Turntable Laue Measurement for Rapid Crystal Orientation Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Laue systems for measuring crystal orientation of turbine components are inefficient due to high measurement times and costs, and robotic solutions face challenges with complex part geometries and high costs.
Innovation Solution
A turntable-based X-ray diffraction apparatus with motorized displacement systems for aligning X-ray beams with multiple samples, allowing automated and efficient measurement of crystal orientation without manual repositioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If individual turbine components are placed within an enclosure for Laue measurement, then crystal orientation can be measured, but measurement time and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the measurement process by placing multiple turbine components on a single turntable, allowing sequential measurement of multiple samples without opening the enclosure. The turntable divides the measurement session into discrete sample positions, enabling efficient batch processing while maintaining measurement precision for each individual component.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple turbine components are pre-positioned on the turntable before the measurement sequence begins. This preliminary arrangement allows the system to automatically cycle through pre-defined measurement positions without requiring manual intervention between samples, significantly reducing total measurement time while maintaining accurate crystal orientation data collection.
2Ease of operation
If robotic arms are used to automatically grip turbine components, then manual handling is reduced, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the handling function by using a simple turntable mechanism instead of a complex robotic arm. Each component is placed in a specific position on the turntable, and the turntable rotates to bring each sample to the measurement position. This segmentation of the handling task into simple rotational movement eliminates the need for complex robotic manipulation while maintaining automated operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the gripping and positioning function from the robotic arm system and replaces it with a passive turntable mechanism. The turntable simply rotates to present pre-positioned components to the X-ray source and detector, removing the need for active robotic manipulation while achieving automated measurement.
3Extent of automation
If robotic arms with complex grippers are designed to handle turbine components, then automatic measurement is enabled, but the cost and design complexity increase due to complex part geometries
Solution Approach 1:
Turbine components are pre-positioned on the turntable in specific orientations before the measurement sequence begins. This preliminary positioning accounts for the complex geometries of the components, allowing the simple turntable mechanism to present each sample correctly to the X-ray system without requiring complex grippers or manipulation during the automated measurement cycle.
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 rapid and cost-effective measurement of crystal orientation for multiple turbine components by reducing manual handling and optimizing X-ray beam alignment, thereby improving efficiency and reducing operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
Laue diffraction is used to measure crystal orientation. One difference between a Laue instrument and a traditional powder diffractometer is that polychromatic radiation (e.g., Bremsstrahlung radiation) is used instead of a monochromatic beam.
Implementation Method 2
In recent years, there has been an increasing demand for low maintenance cost, light weight and reduction of fuel consumption. As a result, engine manufacturers started replacing most of the polycrystalline and directionally solidified turbine components with single crystal turbine components.
Data Source
AI summary
An X-ray diffraction apparatus for measuring crystal orientation of crystalline samples is provided. The apparatus comprises a turntable comprising at least one tray; a turntable support platform defining a plane; and a motorized turntable displacement system for remotely displacing the turntable linearly along a first axis parallel to the plane, linearly along a second axis perpendicular to the plane, and rotatably about the second axis; an X-ray assembly provided within the enclosure; and a motorized X-ray assembly displacement system for displacing the X-ray assembly linearly along a third axis, the third axis being parallel to the plane and non-parallel to the first axis; wherein for each one of the crystalline samples, at least one of the motorized turntable displacement system and the motorized X-ray assembly displacement system is actuated to align the collimated X-ray beam with the corresponding measuring position and measure the crystal orientation of the crystalline sample.