Device for inspection of cambered airfoils

Claim 2

For use in the inspection of cambered airfoils, a device consisting essentially of, a transparent sheet member registerable in predetermined, contiguous relation with the major portion of at least one side of a specific airfoil to be inspected, having indicia lines thereon which identify areas of serviceability criticality on the airfoil such that the potential rEpairability of the airfoil may be determined, and wherein said transparent member is molded to conform to the contour of the major portion of said one side of the airfoil to be inspected and said transparent member is self-supporting to maintain its molded contour.

Claim 3

A device as in claim 1 wherein, the device has a width corresponding to the original chord length of the airfoil to be inspected, the indicia lines are generally parallel to the leading and trailing edges of the member and are respectively spaced inwardly therefrom to readily identify the criticality of damage to such edges, the distance from the leading edge of the device to the indicia line adjacent the trailing edge and the distance from the indicia line adjacent the leading edge of the device to the trailing edge of the device represent the minimum allowable chord length to be maintained in repairing the airfoil and further indicia lines are provided between the edges of the device and the indicia lines adjacent thereto, said further indicia lines also being spaced apart the minimum allowable chord length for said airfoil.

Claim 4

A device as in claim 2, particularly adapted for the inspection of cambered airfoils in the form of blades, to be mounted on rotating parts, said blades having platforms at their bases, said device having a height, from said base, shorter than the height of the original airfoil to identify outer end portions of the airfoil which can be safely removed, said transparent member being molded to conform to the convex side of the blade and including a portion molded to the contour and outline of the blade platform, indicia lines which are angled respectively from the upper leading and trailing end portions of the device to identify further blade portions that can be safely removed, and further indicia lines defining an inverted T-shaped area of high stress concentration in the blade.

Claim 5

A device as in claim 1 having integral clips extending toward the other side of the airfoil for gripping the leading and trailing edges of the airfoil to position the device thereon.