FR3111831A1 - LASER POSITIONING DEVICE FOR TURBOMACHINE - Google Patents

Abstract

Assembly (100) comprising: - a part (10) comprising a reference element, centered on an axis (X), - a laser beam emitter (20) (21), and - a device (30) for positioning the emitter (20) with respect to said part reference element (10); characterized in that the positioning device (30) comprises: -- a hollow cylindrical body (31) provided with at least two jaws (32) configured to form a clamping jaw, said body (31) being configured to receive said emitter (20) of laser beam (21), and -- a clamping nut (37), mounted around the cylindrical body (31), clamping said clamping jaw around said emitter (20) of laser beam (21); and in that the cylindrical body (31) of the positioning device (30) has an outer cylindrical surface (35) snugly mounted in said reference element. Figure for abstract: Figure 2

Description

LASER POSITIONING DEVICE FOR TURBOMACHINE

Technical field of the invention

The present invention relates to an assembly comprising a laser beam emitter and its positioning device on a part, in particular intended for the aeronautical industry, as well as the use of this assembly.

Technical background

In the state of the art, the positioning of one element relative to another, for example, of an aeronautical part relative to another, can be carried out using a laser device such as a laser support. . This type of support is usually a flexible or multi-jointed arm with a magnetic base. This provides the support with several degrees of freedom and great positioning latitude. Indeed, the magnetic base allows the support to be fixed on metal surfaces and the multiple joints of the arm allow the laser support to reach measurement points that are difficult to access.

However, with this type of laser support, it is not possible to know precisely the position of the laser beam in a given environment. Indeed, the support being external to the structure of a part or set of parts and its arm being manipulated by an operator, its positioning can prove difficult to quantify with precision on the one hand and to reproduce on the other hand. As a result, the position of the laser beam carried by the support is very approximate and is, moreover, unreliable for precisely materializing an axis or a direction in a given environment. In addition, it is possible that the support moves during a test or an assembly, in fact impacting the position of the laser beam.

To know the positioning of the elements of an assembly, we sometimes use a technique of Laser Tracking which consists in measuring the three-dimensional coordinates of the targeted objects. However, this technique can be costly and time-consuming to implement.

The present invention aims to remedy at least one of these drawbacks and relates to an assembly comprising a laser positioning device and a method of using this assembly which are simple, efficient and economical.

To this end, the invention proposes an assembly comprising:

- a part comprising a reference element, centered on an X axis,

- a laser beam emitter, and

- a device for positioning the transmitter in relation to the reference element of the part;

characterized in that the positioning device comprises:

-- a hollow cylindrical body provided with at least two jaws configured to form a clamping jaw, the body being configured to receive the laser beam emitter, and

-- a clamping nut, mounted around the cylindrical body, clamping the clamping jaw around the laser beam emitter;

and in that the cylindrical body of the positioning device has an outer cylindrical surface snugly mounted in said reference element.

Thus, thanks to the invention, it is ensured to know precisely the position of the laser beam. Indeed, the laser beam emitter being positioned, thanks to the positioning device, directly in the part, its position is thus locked and is subordinate to the machined parts of which all the functional surfaces are dimensioned and toleranced. In this way, the position is thus easily quantifiable via a chain of odds. This also makes it possible to detect positioning faults and to be able to correct them during the study phases. In addition, this makes it possible to physically and precisely materialize an axis or a direction of force of the part in a given environment.

Again, thanks to the invention, a reduction in costs and a gain in productivity are ensured. Indeed, the positioning device can easily and quickly be mounted on the part, thus reducing the preparation time. In addition, this type of solution is reusable and applicable to different types of part and/or process. It also makes it possible to dispense with costly operations such as Laser Tracking .

The assembly according to the invention may comprise one or more of the following characteristics, taken separately from each other or in combination with each other:

- the adjustment is a sliding adjustment with minimal play of type H7g6;

- the reference element is an orifice made in the part and having an internal cylindrical surface configured to extend inside the external cylindrical surface;

- the orifice comprises an internal thread, the positioning device comprising an external thread configured to cooperate by screwing with the internal thread of the orifice;

- the external cylindrical surface is interposed axially between the external thread and an external bearing edge of the device against the part;

- the part has a boss in which the orifice is formed and on which the positioning device bears;

- the part is a part of a turbomachine or a cylinder of a test bench.

