Inspection Scope Laser Vibrometry for In-Situ Powerplant Defect Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inspection methods for internal defects in powerplant components are inefficient and require disassembly or significant downtime, limiting their effectiveness and applicability.
Innovation Solution
A non-destructive inspection method using a laser lens to induce vibrations in powerplant components and measure vibratory responses with a sensor, allowing for internal defect detection while the component remains installed, using an inspection scope with laser lenses and a laser vibrometer to analyze reflected laser beams.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional inspection methods are used for internal defects in powerplant components, then inspection can be performed, but disassembly or significant downtime is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical disassembly methods with optical measurement techniques. A laser vibrometer measures vibrations induced by a pulsed laser beam, eliminating the need for physical contact or disassembly of the component. This substitution of mechanical inspection with optical-field-based measurement resolves the contradiction by enabling defect detection without downtime.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an inspection scope as an intermediary device that delivers the laser beam and receives the reflected signal. This intermediary enables the laser to reach components in hard-to-access locations without requiring disassembly of the powerplant, thus maintaining reliability while avoiding time loss.
2Reliability
If traditional inspection methods are used for internal defects in powerplant components, then inspection can be performed, but disassembly is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical disassembly procedures with a simple optical measurement system. The laser vibrometer and pulsed laser beam provide a non-contact, non-invasive inspection method that detects internal defects through vibration analysis, dramatically simplifying the inspection procedure while maintaining high reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an optical copy or representation of the component's vibrational response. By measuring the vibrations induced by the laser and analyzing the reflected beam, the system creates a digital signature of the component's structural integrity, eliminating the need for physical access or disassembly.
3Measurement precision
If a laser lens is inserted into the interior of a powerplant for inspection, then internal defects can be detected, but the inspection system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The inspection scope serves multiple functions: it delivers the pulsed laser beam to induce vibrations, receives the reflected laser beam, and houses the optical components in a compact form factor. This multi-functionality reduces the overall system complexity while maintaining high measurement precision for detecting small defects.
Solution Approach 2:
The laser lens and optical components are nested within the inspection scope, which is itself inserted into the powerplant interior. This nested arrangement consolidates multiple components into a single integrated tool, reducing the apparent complexity while enabling precise measurements in confined spaces.
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 efficient detection of internal defects in powerplant components with minimal downtime and cost, identifying defects as small as 50 mils without disassembly, and providing real-time assessment of component integrity.
Implementation Method 1
A pulsed laser beam is directed from the laser lens onto a surface of the component to induce vibrations in the component
Implementation Method 2
A vibratory response in the component excited by the vibrations is measured using a sensor to provide sensor data. The measuring may include receiving a reflected laser beam at a laser vibrometer from the surface of the component
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3A
AI summary
An inspection method is provided during which a laser lens (44, 46) is inserted into an interior (26) of a powerplant (24). The powerplant (24) includes a component (22) within the interior (26) of the powerplant (24). The laser lens (44, 46) is arranged with a line of sight to the component (22). A pulsed laser beam is directed from the laser lens (44, 46) onto a surface (58) of the component (22) to induce vibrations in the component (22). A vibratory response in the component (22) excited by the vibrations is measured using a sensor (62) to provide sensor data.