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Laser Triangulation System Measures Jet Turbine Blade Vibrations

From MTI Instruments Inc.
 

 
Whenever we board an airplane we hardly give much thought to the jet engine sitting on the wing. As it comes to life and spins effortlessly we hear little, if any, vibration or noise in the cabin. Seldom do we realize how much testing and effort goes into ensuring trouble free operation through thousands of takeoffs and landings. Take the turbine blades for example (see figure 1). Under normal operating conditions they are subjected to extreme temperatures, pressures, vibrations and forces. To make certain they can withstand these conditions extensive testing is performed in a simulated setting. One such test is the accelerated fatigue test. This experiment excites the turbine blade and determines the number of vibration cycles it can withstand prior to failure. In order to simulate real world conditions turbine blades are vibrated in a sound chamber at a variety of elevated temperatures. A siren directs a blast of pulsed air at the leading edge of the turbine blade creating a tremendous amount of force.
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