Annular array technology for nondestructive turbine inspection. Final report

The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) funded Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) to fabricate and functionally test phased array transducers and an electronic control system with the intent of evaluating the phased array technology for use in the inspection of turbine disks. During this program a 13-element annular array and associated phased array electronics were fabricated and tested and the results of the tests compared to those predicted by theory. The prototype system performed well within the expected limits, and EPRI funded further work to fabricate and test a production unit. The production system consisted of a 25-element annular array and a 25-channel electronics system that had both pulser and receiver delay circuitry. In addition, during the program it was determined that miniaturized hybrid pulser/preamps would be needed to allow the phased array to work over distances exceeding 9.1 meters (30 feet) from the electronics. A circuit developed by SwRI was utilized and found to produce good pulsing capability that did not suffer from impedance mismatch. EPRI also funded (under a separate contract) the fabrication of a small scale static turbine test bed and a full scale dynamic test bed that contained full scale turbine geometries. These test beds were fabricated to enable the production phased array system to be evaluated on turbine disk surfaces. 26 figs