direction with respect to the axis X and which is located at the external periphery of the wall 12 in the example shown.
[0056] [Fig.l] further shows that part 10 comprises another annular flange 16 which extends radially from the inner periphery of the wall 12.
[0057] In the example shown, the wall 12 is solid and is therefore devoid of orifices or lights although this aspect is not limiting. The flange 14 as well as the other flange 16 are scalloped but could alternatively be non-scalloped.
[0058] Furthermore, in the example shown, the wall 12 has a truncated cone shape.
[0059] The flanges 14, 16 comprise axial orifices 18 for the passage of elements of screw-nut type fixing or the like. Each of the festoons comprises an orifice 18 in the example shown. The orifices 18 of each flange 14, 16 are regularly distributed around the axis X.
[0060] [Fig.2] is an enlarged view of a detail of [Fig.l] and shows three distinct annular zones Zl, Z2, Z3 for controlling the part 10.
[0061] Zone Zl is located at the flange 14. Any marks or wear in this zone Zl is not acceptable for the part 10. It is therefore important that the part 10 is free from such defects in this zone ZL.
[0062] Zone Z2 extends from zone Z1 to zone Z3 and has a predetermined axial dimension H, measured from flange 14 (see [Fig.3]). Any marks or wear in this zone Z2 is potentially problematic for part 10. It is therefore important to be able to detect any defect in this zone Z2 in order to be able to better characterize this defect, and for example measure its dimensions.
[0063] Zone Z3 extends between zone Z2 and the internal periphery of part 10. Any marks or wear in this zone Z3 is less problematic for part 10. It is therefore important to be able to properly locate a defect between this zone Z3 and the zone Z2 located just around it.
[0064] The tooling according to the invention makes it possible to check this type of part 10 and to facilitate the location of possible defects in the different zones Z1, Z2 and Z3.
[0065] Figures 4 to 8 illustrate an embodiment of this tool 20.
[0066] The tool 20 comprises a body formed from a single piece. This tool 20 is intended to be mounted on the part 10 to be checked and is preferably made of a material which is not likely to damage the part 10 by impact or friction.
[0067] The body of the tool 20 is advantageously made of plastic material such as TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane). It can be made by additive manufacturing. The part 10 to be checked is generally made of a metal alloy.
[0068] The body of the tool 20 essentially comprises two parts, namely a hook 22 and a frame 24.
[0069] In the example shown, the body of the tool 20 has a generally curved shape around the axis X when it is mounted on the flange 14.
[0070] The body has for example an angular extent of between 10 and 30° around the X axis, when the body is mounted on the part 10.
[0071] The hook 22 is a U-shaped hook which is configured to be mounted on the flange 14, as can be seen in FIGS. 4 to 6 for example.
[0072] The hook 22 comprises two lateral branches 22a, 22b configured to be located axially on each side of the flange 14.
[0073] In the example shown, the hook 22 has a generally curved shape and each of its branches 22a, 22b has a curved shape around the axis X. Each of the branches 22a, 22b has a radial orientation with respect to the axis X and is relatively flat.
[0074] As seen in [Fig.6], at least one of the branches 22a, 22b may comprise a bearing projection 26 configured to bear on one side of the flange 14.
[0075] The projection 26 has for example a height of between 0.5 and 3 mm, and preferably of the order of 0.5-1 mm.
[0076] The hook 22 is advantageously configured to axially pinch the flange 14, the projection 26 making it possible to limit the bearing surface of the branch 22a on the flange 14 and to limit the risk of deterioration of the flange 14 and of the part 10. Furthermore, the fact of locating the support of the branch 22a on the flange at the level of the projection 26 makes it possible to limit the thickness of the remainder of the branch 22a and to give this branch 22a a certain flexibility in deformation so that the hook 22 can adapt to different parts 10 and in particular to parts 10 having flanges of different axial thicknesses.
[0077] In the example shown, the projection 26 is located on the internal periphery of the branch 22a. This projection 26 can extend over the entire circumferential extent of the body.
[0078] A similar support projection could instead or in addition be located on the branch 22b, to come into contact with the other side of the flange 14.
[0079] The two branches 22a, 22b of the hook 22 are connected to each other by a bridge 28 which has a generally curved shape and which is configured to bear radially on the flange 14, as can be seen in FIGS. 4 and 6 in particular. It is therefore understood that the hook 22 has a curvature similar to that of the flange 14 in the example shown.
[0080] It can also be seen in [Fig.4] that the hook 22 covers the flange 14 and therefore makes it possible to hide any defect which may be present on the flange 14 and covered by the hook 22.
[0081] The frame 24 of the body of the tool is connected to the hook 22, and in particular to its branch 22b, and is configured to be mounted on another part to be checked of the part 10.
