Patent Description:
A turbomachine, such as a compressor or turbine, may include a plurality of vanes or blades arranged circumferentially about a rotational axis. In certain situations, it may be desirable to obtain angle measurements of one or more of the vanes or blades, such as during manufacturing, testing, servicing, and/or calibration. For example, a gas turbine engine may include a plurality of inlet guide vanes (IGVs) within an inlet plenum of a compressor. A control system may be configured to change the angle of the IGVs, thereby changing the flow of intake air into the compressor during operation of the gas turbine engine. The control system is generally calibrated to ensure that the actual angle of the IGVs matches the expected angle as controlled by the control system. Accordingly, the angle of IGVs may be measured using a protractor. Unfortunately, a technician has limited space to perform the measurement in the bell mouth of the compressor where the IGVs reside. The technician may have difficulty holding the protractor against the IGVs while simultaneously adjusting, tightening, and/or reading the protractor. Additionally, the protractor may provide inaccurate measurements due to incorrect placement of the protractor (e.g., backwards placement, lack of contact with surfaces of the IGVs, etc.).

For at least these reasons, a need exists for an improved tool to measure the angle of the IGVs, as well as other vanes and blades.

<CIT> discloses a tool and a method for measuring the angle of an inlet guide vane of a gas turbine relative to a reference surface having the features of the preambles of independent claims <NUM> and <NUM>.

These embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the claimed embodiments, but rather these embodiments are intended only to provide a brief summary of possible forms of the subject matter. Indeed, the presently claimed embodiments may encompass a variety of forms that may be similar to or different from the embodiments set forth below.

In a first aspect of the invention, a tool includes a first body portion having means configured to contact opposite sides of a first component. The tool includes a second body portion configured to rotate relative to the first body portion, wherein the second body portion is configured to contact a reference surface relative to the first component. The tool further includes an angle meter configured to measure an angle of the first component based on an angular position of the second body portion relative to the first body portion. According to the invention, the first body portion has opposite first and second recesses facing toward one another about a space, wherein the opposite first and second recesses are configured to contact the opposite sides of the first component disposed in the space. The first body portion comprises first and second arm portions configured to move relative to one another to adjust a distance between the first and second recesses, wherein the first and second arm portions are spring-biased toward one another to drive the first and second recesses toward one another about the space.

In another aspect of the invention, a method includes positioning a first body portion in contact with opposite sides of a first component. The method further includes rotating a second body portion relative to the first body portion to contact a reference surface relative to the first component. The method further includes measuring, via an angle meter, an angle of the first component based on an angular position of the second body portion relative to the first body portion. According to the invention, the positioning step comprises positioning the opposite sides of the first component in a space between and in contact with opposite first and second recesses which are provided on opposite first and second arm portions of the first body portion so as to face toward one another about the space, wherein the first and second arm portions are movable relative to one another to adjust a distance between the first and second recesses and are spring-biased toward one another to drive the first and second recesses toward one another about the space.

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the presently disclosed techniques will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:.

One or more specific embodiments of the presently disclosed systems are described below.

When introducing elements of various embodiments of the presently disclosed embodiments, the articles "a," "an," "the," and "said" are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements.

As discussed in detail below, various embodiments of an angular measurement tool are configured to simplify user measurements of angles of blades or vanes. The angular measurement tool is configured to ensure proper contact with the blades or vanes via spring-loaded arms, which may compressively fit the angular measurement tool about the blades or vanes during an angular measurement. The spring-loaded arms, hook portions on the spring-loaded arms, and other features discussed below may enable a technician to obtain angular measurements using only one hand, which is particularly advantageous in tight spaces. Additionally, the spring-loaded arms, hook portions on the spring-loaded arms, and other features discussed below may enable attachment of the angular measurement tool to the blades or vanes without any placement of a user's hands in a plane of the blades or vanes (e.g., IGVs), thereby improving safety when a user obtains angular measurements of the blades or vanes. The angular measurement tool may display the angular measurements in situ at the angular measurement tool via physical indicia on a surface, an electronic display, or another local indicator. Additionally, the angular measurement tool may use sensors (e.g., angular sensors, position sensors, and/or potentiometers) to obtain sensor data indicative of an angular position of the blades or vanes, wherein the sensor data may be stored in memory and/or communicated to a remote workstation (e.g., computer and/or electronic display) for display to a remote operator. Accordingly, the angular measurement tool may include communication circuitry (e.g., wired and/or wireless communication circuitry) to enable the communications. Although the angular measurement tool is illustrated and described for use with blades or vanes (e.g., a pair of adjacent IGVs), the angular measurement tool may be used to measure an angle of any desired machine components and any number of adjacent components (e.g., <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or more blades or vanes, such as IGVs).

<FIG> is a block diagram of an embodiment of a gas turbine system <NUM> having a gas turbine engine <NUM> coupled to a control system <NUM>. As discussed in further detail below, the gas turbine system <NUM> may use an angular measurement tool <NUM> to measure an angle between adjacent blades or vanes in one or more sections of the gas turbine engine <NUM>. The angular measurement tool <NUM> also may be used to measure an angle of other stationary or movable components within: the gas turbine system <NUM>, equipment in a power plant, a pump, a compressor, a turbine (e.g., steam turbine, hydro turbine, wind turbine, etc.), an engine, industrial automation equipment, vehicles, or any other suitable application. The various features of the angular measurement tool <NUM> are discussed below with reference to <FIG>, and the various features may be used in any suitable combination with one another. However, before moving on to the angular measurement tool <NUM>, the gas turbine system <NUM> will be described as one possible context for use of the angular measurement tool <NUM>.

