BLADE EROSION MEASUREMENT SYSTEM

The innovative system, which is protected by a patent, has been developed in collaboration with TURBOMECA, a renowned French aero engine manufacturer that forms part of the SAFRAN GROUP. It is designed to enable precise measurement of the wear caused by erosion on the leading edges of helicopter turbine blades while the engine remains on-wing. This development represents a significant advancement in the field of aviation maintenance and has the potential to contribute to increased efficiency and safety in helicopter operations.

Ingestion of a multitude of abrasive particles by the turbine can cause regular erosion of the leading edges of all blades on the engine stage, particularly on helicopter engines and military machines operating in desert conditions. In this case, the "stereo" measurement method is inadequate for determining the degree of blade erosion.

To address this issue, EFER has developed a solution that involves creating a graticule representation that models a non-eroded blade and includes erosion level limits. Beyond these limits, an engine removal is necessary. During turbine inspection, the graticule is overlaid on the video image of eroded blades, allowing for an immediate go/no-go decision.

The equipment required for this inspection, developed by EFER in partnership with TURBOMECA (SAFRAN GROUP), includes a HTB 900 video probe strictly specific to the engine stage, an associated support tool for precise probe positioning, and an EVS 900 MK2 operating unit.

Defects that may impact the integrity of blade leading edges on helicopter turbines can result from two types of incidents. The first incident involves foreign body ingestion by the turbine, which can cause material loss from the blade leading edges. In order to measure this type of damage, an ARGUS 900 probe fitted with a distal stereo tip can be used. The probe is connected to a TIVE 900 MK2 unit which runs the 3DSIZER tridimensional software. Based on the number and dimensions of these defects, an on-wing "Blending" operation may be carried out, or a decision may be made for engine removal and subsequent blade replacement in the shop.

HTB 900 VIDEO PROBE

The HTB 900 video probe is a highly specialized tool designed specifically for use with aircraft engine stages. It boasts mechanical features such as diameter and length, as well as unique optical features including field and direction of view. An integrated graticule tailored to the engine stage is also incorporated into the probe. Other key features of the HTB 900 include a probe rotation control, focus adjustment control, graticule rotation control, and an integral video-light cable for easy connection to the EVS 900 MK2 unit