SUPPORT FOR HOLDING AND GUIDING A DATA ACQUISITION INSTRUMENT ON A HOLLOW TURBOMACHINE SHAFT FOR THE PURPOSE OF INSPECTION OF ITS INTERIOR
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES SAS
- Filing Date
- 2024-08-09
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-31
AI Technical Summary
Existing turbomachine shaft inspections during assembly require two operators to handle data acquisition devices, risking damage to the inner surface and lacking a simple, precise, and convenient single-operator solution.
A support system with a base and guide member that secures to the turbomachine shaft using male mounting lugs, allowing a single operator to axially guide and inspect the shaft interior with a data acquisition instrument.
Enables precise and convenient single-operator inspection of turbomachine shafts, protecting the inner surface and reducing operational complexity.
Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: SUPPORT FOR HELPING AND GUIDING A DATA ACQUISITION INSTRUMENT ON A HOLLOW TURBOMACHINE TREE FOR THE PURPOSE OF INSPECTING ITS INTERIOR Scope of the invention
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of aeronautics, and more particularly to aircraft turbomachinery and their assembly.
[0002] In particular, the invention relates to a support for holding and guiding a data acquisition instrument on a hollow turbomachine shaft for the purpose of inspecting the inside of the shaft, along an axial direction of the shaft, preferably during a turbomachine assembly operation.
[0003] The invention also relates to a data acquisition device for the temporary inspection of the interior of a turbomachine shaft along an axial direction thereof, preferably during a turbomachine assembly operation, the device comprising such a support and a data acquisition instrument. It further relates to a turbomachine component comprising such a data acquisition device inserted and retained on such a turbomachine shaft.
[0004] The invention further relates to a method for at least partially assembling a turbomachine, controlled by means of such a data acquisition device. Prior art
[0005] It is known to use data acquisition devices, particularly image data acquisition devices, during turbomachine assembly operations. Such a data acquisition device is commonly called an endoscope, and allows, in particular, a visual inspection of the surface condition of turbomachine parts to be assembled together.
[0006] In particular, it is common to inspect the inside of a turbomachine shaft, especially a turbine shaft, which is hollow, before its assembly with another turbomachine element, such as the high-pressure compressor of the turbine.
[0007] The inspection is generally carried out by two operators who manipulate the data acquisition device, one operator manually guiding a data acquisition probe inside the turbomachine shaft, accessing it through an axial opening at one end of the turbomachine shaft, and a second operator holding a control box of the A device, a housing that can be equipped with a screen for viewing the data acquired by the probe, such as image data. This allows the second operator to visually inspect the turbomachine shaft.
[0008] During the inspection, it is particularly important that the data acquisition device, and in particular the probe, be handled carefully so as not to damage the inner surface of the turbomachine shaft.
[0009] There is a need for a simple and convenient solution enabling such an inspection to be carried out by a single operator, and which satisfies the precision requirements in terms of guidance as well as preservation of the inner surface of the turbomachine shaft. Description of the invention
[0010] The present invention aims to remedy all or part of the disadvantages of the prior art mentioned above.
[0011] The invention relates, according to a first aspect, to a support for holding and the guidance of a data acquisition instrument on a hollow turbomachine shaft for the purpose of inspecting the interior of the turbomachine shaft along an axial direction thereof, preferably during a turbomachine assembly operation, the turbomachine shaft comprising an axial opening and at least two internal male mounting lugs, projecting radially into the interior of the turbomachine shaft, the support comprising a base configured to be inserted at least partially into the axial opening of the turbomachine shaft, and comprising a retaining member configured to cooperate mechanically with said at least two male mounting lugs to allow axial retention of the base on the turbomachine shaft, and further comprising a guide member, movable in translation relative to the base along the axial direction, configured to receive at least partially the data acquisition instrument,to allow the data acquisition instrument to be guided axially within the turbomachine shaft.
