Turbine Blade Testing System Using Rotating Pivoting Device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing testing systems for turbine blades are complex and costly, requiring industrial robots to position infrared cameras, which complicates the examination of coatings and cooling-air holes, and can lead to image quality deterioration due to positional changes.

Innovation Solution

A testing system with a rotating-pivoting device for turbine blades, a rotatable air duct, and a positioning device with two degrees of freedom for the infrared camera, allowing for contactless and nondestructive testing while maintaining constant camera alignment, reducing costs and complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If an industrial robot is used to position the infrared camera, then the camera can be positioned to examine different regions of the turbine blade, but the system complexity and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecamera positioning capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of moving the infrared camera around the turbine blade using a complex robot system, the invention inverts the approach by rotating the turbine blade itself on a turntable while keeping the camera in a fixed position. This simplifies the system architecture while achieving the same examination capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the complex mechanical robot system with a simpler rotational positioning mechanism. The turbine blade is mounted on a turntable that can rotate to present different regions to the stationary infrared camera, eliminating the need for complex robotic positioning systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the infrared camera is moved around the turbine blade by an industrial robot, then different regions can be examined, but image quality deteriorates due to positional changes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexamination coverageVSAvoidimage quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention reverses the conventional approach by keeping the infrared camera stationary and rotating the turbine blade instead. This maintains constant camera positioning and alignment, preventing image quality deterioration while still enabling examination of all blade regions through blade rotation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces dynamic rotation of the turbine blade on a turntable mechanism, allowing the blade to be rotated to different angular positions while the camera remains fixed. This dynamic positioning of the workpiece rather than the sensor maintains optimal imaging conditions throughout the examination process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Manufacturing precision

If a complex robot-based positioning system is used, then accurate camera positioning is achieved, but the system becomes costly and less mobile

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecamera positioning accuracyVSAvoidsystem cost and mobility

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the expensive and immobile robot-based positioning system with a simpler, more mobile setup using a rotatable turntable for the turbine blade and a fixed infrared camera. This achieves the necessary positioning accuracy through blade rotation rather than camera movement, significantly reducing system cost and improving mobility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs a cost-effective positioning approach using a simple turntable mechanism instead of expensive industrial robots. While the turntable is a permanent installation, the approach eliminates the need for costly robotic systems, achieving the required functionality at a fraction of the cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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

Simplifies the testing process, reduces costs by approximately $500,000 per system, and enables a more compact, mobile setup with improved image quality by maintaining constant camera positioning, while allowing for efficient heating and cooling of turbine blades.

Implementation Method 1

The examination of the coating and of open cooling-air holes on turbine blades is realized by means of an infrared camera. This involves excitation by means of hot air and flash lamps and recording of the resultant heat flux by an infrared camera.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInfrared radiation detection: Infrared Radiation

Implementation Method 2

recording of the resultant heat flux by an infrared camera

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal radiation: Thermal Radiation

Implementation Method 3

excitation by means of hot air and flash lamps

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal excitation: Heating

Data Source

PatentUS9151698B2Testing system for examining turbine blades

Publication Date: 2015.10.06 SIEMENS ENERGY GLOBAL GMBH & CO KG

AI summary

A testing system for examining the coating and open cooling-air holes of turbine blades includes a positioning device for an infrared camera with two degrees of freedom, a rotating-pivoting device for positioning the turbine blade, and a rotatable air duct arranged on the rotating-pivoting device. The rotatable air duct is configured for introducing into the turbine blade air at a temperature higher or lower in comparison with the turbine blade.