US 12,326,553 B2
Tool stabilization mechanism and related methods
Kirti Arvind Petkar, Bengaluru (IN); Sandeep Kumar, Bengaluru (IN); Jayasankar Madhusoodanan Nair, Bengaluru (IN); and Andrew Crispin Graham, Badminton (GB)
Assigned to General Electric Company, Schenectady, NY (US); and OLIVER CRISPIN ROBOTICS LIMITED, Altrincham (GB)
Filed by General Electric Company, Schenectady, NY (US); and OLIVER CRISPIN ROBOTICS LIMITED, Altrincham (GB)
Filed on Jun. 17, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/843,035.
Claims priority of application No. 202211017007 (IN), filed on Mar. 25, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2023/0305286 A1, Sep. 28, 2023
Int. Cl. G02B 23/24 (2006.01); G01N 21/954 (2006.01); H04N 23/50 (2023.01); H04N 23/68 (2023.01); H04N 23/90 (2023.01)
CPC G02B 23/2484 (2013.01) [G01N 21/954 (2013.01); H04N 23/50 (2023.01); H04N 23/685 (2023.01); H04N 23/90 (2023.01); G01N 2021/9544 (2013.01); G01N 2201/021 (2013.01); H04N 23/555 (2023.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A tool stabilization mechanism system comprising:
a tool stabilization mechanism having a plurality of stabilizing devices connected to a tool and movable each between a deployed position and a non-deployed position, the tool stabilization mechanism being sized and configured to fit into and operate within an engine passage of an aircraft engine; and
an actuator for actuating the stabilizing devices to move each device between the deployed position and the non-deployed position;
wherein each stabilizing device includes a plurality of extendable members and each of the extendable members has a first end and a second end with each of the first end and the second end being coupled to the tool and wherein a middle portion is located between the first end and the second end, and when the extendable members are expanded into the deployed position the middle portion of selected ones of the extended members moves outward relative to the tool and supports the system relative to a wall defining the engine passage;
wherein each of the plurality of stabilizing devices includes a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the relative positioning between a first proximal end of a first stabilizing device and a second proximal end of a second and adjacent stabilizing device remains constant during operation.