Westinghouse Electric Corporation

Siemens Energy, Inc.

Siemens Westinghouse Power Corporation

Siemens Corporation

Siemens Power Generation, Inc.

Michael J Metala

William G Clark, Jr

Waheed A Abbasi

James Alan Bauer

Lee W Burtner

George F Dailey

Warren R Junker

Charles Crawford Moore

Michael F Fair

Shaohua Kevin Zhou

Mark William Fischer

Jingdan Zhang

Paul John Zombo

Bruce W Bevilacqua

El Mahjoub Rasselkorde

Paul Guenther

Francis X Gradich

Thomas E Arzenti

Robert P Vestovich

Larry C Himes

Harold P Johnson

Moritz Michael Knorr

Dorin Comaniciu

Michael Charles Moore

James W Shelton

Oran Leroy Bertsch

John E Noll

Walter Matulewicz

Dwight O Willaman

Dwight Owen Willaman

Chris Vierck

Peter Faltin

Werner Yzelman

Daniel S Morgan

Guozhen Li

C Gerard Beck

Interactive virtual inspection of modeled objects is provided. A graphic user interface facilitates interaction between a Data Visualization and Analysis application and the inspector. The Data Visualization and Analysis application acquires non-destructive examination data that is collected with reference to an industrial component under evaluation. The acquired non-destructive examination data is transformed into a visualization defined by a volumetric representation that is rendered on at least one display device as at least one view representative of the component under evaluation. The inspector may navigate the volumetric representation to investigate the integrity of the industrial component including non-surface conditions thereof.

Non-destructive examination data visualization and analysis

A method and apparatus for determining and for reducing magnetism in a generator stator core (). The method includes extending one or more conductors () proximate the core, applying a polarity-reversing excitation voltage to the one or more conductors, and reducing an amplitude of the voltage over time, wherein the voltage causes current to flow in the conductors, the current generating a magnetic field that demagnetizes the core. The method and apparatus are useful for determining hot spots in the core.

Method and apparatus for demagnetizing generator components prior to electromagnetic core imperfection testing or EL-CID testing

A method and apparatus for three-dimensional (3D) visualization and analysis for automatic non-destructive examination of a rotor bore using ultrasound. Data is acquired by scanning the rotor bore with an ultrasound pulser/transducer producing a plurality of one-dimensional ultrasound scans, each scan having a plurality of sample points. Each sample point is associated with a voxel of a regular 3D grid having a plurality of voxels. A Gaussian kernel is associated with each sample point and a value for a particular voxel is determined based on a weighted sum of sample points whose kernels cover the particular voxel. The values for the other voxels of the regular 3D grid are determined similarly. A 3D visualization of the rotor bore can be displayed to a user.

Three-dimensional visualization and analysis method and system for non-destructive examination of a rotor bore using ultrasound

An image reconstruction method includes receiving volume data comprising a plurality of sampling points, determining a first conditioning of the sampling points suppressing low amplitudes and conserving maximum amplitudes, determining a second conditioning of the sampling points wherein an influence of a sampling point depends on its distance to a grid point in a sampling grid, determining a kernel comprising a plurality of weighting functions for the first conditioning and the second conditioning to determine an energy spread of each of the plurality of sampling points without determining a shape or size of the kernel, and outputting a reconstructed volume according to the energy spread of each of the plurality of sampling points.

Reconstruction of phased array data

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

A phased array ultrasonic testing system for examining discontinuities in turbine or generator rotor bores formed within turbine or generator rotors of a turbine or generator rotor assembly. The system includes a phased array ultrasonic transducer structured to be coupled to a surface of the rotor bore at a first location in order to emit an ultrasonic beam toward a second location of the rotor bore which is to be examined. The system further includes a control system with a computer and a controller for programming, emitting, and steering the ultrasonic beam via at least one, two-dimensional phased array transducer, thereby precisely and accurately inspecting the area of interest. Computer control of the beam permits the number of inspection locations and the number of different transducer wedges to be reduced providing for an efficient, timely inspection.

