Inspection Scope Mount for In-Situ Powerplant Defect Detection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing inspection methods for internal defects in powerplant components are inefficient and require disassembly or significant downtime, lacking effective non-destructive techniques for in-situ assessment.

Innovation Solution

An inspection scope with a mechanically expandable mount is used to anchor the scope head within the powerplant, inducing vibrations in the component while maintaining contact, and using sensors to measure vibratory responses for defect detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional inspection methods are used for internal defects in powerplant components, then inspection can be performed, but disassembly is required and significant downtime is incurred

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedefect detection capabilityVSAvoidinspection downtime

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The inspection system is segmented into a removable scope head that can be inserted through existing access points in the powerplant, separating the inspection function from the main component structure. This allows inspection without disassembling the powerplant while maintaining reliable defect detection through the scope head's integrated sensors and actuators.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The expandable mount acts as an intermediary mechanism between the inspection scope and the powerplant component. It provides stable contact and positioning within the confined space, enabling effective vibration-based inspection without requiring disassembly or creating harmful interference with the operating component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If vibration-based inspection is performed inside operating powerplant, then in-situ inspection is enabled, but contact between actuator and component is difficult to maintain

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvein-situ inspection capabilityVSAvoidcontact stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The expandable mount transitions from a compressed state during insertion to an expanded state upon deployment, dynamically adapting to the space constraints and component geometry. This dynamic expansion mechanism maintains reliable contact between the actuator and the powerplant component despite vibrations and thermal expansion, while allowing easy insertion and removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The mount's physical parameters (volume, density, rigidity) are changed by introducing expandable material that can transition between compressed and expanded states. This parameter change enables the mount to achieve stable contact and positioning within the confined space, maintaining actuator-contact reliability during in-situ vibration-based inspection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If expandable mount is used to anchor inspection scope, then contact is maintained during vibrations, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontact maintenance during vibrationVSAvoidmount structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The expandable mount utilizes flexible expandable material that can transition between compressed and expanded states, providing the necessary contact stability during vibrations without requiring complex mechanical structures. This flexible material approach maintains reliability while minimizing device complexity compared to rigid mechanical expansion mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 non-destructive, in-situ inspection of powerplant components for internal defects with minimal downtime and cost, detecting defects as small as 50 mils in size.

Implementation Method 1

Vibrations in the component are induced using the actuator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical vibration: Vibration

Implementation Method 2

a vibratory response in the component excited by the vibrations are measured using a sensor to provide sensor data

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibratory response measurement: Vibration

Data Source

PatentEP4647761A1Inspecting internal powerplant component using inspection scope

Publication Date: 2025.11.12 RTX CORP

Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B

AI summary

An inspection method is provided during which a head (36) of an inspection scope (28) is inserted into an interior (26) of a powerplant (24). The head (36) of the inspection scope (28) includes an actuator (40). The powerplant (24) includes a component (22) within the interior (26) of the powerplant (24). The head (36) of the inspection scope (28) is arranged within the interior (26) of the powerplant (24) with the actuator (40) contacting the component (22). A mechanically expandable mount (44) is expanded within the interior (26) of the powerplant (24) to anchor a position of the head (36) of the inspection scope (28) within the interior (26) of the powerplant (24) and maintain contact between the actuator (40) and the component (22). Vibrations in the component (22) are induced using the actuator (40) while the contact is maintained between the actuator (40) and the component (22) using the mechanically expandable mount (44).