[0012] Thus, the support allows the measuring instrument to be held in axial position relative to the turbomachine shaft, as well as providing axial guidance of the data acquisition instrument by means of the guide member which is movable relative to the base.
[0013] The base can be firmly mounted on the turbomachine shaft by a single operator instead of two, using the retaining devices. The guide element can then be manipulated by the operator by simple sliding, for example with one hand, while the other hand can, for example, manipulate the control box. It is also conceivable that the movement of the guide element could be motorized and visual inspection carried out remotely and / or automatically.
[0014] In this way, the inspection of the inside of the turbomachine shaft along the axial direction can be carried out in a particularly simple and precise manner, the radial position of the guide member being fixed relative to the base, and the base itself being fixed in position on the turbine shaft.
[0015] The base can be held on the turbomachine shaft in a particularly convenient way simply by mechanically engaging the retaining member with the male mounting lugs of the turbomachine shaft.
[0016] In other words, the support allows for a particularly reliable and robust retention of the base on the turbomachine shaft.
[0017] This results in a particularly economical solution, as only the support comprising the base and the guide element needs to be made available during inspection to obtain the aforementioned advantages. In particular, the turbomachine shaft is a low-pressure compressor shaft.
[0018] Other particularly convenient and advantageous features of the support are described below. - The retaining member may include at least two retaining lugs, and preferably between two and six retaining lugs, projecting radially from the base, configured to cooperate mechanically with the male mounting lugs of the turbomachine shaft by a combined movement of translation along the axial direction and rotation, until the retaining lugs are opposite the male mounting lugs and in contact with them, to form a bayonet-type lock of the base on the turbomachine shaft. - The base may include a main body of substantially circular cylindrical shape, configured to be inserted into the axial opening of the turbomachine shaft, and a base enlarged relative to the main body and configured to form a stop limiting the insertion of the base into the turbomachine shaft. - The base may include at least one, and preferably two, gripping handles. - The guiding element can be formed by a substantially straight tube into which the data acquisition instrument can be inserted at least in part, the base having an opening, preferably arranged substantially centrally on the base, and into which the tube is received in a movable translational manner. - The tube may have a first end extending from one side of the base and intended to be inside the turbomachine shaft during its inspection, and a second end opposite the first end extending from a second side of the base and intended to be outside the turbomachine shaft during inspection thereof, and wherein the first end at least has a protective coating
[0019] The invention also relates, according to a second aspect, to a data acquisition device for the inspection of the inside of a turbomachine shaft along an axial direction thereof, the data acquisition device comprising a support as described above, and a data acquisition instrument comprising a control box intended to be disposed outside the turbomachine shaft, a data acquisition probe intended to be disposed inside the turbomachine shaft, and a data transmission member connected on one side to the control box and on the other side to the probe, the data transmission member being received in the guide member.
[0020] According to an advantageous embodiment, the data acquisition instrument may be an endoscope, the data acquisition probe may be an image acquisition means and the control box may preferably include a screen enabling the visualization of images.
[0021] The invention also relates, according to a third aspect, to a method for assembling at least one part of a turbomachine, controlled by means of a data acquisition device as described above, comprising the steps of: - provision of a first part of the turbomachine comprising a first turbomachine shaft, which is preferably a low pressure compressor shaft, having an axial opening and at least two internal male mounting lugs projecting radially towards the inside of the turbomachine shaft; - installation of the data acquisition device on the first turbomachine shaft, including the insertion of the base into the axial opening and the mechanical cooperation of the retaining member with the at least two male mounting lugs; - inspection of the inside of the first turbomachine shaft using the data acquisition instrument, which is preferably an inspection step of the condition of the surface of the inside of the first turbomachine shaft, including the axial displacement of the guide member relative to the base; - removal of the data acquisition device, including lifting the mechanical cooperation of the retaining members with the at least two male mounting lugs and the extraction of the base of the first turbomachine shaft.