The gas turbine engine <NUM> includes an air intake section <NUM>, a compressor section <NUM>, a combustor section <NUM>, a turbine section <NUM>, a load <NUM>, and an exhaust section <NUM>. The air intake section <NUM> may include a duct having one or more silencer baffles, fluid injection systems (e.g., heated fluid injection for anti-icing), air filters, or any combination thereof. The compressor section <NUM> may include an upstream inlet duct <NUM> having a bell mouth <NUM>, wherein the inlet duct <NUM> includes an inner hub <NUM>, an outer wall <NUM> disposed circumferentially about the inner hub <NUM> to define an air intake flow path, a plurality of stationary vanes <NUM> extending radially between the inner hub <NUM> and the outer wall <NUM> within the air intake flow path, and a plurality of inlet guide vanes (IGVs) <NUM> arranged circumferentially about a central axis within the air intake flow path. The inlet guide vanes <NUM> also may be coupled to one or more actuators <NUM>, which are communicatively coupled to and controlled by the control system <NUM>. In operation, the control system <NUM> is configured to adjust the position (e.g., angular position) of the inlet guide vanes <NUM> to vary the flow of intake air into the compressor section <NUM> during operation of the gas turbine engine <NUM>. The angular position of each inlet guide vane <NUM> may be relative to a central axis of the inlet duct <NUM> and/or the compressor section <NUM>, a radial axis relative to the central axis, or an adjacent inlet guide vane <NUM>.

The compressor section <NUM> includes one or more compressor stages <NUM>, wherein each compressor stage <NUM> includes a plurality of compressor blades <NUM> coupled to a compressor shaft <NUM> within a compressor casing <NUM>, and a plurality of compressor vanes <NUM> coupled to the compressor casing <NUM>. The compressor blades <NUM> and the compressor vanes <NUM> are arranged circumferentially about a central axis of the compressor shaft <NUM> within each compressor stage <NUM>. The compressor stages <NUM> may include between <NUM> and <NUM> or more compressor stages. Additionally, the compressor stages <NUM> alternative between sets of the compressor blades <NUM> and sets of the compressor vanes <NUM> in the direction of flow through the compressor section <NUM>. In operation, the compressor stages <NUM> progressively compress the intake air before delivery to the combustor section <NUM>.

The combustor section <NUM> includes one or more combustors <NUM> each having one or more fuel nozzles <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the combustor section <NUM> may have a single annular combustor <NUM> extending around a central axis of the gas turbine engine <NUM>. However, in some embodiments, the combustor section <NUM> may include <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or more combustors <NUM> spaced circumferentially about the central axis of the gas turbine engine <NUM>. The fuel nozzles <NUM> receive a compressed air <NUM> from the compressor section <NUM> and fuel <NUM> from a fuel supply system <NUM>, mix the fuel and air, and ignite the mixture to create hot combustion gases <NUM>, which then exit each combustor <NUM> and enter the turbine section <NUM>.

The turbine section <NUM> includes one or more turbine stages <NUM>, wherein each turbine stage <NUM> includes a plurality of turbine blades <NUM> arranged circumferentially about and coupled to a turbine shaft <NUM> inside of a turbine casing <NUM>, and a plurality of turbine vanes <NUM> arranged circumferentially about the turbine shaft <NUM>. The turbine stages <NUM> may include between <NUM> and <NUM> or more turbine stages. Additionally, the turbine stages <NUM> alternative between sets of the turbine blades <NUM> and sets of the turbine vanes <NUM> in the direction of flow through the turbine section <NUM>. In operation, the hot combustion gases <NUM> progressively expand and drive rotation of the turbine blades <NUM> in the turbine stages <NUM>.

The load <NUM> may include electrical generator, a machine, or some other driven load. The load <NUM> may be disposed at the hot end of the gas turbine engine <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>, or the load <NUM> may be disposed at the cold end of the gas turbine engine <NUM> (e.g., adjacent the compressor section <NUM>). The exhaust section <NUM> may include an exhaust duct, exhaust treatment equipment, silencers, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the exhaust section <NUM> may include a heat exchanger, such as a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) configured to generate steam to drive a steam turbine.

The control system <NUM> may include one or more controllers <NUM>, each having a processor <NUM>, memory <NUM>, instructions <NUM> stored on the memory <NUM> and executable by the processor <NUM>, and communications circuitry <NUM> configured to communicate with the angular measurement tool <NUM>. The control system <NUM> is also coupled to various sensors (S) as indicated by element number <NUM> throughout the gas turbine system <NUM>. For example, the sensors <NUM> may be coupled to and monitor conditions at the air intake section <NUM>, the compressor section <NUM>, the combustors <NUM> of the combustor section <NUM>, the turbine section <NUM>, the load <NUM>, and the exhaust section <NUM>. The control system <NUM> is configured to receive feedback from the sensors <NUM> to facilitate adjustments of various operating parameters of the gas turbine engine <NUM>, such as the air intake flow, the fuel supply from the fuel supply system <NUM> to the combustors <NUM>, operation of exhaust treatment equipment in the exhaust section <NUM>, or any combination thereof. For example, the control system <NUM> may be configured to control the actuators <NUM> to change an angular position of the inlet guide vanes <NUM>, thereby controlling the intake flow from the air intake section <NUM> into the compressor section <NUM>. As discussed in further detail below, the angular measurement tool <NUM> is configured to measure an angle of the inlet guide vanes <NUM>, thereby helping to ensure proper calibration and operation of the inlet guide vanes <NUM> and the actuators <NUM>.

