Detection device for turbomachine system

Disclosed is a detection device for detecting a turbomachine including an opening, the detection device comprises: a flange configured to close the opening; and an endoscope assembly including an endoscope body, a detector extending from the endoscope assembly and inserted into an internal space of the turbomachine through the flange and an extension part connecting the endoscope body and the detector.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119 and 35 U.S.C. 365 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2016-0036857 (filed on Mar. 28, 2016), which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a detection device for a turbomachine system.

BACKGROUND

A turbomachine system refers to a system for compressing working fluid (e.g., air or refrigerant) or increasing a flow rate of working fluid using a turbomachine such as a turbo compressor, a turbo blower or a turbo fan.

In a conventional turbomachine, high-speed rotation was implemented using a multiplying gear in a motor rotating at a constant speed. However, recently, with development of related technologies such as bearings and invertors, direct connection type high-speed rotation technology for direct connection to a motor has been applied.

The turbomachine needs to pre-diagnose potential cracks to prevent damage or failure of a system.

The following related art was disclosed.

Title of the Invention: Method and system for detecting cracks of turbomachine blade

In the related art, a method of mounting a GAP sensor inside a turbomachine or mounting an acoustic sensor or an acceleration sensor outside the turbomachine and determining that abnormality occurs when a signal detected by the sensor is out of an allowable range and a system using the same are disclosed.

This method and system can pre-diagnose failure such as potential cracks but cannot determine an accurate position of failure or a degree of failure.

Accordingly, in order to directly determine a state of failure such as a position of failure or a degree of failure, the turbomachine should be necessarily stopped and disassembled.

Since it takes considerable labor and time to disassemble a turbomachine having a medium to large size to find a position of failure, cost and time problems occur.

Accordingly, there is a need for a detection device capable of accurately and directly determining a position of failure and a degree of failure

SUMMARY

An object of the present invention is to provide a detection device capable of directly observing a position and degree of failure.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a detection device capable of observing an internal space of a turbomachine even during operation of the turbomachine.

In one embodiment, A detection device for detecting a turbomachine including an opening, the detection device comprises: a flange configured to close the opening; and an endoscope assembly including an endoscope body, a detector extending from the endoscope assembly and inserted into an internal space of the turbomachine through the flange and an extension part connecting the endoscope body and the detector.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, specific embodiments will be described with reference to accompanying drawings. It will be understood that the description herein is not intended to limit the claims to the specific embodiments described. On the contrary, it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

FIG. 1is a perspective view of a detection device according to an embodiment of the present invention,FIG. 2is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A ofFIG. 1,FIG. 3is a cross-sectional view of a mounting assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, andFIGS. 4 and 5are cross-sectional views of a fixing assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIGS. 1 to 5, the detection device100according to the embodiment of the present invention includes an endoscope assembly110for detecting an internal space of a turbomachine, a mounting assembly120, in which the endoscope assembly110is mounted such that the endoscope assembly110is not pushed backward by pressure of the internal space, a support assembly130supporting the mounting assembly120such that the mounting assembly120is spaced apart from the turbomachine by a predetermined distance, and a fixing assembly140fastened to the support assembly130to fix the support assembly130to the turbomachine.

The endoscope assembly110includes an endoscope body111, a detector112inserted into the turbomachine and a connector113for connecting the endoscope body111and the detector112.

An optical device such as a camera may be mounted in the detector112to detect the internal state of the turbomachine through the optical device. For example, the inner wall of the turbomachine may be detected and whether the inner wall is cracked and a degree of crack may be detected. The detector112may include a lens (not shown) capable of changing the detection range of the detector. The detector112may detect the front side and the lateral side of the detector112through the lens.

The connector113may extend from the endoscope body111to the detector112. For example, the connector113may extend in a front-and-rear direction. At this time, the front-and-rear direction means a direction from the mounting assembly120to the fixing assembly140. That is, the detector112may be disposed at one end of the connector113and the endoscope body111may be connected to the other end of the connector113.