[0022] According to an advantageous embodiment, the process may further comprise the steps of: - provision of a second part of the turbomachine, which is preferably a high-pressure compressor of the turbomachine; and - docking of the second part of the turbomachine to the first turbomachine shaft, following the withdrawal step.
[0023] The invention also relates, according to a fourth aspect, to a turbomachine part comprising a hollow turbomachine shaft including an axial opening and at least two internal male mounting lugs, projecting radially into the interior of the turbomachine shaft, and further comprising a data acquisition device as described above, which is inserted at least partially into the axial opening of the turbomachine shaft and held axially on the turbomachine shaft by the mechanical cooperation of the male mounting lugs of the turbomachine shaft with the retaining member of the support of the data acquisition device.
[0024] The turbomachine part may in particular be part of a turbomachine being assembled, before its installation on an aircraft. Brief description of figures
[0025] The invention will be better understood, and other details, advantages and features thereof will become apparent from the following description, given by way of non-limiting example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: • Fig. 1 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of a turbomachine; • [Fig.2] is a partial longitudinal and perspective cross-sectional view of the turbomachine shown in [Fig.1]; • [Fig.3] is a schematic view of a measuring device according to the invention, comprising a support and a data acquisition instrument, during an inspection of a low pressure compressor shaft of the turbomachine of [Fig.2]; • [Fig.4] is a perspective view of the low-pressure compressor shaft on which the support is mounted; • [Fig.5] is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the low-pressure compressor shaft and support; • [Fig.6] is a front perspective view of the support, according to a first variant of the embodiment; • [Fig.7] is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the support of [Fig.6]; • [Fig. 8] is a rear perspective view of the support, according to a second alternative implementation; • [Fig.9] is a front view of the low pressure compressor shaft; • Fig. 10 is a block diagram of an assembly method for a at least part of a turbomachine.
[0026] Detailed description of preferred embodiments
[0027] The present description is given by way of non-limiting agreement, each feature of an embodiment being able to be advantageously combined with any other feature of any other embodiment, according to any technically functional combination.
[0028] It should be noted from the outset that the figures are not necessarily to scale.
[0029] With reference first to [Fig. 1], a schematic representation is shown aircraft turbomachine 1, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. This is a twin-spool, turbofan engine. However, it could be a turbomachine of another type, for example a turboprop, without departing from the scope of the invention.
[0030] The turbomachine 1 has an axis X around which its various components extend, this axis being called the longitudinal axis of the turbomachine. It comprises, from upstream to downstream along a main direction A of gas flow through this turbomachine, a blower 3, a low-pressure compressor 4, a high-pressure compressor 6, a combustion chamber 5, a high-pressure turbine 7 and a low-pressure turbine 8.
[0031] Conventionally, after passing through the blower, the air splits into a central primary flow 12a and a secondary flow 12b which surrounds the primary flow. The primary flow 12a flows into a main gas circulation channel 14a passing through the compressors 4, 6, the combustion chamber 5 and the turbines 7, 8. The secondary flow 12b, on the other hand, flows into a secondary channel 14b delimited radially outwards by an engine casing 2, surrounded by a nacelle 9.
[0032] Fig. 2 represents in more detail an upstream part of the turbomachine 1, on which are represented the blower 3 as well as a low pressure compressor shaft 10 which comprises the low pressure compressor 4.
[0033] The low pressure compressor shaft 10 is mounted for rotation on the motor housing 2, via bearings.
[0034] The low pressure compressor shaft 10 is hollow, and has an axial opening 11 which is here through axis X.
[0035] This axial opening 11 is here substantially wider at the level of a first end 13 of the low pressure compressor shaft 10 and substantially narrower at the level of a second end 15 of the low pressure compressor shaft 10, opposite to the first end 13.
[0036] The blower 3 is here mounted on the low pressure compressor shaft 10 at the first end 13, so that it can be driven in rotation by the latter.
[0037] The high-pressure compressor 6 is intended to be mounted freely for rotation on the low-pressure compressor shaft 10 at the second end 15.
[0038] The low pressure compressor shaft 10 here has internal male mounting lugs 16, which protrude radially into the inside of the low pressure compressor shaft 10 (these male mounting lugs 16 are also visible in [Fig.9]).
[0039] The male mounting lugs 16 are here spaced apart and evenly distributed inside the low pressure compressor shaft 10. There are six of them here, without this number being limiting.
[0040] As can be seen in [Fig.2], the male mounting lugs 16 can each have two juxtaposed tenons 17 forming together a double male mounting lug 16.
[0041] Before the high-pressure compressor 6 is attached to the low-pressure compressor shaft 10, a temporary inspection of the inside of the low-pressure compressor shaft 10 is carried out to verify that the attachment conditions are met. This may include, in particular, checking the condition of the inside surface of the low-pressure compressor shaft 10.
[0042] A temporary inspection is understood to mean an inspection carried out during the assembly of the turbomachine 1, but which is not intended to be continued once the assembly is complete. The duration of the temporary inspection can range from a relatively short period, for example between two assembly steps of the turbomachine 1, to a relatively long period, for example substantially throughout the entire assembly operation, until the finalization of the assembly.
[0043] Fig. 3 partially shows the turbomachine 1 viewed from the front, and a data acquisition device 50 comprising a measuring instrument 40 and a support 20 for the measuring instrument, mounted on the low-pressure compressor shaft 10.
[0044] The support 20 is disposed in the axial opening 11 of the low pressure compressor shaft 10, with the measuring instrument 40 which is received in the support 20.
[0045] In [Fig. 3], the low-pressure compressor shaft 10 is shown with a cover 19 which is mounted on it, and which partially covers a front part of the low pressure compressor shaft 10 at its first end 13.
[0046] The support 20 and the cover 19 are, however, independent of each other in their functions, and the cover 10 may in particular be absent when using the support 20 on the low pressure compressor shaft 10.
[0047] In particular, the cover 19 can be removed during a final assembly step of the turbomachine, for example before the assembly of a turbomachine cone.
[0048] The measuring instrument 40 comprises a control box 41 which is intended to be disposed outside the low-pressure compressor shaft 10, a data acquisition probe (not visible in [Fig. 3]) which is intended to be disposed inside the low-pressure compressor shaft 10, and a component of data transmission 43 linking the control box 41 and the data acquisition probe.
[0049] For example, the measuring instrument 40 is an endoscope, and the data acquisition probe is an image acquisition device such as a camera. The data transmission element 43 may be a cable, preferably housed in a protective sheath, and the control unit 41 may include a screen for viewing the images acquired by the probe. The control unit 41 may be divided into two parts, one of which includes the screen, the two parts being connected, for example, by a wire.
[0050] Thus, the measuring instrument allows visual inspection of the inside of the low pressure compressor shaft 10, and in particular its internal surface condition.
[0051] As described above, such a check is to be carried out prior to an operation of docking the high-pressure compressor 6 to the low-pressure compressor shaft 10.
[0052] The male mounting lugs 16 are used to hold the data acquisition device 50 on the low pressure compressor shaft 10 and allow a particularly convenient and precise inspection of the inside thereof.
[0053] Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 show the support 20 which is inserted and held in the low pressure compressor shaft 10, which is shown alone with a cover 19.
[0054] Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 show support 20 taken in isolation, respectively according to a perspective view and a cross-sectional view, according to a first embodiment.
[0055] The support 20 includes a base 21 which is configured to be inserted at least partially into the axial opening 11 of the low-pressure compressor shaft 10.
[0056] Here, the base 21 comprises a main body 22 which is configured to be inserted into the axial opening 11, and a base 23 which is enlarged in relation to the main body 22 and which is provided to form a stop for the base 21, thus limiting the axial insertion of the base 21 into the axial opening 11.
[0057] The main body 22 and / or the base 23 may be substantially circular cylindrical.