In operation, the gas turbine system <NUM> receives air into the inlet duct <NUM> from the air intake section <NUM> as indicated by arrows <NUM>, the inlet guide vanes <NUM> are controlled by the actuators <NUM> to adjust an angular position of the inlet guide vanes <NUM> for adjusting air flow into the compressor section <NUM>, and the compressor section is configured to compress the air flow being supplied into the combustor section <NUM>. For example, each stage <NUM> of the compressor section <NUM> compresses the air flow with a plurality of the blades <NUM>. The compressed air flow <NUM> then enters each of the combustors <NUM>, where the fuel nozzles <NUM> mix the compressed air flow with fuel <NUM> from the fuel supply system <NUM>. The mixture of fuel and air is then combusted in each combustor <NUM> to generate the hot combustion gases <NUM>, which flow into the turbine section <NUM> to drive rotation of the turbine blades <NUM> in each of the stages <NUM>. The rotation of the turbine blades <NUM> drives rotation of the turbine shaft <NUM>, which in turn drives rotation of the load <NUM> and the compressor section <NUM> via a shaft <NUM> coupled to the load <NUM> and a shaft <NUM> coupled to the compressor shaft <NUM>. The turbine section <NUM> then discharges an exhaust gas <NUM> into the exhaust section <NUM> for final treatment and discharge into the environment.

The angular measurement tool <NUM> is configured to measure an angular position of various vanes or blades throughout the gas turbine system <NUM>, such as the inlet guide vanes <NUM>, the compressor blades <NUM>, the turbine blades <NUM>, the compressor vanes <NUM>, and/or the turbine vanes <NUM>. For example, the angular measurement tool <NUM> may be used when calibrating or checking the position of the inlet guide vanes <NUM> relative to an expected position of the inlet guide vanes <NUM> (e.g., expected by the control system <NUM>). The illustrated angular measurement tool <NUM> includes a body portion <NUM> rotatably coupled to a body portion <NUM> via a rotational joint <NUM>. The body portion <NUM> includes arm portions <NUM> and <NUM> configured to contract and expand relative to one another, e.g., by moving the arm portions <NUM> and <NUM> axially relative to one another. The arm portions <NUM> and <NUM> include respective hook portions <NUM> and <NUM> having respective recesses <NUM> and <NUM>. The arm portions <NUM> and <NUM> are configured to contract and expand (e.g., move axially toward and away from one another) about a space <NUM> between the opposite hook portions <NUM> and <NUM>, thereby enabling the hook portions <NUM> and <NUM> to capture and compressingly secure the body portion <NUM> about opposite sides of a vane or blade, such as a first one of the inlet guide vanes <NUM>. The body portion <NUM> also includes an arm portion <NUM> having a respective recess <NUM>, which is configured to contact a second one of the inlet guide vanes <NUM>. The arm portion <NUM> is configured to rotate relative to the body portion <NUM> via the rotational joint <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the arm portion <NUM> is rotatably coupled to the arm portion <NUM> at the rotational joint <NUM>.

Additionally, the angular measurement tool <NUM> includes an angle meter <NUM>, which may be coupled to the body portion <NUM> at the arm portion <NUM>. The angle meter <NUM> is configured to measure an angular position of the arm portion <NUM> of the body portion <NUM> relative to the arm portion <NUM> of the body portion <NUM>. In operation, the angular position measured by the angle meter <NUM> is configured to indicate an angular position of two adjacent blades or vanes, such as adjacent inlet guide vanes <NUM>. The angle meter <NUM> may include a plurality of angular indicia (e.g., angular position marks) on a surface of the arm portion <NUM> of the body portion <NUM>, such that the arm portion <NUM> of the body portion <NUM> moves along the indicia <NUM> to indicate an angular position of the arm portion <NUM> and thus the blades or vanes (e.g., the inlet guide vanes <NUM>). The angle meter <NUM> also may include an electronic meter unit <NUM>, which may include a display, communication circuitry, a processor, memory, sensors to measure the angular position of the arm portion <NUM> relative to the arm portion <NUM>, or any combination thereof. For example, the electronic meter unit <NUM> may sense a position of the arm portion <NUM>, and display an angular position on an electronic display. Additionally, the electronic meter <NUM> may sense a position of the arm portion <NUM>, and communicate data to the control system <NUM> indicating the angular position of the arm portion <NUM>. Again, the angular position of the arm portion <NUM> relative to the arm portion <NUM> is indicative of the angular position of the adjacent blades or vanes, e.g., the adjacent inlet guide vanes <NUM>.

