Abstract: A computer-implemented system for enhanced tip-tracking and navigation of visual inspection devices includes a visual inspection device. The system further includes a plurality of spatially sensitive fibers. The system includes a computing device. The computing device includes a memory device and a processor. The system includes a storage device. The storage device includes an engineering model representing the physical asset. The computing device is configured receive an insertion location from the visual inspection device. The computing device is configured to receive fiber information associated with the visual inspection device. The computing device is configured to determine the real-time location of the visual inspection device using the fiber information. The computing device is configured to identify the real-time location of the visual inspection device with respect to the engineering model.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system for enhanced automated visual inspection of a physical asset includes a visual inspection device capable of generating images of the physical asset and a computing device including a processor and a memory device coupled to the processor. The computing device includes a storage device coupled to the memory device and coupled to the processor. The storage device includes at least one historic image of the physical asset and at least one engineering model substantially representing the physical asset. The computing device is configured to receive, from a present image source, at least one present image of the physical asset captured by the visual inspection device. The computing device is configured to identify at least one matching historic image corresponding to the at least one present image. The computing device is configured to identify at least one matching engineering model corresponding to the at least one present image.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system for enhanced tip-tracking and navigation of visual inspection devices includes a visual inspection device. The system further includes a plurality of spatially sensitive fibers. The system includes a computing device. The computing device includes a memory device and a processor. The system includes a storage device. The storage device includes an engineering model representing the physical asset. The computing device is configured receive an insertion location from the visual inspection device. The computing device is configured to receive fiber information associated with the visual inspection device. The computing device is configured to determine the real-time location of the visual inspection device using the fiber information. The computing device is configured to identify the real-time location of the visual inspection device with respect to the engineering model.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system for enhanced automated visual inspection of a physical asset includes a visual inspection device capable of generating images of the physical asset and a computing device including a processor and a memory device coupled to the processor. The computing device includes a storage device coupled to the memory device and coupled to the processor. The storage device includes at least one historic image of the physical asset and at least one engineering model substantially representing the physical asset. The computing device is configured to receive, from a present image source, at least one present image of the physical asset captured by the visual inspection device. The computing device is configured to identify at least one matching historic image corresponding to the at least one present image. The computing device is configured to identify at least one matching engineering model corresponding to the at least one present image.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include an inspection system to inspect internal components of a compressor of a gas turbine engine. The inspection system includes an image recording assembly having one or more image recording devices, light sources, storage devices, and power supplies. The image recording assembly may be inserted into a compressor without removal of the compressor housing or disassembly of the compressor. The image recording assembly may be removably coupled to a rotary component of the compressor, e.g., a rotor blade, and used to record images of stationary components, e.g., stator vanes, of the compressor. The images may be inspected to identify wear and/or defects in the stationary components, e.g., stator vanes.

Abstract: A system is disclosed that includes an image recording assembly for recording images of a stator vane of a compressor and a mechanism configured to magnetically couple the image recording assembly to a rotor blade of a compressor. Additional systems are provided that include image recording assemblies. Methods implementing the disclosed systems are also provided.

Abstract: A 3D tracking system is provided. The 3D tracking system includes at least one acoustic emission sensor disposed around an object. The acoustic emission sensor is configured to identify location of a probe inserted into the object based upon time of arrival of an acoustic signature emitted from a location on or near the probe. The 3D tracking system also includes a first sensor configured to detect an elevation of the probe. The 3D tracking system further includes a second sensor configured to detect an azimuth of the probe.

Abstract: A method and system for inspecting a wind turbine is provided. The method includes providing at least one remotely operated aerial platform (ROAP), providing at least one non-destructive evaluation (NDE) device attached to the ROAP, and providing at least one distance measuring system attached to the ROAP. The distance measuring system is used for determining the distance between the ROAP and at least a portion of the wind turbine. The method also includes positioning the ROAP so that the at least one non-destructive evaluation device captures data used for inspecting the wind turbine.

Abstract: A system is disclosed that includes an image recording assembly for recording images of a stator vane of a compressor and a mechanism configured to magnetically couple the image recording assembly to a rotor blade of a compressor. Additional systems are provided that include image recording assemblies. Methods implementing the disclosed systems are also provided.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include an inspection system to inspect internal components of a compressor of a gas turbine engine. The inspection system includes an image recording assembly having one or more image recording devices, light sources, storage devices, and power supplies. The image recording assembly may be inserted into a compressor without removal of the compressor housing or disassembly of the compressor. The image recording assembly may be removably coupled to a rotary component of the compressor, e.g., a rotor blade, and used to record images of stationary components, e.g., stator vanes, of the compressor. The images may be inspected to identify wear and/or defects in the stationary components, e.g.

Abstract: A 3D tracking system is provided. The 3D tracking system includes at least one acoustic emission sensor disposed around an object. The acoustic emission sensor is configured to identify location of a probe inserted into the object based upon time of arrival of an acoustic signature emitted from a location on or near the probe. The 3D tracking system also includes a first sensor configured to detect an elevation of the probe. The 3D tracking system further includes a second sensor configured to detect an azimuth of the probe.

Abstract: A method of determining a tool geometry and tool orientation for any prescribed path along a workpiece of a cutting tool is described. A parameter set is provided, where parameters of the parameter set include tool geometry and tool orientation relative to a surface of the workpiece. Values of the parameters in the parameter set are determined such that no local interference or global interference occurs, where local interference occurs when a portion of the tool immediately adjacent a cutting edge of the tool contacts a sidewall of a groove already cut by the cutting edge, and global interference occurs when a portion of the tool away from the cutting edge contacts a sidewall of a groove already cut by the cutting edge.

Abstract: A method of re-engineering a part includes generating a parametric master model for the part from an editable geometry for the part and generating a manufacturing context model from a design master model. The design master model includes the parametric master model, and the manufacturing context model includes a number of tooling features. The method further includes creating a tooling master model from the manufacturing context model. The tooling master model includes a tooling geometry for the part. A system for re-engineering a part includes a part design master model module configured to generate the parametric master model from the editable geometry and a tooling master model module configured to receive the parametric master model, to generate the manufacturing context model from the parametric master model, and to create the tooling master model from the manufacturing context model.

Abstract: A method of creating a tooling master model for a manufacturing process for a part includes generating a manufacturing context model from a parametric model for the part. The tooling master model includes a tooling geometry for the part, and the manufacturing context model includes a number of tooling features. A system for generating the tooling master model includes a computer aided design (CAD) system configured to receive the parametric model and to generate the manufacturing context model from the parametric model.

Abstract: A method of creating a tooling master model for a manufacturing process for a part includes generating a manufacturing context model from a parametric model for the part. The tooling master model includes a tooling geometry for the part, and the manufacturing context model includes a number of tooling features. A system for generating the tooling master model includes a computer aided design (CAD) system configured to receive the parametric model and to generate the manufacturing context model from the parametric model.

Abstract: A method of re-engineering a part includes generating a parametric master model for the part from an editable geometry for the part and generating a manufacturing context model from a design master model. The design master model includes the parametric master model, and the manufacturing context model includes a number of tooling features. The method further includes creating a tooling master model from the manufacturing context model. The tooling master model includes a tooling geometry for the part. A system for re-engineering a part includes a part design master model module configured to generate the parametric master model from the editable geometry and a tooling master model module configured to receive the parametric master model, to generate the manufacturing context model from the parametric master model, and to create the tooling master model from the manufacturing context model.