System to measure time of arrival and thickness of rotor blades via microwave energy
US9000777B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 14, 2005 |
| Grant date | Apr 7, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 12, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF05D2260/80
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A rotor blade measurement system includes a microwave source and a probe. A directional coupler is attached to the source and the probe. A detector is attached to the directional coupler. The probe directs a microwave signal toward a rotor such that during rotation the rotor blade will pass through the path of the microwave signal. As the rotor blade passes the microwave signal is reflected back to the probe. The directional coupler separates the original microwave signal and the reflected signal. The detector then determines the energy level of the reflected signal. As each rotor blade passes the microwave signal it generates a reflected signal that can be analyzed over time. From the length and shape of the waveform of the reflected signal the amount of twisting and flutter in a rotor blade can be determined.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.