US4507658A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Narrow beam radar installation for turbine monitoring
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Filing: 1982-07-30
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Granted: 1985-03-26
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Expires: 2002-07-30
Abstract
Abstract A millimeter wave radar mounted on a turbine installation for monitoring turbine blade vibration. The waveguide conducts signals from a millimeter wave radar unit outside of the turbine and directs the signal to the rotating blades and directs the reflected signals therefrom back to the radar unit. A sealing arrangement is provided where the waveguide passes through the turbine's outer casing and the waveguide itself within the turbine is positioned within a waveguide support member which extends from the aperture in the turbine casing to a point in the vicinity of the turbine blades where it is immovably supported. The waveguide additionally has an internal sealing arrangement transparent to the radar signals for maintaining pressure integrity.
Inventors
- 👤 John E. Keating
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 19:09
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01H; G01H1/00; G01H1/003; G01H1/006; G01S; G01S13/00; G01S13/88; H; H01; H01P; H01P1/00; H01P3/00; H01P3/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
124 words
A narrow beam radar installation for monitoring the blades of a turbine having an outer casing, comprising: (A) a narrow beam radar unit positioned outside of said outer casing; (B) a relatively rigid elongated waveguide support member positioned within said turbine; (C) a waveguide connected to said radar unit for conduction of transmitted and reflected radar signals and positioned within said rigid support member; (D) said waveguide extending through an aperture in said outer casing to a point adjacent said blades to be monitored; (E) first means for supporting said waveguide support member at a position within said turbine; (F) second means for supporting said waveguide support member in the vicinity of said aperture; and (G) means for sealing said aperture around said waveguide.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
124 words
A narrow beam radar installation for monitoring the blades of a turbine having an outer casing, comprising: (A) a narrow beam radar unit positioned outside of said outer casing; (B) a relatively rigid elongated waveguide support member positioned within said turbine; (C) a waveguide connected to said radar unit for conduction of transmitted and reflected radar signals and positioned within said rigid support member; (D) said waveguide extending through an aperture in said outer casing to a point adjacent said blades to be monitored; (E) first means for supporting said waveguide support member at a position within said turbine; (F) second means for supporting said waveguide support member in the vicinity of said aperture; and (G) means for sealing said aperture around said waveguide.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 which includes (A) a bracket affixed to said outer casing and extending therefrom; (B) said radar unit being carried by said bracket.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein: (A) said first means for supporting is affixed to an internal member of said turbine and is adjustable relative thereto.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein: (A) said first means for supporting has an aperture therethrough which is threaded; (B) said waveguide support member being threadedly engaged with said threaded aperture of said first means for supporting.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein: (A) said waveguide support member is an elongated bar having a slot machined therein to accommodate said waveguide.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus according to claim 5 which includes: (A) means for securing said waveguide within said slot.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 which includes: (A) internal sealing means within said waveguide operable to maintain a pressure differential thereacross; (B) said internal sealing means being transparent to said radar signals.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein: (A) said turbine includes a diffuser surrounding said blades being monitored; (B) said first means for supporting being connected to said diffuser.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
46 words
Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein: (A) said diffuser includes an aperture therethrough; and which includes: (B) a boss member affixed to said diffuser and having an aperture aligned with said aperture of said diffuser; (C) said waveguide support member being supported by said boss member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein: (A) said waveguide support member is threadedly engaged with said boss member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-03-25 | 1988-09-24 | 1989-03-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-03-25 | 1992-09-24 | 1993-03-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-03-25 | 1996-09-24 | 1997-03-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |