• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.738-744
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• 2011

The reliability of blade root fixing section is required to endure the centrifugal force and vibration stress for the last stage blade of steam turbine in thermal power plant. Most of the domestic steam turbine last stage blades have finger type roots. The finger type blade is very complex, so the inspection had been performed only on the exposed fixing pin cross-section area due to the difficulty of inspection. But the centrifugal force and vibration stress are also applied at the blade root finger and the crack generates, so the inspection method for finger section is necessary. For the inspection of root finger, inspection points were decided by simulating ultra-sonic path with 3D modeling, curve-shape probe and fixing jig were invented, and the characteristics analysis method of ultrasonic reflection signal and defect signal disposition method were invented. This invented method was actually executed at site and prevented the blade liberation failure by detecting the cracks at the fingers. Also, the same type blades of the other turbines were inspected periodically and the reliability of the turbine increased.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Nondestructive Testing
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.172-176
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• 1994

Interpreted is the geometric signal in the angle beam ultrasonic testing for the pin-finger type of turbine blade roots. The geometry of the blade roots is described and the reflection conditions for appearance of the geometric signal are proposed. The general equation for its beam path is derived and verified. As the results, it is found that the geometric signal is the back reflection front the ligament edge, and its position and amplitude can be determined from the dimension of blade root and the beam directivity of transducer.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Nondestructive Testing
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.371-377
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• 2004

As the turbine running duration in nuclear power plants increases, cracks have been found in the pin finger type blade root area. The nondestructive examination for the blade root area has been carried out by manual ultrasonic examination during the overhaul period, but because of necessity to improve the reliability, we developed an automatic ultrasonic examination system and technique. To demonstrate the performance of the developed automatic ultrasonic examination system, low pressure turbine blades in the 2nd and 3rd stages of nuclear power plants were examined using the developed system. Its applicability nuclear power plant turbine roots of various types was also confirmed.