[0058] The main body 22 may have a chamfered edge, located opposite the base 23, which allows the insertion of the base 21 into the axial opening 11 to be guided.
[0059] The main body 22 preferably has an outside diameter substantially equal to a head diameter of the male mounting lugs 16, so that the main body 22 can be inserted into the axial opening 11 while being held radially in position there.
[0060] The base 21 can for example be made of HDPE.
[0061] The base 23 can be provided with gripping handles 24, for example two of them. These gripping handles 24 can, for example, project radially and axially from the base 23.
[0062] The support 20 also includes a guiding element 25, which is configured to receive at least part of the data acquisition instrument.
[0063] The guiding element 25 is here formed by a tube 26, which is preferably substantially straight, the tube 26 being configured to receive at least part of the data acquisition instrument.
[0064] For example, the tube 26 receives at least partially the data transmission element 43, such that the data acquisition probe protrudes from the tube 26 inside the low pressure compressor shaft 10.
[0065] The base 21 includes a through opening 27, here arranged centrally on the base 21, and receiving the tube 26.
[0066] The opening 27 is such that the tube 26 is received in a mobile translational manner in the opening 27. In other words, the tube 26 is received in the opening 27 with a slight play.
[0067] The tube 26 is thus able to slide in the opening 27 and allows for axial guidance of the measuring instrument 40 which is partially received there.
[0068] The tube 26, which has a first end 28 which is intended to be inside the low pressure compressor shaft 10 during inspection, and a second end 29 opposite the first end 28 and which is intended to be outside the low pressure compressor shaft 10, can be coated with a protective coating at least on its first end 28, and preferably also on its second end 29.
[0069] For example, the protective coating can be formed by a heat-shrinkable 30 sleeve.
[0070] The tube 26, which is inserted into the opening 27, can slide between a first position, shown in figures 4 and 5, in which the first end 28 is located substantially at the level of the second end 15 of the low pressure compressor shaft 10, and a second position (not shown) in which the first end 28 is located substantially at the level of the first end 13 of the low pressure compressor shaft 10.
[0071] Thus, the first end 28 of the tube 26 can be moved axially along the X axis over substantially the entire length of the low pressure compressor shaft 10, for the purpose of internal inspection thereof.
[0072] The base 21 further includes a retaining member 31, which is configured to mechanically engage or mechanically cooperate with the male mounting lugs 16.
[0073] In the example illustrated in figures 6 and 7, the retaining member 31 comprises two retaining lugs 32 which are arranged around the perimeter of the base 21 and protrude radially from it.
[0074] In this example, the retaining lugs 32 are substantially diametrically opposed on the base 21.
[0075] The retaining lugs 32 here have a rib shape extending substantially circumferentially around the perimeter of the base 21, for example each over an angular portion of about 10 degrees (°).
[0076] In figures 4 and 5, the support 20 is shown in a configuration in which it is held in the low pressure compressor shaft 10 by means of the retaining lugs 32 which cooperate mechanically with the male mounting lugs 16.
[0077] In this configuration, along the X-axis direction, the retaining lugs 32 are each in contact with a male mounting lug 16, and are aligned with the male mounting lugs 16 which are interposed between the retaining lugs 32 and the base 23.
[0078] The base 21 has its base 23 which butts axially against the first end 13 of the low pressure compressor shaft 10 on one side, and its retaining lugs 32 which butt axially against the male mounting lugs 16 on the other side, thus axially holding the support 20 on the low pressure compressor shaft 10.
[0079] The base 21 can be rotated, here by about 10 degrees, from its retaining configuration, to be in an unlocking configuration (not illustrated), in which the retaining lugs 32 and the male mounting lugs 16 are no longer in contact and the retaining lugs 32 are no longer in alignment with the male mounting lugs 16.
[0080] Thus, the base 21 is free in translation along the X-axis direction in this configuration, and can be extracted axially from the axial opening 11 of the low-pressure compressor shaft 10.
