CPC F03D 80/50 (2016.05) [G01N 29/225 (2013.01); G01N 29/265 (2013.01); F03D 17/00 (2016.05); G01N 29/2493 (2013.01); G01N 2291/2694 (2013.01)] | 20 Claims |
1. A method for performing a maintenance operation on an airfoil-shaped body, the method comprising:
orienting an airfoil-shaped body so that a trailing edge of the airfoil-shaped body is generally horizontal;
placing a maintenance cart having wheels over the trailing edge of the airfoil-shaped body with some of the wheels in contact with first and second side surfaces of the airfoil-shaped body which converge toward the trailing edge;
rolling the maintenance cart along the trailing edge of the airfoil-shaped body from a first position to a second position; and
performing first and second maintenance operations on the first and second side surface respectively of the airfoil-shaped body after or during the rolling,
wherein the maintenance cart is placed so that other wheels are in contact with and roll on the trailing edge;
wherein the first and second maintenance operations are performed by a first maintenance tool that is supported by a crawler vehicle, the crawler vehicle being connected to the maintenance cart by a cable; and
wherein the method further comprises:
(a) moving the crawler vehicle to a first position in contact with the first side surface;
(b) activating the first maintenance tool onboard the crawler vehicle to perform the first maintenance operation on the first side surface at the first position;
(c) upon completion of steps (a) and (b), moving the crawler vehicle from the first position to a second position on a leading edge of the airfoil-shaped body;
(d) moving the crawler vehicle from the second position to a third position in contact with the second side surface; and
(e) activating the first maintenance tool to perform the second maintenance operation on the second side surface at the third position.
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