Optical wear monitoring
US9400171B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 29, 2012 |
| Grant date | Jul 26, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 12, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF05D2260/80
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A gas turbine includes first and second parts having outer surfaces located adjacent to each other to create an interface where wear occurs. A wear probe is provided for monitoring wear of the outer surface of the first part, and includes an optical guide having first and second ends, wherein the first end is configured to be located flush with the outer surface of the first part. A fiber bundle includes first and second ends, the first end being located proximate to the second end of the optical guide. The fiber bundle includes a transmit fiber bundle comprising a first plurality of optical fibers coupled to a light source, and a receive fiber bundle coupled to a light detector and configured to detect reflected light. A processor is configured to determine a length of the optical guide based on the detected reflected light.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.