Flexible Blade NDT Probe for Turbomachine Inspection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing non-destructive testing devices for turbomachines are limited in accessibility due to their rigid design, which prevents them from passing through narrow spaces and non-aligned passages, making it difficult to inspect hard-to-reach areas like labyrinth seals without damaging the motor.

Innovation Solution

A non-destructive testing device with a retractile or deployable flexible blade on a longitudinal rod, allowing the inspection probe to be positioned in narrow spaces and applying pressure through elastic deformation, combined with a pivoting finger and cable control for enhanced accessibility and probe positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a rigid rod carrying an inspection probe is used for non-destructive testing, then the device structure is simple and robust, but the accessible area is very limited and cannot pass through narrow spaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessible areaVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rigid rod is segmented into a rod body and a separate flexible blade component. The blade can be detached from the rod, allowing the rod to pass through narrow spaces while the blade provides the inspection capability. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by separating the navigation function (rod) from the inspection function (blade).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible blade is designed to be nested within or attached to the rod structure. When not in use, the blade can be stored along the rod; when needed, it can be deployed from the rod. This nesting approach allows the device to maintain a compact form for navigation while providing extended functionality for inspection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Measurement precision

If the inspection probe is applied with certain pressure on the surface for a given period, then the inspection quality is improved, but the device cannot always achieve this with rigid structures in narrow spaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinspection qualityVSAvoidprobe application

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The blade material is selected to have specific elastic properties that allow it to deform under its own weight or applied force. This elastic deformation automatically applies the necessary pressure to the inspection surface when the blade contacts it, eliminating the need for complex force control mechanisms and making the device easier to operate in narrow spaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If the blade is made thin to pass through narrow spaces, then the accessibility is improved, but the blade may be more fragile and harder to control

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessibility to narrow spacesVSAvoidblade durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The blade is constructed from composite materials that combine flexibility with strength. These materials allow the blade to be thin enough to pass through narrow spaces while maintaining sufficient durability and resistance to damage during operation. The composite structure provides both the required flexibility for navigation and the strength for reliable operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables effective inspection of parts in turbomachines by allowing the probe to access narrow spaces and apply necessary pressure, increasing the accessible areas and facilitating the inspection of previously inaccessible regions without damaging the motor.

Implementation Method 1

The blade according to the invention is advantageously elastically deformable in flexion, which makes it possible in particular to apply the probe with a certain pressure (corresponding to the elastic return force of the blade) on the surface of the part to be inspected

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS8299785B2Device for the non-destructive testing of parts in a turbomachine

Publication Date: 2012.10.30 SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES SAS

AI summary

A device for the non-destructive testing of parts of a turbomachine motor, including a longitudinal rod carrying at its distal end a longitudinal finger carrying a retractile or deployable flexible blade supporting an inspection probe, this blade being guided in axial translation on the finger between a retracted position in which it extends along the finger and an advanced or deployed position in which it extends in front of the finger.