The present invention also relates to a method of using the assembly as described above, characterized in that it comprises the steps consisting in:

a) mounting the hollow cylindrical body of the positioning device in the reference element of the workpiece,

b) placing the laser beam emitter inside the jaw formed by the at least two jaws of the hollow body,

c) tighten the tightening nut by screwing around the jaw so that the laser beam emitter is automatically centered on the X axis of the reference element, and

d) operate the laser beam emitter.

The method of use according to the invention may comprise one or more of the following characteristics, taken separately from each other or in combination with each other:

- the part is a cylinder and the process comprises the following steps:

1) materialize with precision an axis or a direction of force of the cylinder thanks to the laser beam,

2) check the parallelism and/or the orthogonality of said axis or of said direction with a mechanical element intended to be stressed by the cylinder,

3) perform mechanical tests in a given environment, and

4) quantify a positioning defect so as to be able to readjust the position of other mechanical elements on Computer Aided Design software;

- the part is part of a first module of a turbine engine being assembled, and the process comprises the following steps:

1’) materialize with precision an alignment axis between the first module and a second turbomachine module thanks to the laser beam,

2') align the two modules parallel to the alignment axis, and

3') attach the first module to the second module by means of a fastener.

Brief description of figures

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear during the reading of the detailed description which will follow for the understanding of which reference will be made to the appended drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an assembly comprising a device for positioning a laser beam emitter according to one embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a schematic view in perspective and in section of the assembly of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a schematic sectional side view of the assembly of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a very schematic view of a use of the assembly of Figure 1 for performing mechanical stress tests; And

FIG. 5 is a schematic half sectional and profile view of the steps (FIGS. 5A to 5D) of a method for assembling several modules of a turbomachine implemented with the use of the assembly according to the shape of the embodiment of the invention of Figure 1.

Detailed description of the invention

The Applicant has developed an assembly as described below for the purpose of solving the problems and drawbacks raised in the foregoing.

Reference is made to Figures 1 to 3, illustrating an assembly 100 according to one embodiment of the invention. This assembly 100 comprises a part 10, an emitter 20 of laser beam 21 and a device 30 for positioning the emitter 20.

Part 10 is, in the example presented here, any part of a turbomachine. Part 10 can be taken in isolation or included in a set of turbomachine parts, such as a turbomachine module for example. The or each part 10 has been machined and therefore has rated and toleranced functional surfaces. In other words, the layout and dimensions of each room 10 are known. The part 10 comprises in particular a reference element, centered on an axis X. The reference element can be an orifice 11 made in the part 10 and comprising an internal cylindrical surface 13. Orifice 11 can also be tapped. It is therefore understood that the orifice 11 comprises an internal thread 12 (or tapping) and that the orifice 11 is centered on the axis X. The internal thread 12 can be present over all or part of the depth of the orifice 11 In the example represented here, the orifice 11 is threaded over only part of its depth, and the internal cylindrical surface 13 is interposed axially between the opening of the orifice 11, through which the device 30 is inserted, and the internal 12 thread. In addition, the diameter of the internal thread 12 is substantially less than or substantially equal to the diameter of the internal cylindrical surface 13 . Part 10 may further comprise a boss 15 in which orifice 11 is formed.

The emitter 20 is designed to emit a laser beam 21. The emitter 20 is generally cylindrical in shape and is intended to be inserted into the positioning device 30. It is understood that the external diameter of the transmitter 20 is substantially less than or equal to the internal diameter of the device 30, so that the transmitter 20 can be inserted into the positioning device 30.

The device 30 is configured to receive the transmitter 20 and position it relative to the reference element, here the orifice 11, of the part 10. For this, the device 30 comprises a generally cylindrical hollow body 31 and a nut 37 clamp.

The body 31 is a one-piece assembly and has an internal cylindrical recess extending along the body 31 in which the transmitter 20 is housed. It is understood that the body 31 is centered on the axis X of the reference element. The body 31 further comprises two parts: a proximal part and a distal part.

The proximal part of the body 31 has an external cylindrical surface 35 capable of being fitted in an adjusted manner in the reference element of the part 10, in other words the orifice 11. In particular, the external cylindrical surface 35 is capable of being fitted in a fitted manner with the inner cylindrical surface 13, so that the inner cylindrical surface 13 extends inside the outer cylindrical surface. It is then understood that the diameter of the outer cylindrical surface 35 is substantially equal to the diameter of the inner cylindrical surface 13 . In addition, the fit is located between the outer surface 35 and the inner surface 13. The fit can, for example, be a sliding fit with minimal clearance of type H7g6. In this way, the guidance is precise and the movement, between the device 30 and the part 10, of low amplitude. The proximal part may also include an external thread 34 so as to be able to cooperate by screwing with the internal thread 12 of the tapped orifice 11. The diameter of the outer thread 34 is substantially less than or substantially equal to the diameter of the outer surface 35. The length of the outer thread 34 is also substantially greater than the length of the outer surface 35. In this way, when the device is engaged in the tapped orifice 11, the external thread 34 cooperates by screwing with the internal thread 12 before the engagement of the external cylindrical surface 35 in the internal cylindrical surface 13 of the orifice 11. This has the advantage of avoiding damaging the cylindrical surfaces 13, 35 because these surfaces 13, 35 are expensive to produce.

