Siemens Energy, Inc.

Westinghouse Electric Corporation

Siemens Corporation

Siemens Power Generation, Inc.

Michael F Fair

Michael J Metala

Waheed A Abbasi

El Mahjoub Rasselkorde

James Alan Bauer

Shaohua Kevin Zhou

Jingdan Zhang

Charles Crawford Moore

Lee W Burtner

David S Segletes

Erik A Lombardo

Michael Charles Moore

Larry C Himes

Moritz Michael Knorr

Francisco J Jaimes

Scott M Westby-Gibson

Walter Matulewicz

A method for scanning a weld buildup formed on a circumferential portion of a disc for a steam turbine. The method includes providing an ultrasound probe for generating at least one ultrasound beam sweep. The circumferential portion is scanned with a first beam sweep oriented in a first beam orientation to detect a first flaw type in the weld buildup. The circumferential portion is also scanned with a second beam sweep oriented in a second beam orientation to detect a second flaw type in the weld buildup. Further, the circumferential portion is scanned with a third beam sweep oriented in a third beam orientation to detect a third flaw type in the weld buildup. The method also includes rotating the disc about a disc axis during scanning of the circumferential portion and moving the first, second and third beam sweeps in a direction parallel to the disc axis during scanning.

Method for ultrasound scanning of a weld buildup

Immersion ultrasonic NDE is performed within cavities of inanimate objects, having downwardly directed openings, such as for in situ inspection of steam inlet sleeves and steam inlet necks within steam turbine housings. A shaft assembly has one or more single angle or phased array ultrasonic probes that are affixed on an upstream or distal end. An inflatable bladder is affixed to the shaft on a proximal end of the shaft assembly downstream the ultrasonic probe(s). The shaft is inserted into the cavity opening, and the bladder is inflated to form a fluid tight seal against the cavity. Immersion fluid is introduced upstream the bladder in the volume occupied by the probes. Immersion ultrasonic inspection of the object is then performed.

Method and system for immersion ultrasound inspection including within downwardly opening cavities

A method and apparatus for three-dimensional visualization and analysis for automatic non-destructive examination of a solid Rotor using ultrasonic phased array is disclosed. Data is acquired by scanning a solid rotor with a phased array ultrasound transducer producing a plurality of two dimensional ultrasound scans. Each of a plurality of sample points of a plurality of two dimensional ultrasound scans are associated with a corresponding 3D image point of a regular grid. A kernel function for each of the plurality of sample points defining a size and shape of a kernel located at the corresponding image point is determined. A weight is assigned to each kernel which, in one embodiment, is based on the sample point value. A value for each image point of the regular 3D grid is determined based on kernels overlapping each image point. A three-dimensional volume representing the solid rotor is then visualized.

Method and apparatus for three-dimensional visualization and analysis for automatic non-destructive examination of a solid rotor using ultrasonic phased array

An inspection head where non-destructive inspection is structured to fit into narrow spaces, and to accurately and repeatably move an inspection probe along a surface to be inspected. Movement of the inspection head along an X, Y, Z, &#x398;, and &#x3a6;-axis is precisely controlled by individual drive mechanisms.

Nondestructive inspection heads for components having limited surrounding space

A phased array ultrasonic testing system is for examining turbine disc bores and blade attachments for discontinuities, such as stress corrosion cracking. The system is particularly suited to perform an accurate and efficient inspection of components despite their having a relatively complex geometry, such as axial entry blade attachments and bores of associated discs. The system includes a control system with a computer and a controller for programming, emitting, and steering an ultrasonic beam via at least one two-dimensional phased array probe, thereby precisely inspecting the area of interest while simultaneously accommodating the aforementioned complex geometry of the disc or blade attachment. Computer control of the beam permits the number of inspection locations and the number of different probe wedges to be reduced providing for an efficient, timely inspection. Methods of profiling and examining turbine components of known and unknown geometries, are also disclosed.

Phased array ultrasonic testing system and methods of examination and modeling employing the same

A system for determining the cross sectional profile of an object (24) having two opposed surfaces (26,28), includes:

Ultrasonic system for determining the profile of solid bodies

Growing community of inventors

Oakmont, PA, United States of America

Michael F Fair