The endoscope assembly110may further include an insertion pipe114for preventing the connector113from being bent in one direction. The insertion pipe114may extend in the extension direction of the connector113. That is, the insertion pipe114may extend in the front-and-rear direction. The insertion pipe114may be formed to surround and fix the outer circumferential surface of the connector113. From a different point of view, the insertion pipe114may have a hole corresponding to the outer diameter of the connector113and the connector113may be inserted into the hole of the insertion pipe114.

Although the insertion pipe114is formed separately from the connector113in the present embodiment, the present invention is not limited thereto and the insertion pipe114may be formed integrally with the connector113. Since the insertion pipe114prevents the connector113from being bent by fluid flowing in the internal space of the turbomachine, it is possible to prevent the detection range of the detector112from being unintentionally changed.

The endoscope assembly110may further include a knob115capable of moving the endoscope body111. For example, a user may move the knob115in the front-and-rear direction to move the endoscope body111in the front-and-rear direction. The endoscope body111may be moved forward by movement of the knob115. At this time, portions of the detector112and the connector113may be inserted into the internal space of the turbomachine.

The endoscope assembly110may further include a cable119for connecting the endoscope body111and an external device (not shown) and delivering information detected by the detector112to the external device. Through the external device, the user may check the state of the internal space of the turbomachine detected by the detector112. For example, the external device may include a display device.

The mounting assembly120includes a mounting assembly body121and an accommodation part122provided at one side of the mounting assembly body121to accommodate the endoscope body111. For example, the mounting assembly body121may be provided to face one surface of the turbomachine and may be formed in a disk shape.

In addition, the accommodation part122may be provided at the center of the mounting assembly120. The accommodation part122may include a fastener122H opened backward and one side of the endoscope body111may be fastened to the fastener122H. For example, the accommodation part122may include a fastener122H formed by recessing a rear surface thereof. That is, the accommodation part122may include the fastener122H having a first recessed surface formed by recessing one surface of the accommodation part122. At this time, the connector113extending from one side of the endoscope body111may penetrate through the accommodation part122.

The accommodation part122may include a first penetration part122A, through which the connector113penetrates. The penetration part may be formed in the first recessed surface and the first penetration part122A may have a size corresponding to the diameter of the connector113and the first penetration part122A penetrates through the accommodation part122in the front-and-rear direction.

Accordingly, one side of the endoscope body111is fastened to the fastener122H and a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the connector113closely contacts the first penetration part122A, such that the endoscope assembly110is fixed to the mounting assembly120.

In addition, the accommodation part122may further include a first fixing part122B having a second recessed surface formed by recessing the front surface thereof backward by a predetermined depth. The first fixing part may be centered on the first penetration part and a virtual extension L. For example, the first fixing part122B may be provided at the front side of the first penetration part122A.

The first fixing part122B may have a size corresponding to the diameter of the insertion part114. One side of the insertion pipe114is inserted into the first fixing part122B. At this time, the connector113penetrating through the first penetration part122A in the endoscope body111is accommodated in the insertion pipe114. That is, a portion of the extension part113is fixed to the first penetration part122A and the other portion of the extension part113may be inserted into the insertion pipe114fixed to the first fixing part122B.

The diameter of the first fixing part122B is greater than that of the first penetration part122A. For example, the diameter of the first fixing part122B may be greater than that of the first penetration part122A by the thickness of the insertion pipe114.

A step difference may be formed at the boundary between the first fixing part122B and the first penetration part122A and the height thereof may correspond to the thickness of the insertion pipe114. In addition, the step difference may contact one end of the insertion pipe114. Accordingly, the insertion pipe114is inserted into the first fixing part122B such that one end of the insertion pipe114contacts the step difference.

In addition, the accommodation part122includes a first sealing member129for preventing fluid leakage and a first sealing part122C forming a space, into which the first sealing member129is inserted. The first sealing part122C may include a third recessed surface formed by recessing the front surface of the accommodation part112backward by a predetermined distance.

The sealing part122C may be centered on the virtual extension L. For example, the first sealing part122C may be formed at the front side of the first fixing part122B.

The diameter of the first sealing part122C is greater than that of the first penetration part122A or the second penetration part122B. At this time, the first sealing member129is inserted into a space between the outer circumferential surface of the insertion pipe114and the inner circumferential surface of the first sealing part122C. The first sealing member129prevents refrigerant permeated into the accommodation part122from being moved out of the mounting assembly120through the insertion pipe114.