It is understood that the proximal part of the body 31 is configured to be mounted fixed in the tapped hole 11. In addition, the diameter of the external thread 34 is substantially equal to the diameter of the internal thread 12 to allow the fixing of the device 30 in the orifice 11. The proximal part also comprises an external support flange 33 configured to bear on the part 10. The flange 33 forms a shoulder with the outer surface 35 so that the diameter of the flange 33 is substantially greater than the diameter of the outer surface 35. It is further understood that the outer surface 35 is interposed axially between the outer rim 33 and the outer thread 34.

In the case where part 10 has a boss 15, outer rim 33 rests on boss 15 of part 10. It will be understood that the section of body 31 at this outer rim 33 is substantially greater than the port section 11.

The distal part of the body includes at least two jaws 32 configured to form a clamping jaw. Each jaw 32 is separated from the adjacent jaw 32 by a slot 36 extending along the distal portion. It is thus understood that, in the case of a distal part with two jaws 32, there are two slots 36. In the case illustrated by FIGS. 1 to 3, four jaws are shown and there are therefore four slots 36. These slots 36 allow the jaws 32 to be able to deform elastically under the effect of external pressure and thus enclose the transmitter 20. In addition, the distal part has an external thread.

The clamping nut 37 is mounted around the cylindrical body 31, in particular at the level of the distal part of the body 31. The nut 37 has a generally cylindrical internal recess, a portion of which may have an internal thread so that the nut 37 cooperates with the external thread of the distal part of the body 31. It is understood that the internal diameter of the nut 37 is substantially equal to the external diameter of the distal part of the body 31. The nut 37 is able to be screwed around the distal part of the body 31. In other words, the nut 37 can be screwed so as to tighten the clamping jaw, formed by the jaws 32, around the emitter 20 of laser beam 21. The screwing of the nut 37 causes in particular the radial displacement inwards with respect to the axis X of the jaws 32 and, consequently, their radial tightening on the transmitter 20. The deformations of the jaws 32 being homogeneous, the transmitter 20 is automatically centered on tightening.

It is understood that the transmitter 20, once mounted in the positioning device 30 and enclosed by the jaws 32, is kept centered on the axis X of the reference element. In this way the laser beam 21 merges with the X axis.

Furthermore, the positioning device 30 can be made of a metallic material or else of a plastic material.

The Applicant has also developed a method of using set 100 as described above.

In use, the assembly of the assembly 100 is carried out by following a succession of steps detailed in the following.

Initially, the positioning device 30 is mounted in an adjusted manner in the reference element of the part 10. More precisely, the proximal part of the body 31 is screwed into the tapped hole 11 until the rim 33 presses directly against the surface of the part 10 or else presses against the boss 15 of the part 10. In other words, the external thread 34 of the proximal part of the body 31, being longer than the external surface 35, is engaged in first in the tapped orifice 11 so that the screwing is initiated, at the level of the internal thread 12, before the engagement of the external cylindrical surface 35 in the internal cylindrical surface 13 of the orifice 11.

Once the body 31 of the device 30 has been fixed in the orifice 11, the emitter 20 of laser beam 21 is inserted inside the jaw formed by the jaws 32 of the body 31. At this stage, the emitter 20 n is not maintained in device 30.

The nut 37, mounted around the distal part of the body 31, is tightened by screwing around the jaw. An external pressure is thus exerted on the jaws 32 which deform to grip the transmitter 20. In this way, the transmitter 20 is automatically centered on the axis X of the orifice 11.

The transmitter 20 can then be put into operation to emit the laser beam 21. It is then understood that the transmitter 20 being centered on the X axis of the orifice 11, the laser beam 21 merges with this X axis.

The assembly 100 can be easily dismantled by successively loosening the nut 37 and the body 31 of the device 30. This has the advantage of making the device 30 for positioning the transmitter 20 usable on another part 10.