[0081] Conversely, the locking of the base 21 in the axial opening 11 is achieved by translation along the direction of axis X, then by rotation to mechanically engage the retaining lugs 32 with the male mounting lugs 16.
[0082] The cooperation between the retaining lugs 32 and the male mounting lugs 16 thus forms a bayonet-type lock.
[0083] Fig. 8 shows the support 20 according to a second embodiment, similar to the first embodiment shown in Figures 6 and 7, but in which the retaining member 31 comprises not two but six retaining lugs 32.
[0084] The six retaining lugs 32 are here evenly distributed around the perimeter of the base 21.
[0085] In particular, in such an embodiment, the support 20 is intended to cooperate mechanically with a low-pressure compressor shaft 10 having six male mounting lugs 16, distributed evenly inside it, as can be seen in [Fig.2] and in [Fig.9], which shows the low-pressure compressor shaft 10 in a front view with the axial opening 11 which is accessible.
[0086] According to one embodiment, the base 21 comprises a main body 22 substantially in the shape of a right circular cylinder, with a diameter of approximately 129 to 132 millimeters, and a base 23 substantially in the shape of a right circular cylinder, with a diameter of approximately 200 to 250 millimeters. The base 21 may have a total width, i.e., an axial dimension, of approximately 120 to 140 millimeters.
[0087] The tube 26 may have a length of about 865 millimeters and a diameter of about 12 millimeters or substantially less, and may be covered with the sheath 30 for example on the first 160 millimeters from each end 28 and 29 of the tube 26. The base 21 may have a central opening 27 of about 12 millimeters in diameter, with a positive unilateral tolerance of about 0.04 millimeters for example.
[0088] The retaining lugs 32 can have a height, i.e., a radial dimension, of approximately 3 to 6 millimeters, and a width, i.e., an axial dimension, of approximately 5 to 15 millimeters. As described above, the retaining lugs 32 can extend around the perimeter of the base 21 over an angular portion of approximately 10°.
[0089] The retaining lugs 32 can also be arranged on the base 21 at approximately 63.5 millimeters from the base 23, along the axial direction.
[0090] The invention also relates to a method 100 for at least partial assembly of a turbomachine, which is described below with reference to the block diagram of [Fig. 10],
[0091] The process 100 includes a first step 110 in which a first part of the turbomachine 1 is made available.
[0092] This first part includes at least one first shaft of the turbomachine, which may in particular be the low-pressure compressor shaft 10. The first part may also include other elements such as the engine casing 2 on which the low-pressure compressor shaft 10 is mounted, as well as the blower 3 which is mounted on the low-pressure compressor shaft 10.
[0093] In particular, step 110 may include hooking the engine housing 2 under a mounting frame swing.
[0094] For the purpose of inspecting the inside of such a first tree, the data acquisition device 50 is placed on the first tree.
[0095] The process 100 thus includes a step 120 in which the data acquisition device 50 is placed on the first turbomachine shaft, here the low-pressure compressor shaft 10.
[0096] During this step 120, the support 20 is inserted by its base 21 into the axial opening 11, with its retaining lugs 32 misaligned with the male mounting lugs 16 and thus able to pass along them. The support 20 is inserted until the base 23 abuts against the low-pressure compressor shaft 10.
[0097] Then, the support 20 is rotated relative to the low-pressure compressor shaft 10, for example by about 10°, which causes the retaining lugs 32 to be positioned behind the male mounting lugs 16 along the X axis, in the direction from the first end 13 of the low-pressure compressor shaft 10 to the second end 15. The retaining lugs 32 and the male mounting lugs 16 are thus aligned and are facing and in contact with each other, and cooperate mechanically to hold the support 20 on the low-pressure compressor shaft 10.
[0098] The bayonet-type lock formed by the retaining lugs 32 and the male mounting lugs 16 is thus in a locked state, and the support 20 is held in place axially on the low-pressure compressor shaft 10.
