Abstract:
A method for detecting defects in a combustion duct in a combustion system of a turbine engine while the turbine engine operates, wherein the combustion duct comprises an inner surface, which, during operation, is exposed to the hot-gas flowpath, the method comprising the steps of: providing a first electrode that is electrically connected to the combustion duct; providing a second electrode that resides within the hot-gas flowpath; applying a voltage across the first electrode and the second electrode; and detecting current flowing between the first electrode and the second electrode.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This present application relates generally to methods, systems, and apparatus for detecting defects, including surface defects, which may occur in industrial manufacturing processes, engines, or similar systems. More specifically, but not by way of limitation, the present application relates to methods, systems, and apparatus pertaining to the detection of defects that form on the components, such as those found within the combustor, exposed to the hot-gases of combustion turbine engines. 
     In operation, generally, a combustion turbine engine may combust a fuel with compressed air supplied by a compressor. As used herein and unless specifically stated otherwise, a combustion turbine engine is meant to include all types of turbine or rotary combustion engines, including gas turbine engines, aircraft engines, etc. The resulting flow of hot gases, which typically is referred to as the working fluid, is expanded through the turbine section of the engine. The interaction of the working fluid with the rotor blades of the turbine section induces rotation in the turbine shaft. In this manner, the energy contained in the fuel is converted into the mechanical energy of the rotating shaft, which, for example, then may be used to rotate the rotor blades of the compressor, such that the supply of compressed air needed for combustion is produced, and the coils of a generator, such that electrical power is generated. During operation, it will be appreciated that components exposed to the hot-gas path become highly stressed with extreme mechanical and thermal loads. This is due to the extreme temperatures and velocity of the working fluid, as well as the rotational velocity of the turbine. As higher firing temperatures correspond to more efficient heat engines, technology is ever pushing the limits of the materials used in these applications. 
     Whether due to extreme temperature, mechanical loading or combination of both, component failure remains a significant concern in combustion turbine engines. A majority of failures can be traced to material fatigue, which typically is forewarned by the onset of crack propagation. More specifically, the formation of cracks caused by material fatigue remains a primary indicator that a component has reached the limit of its useful life and may be nearing failure. The ability to detect the formation of cracks remains an important industry objective, particularly when considering the catastrophic damage that the failure of a single component may occasion. Such a failure event may cause a chain reaction that destroys downstream systems and components, which require expensive repairs and lengthy forced outages. 
     One manner in which the useful life of hot-gas path components may be extended is through the use of protective coatings, such as thermal barrier coatings. In general, exposed surfaces are covered with these coatings, and the coatings insulate the component against the most extreme temperatures of the hot-gas path. However, as one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, these types of coatings wear or fragment during usage, a process that is typically referred to as “coating spallation” or “spallation”. Spallation may result in the formation and growth of uncoated or exposed areas at discrete areas or patches on the surface of the affected component. These unprotected areas experience higher temperatures and, thus, are subject to more rapid deterioration, including the premature formation of fatigue cracks and other defects. In combustion turbine engines, coating spallation is a particular concern for turbine rotor blades and components within the combustor, such as the transition piece. Early detection of coating spallation may allow an operator to take corrective action before the component becomes completely damaged from the increased thermal strain. 
     While the operators of combustion turbine engines want to avoid using worn-out or compromised components that risk failing during operation, they also have a competing interests of not prematurely replacing components before their useful life is exhausted. That is, operators want to exhaust the useful life of each component, thereby minimizing part costs while also reducing the frequency of engine outages for part replacements to occur. Accordingly, accurate crack detection and/or coating spallation in engine components is a significant industry need. However, conventional methods generally require regular visual inspection of parts. While useful, visual inspection is both time-consuming and requires the engine be shutdown for a prolonged period. 