As discussed in further detail below, the hook portions <NUM> and <NUM> having the respective recesses <NUM> and <NUM> may be configured to compressingly fit about leading and trailing edges of a blade or vane, such as the inlet guide vane <NUM>, to secure the angular measurement tool <NUM> in place for an angular measurement. The arm portion <NUM> is configured to engage a reference surface relative to a first blade or vane (e.g., a first inlet guide vane <NUM>) captured by the hook portions <NUM> and <NUM>, such as a reference surface on a second adjacent blade or vane (e.g., an adjacent inlet guide vane <NUM>). The reference surface may include a leading edge and/or a trailing edge of one or more blades or vanes (e.g., inlet guide vanes <NUM>). For example, the recess <NUM> of the arm portion <NUM> may engage a leading edge of an adjacent inlet guide vane <NUM> as the reference surface. Once the hook portions <NUM> and <NUM> are compressingly fit about a first inlet guide vane <NUM> and the recess <NUM> is contacting a leading edge of an adjacent inlet guide vane <NUM>, then the angle meter <NUM> may be used to determine an angular position of the two adjacent inlet guide vanes <NUM>. For example, the angle meter <NUM> is configured to measure an angle of the first blade or vane (e.g., inlet guide vane) or both the first and second blades or vanes (e.g., inlet guide vanes) based on an angular position of the body portion <NUM> (e.g., arm portion <NUM>) relative to the body portion <NUM> (e.g., arm portion <NUM>).

<FIG> is a top schematic view of an embodiment of the angular measurement tool <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>, further illustrating details of the connections between the arm portions <NUM> and <NUM> of the body portion <NUM> and the arm portions <NUM> and <NUM> of the body portions <NUM> and <NUM>. As illustrated, the arm portions <NUM> and <NUM> of the body portion <NUM> are slidably coupled together to facilitate axial movement between the hook portions <NUM> and <NUM>. In particular, the arm potions <NUM> and <NUM> have a telescopic or sliding axial connection <NUM>, wherein the arm portions <NUM> and <NUM> are disposed one inside the other along an axial path as indicated by axis <NUM>. As illustrated, the arm portion <NUM> includes an axial bore or channel <NUM>, which slidingly receives an axial portion <NUM> of the arm portion <NUM>. In an alternative embodiment, the arm portion <NUM> includes the axial bore or channel <NUM>, which slidingly receives the axial portion <NUM> of the arm portion <NUM>.

As illustrated, the axial portion <NUM> slides axially in and out of the axial bore or channel <NUM>, and is biased via a spring <NUM>. The illustrated spring <NUM> is coupled to a hook or fastener <NUM> at an end <NUM> of the axial bore or channel <NUM> and a hook or fastener <NUM> at an end <NUM> of the axial portion <NUM> of the arm portion <NUM>. The spring <NUM> is in tension to pull the axial portion <NUM> of the arm portion <NUM> inwardly into the axial bore or channel <NUM>, thereby moving the hook portions <NUM> and <NUM> of the respective arm portions <NUM> and <NUM> inwardly toward one another to facilitate engagement with leading and trailing edges of a blade or vane, such as the inlet guide vane <NUM> disposed in the space <NUM> between the recesses <NUM> and <NUM>. In some embodiments, the spring <NUM> may be a mechanical spring, a fluid spring (e.g., a pneumatic or liquid driven spring, such as a piston biased by fluid pressure in a cylinder), magnets, or any combination thereof.

As also illustrated in <FIG>, the arm portion <NUM> is configured to rotate about the arm portion <NUM> via the rotational joint <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the rotational joint <NUM> includes a pin <NUM> and a resistance device <NUM>. For example, the resistance device <NUM> may include an annular bushing or sleeve surrounding the pin <NUM>, such that the bushing or sleeve may provide some friction to control movement of the arm portion <NUM> relative to the arm potion <NUM>. In some embodiments, the resistance device <NUM> may include a torsion spring to bias the arm portion <NUM> in a direction toward the hook portion <NUM>, such that the recess <NUM> may positively engage a reference surface of an adjacent inlet guide vane <NUM>. The resistance device <NUM> also may include one or more coaxial annular sleeves with a plurality of incremental steps in a rotational direction, such that the rotation of the arm portion <NUM> occurs by clicking from one angular position to another during operation of the angular measurement tool <NUM>. Additionally, the resistance device <NUM> may include an angular lock configured to lock an angular position at the rotational joint. As further discussed below, the illustrated body portion <NUM> may include one or more sets of the arm portion <NUM> and the arm portion <NUM>.

<FIG> is a schematic side view of the angular measurement tool <NUM> of <FIG>, taken along line <NUM>-<NUM>, further illustrating details of the body portion <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the body portion <NUM> may include a plurality of parallel arms in the arm portions <NUM> and <NUM>. For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, the arm portion <NUM> includes a plurality of arms <NUM> and the arm portion <NUM> includes a plurality of arms <NUM>. Although <FIG> illustrates two arms <NUM> and two corresponding arms <NUM>, embodiments of the arm portions <NUM> and <NUM> may include <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or more sets of arms <NUM> and <NUM>. Additionally, the arms <NUM> of the arm portion <NUM> may be coupled together via one or more intermediate supports <NUM> extending crosswise (e.g., perpendicular) between the arms <NUM> at opposite end portions <NUM> and <NUM> of the arms <NUM>. The intermediate supports <NUM> also may be disposed at one or more intermediate locations between the opposite end portions <NUM> and <NUM>. The arm portion <NUM> also may include one or more intermediate supports <NUM> extending crosswise (e.g., perpendicular) between the arms <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the intermediate support <NUM> is disposed at an end portion <NUM> of the arms <NUM> adjacent the hook portions <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the intermediate supports <NUM> and <NUM> are parallel to one another.