[0099] The method 100 then includes a step 130 of inspecting the inside of the low pressure compressor shaft 10, including the displacement of the guide member, which here is the tube 26, relative to the base 21.
[0100] The measuring instrument 40, and in particular the probe which protrudes from the tube 26 inside the low pressure compressor shaft 10, is thus also displaced axially.
[0101] For example, the axial displacement is carried out progressively between the first and second positions of the guiding element, while monitoring the display of the acquired data on the 4L control unit
[0102] In particular, the control can be a visual inspection of the surface condition of the inside of the low-pressure compressor shaft 10 carried out by an operator who views the screen of the control box 41 while manually moving the tube 26.
[0103] When the inspection is deemed satisfactory and / or sufficiently complete, the image acquisition device is removed from the low-pressure compressor shaft 10.
[0104] Thus, the method 100 includes a step 140 of removing the data acquisition device from the low pressure compressor shaft 10.
[0105] During this step 140, the base 21 is first turned in the opposite direction to the direction of rotation during the positioning step 120, here by about 10 degrees, until the retaining lugs 32 are no longer aligned and are no longer opposite the male mounting lugs 16, so as to lift the mechanical cooperation between the latter.
[0106] Alternatively, the base 21 can be rotated in the same direction as during the installation step 120, until the retaining lugs 32 are no longer aligned and are no longer opposite the male mounting lugs 16.
[0107] Then, the base 21 is extracted out of the axial opening 11 by movement along the X axis, with the retaining lugs 32 which pass along the male mounting lugs 16.
[0108] Following this step 140, if the result of the inspection is deemed satisfactory, or if corrective measures have been taken as appropriate, the process 100 may include the docking of a second part of the turbomachine 1, for example the high-pressure compressor 6, during a docking step 150.
[0109] To this end, the process 100 includes a step 105 of making available the second part of the turbomachine, which can be implemented before step 150 and for example in parallel with steps 110 to 140.
[0110] Thus, the result is an operation for mounting a turbomachine, including the temporary inspection of a shaft thereof, which is particularly simple, precise and convenient, and which requires only the support as described above and the mounting lugs provided on the turbomachine shaft.
[0111] It is more generally recalled that the invention is not limited to the examples described and illustrated.
[0112] According to other embodiments not illustrated: - The bracket can be used with a turbomachine shaft other than the low-pressure compressor shaft, for example a blower shaft or any other shaft which has internal male mounting lugs; - The base may include a number of retaining lugs other than two or six, for example three, four or five retaining lugs. - The retaining element may include other elements than retaining lugs, for example it may include fins projecting radially from the base and which are provided with circumferential grooves open at one of their ends, and in which the male mounting lugs can be received by rotation of the support; - The support may be without a base forming an axial stop; - The movement of the tube within the base can be motorized, and the support can including means of motorization for this purpose. - The control box of the data acquisition device may include means of communication with a remote terminal, for example equipped with a screen for viewing the data acquired by the data acquisition device; The data acquisition instrument may be different from an endoscope; And The guide element may be different from a tube, for example it may be a rail mounted to slide on the base.
Claims
Demands
1. A support (20) for holding and guiding a data acquisition instrument (40) on a hollow turbomachine shaft (10) for the purpose of inspecting the interior of the turbomachine shaft along an axial direction thereof, the turbomachine shaft (10) comprising an axial opening (11) and at least two internal male mounting lugs (16) projecting radially into the interior of the turbomachine shaft, the support (20) comprising a base (21) configured to be inserted at least partially into the axial opening (11) of the turbomachine shaft, and comprising a retaining member (31) configured to cooperate mechanically with said at least two male mounting lugs (16) to allow axial retention of the base on the turbomachine shaft, and further comprising a guide member (25) movable in translation relative to the base (21) in the direction axial,configured to at least partially receive the data acquisition instrument (40), to allow the data acquisition instrument to be guided axially in the turbomachine shaft.
