Patent ID: 8438929
Filing Date: 2013-05-14
Classification: G01M,G01N

Abstract:
1. A phased array ultrasonic testing system for examining a hollow rotor bore formed within a rotor of a turbine or generator rotor assembly, the rotor having an interior surface and an exterior surface, the interior surface serves as a surface of the rotor bore, the phased array ultrasonic testing system comprising: a phased array ultrasonic transducer structured to be coupled directly to the interior surface of the hollow rotor bore at a first location, the phased array ultrasonic transducer emits an ultrasonic beam from the first location toward a second location of the interior surface of the rotor bore; and a control system configured to define a plurality of focal laws of the ultrasonic beam, control the emission of the ultrasonic beam from the phased array ultrasonic transducer and steer and focus the ultrasonic beam to conduct a non-destructive examination of the hollow rotor bore, wherein the ultrasonic testing system includes a wedge disposed between the interior surface of the rotor bore and the phased array ultrasonic transducer, the wedge structured to couple the phased array ultrasonic transducer to the surface of the hollow rotor bore and to focus the ultrasonic beam on a portion of the interior rotor bore being examined.