| PROPOSAL NUMBER: | A4.02-8293 (For NASA Use Only - Chron: 013706 ) |
| PROPOSAL TITLE: | NDE Inspection System for Detecting Flaws Under Terminal Barrier Coatings |
TECHNICAL ABSTRACT (LIMIT 200 WORDS)
Aircraft turbine engines continue to evolve to meet demands for smaller, lighter power plants while improving fuel efficiency and increasing power output. As a result, turbine engines must endure ever increasing operating temperatures. Turbine blades in the hot-gas path are coated with a thermal barrier coating (TBC) that reduces thermal stress and extends their service life. Thermal and centrifugal stresses can initiate and propagate cracks that cannot be seen through the TBC. A method for in-plant inspection of new blades, blades removed from service, and refurbished blades is needed. IDI proposes an NDE technique employing a novel microwave resonant stripline probe that detects changes in the dielectric thickness of the TBC, any oxide formation, as well as surface defects in the Inconel substrate. The NDE system output is a two-dimensional color image detailing the overall health of the component. Phase I will design, build and test a prototype microwave probe. Phase II will further develop the NDE microwave system for demonstration in a production line environment.
POTENTIAL COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS
The proposed microwave system can be used by blade and engine manufacturers and repair facilities to inspect coated blades for damage. The method will reduce inspection/rework costs and assure reliability of the blades. Other applications include inspection of aircraft parts such as landing gears that have complex geometries.
NAME AND ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
(Name, Organization Name, Mail Address, City/State/Zip)
Jack Edmonds
Innovative Dynamics, Inc.
2560 North Triphammer Road
Ithaca , NY 14850 - 1252
NAME AND ADDRESS OF OFFEROR
(Firm Name, Mail Address, City/State/Zip)
Innovative Dynamics, Inc.
2560 North Triphammer Road
Ithaca , NY 14850 - 1252