Slurry Coating Thickness Gauge with Multi-Probe Go-No-Go Indicators
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a lack of a quick and simple method to accurately measure the thickness of slurry coatings on small or complex surfaces, such as blade root faces in gas turbine engines, where traditional roller-type measurement devices are not feasible due to variations in part dimensions and geometry.
Innovation Solution
A gauge with multiple probes, each featuring a go-no-go indicator with distinct demarcations for minimum and maximum thickness, allowing for precise determination of slurry coating thickness through visual inspection or camera observation, ensuring the coating meets target thickness without excessive application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If roller-type measurement devices are used to measure slurry coating thickness, then measurement can be performed on large flat surfaces, but the device cannot be used on small areas or surfaces with complex geometries
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement device is segmented into multiple individual probes (at least three) that can independently contact the surface, replacing a single roller structure. This segmentation allows the probes to adapt to small areas and complex geometries while maintaining measurement capability through the distributed probe arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a two-dimensional roller contact to a three-dimensional probe arrangement extending from a body. The probes extend in multiple directions, enabling measurement on surfaces with complex geometries and small areas that cannot accommodate traditional roller-type devices.
2Productivity
If visual inspection methods are used to determine coating thickness, then the method is simple and quick, but it lacks precision for determining whether the coating meets minimum or maximum thickness requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The probes incorporate visual indicators with different colors or markings corresponding to different thickness ranges (go-no-go regions). When the slurry coating reaches a certain thickness, it contacts specific colored regions on the probes, providing an immediate visual indication of whether the coating meets minimum or maximum thickness specifications.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the probe surfaces have different visual properties (colors, markings) corresponding to different thickness measurements. This local differentiation allows quick visual assessment of whether the coating thickness falls within acceptable ranges without requiring complex measurement equipment.
3Reliability
If excessive slurry coating is applied to ensure minimum thickness coverage, then coating insufficiency is avoided, but material waste increases and maximum thickness may be exceeded
Solution Approach 1:
The visual indicators on the probes provide real-time feedback during the coating process, showing when the coating reaches minimum thickness (go region) and when it approaches maximum thickness (no-go region). This allows operators to stop coating at the optimal point, ensuring minimum thickness coverage without excessive material application.
Solution Approach 2:
The gauge provides immediate visual feedback about coating thickness during the application process. The different colored regions on the probes indicate whether the coating is within acceptable ranges, allowing real-time adjustment of the coating process to avoid both insufficient and excessive coating.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed herein is a gauge (100; 900) for slurry coating thickness determination. The gauge (100; 900) includes a body (102; 902) and at least three probes (104) extending from the body (102; 902). The at least three probes (104) provide a go-no-go indicator (105) including a first demarcation (106; 906) that defines a minimum slurry coating thickness and a second demarcation (108; 908) that defines a maximum slurry coating thickness. A minimum no-go region (110; 910) is defined between the first demarcation (106; 906) and a probe tip (112; 922), a maximum no-go region (114; 914) is defined between the second demarcation (108; 908) and the body (102; 902), and a go region (116; 916) is defined between the first demarcation (106; 906) and the second demarcation (108; 908).