Phased array ultrasonic inspection system for turbine and generator rotor bore

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

An inspection system () is for inspecting power generation equipment () and includes a remote receiving device () which receives images captured and transmitted by an inspection apparatus (). A recording device () records the images thereby providing a permanent record of the inspection. The inspection apparatus () comprises: a flashlight assembly () including a power supply (), an elongated housing () having first and second ends (), a lens body () coupled to the first end (), and a lens cover () covering the lens body (). The inspection apparatus () further includes an imaging system () having a camera (), such as a wireless video camera, which is disposed within the lens body opening (), an illumination assembly () which generally surrounds the camera (), and a protective cover () for the illumination assembly (). An associated method is also disclosed.

Illuminated inspection apparatus and method of employing the same

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

An electromagnetic generator inspection system that employs a plurality of excitation frequencies and comprises one or more pickup coils that monitor a portion of the interior of a stator core to provide an output that identifies the location, severity and radial depth of any flaw in the insulation covering the laminations that are monitored.

Electromagnetic stator insulation flaw detector

An inspection apparatus ( ) for in-situ leak testing of the bell seal ( ) of a steam turbine ( ). The apparatus includes a pair of inflatable bladders ( ) for defining a sealed volume having the bell seal ( ) as its only leakage path. The mass flow rate of pressurized air ( ) at various pressures through the bell seal ( ) is compared to the known flow rates through a similarly designed bell seal having various degrees of degradation. A camera ( ) rotated by motor ( ) between the bladders ( ) provides an indication of the proper positioning of the inspection apparatus ( ) and facilitates a visual inspection of the bell seal ( ) and retaining nut ( ). The inspection apparatus ( ) may be inserted into an inlet to the turbine through a disassembled flow control valve without the need for any disassembly of the turbine.

Steam turbine inlet bell seal inspection apparatus and method

A machine ( ) that can clean and spray coat the inside of a hollow pipe ( ) can contain a support bar ( ) and associated motors ( and ) with a moveable carriage ( ) which mounts a thermal spray coating device ( ) and/or an abrasion cleaning/profiling head ( ) where a programmable controller external to the pipe is capable of controlling the motors ( and ).

Remote spray coating of nuclear cross-under piping

An inspection apparatus ( ) for remote inspection of the trepan radius area ( ) of the inlet sleeve ( ) of a steam turbine ( ). The apparatus ( ) provides a sealed volume ( ) between a pair of inflatable bladders ( ) for the introduction of a liquid couplant for the immersion of ultrasonic transducers ( ). A laser line generator ( ) generates a beam of light visible through camera ( ) which impinges upon the inlet bell seal ( ) when the apparatus ( ) is in a proper inspection position within the inlet sleeve ( ). Guide vanes ( ) provide centering and generate an insertion force during air assisted insertion of apparatus ( ). Transducers ( ) are indexed axially and circumfretially by the independent rotation of axial drive gear ( ) and longitudinal drive gear ( ) engaged with a pattern of gear teeth ( ) formed as a combination of circumferential spur gear teeth and axial rack gear teeth cut into a single surface of a spline shaft ( ).

Steam turbine inlet sleeve inspection apparatus and method

A nondestructive inspection device and a method of monitoring a defective condition in a rotating member of a combustion turbine engine using a nondestructive inspection device is presented. The nondestructive inspection device includes a sensor for monitoring the rotating member and a holder assembly for positioning the sensor near the rotating member without disassembling the combustion turbine engine. The holder assembly is capable of interchangeably positioning either an ultrasound transducer or an eddy current sensor. Signals indicative of the monitored condition are recorded and compared to a signal representation generated from a reference standard having a known defect so that a defective condition can be ascertained. The location of a defective condition is ascertained by using a magnetic belt having a plurality of magnets wrapped around the rotating member and an additional sensor to detect the magnets as they rotate. A signal indicative of the detected magnets is recorded along with the signal indicative of the monitored condition so that the angular position of the rotating member can be correlated with a detected defect.

Nondestructive inspection device and method for monitoring defects

The present invention provides an eddy current sensing device capable of in-situ operation within a high temperature and high vibration environment of a combustion turbine engine. The eddy current sensing device is preferably utilized in an eddy current sensing system for monitoring crack formation and displacement of rotating members of the combustion turbine engine. The method according to the present invention provides inducing eddy currents in the rotating member, detecting the eddy currents, providing a signal indicative of the detected eddy currents, filtering the signal based on the condition to be monitored and evaluating the filtered signal to determine whether the condition, such as the formation of a crack in the surface of the rotating member exists, and if so, determining whether the condition is critical or routine.

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Murrysville, PA, United States of America

Michael J Metala