As further illustrated in <FIG>, each pair or arms <NUM> and <NUM> has the telescopic or sliding axial connection <NUM> as described in greater detail above with reference to <FIG>. Accordingly, each arm <NUM> includes the axial bore or channel <NUM>, while each arm <NUM> includes the axial portion <NUM>. Again, the spring <NUM> is connected to hooks or fasteners <NUM> and <NUM>, thereby spring biasing the arms <NUM> and <NUM> toward one another (e.g., spring biasing the axial portion <NUM> into the axial bore <NUM>). In the illustrated embodiment, the arms <NUM> and the arms <NUM> are parallel to one another. In particular, the arms <NUM> are coupled together in a parallel relationship via the intermediate supports <NUM>, the arms <NUM> are coupled together in a parallel relationship via the intermediate support <NUM>, and arms <NUM> move together in the parallel relationship relative to the arms <NUM>.

<FIG> is a schematic view of an embodiment of the angle meter <NUM>, illustrating details of the indicia <NUM>. As illustrated, the indicia <NUM> may include a series of marks <NUM> disposed along a path <NUM> on a surface of the angular meter <NUM>. For example, the marks <NUM> may include linear grooves or slots, linear protrusions, colored marks, or any combination thereof. The path <NUM> may be a linear path, a curved path following an angular movement of the arm portion <NUM> about the rotational joint <NUM>, or another suitable arrangement. As illustrated, the marks <NUM> may be spaced apart from one another at a uniform spacing, which may facilitate measurements of the angular position in predetermined units. The angular meter <NUM> also may include a protruding measurement tip <NUM> (e.g., a triangular tip, a narrow tip, or pointer) on a distal end <NUM> of the arm portion <NUM>. For example, the tip <NUM> may be a linear protrusion, which has a width of less than <NUM> or <NUM> percent of the arm portion <NUM> (e.g., a width of less than <NUM> or <NUM>). The tip <NUM> may facilitate more precise measurements along the marks <NUM>. The angle meter <NUM> also may include the electronic meter unit <NUM> as discussed in further detail below.

<FIG> is a schematic view of an embodiment of the angle meter <NUM> further illustrating a potentiometer <NUM> that may be used as part of the electronic meter unit <NUM>. The potentiometer <NUM> may include an arcuate or curved conductive or resistive track <NUM> and a wiper <NUM> coupled to the rotational joint <NUM> and slidingly movable along the track <NUM>. Opposite ends of the track <NUM> may include a positive voltage <NUM> and a zero voltage <NUM>, such that movement of the wiper <NUM> along the track <NUM> changes an output voltage <NUM> provided to the electronic meter <NUM>. In this manner, the potentiometer <NUM> may provide a variable voltage depending on the angular position of the arm portion <NUM> of the body portion <NUM> relative to the body portion <NUM>. The voltage generated by the potentiometer <NUM> is configured to provide an angular measurement in addition to the visual measurement provided by the indicia <NUM>.

<FIG> is a diagram of an embodiment of the electronic meter unit <NUM> of the angle meter <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the electronic meter unit <NUM> includes a display <NUM>, a controller <NUM>, a monitoring system or monitor <NUM>, and communications circuitry <NUM>. The display <NUM> may include an electronic display, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), configured to display the angular measurements obtained by the monitor <NUM>. The controller <NUM> includes a processor <NUM>, memory <NUM>, and instructions <NUM> stored on the memory <NUM> and executable by the processor <NUM> to process sensor input and user input, determine an angular position, and output the angular position to the display <NUM>. The monitor <NUM> includes one or more sensors <NUM>, such as the potentiometer <NUM>, a position sensor, an angular sensor, an optical sensor, or any combination thereof. The communication circuitry <NUM> may include wired and wireless communication circuitry, such that the electronic meter unit <NUM> may communicate angular measurement data to the control system <NUM> as discussed above with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> is a perspective view of an embodiment of the angular measurement tool <NUM> coupled to a pair of blades or vanes <NUM> and <NUM>. The blades or vanes <NUM> and <NUM> may include a pair of adjacent inlet guide vanes <NUM>, a pair of adjacent compressor blades <NUM>, a pair of adjacent turbine blades <NUM>, a pair of adjacent compressor vanes <NUM>, or a pair of adjacent turbine vanes <NUM>. The angular measurement tool <NUM> has substantially similar or identical features as described above with reference to <FIG>. Accordingly, like features are illustrated with like element numbers as discussed in detail above.

The illustrated angular measurement tool <NUM> includes the body portion <NUM> having a pair of arms <NUM> in the arm portion <NUM> and a pair of arms <NUM> in the arm portion <NUM>. The arms <NUM> are offset from one another by a distance, and the intermediate support <NUM> extends between and couples together the arms <NUM>. Similarly, the arms <NUM> are offset from one another by a distance. The arms <NUM> and <NUM> are arranged in two adjacent pairs each having the telescopic or sliding axial connection <NUM>, which includes the spring <NUM> to bias or draw the arm <NUM> inwardly into the arm <NUM>. Accordingly, the spring biased arrangement of each pair of arms <NUM> and <NUM> biases and moves the hook portions <NUM> and <NUM> inwardly toward one another about the blade or vane <NUM>, thereby biasing the recesses <NUM> and <NUM> to engage leading and trailing edges <NUM> and <NUM> of the blade or vane <NUM>.