At this time, the first penetration part122A, the first fixing part122B and the first sealing part122C may be aligned on the virtual extension L. The extension L penetrates through the center of the accommodation part122and the center of the fixing assembly140. Accordingly, the first penetration part122A, the first fixing part122B, the first sealing part122C and the fastener122H may be formed at the center of the accommodation part122. The virtual extension L may be understood as the central axis of the detection device100.

The mounting assembly120further includes a ball bush125provided at the edge of the mounting assembly body121. The ball bush125is coupled to a bar135to guide movement of the mounting assembly120in the front-and-rear direction. In addition, a plurality of ball bushes125may be provided to correspond to the bar135.

In addition, the mounting assembly120further includes a ball spline127provided at the edge of the mounting assembly body121. The ball spline127is coupled to a screw137such that the mounting assembly120is spaced apart from the fixing part130by a predetermined distance. The ball bush125and the ball spline127may penetrate through the edge of the mounting assembly body121.

The support assembly130connects the mounting assembly120and the fixing assembly140. For example, the support assembly130is fastened to the fixing assembly140to support the mounting assembly120.

The support assembly130includes the bar135extending from the fixing assembly140to the mounting assembly120. The bar135extends in the front-and-rear direction and may be coupled to the ball bush125. The ball bush125may slide on the outer circumferential surface of the bar125and the mounting assembly120may be moved along the bar125in the front-and-rear direction.

The support assembly130may include the screw137including a thread. The screw127extends in the front-and-rear direction and may be coupled to the ball spline127. The ball spline127may be fastened to the thread provided in the screw127to restrict movement of the mounting assembly120in the front-and-rear direction.

That is, the ball spline127may be moved along the screw137and the mounting assembly120may be moved in the front-and-rear direction. The ball spline127may be fixed to one point of the screw137to restrict movement of the mounting assembly120in the front-and-rear direction. The bar135and the screw137may be provided to be symmetrical to each other with respect to the insertion pipe114.

The fixing assembly140includes a fixing assembly body141, to which the support assembly130is fastened. The fixing assembly body141may be provided to face the mounting assembly body121and may be spaced apart from the mounting assembly body121by a predetermined distance by the support assembly120.

The support assembly130may be fastened to the edge of the fixing assembly body141. For example, the fixing assembly body141may be configured in an approximately triangular shape when viewed from the front side of the mounting assembly120and the support assembly130may be fastened to the vertex of the triangle. For example, the bar135may be fastened to the two vertexes of the triangle and the screw137may be fastened to the remaining vertex of the triangle. At this time, the insertion pipe114penetrates through the center of the triangle.

A second penetration part141A, through which the insertion pipe114penetrates, is provided at the center of the fixing assembly body141. For example, the second penetration part141A is formed at the center of the fixing assembly body141. In addition, the diameter of the second penetration part141A may correspond to the diameter of the insertion pipe114.

The second penetration part141A may be provided to correspond to the first fixing part122B. That is, the center of the first fixing part122B and the center of the second penetration part141A may be aligned on the virtual extension L. Accordingly, one side of the insertion pipe114may be fixed to the first fixing part122B and the other end of the insertion pipe114may be fixed to the second penetration part141A.

One end of the insertion pipe114is in contact with and supported by the step difference formed at the boundary between the first fixing part122B and the first penetration part122A, such that the insertion pipe114cannot penetrate through the mounting assembly120. However, the other end of the insertion pipe115is not fixed by the step difference to be moved in the front-and-rear direction of the fixing assembly140.

The fixing assembly140includes a second sealing part141B having a fourth recessed surface formed by recessing the rear surface of the fixing assembly body141forward by a predetermined depth. The diameter of the second sealing part141B may be greater than that of the second penetration part141A and the second sealing part141B includes a cylindrical hole centered on the second penetration part141A. The second sealing part141B may be aligned on the virtual extension L.

The second sealing member145may be inserted into the second sealing part141B. The second sealing member145may be formed to correspond to the second sealing part141B. For example, the second sealing member145may have an inner circumferential surface and an outer circumferential surface formed in a ring shape. The inner circumferential surface may contact the outer circumferential surface of the insertion pipe114and the outer circumferential surface may contact the inner circumferential surface of the second sealing member145.

