General Electric Company

Jeffery John Reverman

Kevin George Harding

Francis Howard Little

Joseph Benjamin Ross

Timothy Lee Siebert

L Timothy Rasch

A method and apparatus for measuring an opening defined within object using an optical sensor system is provided. The method includes positioning an illumination source adjacent the opening, illuminating a perimeter circumscribing the opening, receiving an image of the illuminated boundary, and calculating an area within the received boundary. The system includes a light source oriented to project a first sheet of light intersected by a first portion of the opening perimeter, the light source projecting a second sheet of light intersected by a second portion of the opening perimeter, a light detector receiving a portion of the sheet of light intersected by the object opening perimeter and reflected toward the light detector, and an image processor communicatively coupled to the light detector, the image processor programmed to sample an image from the detector and programmed determine the dimensions of the object opening from the sampled image.

Methods and apparatus for measuring flow opening areas

A method is provided for removing a dense ceramic thermal barrier coating (TBC) from an article surface over which the TBC is disposed, the article surface including an edge at which at least a portion of an interface between the article surface and the TBC is exposed. The interface includes at least one material selected from Al, Ti, Cr, Zr and their oxides. The method comprises subjecting at least the exposed interface to a reducing gas at a temperature of at least 1600&deg; F. to separate the TBC from the article surface. The reducing gas is subjected for a time sufficient for the gas to penetrate the interface at least by converting to a gaseous compound at least one material of the group at the interface, and for the TBC to be removed by separation from the article surface.

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Cincinnati, OH, United States of America

Jeffery John Reverman