The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 16, 2002
Filed:
Dec. 14, 2000
Robert J. Zabala, Schenectady, NY (US);
Bruce A. Knudsen, Amsterdam, NY (US);
Ernest G. Cusick, Clifton Park, NY (US);
General Electric Company, Schenectady, NY (US);
Abstract
An inspection and recording system for fluid flow testing of cooling passageways in gas turbine buckets provides readily observable visual determination of whether any blockages were formed during the manufacturing or refurbishing processes. The inspection apparatus includes a manifold block and manifold control valve mounted on a platform and adapted to engage the root end of a turbine bucket and supply liquid therethrough. The liquid exiting at the tip of the turbine bucket is visible and any blockages in the passageways will be easily discerned by the absence or paucity of liquid flow at the tip. The fluid flow test is recorded with at least one video camera to display both locally and possibly remotely the fluid flow through the article. The video images can be displayed remotely in real time over a computer network or can be stored on a suitable medium for time delayed display. When the system is connected to a computer network, a remote viewer can also provide input or comment on the inspection displayed.