     The ability to monitor components in the hot-gas path while the engine operates for the formation of cracks and the spallation of protective coatings remains a longstanding need. What is needed is a system by which crack formation and spallation may be monitored while the engine operates so that necessary action may be taken before a failure event occurs or significant component damage is realized. Such a system also may extend the life of components as the need for part replacement may be based on actual, measured wear instead of what is anticipated. In addition, such a system would decrease the need or frequency of performing evaluations, such as visual inspections, that require engine shutdown. To the extent that these objectives may be achieved in a cost-effective manner, efficiency would be enhanced and industry demand would be high. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention, thus, describes system for detecting defects in a combustion duct of a combustion system of a combustion turbine engine while the combustion turbine engine operates, wherein, the combustion duct comprises an inner surface, which, during operation, is exposed to the combustion gases of the hot-gas flowpath. In one embodiment, the system includes: an insulator coating disposed on the inner surface of the combustion duct; a first electrode that is electrically connected to the combustion duct; a second electrode that resides within the hot-gas flowpath; means for inducing a voltage across the first electrode and the second electrode; and means for detecting current flowing between the first electrode and the second electrode. 
     The present invention further describes a method for detecting defects in a combustion duct of a combustion system of a combustion turbine engine while the combustion turbine engine operates, wherein the combustion duct comprises an inner surface, which, during operation, is exposed to the combustion gases of the hot-gas flowpath. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of: providing a first electrode that is electrically connected to the combustion duct; providing a second electrode that resides within the hot-gas flowpath and within or in proximity to the combustion duct; applying a voltage across the first electrode and the second electrode; and detecting current flowing between the first electrode and the second electrode. 
     These and other features of the present application will become apparent upon review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments when taken in conjunction with the drawings and the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other features of this invention will be more completely understood and appreciated by careful study of the following more detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic representation of an exemplary turbine engine in which embodiments of the present application may be used; 
         FIG. 2  is a sectional view of an exemplary compressor that may be used in the gas turbine engine of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a sectional view of an exemplary turbine that may be used in the gas turbine engine of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a sectional view of an exemplary combustor that may be used in the gas turbine engine of  FIG. 1  and in which the present invention may be employed; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective cutaway of an exemplary combustor in which embodiments of the present invention may be employed; and 
         FIG. 6  illustrates cross-sectional view of a transition piece and a system for monitoring material defects according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the figures,  FIG. 1  illustrates a schematic representation of a gas turbine engine  100  in which embodiments of the present invention may be employed. In general, gas turbine engines operate by extracting energy from a pressurized flow of hot gas that is produced by the combustion of a fuel in a stream of compressed air. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , gas turbine engine  100  may be configured with an axial compressor  106  that is mechanically coupled by a common shaft or rotor to a downstream turbine section or turbine  110 , and a combustion system  112 , which, as shown, is a can combustor that is positioned between the compressor  106  and the turbine  110 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a view of an axial compressor  106  that may be used in gas turbine engine  100 . As shown, the compressor  106  may include a plurality of stages. Each stage may include a row of compressor rotor blades  120  followed by a row of compressor stator blades  122 . Thus, a first stage may include a row of compressor rotor blades  120 , which rotate about a central shaft, followed by a row of compressor stator blades  122 , which remain stationary during operation. The compressor stator blades  122  generally are circumferentially spaced one from the other and fixed about the axis of rotation. The compressor rotor blades  120  are circumferentially spaced about the axis of the rotor and rotate about the shaft during operation. As one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, the compressor rotor blades  120  are configured such that, when spun about the shaft, they impart kinetic energy to the air or working fluid flowing through the compressor  106 . As one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, the compressor  106  may have many other stages beyond the stages that are illustrated in  FIG. 2 . Each additional stage may include a plurality of circumferential spaced compressor rotor blades  120  followed by a plurality of circumferentially spaced compressor stator blades  122 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a partial view of an exemplary turbine section or turbine  110  that may be used in a gas turbine engine  100 . The turbine  110  may include a plurality of stages. Three exemplary stages are illustrated, but more or less stages may be present in the turbine  110 . A first stage includes a plurality of turbine buckets or turbine rotor blades  126 , which rotate about the shaft during operation, and a plurality of nozzles or turbine stator blades  128 , which remain stationary during operation. The turbine stator blades  128  generally are circumferentially spaced one from the other and fixed about the axis of rotation. The turbine rotor blades  126  may be mounted on a turbine wheel (not shown) for rotation about the shaft (not shown). A second stage of the turbine  110  is also illustrated. The second stage similarly includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced turbine stator blades  128  followed by a plurality of circumferentially spaced turbine rotor blades  126 , which are also mounted on a turbine wheel for rotation. A third stage also is illustrated, and similarly includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced turbine stator blades  128  and turbine rotor blades  126 . It will be appreciated that the turbine stator blades  128  and turbine rotor blades  126  lie in the hot gas path of the turbine  110 . The direction of flow of the hot gases through the hot gas path is indicated by the arrow. As one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, the turbine  110  may have many other stages beyond the stages that are illustrated in  FIG. 3 . Each additional stage may include a plurality of circumferential spaced turbine stator blades  128  followed by a plurality of circumferentially spaced turbine rotor blades  126 . 
