Rotor Disc Probe Positioning via Neighboring Cell Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing eddy current probe systems for monitoring rotor disk cells face limitations in positioning accuracy and reliability, especially when scanning attached rotor discs, due to the presence of guide sections that restrict sensor placement to the central section only, making it difficult to achieve comprehensive and precise measurements over the entire cell length.
Innovation Solution
A device with a support featuring two positioning members and a movable sliding assembly allows the probe to be precisely positioned and guided along the cell, eliminating the need for guide sections, enabling sensor distribution across the probe's entire length, including ends, and incorporating a multi-channel generator-receiver for simultaneous sensor activation and synchronized data acquisition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If guide sections are included in the probe structure, then the probe can be positioned in the cell, but the sensors cannot be arranged at the ends of the probe, limiting measurement coverage
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the guide sections from the probe structure entirely. Instead of having guide sections that physically block sensor placement, the probe uses a support structure with positioning members that engage with neighboring cells to establish reference points. This extraction of the guide section constraint allows sensors to be distributed along the entire length of the probe, including the ends, thereby improving measurement coverage without the structural compromises of traditional guide sections.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces positioning members as intermediary elements that engage with neighboring cells to establish reference points for the probe. These positioning members act as mediators between the probe and the cell structure, providing accurate positioning without requiring guide sections to be integrated into the probe itself. This intermediary approach allows the sensors to be positioned at the ends of the probe while maintaining measurement accuracy.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the probe is designed to slide through completely disassembled discs, then sensors can cover the entire cell length, but the probe cannot be used on attached rotor discs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention makes the probe positioning system dynamic and adaptable. The positioning members can engage with neighboring cells in different configurations depending on whether the rotor disc is disassembled or attached to another disc. The support structure allows the probe to be positioned and stabilized relative to the cell being inspected, regardless of the overall rotor assembly configuration. This dynamic positioning capability enables the probe to function on both disassembled and attached rotor discs.
Solution Approach 2:
The probe design incorporates universal positioning members that can engage with neighboring cells in various configurations. The support structure with positioning members provides a universal interface that works whether the rotor disc is completely disassembled or partially attached to another disc. This multi-functionality allows the same probe design to cover the entire cell length in all inspection scenarios, maintaining sensor distribution accuracy across different rotor configurations.
3Measurement precision
If sensors are grouped in a central section of the probe, then positioning is simplified, but the sensors cannot scrutinize the entire surface length effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the probe into functional zones: positioning members that engage with neighboring cells to establish reference points, and sensors distributed along the entire length of the probe including the ends. This segmentation allows the positioning function to be separated from the sensing function, enabling precise positioning through the positioning members while maintaining comprehensive surface inspection coverage through the distributed sensors. The segmentation resolves the contradiction by allowing simple positioning mechanism while achieving extensive inspection coverage.
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
This solution ensures precise and reliable measurements over the entire cell length, even on attached discs, with improved probe progression control and enhanced exploration of pressure surfaces, allowing for more effective detection of defects like fatigue cracks.
Implementation Method 1
a so-called multi-element eddy current probe is known, associated with an imaging system, specially shaped to slide along a tangential cell of a rotor disk
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
Eddy current control device for the tangential cells of a rotor disk. The device comprises a probe (30) containing a plurality of sensors (45) arranged for the acquisition of several series of data during a sweep stroke and the probe is mounted on a movable assembly (25) sliding in a support (29) equipped with two positioning elements (21, 23) cooperating with cells adjacent to the cell to be controlled.