Patent ID: 8255171
Filing Date: 2012-08-28
Classification: G01M

Abstract:
1. A method for determining when a ceramic component of a platform should be replaced, said method comprising: determining parameters comprising v receiving, at a processor, the parameters, platform operational parameters, and measurements associated with generation of stress at a surface of interest of the ceramic component; determining, using the processor, a relationship between the platform operational parameters and the measurements associated with generation of stress at the surface of interest of the ceramic component; receiving, at the processor, an initial crack size of a crack within the ceramic component; tracking the platform operational parameters throughout a course of usage of the ceramic component, wherein tracked operational parameters are formed and stored on a non-transitory computer readable storage medium; receiving, at the processor, the tracked operational parameters; calculating, using the processor, the stress at the crack due to the tracked operational parameters; calculating, using the processor, a numerical solution that describes a crack growth rate and a size of the crack; and estimating, using the processor, when the ceramic component should be replaced based on the crack growth rate and the size of the crack.