[0082] In the example shown, the frame 24 is inclined relative to the hook 22. This inclination allows it to follow the truncated cone shape of the wall 12.
[0083] Frame 24 defines a window 30 through which an operator can view a portion of the part to be checked of part 10.
[0084] The frame 24 may also comprise a support projection 32 configured to bear on the part to be checked of the part 10. However, as can be seen in [Fig. 5], this projection 32 is not necessarily in support on the part 10 and may be at a distance from the part. It can also be seen in this figure that the entirety of the frame 24 can be moved away from the part when the body of the tool is mounted on the part.
[0085] In the example shown, the projection 32 is located on the internal periphery of the frame 24. This projection 32 can extend over the entire circumferential extent of the body.
[0086] The projection 32 has for example a height of between 0.5 and 3 mm, and preferably of the order of 0.5-1 mm.
[0087] The frame 24 here comprises two curved profiles, respectively internal 24a and external 24b, the circumferential ends of which are connected to each other by lateral uprights 24c. These profiles 24a, 24b and uprights 24c define between them the window 30.
[0088] In the example shown, the internal profile 24a has a dimension, in particular, RI greater than that R2 of the external profile 24b, and greater than a circumferential thickness E1 of each of the lateral uprights 24c.
[0089] The external profile 24b is configured to cover the remainder of the zone ZI which is not covered by the hook 22. In other words, the hook 22 and the external profile 24b of the frame 24 together cover the zone ZI of the part 10, or at least a sector of this zone Zl, as illustrated in [Fig.4].
[0090] The internal profile 24a is configured to cover a portion of the zone Z3. It is therefore understood that the window 30 which extends between the profiles 24a, 24b is located at the level of the zone Z2 and therefore allows an operator to view and control this zone Z2 or at least a sector of this zone Z2.
[0091] The internal profile 24a may comprise an external edge 24a 1 forming a tracing rule on the part 10. As a variant or as an additional characteristic, the external profile 24b may comprise an internal edge 24b 1 forming a tracing rule on the part 10. The uprights 24c may also each comprise a lateral edge 24c 1 forming a tracing rule on the part 10.
[0092] The invention also relates to a method for visually inspecting the part 10 using the tool 20 as described above.
[0093] The method comprises the steps of:
[0094] a) position the body of the tool 20 on the part 10 by mounting the hook 22 on the flange 14, the two lateral branches 22a, 22b of the hook 22 being located respectively on the two sides of the flange 14, and
[0095] b) checking the part 10, and in particular the part of the part 10 on which the body is mounted, this checking step being carried out by an operator.
[0096] With regard to step a), the body of the tool 20 is preferably positioned so that the hook 22 axially clamps the flange 14 and is in radial support on the flange 14. In the mounting position, the frame 24 can be in support or at a distance from the part 10 as illustrated in [Fig.5].
[0097] The part of the part 10 on which the body of the tool 20 is mounted comprises:
[0098] - zone Zl, or at least a sector of this zone Zl, covered by hook 22 and the external profile 24b of the frame, and which is therefore hidden by these elements,
[0099] - zone Z2, or at least a sector of this zone Z2, visible through window 30 of frame 24, and
[0100] - the zone Z3, or at least a sector or part of this zone Z3, covered by the internal profile 24a of the frame, and which is therefore hidden by this element.
[0101] It is thus understood that step b) can comprise the sub-steps of:
[0102] - verification by the operator if there are marks or wear which are located on the part 10 and which are hidden by the frame 24, and in particular by its profiles 24a, 24b; the defects located behind the profile 24a would be considered to be in the zone Z3 and therefore less problematic; the defects located behind the profile 24b would be considered to be in the zone Zl and therefore problematic;
[0103] - verification by the operator if there are marks or wear which are located on the part 10 and which are hidden by hook 22; the defects located behind hook 22 would then be considered to be in zone Zl and therefore also problematic; and
[0104] - operator checks if there are any marks or wear that are visible through window 30; these visible defects would then be considered as being in zone Z2 and therefore potentially problematic depending on their dimensions in particular.
[0105] For this, the operator can for example detect the presence of a defect on the part 10 then mount the body of the tool on the part 10 to determine whether or not this defect is hidden by the tool 20 or visible through its window 30. This makes it possible to quickly determine the level of conformity of the defect.
[0106] In the example shown in [Fig.8], a defect 34 is visible through the window and its position is measured by the operator at a distance L1 from the edge 24b 1 and at a distance L2 from the edge 24a 1. He therefore concludes that this defect is located in the zone Z2.
[0107] Another way of proceeding would be to mount the body of the tool on the part 10 and then to trace lines along the edges 24al, 24b 1 of the frame 24. After removing the tool 20, the operator could then determine where a possible defect is located in relation to these tracings.