Additionally, the arm portion <NUM> is rotatably coupled to the arm portion <NUM> via the rotational joint <NUM>, such that the arm portion <NUM> rotates toward the leading edge <NUM> of the blade or vane <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the arm portion <NUM> is rotatably coupled to an arm portion <NUM> of the body portion <NUM> via a rotational joint <NUM>. The arm portion <NUM> includes the recess <NUM>, which engages the leading edge <NUM> of the blade or vane <NUM>. The rotational joints <NUM> and <NUM> may include the pin <NUM> and the resistance device <NUM> as described above with reference to <FIG>. Accordingly, the resistance device <NUM> may facilitate control of the rotation of the arm portions <NUM> and <NUM>, such that the rotational positions may be relatively stable (e.g., stationary unless a threshold force is applied) after rotation of the arm portions <NUM> and <NUM>. For example, the rotational positions of the arm portion <NUM> and/or the arm portion <NUM> may remain fixed at the respective rotational joints <NUM> and <NUM> unless a user applies a force sufficient to overcome the resistance of the resistance device <NUM>. In some embodiments, the resistance device <NUM> at the rotational joint <NUM> includes a torsion spring (and/or a coil spring extends between the arm portions <NUM> and <NUM> at an offset distance from the rotational joint <NUM>), thereby applying torque about the rotational joint <NUM> to bias the recess <NUM> toward the leading edge <NUM> of the blade or vane <NUM>. In this particular embodiment, after the recess <NUM> engages the leading edge <NUM> of the blade or vane <NUM>, the user may apply an opposite force to overcome the spring force of the spring to separate and/or reposition the angular measurement tool <NUM> relative to the blade or vane <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the resistance device <NUM> of the rotational joints <NUM> and <NUM> may include a locking mechanism or angular lock, which may be engaged to lock the rotational positions of the arm portions <NUM> and <NUM> after the recess <NUM> engages the leading edge <NUM> of the blade or vane <NUM>. The angular lock may include a spring-loaded locking pin that fits into one of a plurality of locking recesses, a threaded fastener (e.g., thumb screw) that extends between the arm portions <NUM> and <NUM>, an adjustable friction device configured to increase friction between the arm portions <NUM> and <NUM> and/or increase friction at the rotational joint <NUM>, or any combination thereof. The resistance device <NUM> may include any combination of the features described herein, such as the angular lock, the spring, one or more coaxial sleeves that resist rotation via friction, a clicking mechanism configured to click from one rotational position to another similar to a socket wrench, or any combination thereof.