2. Support (20) according to claim 1, wherein the retaining member (31) comprises at least two retaining lugs (32), and preferably between two and six retaining lugs, projecting radially from the base (21), configured to cooperate mechanically with the male mounting lugs (16) of the turbomachine shaft by a combined movement of translation in the axial direction and rotation, until the retaining lugs (32) are opposite the male mounting lugs (16) and in contact with the latter, to form a bayonet-type lock of the base (21) on the turbomachine shaft (10).
3. Support (20) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the base (21) comprises a main body (22) of substantially circular cylindrical shape, configured to be inserted into the axial opening (11) of the turbomachine shaft, and a base (23) enlarged relative to the main body (22) and which is configured to form a stop limiting the insertion of the base (21) into the turbomachine shaft (10).
4. Support (20) according to claim 3, wherein the base (23) comprises at least one, and preferably two, gripping handles (24).
5. Support (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the guiding member (25) is formed by a substantially straight tube (26) in which the data acquisition instrument (40) can be inserted at least in part, the base (21) having an opening (27), preferably arranged substantially centrally on the base, and in which the tube (26) is received in a movable translational manner.
6. Support (20) according to claim 5, wherein the tube (26) has a first end (28) extending from a first side of the base (21) and intended to be inside the turbomachine shaft (10) during inspection thereof, and a second end (29) opposite the first end (28) extending from a second side of the base (21) and intended to be outside the turbomachine shaft (10) during inspection thereof, and wherein the first end (28) at least has a protective coating (30).
7. Data acquisition device (50) for inspecting the inside of a turbomachine shaft (10) along an axial direction thereof, the data acquisition device (50) comprising a support (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, and a data acquisition instrument (40) comprising a control box (41) provided to be disposed outside the turbomachine shaft, a data acquisition probe provided to be disposed inside the turbomachine shaft, and a data transmission member (43) connected on one side to the control box (41) and on the other side to the data acquisition probe, the data transmission member (43) being received in the guide member (25).
8. Data acquisition device (50) according to claim 7, wherein the data acquisition instrument (40) is an endoscope, the data acquisition probe being an image acquisition means and the control box (41) preferably comprising a screen enabling the viewing of images.
9. Method (100) of assembling at least a part of a turbomachine, controlled by means of a data acquisition device data (50) according to any one of claims 7 or 8, comprising the steps of: - (110) making available a first part of the turbomachine comprising a first turbomachine shaft, which is preferably a low pressure compressor shaft (10), having an axial opening (11) and at least two internal male mounting lugs (16) projecting radially into the turbomachine shaft; - (120) placing the data acquisition device (50) on the first turbomachine shaft, comprising inserting the base (21) into the axial opening (11) and the mechanical cooperation of the retaining member (31) with the at least two male mounting lugs (16);- (130) inspection of the inside of the first turbomachine shaft using the data acquisition instrument (40), which is preferably an inspection step of the condition of the surface of the inside of the first turbomachine shaft, including the axial displacement of the guide member (25) relative to the base (21); - (140) removal of the data acquisition device (50), including the lifting of the mechanical cooperation of the retaining members (31) with the at least two male mounting lugs (16) and the extraction of the base (21) from the first turbomachine shaft.
10. Method (100) of assembly according to claim 9, further comprising the steps of: - (105) making available a second part of the turbomachine, which is preferably a high-pressure compressor (6) of the turbomachine; and - (150) docking the second part of the turbomachine to the first turbomachine shaft (10), following the withdrawal step (140).
11. Turbomachine part comprising a hollow turbomachine shaft (10) including an axial opening (11) and at least two internal male mounting lugs (16) projecting radially into the interior of the turbomachine shaft, and further comprising a data acquisition device (50) according to any one of claims 7 or 8, which is inserted at least partially into the axial opening (11) of the turbomachine shaft and held axially on the turbomachine shaft (10) by the mechanical cooperation of the male mounting lugs (16) of the shaft of turbomachine (10) with the retaining member (31) of the support (20) of the data acquisition device (50).