Transducer Position Guide for Airfoil Inspection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge lies in precisely positioning ultrasonic transducers on airfoils within gas turbine engines, especially during on-wing inspections where the airfoil cannot be directly viewed, requiring improved positioning solutions to ensure accurate data collection.
Innovation Solution
A transducer position guide system comprising a transducer head guide rail, arms extending from it, and a transducer head adaptor that can be slid along the guide rail, with features like hooked distal portions and standoffs to secure the guide on the airfoil, and a vacuum attachment system for stability, allowing precise alignment and movement of the transducer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If transducers are manually positioned on airfoils during on-wing inspections, then the inspection can be performed on assembled engines, but the positioning precision and stability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
A guide rail system serves as an intermediary mechanical structure between the transducer and the airfoil surface. The guide rail is attached to the airfoil and provides predefined positioning locations and movement paths, enabling precise transducer placement without complex manual positioning mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical positioning with a guided mechanical system. The guide rail and transducer holder assembly provide constrained movement along the rail, substituting operator skill-based positioning with a mechanically guided system that ensures repeatable precision.
2Adaptability or versatility
If transducers are positioned without direct viewing of the airfoil, then on-wing inspections can be performed, but positioning accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The guide rail system is pre-installed on the airfoil before the inspection process. This preliminary action creates fixed reference points and predetermined positioning locations, allowing the transducer to be accurately positioned without requiring the inspector to directly view the airfoil surface during the inspection.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide rail acts as an intermediary reference structure that translates the inspector's actions into precise transducer positions. The rail provides tactile and visual references that the inspector can follow without needing to see the actual airfoil surface, bridging the gap between accessibility and precision.
3Productivity
If transducers are moved across the airfoil surface, then comprehensive inspection data can be collected, but maintaining stable contact and orientation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The guide rail system is divided into multiple discrete sections or segments along the airfoil surface. Each segment provides stable contact points and orientation references for the transducer at specific locations, allowing comprehensive inspection through systematic movement between segments while maintaining stability at each position.
Solution Approach 2:
The transducer holder assembly is designed to move dynamically along the guide rail while maintaining constrained orientation. The system allows controlled movement for comprehensive coverage but provides mechanical constraints that maintain stable contact and consistent orientation during the movement process.
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 accurate and stable positioning of transducers on airfoils, facilitating effective inspection of grain boundaries and defect detection within gas turbine engines, even in confined and inaccessible areas.
Implementation Method 1
the transducer head adaptor disposed in sliding contact with the transducer head guide rail
Implementation Method 2
a vacuum attachment system for stability
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates generally to a transducer position guide. The transducer position guide may be attached to a component to be measured, such as an airfoil, and controls a path traversed by the transducer during a measurement process.