Upon engagement of the recesses <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> with the corresponding leading and trailing edges <NUM> and <NUM> of the blades or vanes <NUM> and <NUM>, the angular position of the blades or vanes <NUM> and <NUM> may be determined via the angle meter <NUM>. As illustrated, the relative position of the arm portion <NUM> along the indicia <NUM> may be used to visually determine the angular position of the blades or vanes <NUM> and <NUM>. Additionally, the electronic meter unit <NUM> may be used to determine the angular position of the blades or vanes <NUM> and <NUM> based on sensor feedback regarding the angular position of the arm portion <NUM> relative to the body portion <NUM>. As a result of the resistance device <NUM>, the spring-biased contacts, and/or the angular lock described above, a user may obtain accurate angular measurements of the blades or vanes <NUM> and <NUM> via the angular measurement tool <NUM> without any inaccuracies caused lack of proper contact between the angular measurement tool <NUM> and the blades or vanes <NUM> and <NUM>. For example, in operation of the angular measurement tool <NUM>, the recess <NUM> of the arm portion <NUM> of the body portion <NUM> may remain spring-biased in contact with the leading edge <NUM> of the blade or vane <NUM>, and the recesses <NUM> and <NUM> of the arm portions <NUM> and <NUM> of the body portion <NUM> remain spring-biased in contact with the leading and trailing edges <NUM> and <NUM> of the blade or vane <NUM>. As a result, proper contact is maintained between the angular measurement tool <NUM> and the blades or vanes <NUM> and <NUM> while obtaining the angular measurements, even if the user is unable to maintain a grip on the angular measurement tool <NUM>. Thus, a user may be able to secure the angular measurement tool <NUM> to the blades or vanes <NUM> and <NUM> with only one hand (i.e., single-handed operation), and then obtain measurements without using any hands on the angular measurement tool <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view of an embodiment of the angular measurement tool <NUM> coupled to the blades or vanes <NUM> and <NUM> in a similar manner as discussed in detail above. The body portion <NUM> has substantially the same features as described above with reference to <FIG>. For example, the body portion <NUM> has the arm portions <NUM> and <NUM> with two pairs of arms <NUM> and <NUM>. Each pair of the arms <NUM> and <NUM> is coupled together via the telescopic or sliding axial connection <NUM>, which includes the spring <NUM> configured to pull each arm <NUM> inwardly into the arm <NUM> to bias the hook portions <NUM> and <NUM> toward one another to interface the recesses <NUM> and <NUM> with the leading and trailing edges <NUM> and <NUM> of the blade or vane <NUM>. The angular measurement tool <NUM> also includes the angle meter <NUM> coupled to the body portions <NUM> and <NUM>. However, the body portion <NUM> differs from the embodiment of <FIG>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the body portion <NUM> includes an extension arm <NUM> extending from the angle meter <NUM> in a direction away from the arm portions <NUM> and <NUM> and away from the leading edge <NUM> of the blade or vane <NUM>. The body portion <NUM> also includes an arm portion <NUM> rotatably coupled to the extension arm <NUM> via a rotational joint <NUM>, and an arm portion <NUM> rotatably coupled to the arm portion <NUM> via a rotational joint <NUM>. Similar to the rotational joint <NUM>, each of the rotational joints <NUM> and <NUM> may include the pin <NUM> and the resistance device <NUM>. The arm portion <NUM> extends across the angle meter <NUM>, such that the arm portion <NUM> extends at variable angular positions along the indicia <NUM>. The position of the arm portion <NUM> along the indicia <NUM> is used to identify an angular position of the blades or vanes <NUM> and <NUM>. Additionally, the electronic meter unit <NUM> may be used to monitor the angular position of the arm portion <NUM> along the angle meter <NUM>, and thus the angular position of the blades or vanes <NUM> and <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the arm portion <NUM> contacts a reference surface <NUM> on the blade or vane <NUM> and a reference surface <NUM> on the blade or vane <NUM>. The illustrated reference surfaces <NUM> and <NUM> correspond to the leading edge <NUM> on each of the blades or vanes <NUM> and <NUM>. The arm portion <NUM> of <FIG> is a straight rectangular bar that extends along the reference surfaces <NUM> and <NUM> in a direction perpendicular to the leading edges <NUM> of the blades or vanes <NUM> and <NUM>. Again, each of the rotational joints <NUM> and <NUM> may include the resistance device <NUM> to help hold the position of the arm portions <NUM> and <NUM> after rotation about the rotational joints <NUM> and <NUM>, such that proper contact is maintained between the angular measurement tool <NUM> and the blades or vanes <NUM> and <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view of the embodiment of the angular measurement tool <NUM> coupled to the blades or vanes <NUM> and <NUM>. As illustrated, the angular measurement tool <NUM> of <FIG> is substantially the same as illustrated and described above with reference to <FIG>. However, in the illustrated embodiment, the arm portion <NUM> excludes the recess <NUM> configured to engage the leading edge <NUM> of the blade or vane <NUM>. Instead, the arm portion <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG> is a straight rectangular bar, which has a flat surface facing towards the leading edges <NUM> of the blades or vanes <NUM> and <NUM>. Additionally, the pair or arms <NUM> are offset from one another and coupled together by one intermediate support <NUM> similar to <FIG> and <FIG>, while the arms <NUM> are offset from one another and coupled together by one intermediate support <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>. The other aspects of the angular measurement tool <NUM> are as described in detail above with reference to <FIG>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the arm portion <NUM> is configured to contact at least the leading edge <NUM> as the reference surface <NUM> on the blade or vane <NUM>, while the arm portion <NUM> also may contact the leading edge <NUM> as the reference surface <NUM> on the blade or vane <NUM>. Upon contact between the arm portion <NUM> and the reference surfaces <NUM> and <NUM>, the angular position of the blades or vanes <NUM> and <NUM> may be determined by the position of the arm portion <NUM> relative to the indicia <NUM> and/or a positional sensor of the electronic meter unit <NUM> as described in detail above.

<FIG> is a perspective view of an embodiment of the angular measurement tool <NUM> coupled to the blades or vanes <NUM> and <NUM> for angular measurements. In the illustrated embodiment, the angular measurement tool <NUM> has substantially the same features as discussed above with reference to <FIG>. However, the body portion <NUM> of the angular measurement tool <NUM> differs from the previous embodiments in a few ways. For example, the arm portion <NUM> of the body portion <NUM> excludes the recess <NUM> and has a flat rectangular or straight rectangular structure, which is configured to contact the leading edge <NUM> defining the reference surface <NUM> of the blade or vane <NUM>. Additionally, the arm portion <NUM> couples to the arm portion <NUM> of the body portion <NUM> via the rotational joint <NUM>, wherein a connecting area of the rotational joint <NUM> has a disc-shaped portion <NUM> of the arm portion <NUM> overlapping and aligned with a disc-shaped portion <NUM> of the arm portion <NUM>. The other aspects of the angular measurement tool <NUM> are substantially the same as described in detail above.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the disc-shaped portions <NUM> and <NUM> are vertically stacked one over the other, wherein the rotational joint <NUM> extends along a central axis <NUM> through both of the disc-shaped portions <NUM> and <NUM>. The angle meter <NUM> is partially disposed on the disc-shaped portion <NUM> of the arm portion <NUM>. For example, the indicia <NUM> are disposed in a circular arrangement about the disc-shaped portion <NUM> around the rotational joint <NUM>. The rotational joint <NUM> has a protruding portion <NUM> extending vertically or perpendicularly above the disc-shaped portion <NUM>, and the protruding portion <NUM> includes a mark <NUM> (e.g., pointer) on a sidewall of the protruding portion <NUM>. The mark <NUM> provides an indication of the angular position relative to the indicia <NUM>. For example, the protruding portion <NUM> having the mark <NUM> may be in a fixed position relative to the disc-shaped portion <NUM>, while the disc-shaped portion <NUM> having the indicia <NUM> rotates along with the arm portion <NUM> while positioning the arm portion <NUM> against the reference surface <NUM> of the blade or vane <NUM>. Accordingly, the position of the mark <NUM> relative to the indicia <NUM> provides a visual indication of the angular position of both the arm portion <NUM> and the blades or vanes <NUM> and <NUM>. The angle meter <NUM> also may include the electronic meter unit <NUM> that uses a positional sensor, such as the potentiometer <NUM>, to measure and display an angular position of the arm portion <NUM> and thus the blades or vanes <NUM> and <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view of an embodiment of the angular measurement tool <NUM> coupled to the blades or vanes <NUM> and <NUM> for angular measurements. The embodiment of <FIG> has some similar features as the embodiments of <FIG>. However, the angular measurement tool <NUM> of <FIG> has compression retention assemblies <NUM> and <NUM> (e.g., spring-loaded arm assemblies) for both of the blades or vanes <NUM> and <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the angular measurement tool <NUM> includes a body portion <NUM> having the compression retention assemblies <NUM> and <NUM>, and a body portion <NUM> having the angle meter <NUM> and arm portions <NUM> and <NUM> rotatably coupled together at a rotational joint <NUM> at the angle meter <NUM>.

