In-process airflow control of Laser Drilled Small Holes (1000-732) Navy SBIR FY2005.2 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2005.2 Topic No.: N05-100 Topic Title: In-process airflow control of Laser Drilled Small Holes (1000-732) Proposal No.: N052-100-0048 Firm: TRITON SYSTEMS, INC. 200 TURNPIKE ROAD Chelmsford, Massachusetts 01824 Contact: Thomas McDonald Phone: (978) 250-4200 Web Site: www.tritonsys.com Abstract: Triton Systems, Inc., in partnership with the General Electric Company's Laser Laboratory and Quality Vision International Inc.'s Optical Gaging Products Division, proposes the concurrent use of multiple sensor types to collect data, which are then processed by an integrated control system to generate a corrective, real-time adjustment to the laser cooling hole drilling process for gas turbine components. The control system will collect data from acoustic, optical, spectral, thermal and positional sensors and imaging devices related to the laser pulse and plasma plume, as well as the cooling hole size, shape and positional coordinates. It will then process and compare the collected data to a data base previously characterized and correlated to targeted airflow values for the turbine component. The comparison will drive an appropriate compensating change in the process parameters to more closely control hole geometry and thus cooling airflow. Tighter control of airflow will result in longer turbine component life, reduced overall production cycle times and costs and gas turbine efficiencies. Benefits: Production benefits of tighter airflow control: � Reduced rework and scrap (materials and labor) � More flexibility to utilize parts inventory, resulting in improved production and repair cycle times and inventory turns. Gas turbine benefits of tighter airflow control: � Extended turbine component lifetimes � Reduction in the mean cooling air requirement o Less intake air, thus more by-pass air, resulting in better fuel economy � Enables hotter turbine operating temperatures for increased thrust, resulting in an improvement in the performance envelope. A laser drilling control system that improves airflow control has broad commercial applicability due to the large number of commercial aircraft engines that also require the production and repair cost savings and the improved engine efficiencies. Return