Acoustically monitoring defects on rotating turbine blades

In the present study, the partial loss and distortion of turbine blades were acoustically detected while the turbine was rotating. An ultrasonic signal of a specific frequency (300 kHz) was transmitted in the form of continuous sine waves to the rotating turbine model. The signal was reflected on the turbine blade and received by a receiver. The amplitude of the given frequency component in the received signal was analyzed by signal processing. Because ultrasounds are attenuated easily when propagated into air and have a straight characteristic like light, the characteristics of the signals were examined by a quantitative test. The signal attenuation with respect to distance and the signal reduction by eccentricity were observed and compared with the experimental results. Partial loss decreased the sound reflection area; thus, the signal amplitude was reduced. The signal amplitude was inversely proportional to the size of the defect. Distortion caused larger eccentricity between the transmitter and the receiver. Weaker signals were detected with the more distorted blade. When the blade was distorted by more than 20 dg, the amplitude of the signal decreased significantly. In short, defects of turbine blades cause a reduction in the acoustic signal. It was verified that acoustic diagnosis can be applied to detect the partial loss and distortion of turbine blades.