The body portion <NUM> has cross-plates <NUM> and <NUM> (e.g., parallel plates) extending across the leading edges <NUM> (i.e., the reference surfaces <NUM> and <NUM>) of the blades or vanes <NUM> and <NUM>. Each of the cross-plates <NUM> and <NUM> includes an angled recess <NUM> to receive the leading edge <NUM> of the blade or vane <NUM> and an angled recess <NUM> to receive the leading edge <NUM> of the blade or vane <NUM>. The body portion <NUM> also includes an arm portion <NUM> of the compression retention assembly <NUM>, and an arm portion <NUM> of the compression retention assembly <NUM>. The arm portion <NUM> includes arms <NUM><NUM> coupled to the respective cross-plates <NUM> and <NUM>, while the arm portion <NUM> includes arms <NUM> and <NUM> coupled to the respective cross-plates <NUM> and <NUM>. Each of the arms <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> includes a hook portion <NUM> having a recess <NUM>. The recesses <NUM> of the hook portions <NUM> are configured to engage and receive the trailing edges <NUM> of the blades or vanes <NUM> and <NUM>. For example, the recesses <NUM> of the hook portions <NUM> of the arms <NUM> and <NUM> engage the trailing edge <NUM> of the blade or vane <NUM>, while the recesses <NUM> of the hook portions <NUM> of the arms <NUM> and <NUM> engage the trailing edge <NUM> of the blade or vane <NUM>. Each of the arms <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> is further coupled to the cross-plates <NUM> and <NUM> via one or more U-shaped clamps <NUM>, which allow axial movement of the arms through a receptacle <NUM> in the U-shaped clamps <NUM>. The arms <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are spring loaded via a spring <NUM> coupled to one of the clamps <NUM> and a fastener <NUM> on the respective arm. Accordingly, the compression retention assembly <NUM> includes the arms <NUM> and <NUM> spring loaded relative to the cross-plates <NUM> and <NUM> to compressingly fit around the blade or vane <NUM>, while the compression retention assembly <NUM> has the arms <NUM> and <NUM> spring loaded relative to the cross-plates <NUM> and <NUM> to compressingly fit around the blade or vane <NUM>.

Once the compression retention assemblies <NUM> and <NUM> secure the angular measurement tool <NUM> to the leading and trailing edges <NUM> and <NUM> of the blades or vanes <NUM> and <NUM>, the arm portions <NUM> and <NUM> may be used along the angle meter <NUM> to determine an angular position of the blades or vanes <NUM> and <NUM>. For example, the arm portion <NUM> is rotated about the rotational joint <NUM> to align with a surface of the blade or vane <NUM>, while the arm portion <NUM> may contact the leading edges <NUM> (i.e., the reference surfaces <NUM> and <NUM>) of the blades or vanes <NUM> and <NUM>. The angular position of the arm portion <NUM> and thus the blades or vanes <NUM> and <NUM> is determined via the position of the arm portion <NUM> along the visual indicia <NUM> of the angle meter <NUM> and/or the positional feedback from sensors of the electronic meter unit <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A tool (<NUM>), comprising:
a first body portion (<NUM>) having means configured to contact opposite sides (<NUM>, <NUM>) of a first component (<NUM>);
a second body portion (<NUM>) configured to rotate relative to the first body portion (<NUM>), wherein the second body portion (<NUM>) is configured to contact a reference surface (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) relative to the first component (<NUM>); and
an angle meter (<NUM>) configured to measure an angle of the first component (<NUM>) based on an angular position of the second body portion (<NUM>) relative to the first body portion (<NUM>);
characterized in that
the first body portion (<NUM>) has opposite first and second recesses (<NUM>, <NUM>) facing toward one another about a space (<NUM>), wherein the opposite first and second recesses (<NUM>, <NUM>) are configured to contact the opposite sides (<NUM>, <NUM>) of the first component (<NUM>) disposed in the space (<NUM>);
the first body portion (<NUM>) comprises first and second arm portions (<NUM>, <NUM>) configured to move relative to one another to adjust a distance between the first and second recesses (<NUM>, <NUM>); and
the first and second arm portions (<NUM>, <NUM>) are spring-biased toward one another to drive the first and second recesses (<NUM>, <NUM>) toward one another about the space (<NUM>).