A screw part141C is provided in the inner circumferential surface of the second sealing part141B. For example, the screw part141C may be provided at the rear side of the second sealing part141B and the screw part141C includes a female thread.

The fixing assembly140may further include a thread fastener147inserted into the second sealing part141B. The thread fastener147may be formed such that the insertion pipe114penetrates therethrough. For example, the insertion pipe114may penetrate through the center of the thread fastener147.

Accordingly, the thread fastener147may be moved along the outer circumferential surface of the insertion pipe114in the front-and-rear direction. In contrast, the insertion pipe114may be moved in the front-and-rear surface in a state of penetrating through the thread fastener147.

The size of the outer circumferential surface of the thread fastener147may correspond to the diameter of the inner circumferential surface of the second sealing part141B. A screw part147C may be provided on the outer circumferential surface of the thread fastener147. For example, the screw part147C may include a male thread.

The screw part147C of the thread fastener is fastened to the thread141C of the second sealing part. That is, the thread fastener147moves forward along the thread141C while rotating in one direction and moves backward along the thread141C while rotating in another direction.

When the thread fastener147is fastened to the second sealing part141B, the second sealing member145provided in the second sealing part141B may be compressed by the thread fastener147in the front-and-rear direction.

The second sealing member145may be made of a soft material and the length thereof in an axial direction may be decreased and the length thereof in a radial direction may be increased upon being compressed in the front-and-rear direction. When the length of the second sealing member145in the radial direction is increased, the outer circumferential surface of the second sealing member145and the inner circumferential surface of the second sealing part141B closely contact each other and the inner circumferential surface of the second sealing member145and the outer circumferential surface of the insertion pipe114closely contact each other. Accordingly, sealing is performed in the first penetration hole122A.

When the thread fastener147moves toward the inside of the second sealing part141A, the second sealing member145seals the first penetration hole122A (seeFIG. 5). In contrast, when the thread fastener148moves toward the outside of the second sealing part141B, sealing of the first penetration hole122A is gradually released (seeFIG. 4).

The user may move the thread fastener147backward by a predetermined distance and then move the insertion pipe114in the front-and-rear direction. When the position of the endoscope assembly is fixed, the thread fastener147may be moved forward to perform sealing. Movement of the endoscope assembly110will be described below in detail.

The second sealing member145prevents refrigerant from flowing into the fixing assembly140and the first sealing member129prevents refrigerant from flowing into the mounting assembly120.

The detection device100may further include a flange for closing an opening of the turbomachine. The flange170may be formed in a shape corresponding to the opening of the turbomachine. For example, the flange may be formed in a circular shape.

The flange170may be fastened to the edge of the opening by the fastening member171. The center of the flange170may include a third penetration part172, through which the flange170penetrates (seeFIG. 7). At this time, the first penetration part122A, the second penetration part141A and the third penetration part172may be aligned on the virtual extension L.

The second penetration part141A and the third penetration part172may be understood as a channel because the extension part113and the insertion pipe114may be moved in the front-and-rear direction according to the position of the mounting assembly120.

The detection device100may be provided between the flange170and the fixing assembly140and may further include a valve180for selectively blocking the channel of the endoscope assembly110. Since the valve180blocks the channel when the detection device100is not used, it is possible to prevent refrigerant from flowing from the internal space. The valve180may include a knob181for opening and closing the valve.

Hereinafter, a process of inserting the detection device100into the turbomachine will be described.

FIGS. 6 and 7are views showing a state in which a detection device of the present invention is inserted into an internal space of a turbomachine.

Referring toFIGS. 6 and 7, first, the valve180is opened to open the channel connecting the second penetration part141A and the third penetration part172. Fixing of the ball spline127is released such that the mounting assembly120is moved along the support assembly130.

The endoscope assembly110is pushed toward the turbomachine. At this time, the endoscope body111is moved forward in a state of being mounted in the mounting assembly120. The mounting assembly120is moved toward the fixing assembly140.

At this time, the extension part113and the insertion pipe114are moved along the second penetration part141A to penetrate through the fixing assembly140and the third penetration part173, thereby being inserted into the internal space of the turbomachine.