In the foregoing, reference is made to a turbomachine part 10 which is only one example of a part among others. Indeed, the part can also be, for example, a jack or a jack rod.

Reference is now made to FIG. 4 which very schematically illustrates a use of the assembly 100 for performing mechanical stress tests on a machined mechanical element 208, in particular an aircraft.

In general, when carrying out tests, the elements 208 stressed are placed in a test bench 200. This bench 200 comprises a hob 202 and walls 204. The hob 202 and the walls 204 are provided with a plurality of fixing points allowing the positioning of a part of the element 208 or set of elements 208 to be stressed and on the other hand means of solicitation. These biasing means can be, among other things, jacks 206.

In the example of Figure 4, the jacks 206 are fixed to the walls 204 and can exert torsional forces on the element 208. Alternatively, the jacks 206 can exert different forces, namely for example torsional forces and/or tensile forces, etc.

In the embodiment presented here, the assembly 100 is similar to what has already been described above except that the turbomachine part 10 is replaced by a jack 206. It is understood that the device 30 for positioning the transmitter 20 of laser beam 21 is mounted in a reference element formed in or on the cylinder 206. The X axis of the reference element is oriented in the direction of force of the cylinder 206.

In operation, the assembly method of assembly 100 is similar to what has already been described above.

During the step of putting the transmitter 20 into operation causing the generation of the laser beam 21, the laser beam 21 merges with the axis X of the reference element, which makes it possible to physically materialize with precision an axis or a direction of force of the jack 206.

A step of checking the parallelism or the orthogonality of the axis or direction of force materialized with respect to the stressed element 208 can then be carried out. A positioning sight can be fixed opposite the axis of the cylinder 206. The deviation of the laser beam 21 with respect to this sight allows a quick visual verification to an operator as to the position of the axis of the cylinder. This verification can also be digital, in which case sensors can be used to measure the positioning of the laser.

During the conduct of the element 208 stress tests in a given environment, a torsional force may be applied. The positioning of the laser beam 21, such as its deviation from the direction of force for example, can be quantified so as to be able to readjust, if necessary, the deformation of the system on a Computer Aided Design (CAD) software. The quantification of the positioning also makes it possible to control and limit parasitic forces.

The Applicant has also developed a method for assembling a turbomachine using the assembly as described above.

Reference is now made to FIG. 5, combining FIGS. 5A to 5D, which illustrates a method of assembling an aircraft turbomachine with a longitudinal axis Y. In the example illustrated here, the turbomachine is subdivided into three major modules A, B and C but could have fewer or more.

Each module A, B, C comprises at least one part 10 as described above. Preferably, part 10 is located on an external part of module A, B, C.

The first major module A, called the fan module, comprises the blades of the fan 302 driven in rotation by a transmission shaft or shaft 304 of the fan. This shaft 304 is itself driven directly by a low pressure shaft 320. This drive can, for example, take place via a speed reducer 306 driven by an intermediate shaft 308. Module A also includes a low pressure compressor 310. Module A also includes at least one attachment interface designed to connect module A to an adjacent module, for example module B.

The second major module B comprises among other things a combustion chamber 314, a high pressure compressor 312, a high pressure turbine 316 and a high pressure shaft 318. Module B also comprises at least one attachment interface designed to connect module B to an adjacent module, for example module A and/or module C.

The third major module C comprises among other things a low pressure shaft 320 and a low pressure turbine 322. Module C also comprises at least one fixing interface designed to connect module C to an adjacent module, for example module B.

The purpose of a modular structure is to allow pre-assembly of the elements of the different modules independently of each other so that they are ready to be assembled without resorting to complex operations.

When assembling the modules A, B and C of the aircraft turbine engine, the device 30 for positioning the transmitter 20 can be mounted, as described above, on a part 10 of the module A, thus forming an assembly 100 The device 30 is preferably mounted axially, in other words the axis X of the reference element is parallel to the longitudinal axis Y of the turbomachine.

The operation of the transmitter 20 generates the laser beam 21 which merges with the X axis of the reference element, which makes it possible to physically materialize an axis with precision. This axis, materialized by the laser beam 21, can serve as an alignment axis for the module A and the adjacent module B.

Module A is thus aligned with module B, parallel to the axis materialized by the laser beam 21. Module B can then be moved towards module A by following a translational movement, symbolized by the arrow 324 in FIG. 5B .

In order to improve the precision of the alignment, it is preferred that at least one device 30 for positioning the emitter 20 of the laser beam 21 be mounted on each of the modules to be assembled.