[0108] In step c), the method may comprise a step c) of moving the body of the tool 20 on the part 10, by rotating the body mounted on the part 10 around the X axis.
[0109] The steps of method a) and / or b) can be repeated after this step c).
[0110] Steps a), b) and / or c) may be repeated as many times as necessary so as to to check the entire contour of the part 10.
[0111] The same tool 20 can be used to check several parts 10, including parts 10 of different shapes and / or dimensions. This is made possible, for example, by the aforementioned flexibility of the hook 22 and by the fact that it is not necessary for the frame 24 of the tool 20 to be supported on the part 10 in order to be able to check it.
[0112] This solution allows in particular:
[0113] - to simplify control by operators; they will no longer have to worry about how to take measurements; in fact, with tool 20, the operator will be able, for example, to draw lines and measure the position of a defect in relation to these lines;
[0114] - to guarantee that the requested control will be compliant and identical to all operators;
[0115] - to avoid errors;
[0116] - to make the requested control more visual, etc.
Claims
Claims
1. Tool (20) for visually inspecting a part (10) of an aircraft turbomachine, this part (10) having an annular shape around an axis (X) and comprising an annular fixing flange (14) which is oriented in a radial direction with respect to the axis (X), the tool (20) comprising a body formed from a single piece and comprising: - a U-shaped hook (22) configured to be mounted on said flange (14), the U-shaped hook (22) having a generally curved shape and having a curvature configured to be similar to that of said flange (14), this hook (22) comprising two lateral branches (22a, 22b) configured to be located respectively on both sides of the flange (14), and - a frame (24) connected to the hook (22) and configured to cover a part to be inspected of the part (10), this frame (24) defining a window (30) through which a operator can view a portion of said part.
2. Tool (20) according to claim 1, in which the two branches (22a, 22b) of the hook (22) are connected to each other by a bridge (28) which has a generally curved shape and which is configured to bear radially on the flange (14).
3. Tool (20) according to one of the preceding claims, in which at least one of said branches (22a, 22b) comprises a support projection (26) configured to come into contact with one side of the flange (14).
4. Tool (20) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the frame (24) comprises a support projection (32) configured to come into contact with said part of the part (10).
5. Tooling (20) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the frame (24) is inclined relative to the hook (22).
6. Tool (20) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the frame (24) comprises two curved profiles, respectively internal (24a) and external (24b) whose circumferential ends are connected to each other by lateral uprights (24c), these profiles (24a, 24b) and uprights (24c) delimiting between them said window (30).
7. Tooling (20) according to claim 6, in which the internal profile (24a) has a dimension (RI) greater than that (R2) of the external profile (24b), and greater than a circumferential thickness (El) of each of the lateral uprights (24c).
8. Tooling (20) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the frame (24) comprises at least one edge (24a 1, 24b 1, 24c 1) forming a tracing rule on the part (10).
9. Tooling (20) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the body has a generally curved shape and an angular extent of between 10 and 30° around an axis, which is configured to coincide with the axis (X) of the part (10).
10. Method for visually inspecting a part (10) of an aircraft turbomachine, by means of a tool (20) according to one of the preceding claims, the part (10) having an annular shape around an axis (X) and comprising an annular fixing flange (14) which is oriented in a radial direction with respect to the axis, the method comprising the steps of: a) positioning the body of the tool (20) on the part (10) by mounting the hook (22) on the flange (14), the two lateral branches (22a, 22b) of the hook (22) being located respectively on both sides of the flange (14), and b) inspecting the part (10), and in particular the part of the part (10) on which the body is mounted, this inspection step being carried out by an operator.
11. A method according to claim 10, wherein the part (10) is a journal which comprises a frustoconical wall (12), and said flange (14) is oriented radially outwards and located at the outer periphery of the frustoconical wall (12), the body of the tool (20) being positioned in step a) so that its frame (24) is mounted on a portion of an outer frustoconical surface of this frustoconical wall (12).
12. Method according to claim 10 or 11, wherein step b) comprises the sub-steps of: - checking by the operator if there are marks or wear which are located on the part (10) and which are hidden by the body of the tool (20), and - checking by the operator if there are marks or wear which are visible through the window (30) of the tool (20).
13. Method according to one of claims 10 to 12, the tool (20) being of the type as defined in claim 9, in which at least one line is drawn on the part (10) along one of the edges (24a 1, 24b 1) of the frame (24).
14. Method according to one of claims 10 to 13, in which, after steps a) and b), the method comprises a step c) of moving the body of the tool (20) on the part (10), by rotation of the mounted body on the part (10) around the axis (X) of the part, then step b) of the method is repeated.
15. Method according to claim 14, in which steps b) and c) are repeated as many times as necessary so as to control the entire contour of the part (10).