     A gas turbine engine of the nature described above may operate as follows. The rotation of compressor rotor blades  120  within the axial compressor  106  compresses a flow of air. In the combustor  112 , as described in more detail below, energy is released when the compressed air is mixed with a fuel and ignited. The resulting flow of hot gases from the combustor  112  then may be directed over the turbine rotor blades  126 , which may induce the rotation of the turbine rotor blades  126  about the shaft, thus transforming the energy of the hot flow of gases into the mechanical energy of the rotating shaft. The mechanical energy of the shaft may then be used to drive the rotation of the compressor rotor blades  120 , such that the necessary supply of compressed air is produced, and also, for example, a generator to produce electricity. 
     Before proceeding further, it will be appreciated that in order to communicate clearly the present invention, it will become necessary to select terminology that refers to and describes certain parts or machine components of a turbine engine and related systems, particularly, the combustor system. Whenever possible, industry terminology will be used and employed in a manner consistent with its accepted meaning. However, it is meant that any such terminology be given a broad meaning and not narrowly construed such that the meaning intended herein and the scope of the appended claims is unreasonably restricted. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that often a particular component may be referred to using several different terms. In addition, what may be described herein as a single part may include and be referenced in another context as consisting of several component parts, or, what may be described herein as including multiple component parts may be fashioned into and, in some cases, referred to as a single part. As such, in understanding the scope of the invention described herein, attention should not only be paid to the terminology and description provided, but also to the structure, configuration, function, and/or usage of the component, as provided herein. 
     In addition, several descriptive terms may be used regularly herein, and it may be helpful to define these terms at this point. These terms and their definition given their usage herein is as follows. The term “rotor blade”, without further specificity, is a reference to the rotating blades of either the compressor or the turbine, which include both compressor rotor blades and turbine rotor blades. The term “stator blade”, without further specificity, is a reference the stationary blades of either the compressor or the turbine, which include both compressor stator blades and turbine stator blades. The term “blades” will be used herein to refer to either type of blade. Thus, without further specificity, the term “blades” is inclusive to all type of turbine engine blades, including compressor rotor blades, compressor stator blades, turbine rotor blades, and turbine stator blades. Further, as used herein, “downstream” and “upstream” are terms that indicate a direction relative to the flow of a fluid, such as the working fluid through the turbine. As such, the term “downstream” refers to a direction that generally corresponds to the direction of the flow of working fluid, and the term “upstream” generally refers to the direction that is opposite of the direction of flow of working fluid. The terms “forward” or “leading” and “aft” or “trailing” generally refer to relative position in relation to the forward end and aft end of the turbine engine (i.e., the compressor is the forward end of the engine and the end having the turbine is the aft end). At times, which will be clear given the description, the terms “leading” and “trailing” may refer to the direction of rotation for rotating parts. When this is the case, the “leading edge” of a rotating part is the edge that leads in the rotation and the “trailing edge” is the edge that trails. 
