Patent ID: 8181528
Filing Date: 2012-05-22
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
1. A method for ultrasonically inspecting a ring gear of a gearbox for the detection, characterization and/or sizing of defects therein, the ring gear having a plurality of teeth extending radially inward with respect to an outer surface of said gearbox, the method comprising: selecting an ultrasonic transducer productive of a test signal; positioning the ultrasonic transducer at an outer surface of said ring gear, the ring gear located within a needle a nacelle of a wind turbine; orienting the ultrasonic transducer so as to direct the test signal to propagate through the ring gear; activating the ultrasonic transducer so as to test the ring gear for defects therein; moving the ultrasonic transducer around a periphery or outer surface of the ring gear to obtain an inspection of at least a portion of the ring gear inside the gearbox while the ring gear is located within the nacelle of the wind turbine; and scanning with the ultrasonic transducer in at least one of zero-degree beam angle and multiple beam angles.