Pivot Inspection Tool for Gas Turbine Engine Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current inspection tools for gas turbine engines face difficulties in consistently accessing and controlling the radial inner portions of adjacent stages of rotor blades and stator vanes due to the small size of borescopes, making it challenging to perform effective inspections and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A tool with a base extending along a longitudinal direction and two extension members in a tangential direction, featuring a pivot member that can rotate from an insertion position to a deployed position, allowing for better control and clamping onto components within the engine, enabling more precise inspection and maintenance operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a relatively small borescope is utilized to view locations between adjacent stages of rotor blades and stator vanes, then access to tight spaces is improved, but control of the borescope along the radial inner portion becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The inspection tool incorporates a pivot member that can rotate between an insertion position (oriented along the longitudinal direction) and a deployed position (oriented away from the longitudinal direction). This dynamic positioning capability allows the tool to adapt its orientation for both insertion and stable inspection, resolving the contradiction between small size for access and controllability for operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The tool includes a base with multiple extension members (first extension member and second extension member spaced apart in the tangential direction) that can be positioned on opposing sides of a rotor platform. This segmented structure provides stable support and control points, enabling precise positioning and control of the inspection device within tight spaces.
2Volume of moving object
If a relatively small borescope is utilized to access radial inner portions of adjacent stages, then access to tight spaces is improved, but inspection consistency becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot member's ability to rotate between insertion and deployed positions provides a stable, repeatable positioning mechanism. This ensures consistent orientation and placement of the inspection tool during each inspection cycle, improving reliability and consistency of inspections across multiple operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple extension members spaced apart in the tangential direction provide stable support points on opposing sides of the rotor platform. This segmented structure ensures consistent positioning and reduces variability in inspection results, thereby improving inspection consistency.
3Ease of operation
If a tool with extension members spaced apart in tangential direction is used, then control and clamping capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tool uses a modular base structure with discrete extension members (first and second extension members) spaced apart in the tangential direction. Each extension member can be independently positioned on opposing sides of the rotor platform, providing control and clamping capability while maintaining a relatively simple, modular structure that is easier to manufacture and maintain.
Data Source
AI summary
A tool for performing inspection and/or maintenance operations on an engine defines a longitudinal direction and a tangential direction. The tool includes a base extending along the longitudinal direction and including a body, a first extension member extending from the body in the tangential direction at a first location, and a second extension member extending from the body in the tangential direction at a second location. The second location is spaced from the first location along the longitudinal direction. The tool also includes a pivot member rotatably coupled to the base and moveable between an insertion position in which the pivot member is oriented generally along the longitudinal direction and a deployed position in which the pivot member is oriented away from the longitudinal direction.