     The term “radial” refers to movement or position perpendicular to an axis. It is often required to described parts that are at differing radial positions with regard to an axis. In this case, if a first component resides closer to the axis than a second component, it may be stated herein that the first component is “radially inward” or “inboard” of the second component. If, on the other hand, the first component resides further from the axis than the second component, it may be stated herein that the first component is “radially outward” or “outboard” of the second component. The term “axial” refers to movement or position parallel to an axis. Finally, the terms “circumferential” or “angular position” refers to movement or position around an axis. 
       FIGS. 4 and 5  illustrates an exemplary combustor  130  that may be used in a gas turbine engine and in which embodiments of the present invention may be used. As one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, the combustor  130  may include a headend  134 , which generally includes the various manifolds that supply the necessary air and fuel to the combustor, and an end cover  136 . A plurality of fuel lines  137  may extend through the end cover  136  to fuel nozzles or fuel injectors  138  that are positioned at the aft end of a forward case or cap assembly  140 . It will be appreciated that the cap assembly  140  generally is cylindrical in shape and fixed at a forward end to the end cover  136 . 
     In general, the fuel injectors  138  bring together a mixture of fuel and air for combustion. The fuel, for example, may be natural gas and the air may be compressed air (the flow of which is indicated in  FIG. 4  by the several arrows) supplied from the compressor. As one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, downstream of the fuel injectors  138  is a combustion chamber  141  in which the combustion occurs. The combustion chamber  141  is generally defined by a liner  146 , which is enclosed within a flow sleeve  144 . Between the flow sleeve  144  and the liner  146  an annulus is formed. From the liner  146 , a transition piece  148  transitions the flow from the circular cross section of the liner to an annular cross section as it travels downstream to the turbine section (not shown in  FIG. 4 ). A transition piece impingement sleeve  150  (hereinafter “impingement sleeve  150 ”) may enclose the transition piece  148 , also creating an annulus between the impingement sleeve  150  and the transition piece  148 . At the downstream end of the transition piece  148 , a transition piece aft frame  152  may direct the flow of the working fluid toward the airfoils that are positioned in the first stage of the turbine  110 . It will be appreciated that the flow sleeve  144  and the impingement sleeve  150  typically have impingement apertures (not shown in  FIG. 4 ) formed therethrough which allow an impinged flow of compressed air from the compressor  106  to enter the cavities formed between the flow sleeve  144  and the liner  146  and between the impingement sleeve  150  and the transition piece  148 . The flow of compressed air through the impingement apertures convectively cools the exterior surfaces of the liner  146  and the transition piece  148 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , a system for monitoring material defects according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is provided. This exemplary embodiment is described in relation to usage within the transition piece  148  of the combustion system. As provided below, however, it will be appreciated that is description is exemplary only and that the present invention may be used with other ducts through which combustion gases or hot gases flow, including the liner  146 . According to the present invention, the interior surface of the transition piece  148  may be coated with an insulator coating  161 . In some embodiments, the insulator coating  161  may comprise a thermal barrier coating. In particular, a zirconia oxide thermal barrier coating may be used in certain preferred environments. However, the present invention is not limited to this type of coating. Any coating that, relatively speaking, provides electrical insulation may be used. That is, any coating that is suitable for use in the turbine environment and proves to be less electrically conductive as the underlying structure of the transition piece  148  or combustion duct may be used. It will be appreciated that the insulator coating may also have an electrical conductivity that is less than the combustion gases that, during engine operation, flow through the transition piece  148 . In some embodiments, the insulator coating may consist of ceramic materials, corrosion coatings, or combustion products. 
