Michael A Fair

US Patent:

7428842, Sep 30, 2008

Filed:

Jun 20, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/157050

Inventors:

Michael Fair - Oakmont PA, US
Waheed A. Abbasi - Murrysville PA, US
Michael J. Metala - Murrysville PA, US
Walter Matulewicz - New Kensington PA, US

Assignee:

Siemens Power Generation, Inc. - Orlando FL

International Classification:

G01N 29/26
G01N 29/24
G01N 29/06

US Classification:

73626, 73625, 73628, 73602

Abstract:

A phased array ultrasonic testing system is for examining turbine disc bores and blade attachments for discontinuities, such as stress corrosion cracking. The system is particularly suited to perform an accurate and efficient inspection of components despite their having a relatively complex geometry, such as axial entry blade attachments and bores of associated discs. The system includes a control system with a computer and a controller for programming, emitting, and steering an ultrasonic beam via at least one two-dimensional phased array probe, thereby precisely inspecting the area of interest while simultaneously accommodating the aforementioned complex geometry of the disc or blade attachment. Computer control of the beam permits the number of inspection locations and the number of different probe wedges to be reduced providing for an efficient, timely inspection. Methods of profiling and examining turbine components of known and unknown geometries, are also disclosed.

US Patent:

50294768, Jul 9, 1991

Filed:

Sep 7, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/404136

Inventors:

Michael J. Metala - Murrysville PA
Lee W. Burtner - Elizabeth Township, Allegheny County PA
Michael F. Fair - Oakmont PA

Assignee:

Westinghouse Electric Corp. - Pittsburgh PA

International Classification:

G01B 1504

US Classification:

73620

Abstract:

A system for determining the cross sectional profile of an object (24) having two opposed surfaces (26,28), includes: an ultrasonic transducer (16) having a reference surface (20) and arranged to emit and receive ultrasonic energy via the reference surface (20); a thickness determining unit (60) connected to the transducer (16) for causing the transducer (16) to emit ultrasonic energy via the reference surface (20) and for detecting reflected ultrasonic energy received by the transducer (16) via the reference surface (20) in order to derive indications of the distance between the reference surface (20) and an ultrasonic energy reflecting surface facing the reference surface (20); a carriage (2) supporting the transducer (16); a guide member (4) defining a linear travel path having a reference point and supporting the carriage (2) for movement along the travel path; a position determining unit (12,44,62) operatively associated with the carriage (2) for deriving an indication of the location of the carriage (2) along the travel path relative to the reference point; elements (32,34) for securing the guide member (4) to the object (24) so that the linear travel path extends along one of the two opposed surfaces (26); and a signal processing device (64) coupled to the thickness determining unit (60) and the position determining unit (12,44,62) for producing representations of the distance between the opposed surfaces (26,28) of the object (24) correlated with the location of the carriage (2) relative to the reference point when the reference surface (20) is in contact with one of the two opposed surfaces (26,28).

US Patent:

20160123932, May 5, 2016

Filed:

Oct 30, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/527826

Inventors:

- Orlando FL, US
Michael F. Fair - Oakmont PA, US
David S. Segletes - York SC, US
Erik A. Lombardo - Sharon SC, US
Scott M. Westby-Gibson - Charlotte NC, US
Waheed A. Abbasi - Murrysville PA, US

International Classification:

G01N 29/11
G01N 29/04
F01D 21/00

Abstract:

A method for scanning a weld buildup formed on a circumferential portion of a disc for a steam turbine. The method includes providing an ultrasound probe for generating at least one ultrasound beam sweep. The circumferential portion is scanned with a first beam sweep oriented in a first beam orientation to detect a first flaw type in the weld buildup. The circumferential portion is also scanned with a second beam sweep oriented in a second beam orientation to detect a second flaw type in the weld buildup. Further, the circumferential portion is scanned with a third beam sweep oriented in a third beam orientation to detect a third flaw type in the weld buildup. The method also includes rotating the disc about a disc axis during scanning of the circumferential portion and moving the first, second and third beam sweeps in a direction parallel to the disc axis during scanning.

US Patent:

20150260690, Sep 17, 2015

Filed:

Mar 12, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/206287

Inventors:

- Orlando FL, US
Michael F. Fair - Oakmont PA, US
Francisco J. Jaimes - Jeannette PA, US
Waheed A. Abbasi - Murrysville PA, US
James A. Bauer - Gibsonia PA, US

Assignee:

Siemens Energy, Inc. - Orlando FL

International Classification:

G01N 29/24
G01N 29/26

Abstract:

Immersion ultrasonic NDE is performed within cavities of inanimate objects, having downwardly directed openings, such as for in situ inspection of steam inlet sleeves and steam inlet necks within steam turbine housings. A shaft assembly has one or more single angle or phased array ultrasonic probes that are affixed on an upstream or distal end. An inflatable bladder is affixed to the shaft on a proximal end of the shaft assembly downstream the ultrasonic probe(s). The shaft is inserted into the cavity opening, and the bladder is inflated to form a fluid tight seal against the cavity. Immersion fluid is introduced upstream the bladder in the volume occupied by the probes. Immersion ultrasonic inspection of the object is then performed.