Patent ID: 7317992
Filing Date: 2008-01-08
Classification: G01B

Abstract:
1. A method of inspecting a contour of an edge of a cutout of a plurality of cutouts formed in a disk, each cutout of the plurality of cutouts for fixedly receiving a turbine blade, the method comprising the steps of: providing a first device for receiving the disk; providing a second device having at least two sensors and an instrument in association with the at least two sensors, the first device securing the disk at a predetermined orientation to the sensor; securing the disk to the first device; positioning the instrument adjacent a cutout of a plurality of cutouts formed in the disk; directing a tip of the instrument over a point of tangency along an edge of a cutout of the plurality of cutouts, the tip following a path along the surface of the contour that is substantially coincident with a plane defined by an axis of tangency with the point of tangency and a line substantially normal to the edge of the contour, the instrument being in physical contact with the surface of the contour; transmitting a signal from the at least two sensors based upon movement of the instrument to an algorithm; converting the signal received by the algorithm to a plurality of positions along the path; and comparing the plurality of positions to predetermined ranges of values for determining acceptability of the contour of an edge of the cutout of the plurality of cutouts.