     As shown, a first electrode  163  may be electrically connected to the transition piece  148 . It will be appreciated that the transition piece  148  may be metallic and have a high electrical conductivity. A second electrode  164  may be positioned such that it is electrically exposed to the hot-gas path (and not connected to the transition piece  148 ). One manner in which this may be done is to have the second electrode  164  pass through the transition piece  148  but be electrically insulated from the transition piece  148  by an electrically insulating material or structure  165 , while also having a conducting tip  166  that is exposed to the hot-gas path, as shown in  FIG. 6 . As such, the second electrode  164  may be positioned, at least in part, such that it is exposed to the hot-gas flow path and in proximity to the first electrode  163 . In an exemplary embodiment, the second electrode  164  may be positioned downstream of the first electrode  163  and/or downstream (or toward the downstream end) of the transition piece  148 . The second electrode  164  may be constructed of materials capable of withstanding the rigors of the hot-gas flow path. For example, the conducting tip  166  of the second electrode  164  may be made of copper, silver, manganese, silicon or other suitable materials. 
     The first electrode  163  and the second electrode  164 , as indicated in  FIG. 6 , may be connected to a control unit  170 . The control unit  170  may include a voltage source that is configured to apply a voltage across the two electrodes  163 ,  164 . The voltage source may include any conventional systems or equipment having a power or voltage supply. The control unit  170  also may include an amp meter or similar instrument for determining or detecting if current flows between the two electrodes  163 ,  164  and/or measuring the level of current flowing between the two electrodes  163 ,  164 . 
     During normal operation, it will be appreciated that there will be no or relatively little current detected by the control unit  170  as flowing between the two electrodes  163 ,  164 . This is due to electrical insulation of the insulator coating  161  that covers the inside surface of the transition piece  148 . That is, the insulator coating  161  may separate the voltage being applied to the transition piece  148  from the hot gases of the flowpath. However, when a crack originates at any location along the interior of the transition piece  148 , it will be appreciated that it may undermine the insulator coating  161  and eventually cause a defect  173 , as indicated in  FIG. 6 . More specifically, the crack may eventually cause spallation of the thermal barrier coating (or other insulator coating) such that an exposed patch or portion or area of the more electrically conductive surface of the transition piece  148  is exposed to the hot gases of the flowpath during engine operation. 
     It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the combustion gases of the hot-gas flowpath are relatively electrically conducting and that an electric circuit  180  may form when the surface of the transition piece  148  is exposed. That is, the hot gases may conduct electricity between the exposed surface of the transition piece  148  (which has become exposed because of the erosion or spallation caused by a defect  173  within the transition piece  148 ) and the conducting tip  166  of the second electrode  164 . As such, the control unit  170  will detect that current is flowing between the two electrodes  163 ,  164  and that the electric circuit  180  has formed. In exemplary embodiments, the detection of the circuit  180  may cause the system to provide a warning notification that a defect  173  is likely and/or that corrective action should be taken. The sensitivity of the system may be adjusted by using different voltages or requiring certain current thresholds be satisfied before a warning notification is issued. 
     In an alternative embodiment, a current may be observed as flowing between the two electrodes  163 ,  164  during normal operation, which becomes elevated when a defect  173  occurs. This may be due to the fact that certain types of protective insulator coatings are electrically conductive (or, at least, more electrically conductive than other types of coatings). Accordingly, in this case, during normal operation, it will be appreciated that there will be a level of current observed by the control unit  170  between the two electrodes  163 ,  164 . However, when a crack originates that undermines the insulator coating causing spallation of the coating or simple erosion of the insulator coating causes a portion of the more electrically conductive surface of the transition piece  148  to become exposed to the combustion gases of the hot-gas flow path, an increased level of current flowing between the two electrodes  163 ,  164  will be observed by the control unit  170 . In this embodiment, the observation of the increase in current provides the warning signal for a defect  138 . As before, the detection of the increased current through circuit  180  may cause the system to provide a warning notification that a defect  173  is likely and/or that corrective action should be taken. The sensitivity of the system may be adjusted by using different voltages or requiring certain current thresholds or, in the case of this embodiment, thresholds indicating a certain level of current change be satisfied before a warning notification is issued. 