When movement of the endoscope assembly is completed, the ball spline127is fixed to the screw137and the mounting assembly120is fixed so as not to be pushed backward. In addition, the thread fastener147rotates in one direction to pressurize the second sealing member145.

The second sealing member145seals the insertion pipe114and the second sealing part141B, thereby preventing refrigerant of the internal space from flowing into the fixing assembly140.

FIGS. 8 and 9are views showing a state in which a detection device according to an embodiment of the present invention is inserted into a vane of a turbomachine.

Referring toFIGS. 8 and 9, the detection device100according to the embodiment of the present invention may be mounted in a compression part20of a chiller system10.

The compression part20may include a compressor20for compressing refrigerant flowing in the chiller system and a vane21provided at the inlet side of the compressor to adjust the amount of refrigerant flowing into the compressor. The vane21may adjust the amount of refrigerant such that a surge voltage is not generated during operation of the compressor20. The vane includes a shell23forming the appearance thereof and an internal space25formed in the shell23.

An opening27may be formed at one side of the shell. The opening27may have a circular shape when viewed from the outside thereof and the flange170of the detection device100may be fastened to the edge of the opening.

The detector112, the extension part113and the insertion pipe114of the detection device100may be inserted into the internal space25through the penetration part172of the flange170to observe the vane28for adjusting the amount of refrigerant or to observe the inner wall of the internal space.

FIGS. 10 and 11are views showing a state in which a detection device according to another embodiment of the present invention is inserted into an evaporator of a turbomachine.

Referring toFIGS. 10 and 11, the detection device100according to the embodiment of the present invention may be mounted in the evaporator30of the chiller system10.

The evaporator30may be a shell-and-tube type heat exchanger and the evaporator30may include a shell33forming the appearance thereof and a cold water pipe38in which cold water flows. A plurality of cold water pipes38may be included in the shell33.

The evaporator30includes an internal space35formed between the inner surface of the shell33and the outer surface of the cold water pipe38. Refrigerant flows in the internal space35and refrigerant passing through the internal space35and cold water passing through the cold water pipe38exchange heat with each other. Refrigerant passing through the internal space35is evaporated by cold water flowing in the cold water pipe38and cold water is cooled by refrigerant.

The detection device100may be inserted into the internal space35to check the crack state of the inner wall of the internal space35.

FIGS. 12 and 13are views showing a state in which a detection device according to another embodiment of the present invention is inserted into a condenser of a turbomachine.

Referring toFIGS. 12 and 13, the condenser40may be a shell-and-tube type heat exchanger and the condenser40may include a shell45forming the appearance thereof and a cooling water pipe47in which cooling water flows.

A plurality of cooling water pipes47may be included in the shell45and the condenser40includes an internal space46formed between the inner surface of the shell45and the outer surface of the cooling water pipe47.

Refrigerant flows in the internal space46and refrigerant passing through the internal space46and cooling water passing through the cooling water pipe47exchange heat with each other. Refrigerant passing through the internal space46is condensed by cooling water flowing in the cooling water pipe47and refrigerant is cooled by cooling water.

The detection device100may be inserted into the internal space45to check the crack state of the inner wall of the internal space45.

Although the detection device inserted into the internal space of the chiller system is disclosed, the present invention is not limited thereto and the detection device of the present invention may be mounted in any turbomachine, the inside and outside of which are sealed. For example, the detection device of the present invention may also be mounted in an absorption refrigerator.

In addition, an object to be detected by the detection device of the present invention is not limited to the inner wall configuring the internal space, and flow of refrigerant, the speed of a rotor or vibration of a bearing may be detected according to detection purpose.

According to the embodiments, since an endoscope assembly is directly inserted into an internal space of a turbomachine, it is possible to directly check the inside of the turbomachine.

In addition, since a support assembly is included, the endoscope assembly may be inserted into the internal space without being pushed outwards by internal pressure.

In addition, since an insertion pipe supporting an extension part is included, it is possible to prevent a detection area from being unintentionally changed by fluid flowing in the internal space.

In addition, sine a first sealing member and a second sealing member are included, it is possible to prevent fluid of the internal space of the turbomachine from leaking out.