Inspection Scope Vibration Testing for Installed Powerplant Components

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing inspection methods for internal defects in powerplant components are inefficient and often require disassembly, leading to high costs and downtime.

Innovation Solution

A non-destructive inspection method using an actuator and sensor inserted into the powerplant to induce and measure vibratory responses at multiple locations, allowing for defect detection while the component remains installed, utilizing an expandable mount to maintain contact and a control system for data analysis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional inspection methods are used to detect internal defects in powerplant components, then defect detection capability is achieved, but disassembly is required leading to high costs and downtime

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedefect detection capabilityVSAvoiddowntime

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The inspection scope is inserted into the powerplant through an access port and navigated through internal passages to reach components located in hard-to-access areas. The scope head with actuator and sensor is nested within the powerplant structure, allowing inspection without disassembly of the component itself

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

An inspection scope serving as an intermediary device is introduced to access internal components through existing access ports and passages. The scope transmits mechanical vibrations from the actuator through the component and captures the vibratory response using the sensor, enabling defect detection without direct access or disassembly

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If traditional inspection methods are used to detect internal defects in powerplant components, then defect detection capability is achieved, but disassembly is required leading to high costs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedefect detection capabilityVSAvoidinspection cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The inspection method replaces traditional mechanical disassembly and visual inspection with a vibration-based measurement system. The actuator induces mechanical vibrations and the sensor captures the vibratory response, which is then analyzed to detect internal defects, substituting complex mechanical access with a non-contact measurement approach

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If vibration-based inspection is performed at multiple locations, then inspection accuracy is improved, but inspection time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinspection accuracyVSAvoidinspection time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The component is rotated to predetermined angular positions before each vibration measurement. This preliminary positioning action allows systematic inspection at multiple locations around the component's circumference, improving detection accuracy while maintaining efficient measurement sequencing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The inspection process employs periodic rotation of the component to predetermined angular positions, with vibration measurements taken at each position. This periodic sequence of rotation and measurement enables comprehensive multi-location inspection in a structured, time-efficient manner

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 with minimal downtime and cost, providing accurate characterization of powerplant components without disassembly.

Implementation Method 1

First vibrations are induced in the component at a first inspection location using the actuator. A first vibratory response in the component excited by the first vibrations is measured using the sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical vibration: Vibration

Data Source

PatentUS20250347659A1Inspecting internal powerplant component using inspection scope

Publication Date: 2025.11.13 RTX CORP

AI summary

An inspection method is provided during which an actuator and a sensor are inserted into an interior of a powerplant. The powerplant includes a component within the interior of the powerplant. The actuator and the sensor are arranged with the component within the interior of the powerplant. First vibrations are induced in the component at a first inspection location using the actuator. A first vibratory response in the component excited by the first vibrations is measured using the sensor to provide first sensor data. The component is rotated a first number of degrees about a rotational axis of the component. Second vibrations are induced in the component at a second inspection location using the actuator. A second vibratory response in the component excited by the second vibrations is measured using the sensor to provide second sensor data.