     In some embodiments, the conductivity of the hot gases of the flow path may be increased by doping the fuel with a conductive material or injecting a conductive media in to the flowpath of compressed air within the compressor of the engine. It will be appreciated that the injection of a conductive material may enhance the level of current flowing between the electrodes and increase the accuracy of the detection system. In some embodiments, the injection of a conductive doping material may be done periodically during test cycles in which tests for defects (i.e., crack formation or coating spallation) are performed. As stated, this temporary measure may increase the accuracy of detection of defects. In addition, the size of the defect  173  may be determined by calibrating the system with the magnitude of current flow through the formed electrical circuit  180  given the voltage applied and prior defect sizes as well as other relevant conditions (i.e., whether a doping agent is present, etc.). For example, higher current levels will be indicative of bigger defect sizes. Threshold current levels may be set that indicate defects of certain sizes. 
     In the absence of a crack forming along the interior surface of the transition piece, simple erosion or spallation of the electrical insulting coating  161  also may cause a defect  173  that exposes the metallic surface of the transition piece  148  to the hot gases of the flow path. That is, spallation or erosion of the thermal barrier coating regularly occurs without the formation of a transition piece crack. Whatever the case, the exposed surface that results will cause the formation of the electrical circuit  180  between the two electrodes  163 ,  164  and, thereby, cause the detection of a current by the control unit  170  that indicates such a defect is present. The spallation may be caused by the wearing away or erosion of the insulator coating  161  within the transition piece  148 . In this case, the system may prevent the deterioration of the exposed material and/or subsequent the formation of cracks or more serious defect by providing a warning of the defect  173 . It will be appreciated that, absent corrective action, spallation may result in increased thermal strain to interior surface of the transition piece  148  and/or material deterioration, which may cause catastrophic system failures without corrective action. 
     Testing has confirmed the function of the present invention. For example, in one test, two electrodes were positioned within the transition piece of a combustor in a manner consistent with the description above. A voltage source was connected to the electrodes and approximately 5V was applied across them. A threshold current (i.e., the indicator current) of approximately 1.25 microamps was set. The test results showed that, given these parameters, the detectable spallation size (i.e., the area of transition piece surface exposed to the hot gases) was approximately 0.5 inches-squared. That is, the test results showed that a defect that resulted in exposing at least 0.5 inches-squared of the inner surface of the transition piece caused the threshold or indicator current to be exceeded. The parameters, of course, may be adjusted depending on the characteristics of the system and the desired sensitivity, as one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate. 
     It will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that the above application is exemplary and that these same methods of detecting defects in other ducts through which combustion gases are directed. For example, the same methods as described above in relation to the transition piece  148  may be applied in similar fashion to the liner  146  of the combustion system, or, for that matter, in other similar ducts. As such, when reference is made within the appended claims to a “combustion duct”, it will be appreciated that this includes both the transition piece  148  and the liner  146 . Also, as stated, such a reference may include any other similar duct through which combustion gases flow. 
     It will be appreciated that by monitoring crack formation and coating spallation while the engine operates may reduce the need for regular visual inspections, which may also reduce engine down time. As will be appreciated, typically the transition piece  148  and the liner  146  are not inspected until the combustion system undergoes a diagnostic check after several thousands of hours of operation. Monitoring for crack formation and spallation while the engine operates may detect the formation of a significant defect that otherwise would have gone unnoticed until this inspection occurs. Depending on the severity of the defect, significant damage may occur if the engine continues to operate and corrective action is not taken, particularly if a failure liberates pieces of the transition piece or liner or other such duct that cause damage to downstream components. Such an event may be avoided if the real-time monitoring capabilities of the present invention are available. 
     As one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, the many varying features and configurations described above in relation to the several exemplary embodiments may be further selectively applied to form the other possible embodiments of the present invention. For the sake of brevity and taking into account the abilities of one of ordinary skill in the art, all of the possible iterations is not provided or discussed in detail, though all combinations and possible embodiments embraced by the several claims below or otherwise are intended to be part of the instant application. In addition, from the above description of several exemplary embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art will perceive improvements, changes and modifications. Such improvements, changes and modifications within the skill of the art are also intended to be covered by the appended claims. Further, it should be apparent that the foregoing relates only to the described embodiments of the present application and that numerous changes and modifications may be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the application as defined by the following claims and the equivalents thereof.