Thus, the first module A can be secured to the module B by simple connection. Modules A and B can be fixed together by means of a screw/nut system, or bolting, at the fixing interface. This fixing interface can, for example, be a radial flange perforated axially by a plurality of orifices. Thus, to achieve the joining of two modules, the holes in the flange of module A must be opposite the holes in the flange of module B. In other words, the holes in the two flanges must be aligned. The alignment of the flanges is facilitated thanks to the laser beam 21.

Once the modules A and B have been joined together, the device 30 can be disassembled and used again to continue the assembly of the turbomachine. The assembly 100 can thus be reformed with the module B to secure the module B to the module C, as illustrated in FIGS. 5C and 5D.

Alternatively, the assembly of the three modules A, B and C can be carried out simultaneously. It is then understood that at least two sets 100 are necessary, a first set 100 for the first module A and a second set 100 for the second module B for example.

The invention thus has the advantage of improving the knowledge of the position of the laser 21. Indeed, the emitter 20 of laser beam 21 being positioned, thanks to the positioning device 30, directly in the part 10 or cylinder 206, its position is thus locked and is subordinate to the machined parts, all the functional surfaces of which are dimensioned and toleranced. In this way, the position is thus easily quantifiable via a chain of odds. This also makes it possible to detect positioning faults and to be able to correct them during the study phases. In addition, this makes it possible to physically and precisely materialize an axis or a direction of force of the part in a given environment.

Another advantage is to reduce costs and increase productivity. Indeed, the positioning device 30 can easily and quickly be mounted on the part, thus reducing the preparation time. In addition, this type of solution is reusable and applicable to different types of parts and/or processes.

Claims (10)

Set (100) comprising:
- a part (10, 206) comprising a reference element, centered on an axis (X),
- an emitter (20) of laser beam (21), and
- a device (30) for positioning the transmitter (20) with respect to said reference element of the part (10, 206);
characterized in that the positioning device (30) comprises:
-- a hollow cylindrical body (31) provided with at least two jaws (32) configured to form a clamping jaw, said body (31) being configured to receive said emitter (20) of laser beam (21), and
-- a clamping nut (37), mounted around the cylindrical body (31), clamping said clamping jaw around said emitter (20) of laser beam (21);
and in that the cylindrical body (31) of the positioning device (30) has an external cylindrical surface (35) fitted in a fitted manner in said reference element. Assembly (100) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the adjustment is a sliding adjustment with minimal clearance of type H7g6. Assembly (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the reference element is an orifice (11) made in the part (10, 206) and having an internal cylindrical surface (13) configured to extend within said outer cylindrical surface (35). Assembly (100) according to the preceding claim, in which the orifice (11) comprises an internal thread (12), the said positioning device (30) comprising an external thread (34) configured to cooperate by screwing with the thread (12) inside the orifice (11). Assembly (100) according to the preceding claim, in which said external cylindrical surface (35) is interposed axially between said external threading (34) and an external flange (33) for bearing the device against the part (10, 206). Assembly (100) according to one of Claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the part (10, 206) comprises a boss (15) in which the orifice (11) is formed and on which the device (30) for positioning takes support. Assembly (100) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the part (10, 206) is a part (10) of a turbomachine or a cylinder (206) of a test bench (200). Method of assembling an assembly (100) as described in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises the following steps:
a) mounting the hollow cylindrical body (31) of the positioning device (30) in the reference element of the workpiece (10, 206),
b) placing the laser beam (21) emitter (20) inside the jaw formed by the at least two jaws (32) of said hollow body (31),
c) tightening the tightening nut (37) by screwing around said jaw so that the emitter (20) of laser beam (21) is automatically centered on the axis (X) of the reference element, and
d) operating the emitter (20) of the laser beam (21). Method according to the preceding claim, in which the part is a jack (206) and the method comprises the following steps:
1) materialize with precision an axis or a direction of force of the cylinder (206) thanks to the laser beam (21),
2) check the parallelism and/or the orthogonality of said axis or of said direction with a mechanical element intended to be stressed by said cylinder (206),
3) perform mechanical tests in a given environment, and
4) quantify a positioning defect so as to be able to readjust the position of other mechanical elements on Computer Aided Design software. Method according to claim 8, in which the part is part of a first module (A, B, C) of a turbine engine being assembled, and the method comprises the following steps:
1′) precisely materializing an alignment axis between the first module (A, B, C) and a second module (A, B, C) of the turbomachine thanks to the laser beam (21),
2') align the two modules (A, B, C) parallel to the alignment axis,
3') securing the first module to the second module by means of a fastener.