Abstract: A selectively flexible extension tool includes a line assembly; and a plurality of sequentially arranged links, the line assembly operable with the plurality of sequentially arranged links to move the plurality of sequentially arranged links between a slacked position and a tensioned position, the plurality of sequentially arranged links spaced from one another when in the slacked position to allow the plurality of sequentially arranged links to pivotably move relative to one another, the plurality of sequentially arranged links pressed against one another when in the tensioned position to rigidly fix the plurality of sequentially arranged links to one another.

Abstract: A pulse illumination imaging system is provided. The system includes an image sensor, a light source, and a controller. The image sensor includes a plurality of light sensitive pixel elements that are activatable for a designated exposure time to capture one or more images. The controller is configured to determine an activation time to activate the image sensor based on motion of a target element relative to the image sensor; activate the image sensor at the activation time; and activate the light source during the exposure time of the image sensor to produce a pulse having a preconfigured time duration that is less than the exposure time of the image sensor.

Abstract: An insertion tool is provided for an engine defining an access opening and including a component defining at least in part a cavity. The insertion tool includes: an insertion tool arm having a plurality of segments, the insertion tool arm configured for insertion through the access opening into the cavity and the plurality of segments configured to be in a fixed position relative to one another within the cavity; and a base coupled to the insertion tool arm and configured to be positioned outside the cavity and to move the insertion tool arm along at least two degrees of freedom.

Abstract: An insertion tool is provided for an engine defining an access opening and including a component defining at least in part a cavity. The insertion tool includes: an insertion tool arm having a plurality of segments, the insertion tool arm configured for insertion through the access opening into the cavity and the plurality of segments configured to be in a fixed position relative to one another within the cavity; and a base coupled to the insertion tool arm and configured to be positioned outside the cavity and to move the insertion tool arm along at least two degrees of freedom.

Abstract: Systems and methods of servicing engines, an exemplary method of servicing an engine, the method including receiving, by one or more computing devices, information corresponding to one or more components of the engine; determining, by the one or more computing devices, a location of the one or more components of the engine with respect to a location of an augmented reality device; and presenting, in a current field of view display of the augmented reality device, at least a portion of the information corresponding to the one or more components of the engine, wherein the portion of the information includes a rendering of the one or more components, instructions regarding operations to be performed on the one or more components, directional arrows or contextual information associated with the one or more components, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: A servicing tool for a turbine engine and a method for using thereof are provided. A method includes inserting the tool into an access opening of the turbine engine, contacting a blade of the turbine engine, and removing material from the blade. The tool may comprise a wiper mount and a wiper, including a wiper surface, configured to contact and remove material from the blades. The tool may further comprise a body, an actuator, and fluid flowpaths for deploying the wiper and providing fluid locally to the blades of the turbine engine.

Abstract: A robotic assembly configured to service an engine, wherein the robotic assembly includes an environmental capture device configured to provide information associated with an environment in which the engine is disposed to one or more computing devices, and wherein the one or more computing devices are configured to use the information to inspect the engine before and after repair operations associated with the service to check for repair equipment, or parts thereof, left in the engine after the repair.

Abstract: A robotic arm is inserted into a passage of a part to be examined. Operator instructions defining a tip motion for a tip of the robotic arm, sensor readings, and an environmental map are received. The operator instructions, the environmental map and sensor readings are applied to a previously trained machine learning model to produce control signals. The control signals to an actuator on the arm to control a movement of the robotic arm allowing the robotic arm to automatically gain traction in the passage and automatically move according to the movement.

Abstract: Systems and methods of servicing engines including a method of servicing an engine, the method including navigating at least a portion of a robotic assembly to a location associated with the engine; applying, from the robotic assembly, a medium to one or more adjustable components of the engine while the engine is at an elevated temperature; waiting a duration of time; and with the robotic assembly, operating on the one or more adjustable components.

Abstract: An inspection system and related methods are provided. The inspection system includes an inspection camera, a plurality of light sources collocated with the inspection camera, and a post processing system. The plurality of light sources output directional light that have different respective ranges of light wavelengths. The inspection camera is configured to capture image data while a surface of interest is being illuminated with the directional light. Further, the post processing system is configured to receive the image data, process portions of the image data into a plurality of images that include distinct images corresponding to the different respective ranges of light wavelengths. The plurality of images can be reviewed to identify an abnormal region of the surface of interest.

Abstract: A system and method of using a tool assembly is provided. The system includes a body, a first camera and a second camera fixed to the body, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive data indicative of images of a reference feature from the first camera, determine data indicative of a first spatial position of the first camera based at least in part on the received data indicative of the images of the reference feature, and determine data indicative of a second spatial position of the second camera based on the first spatial position, a known spatial relationship between the first location and the second location, or both. Further, the controller may be configured to receive data indicative of images of a target feature using the second camera, derive dimensions of the target feature based on the images, and generate a three-dimensional representation of the target feature.

Abstract: An inspection system and related methods that employ directional light for enhanced imaging are provided. The inspection system includes an inspection camera and at least one directional light source positionable in an offset position from a field of view of the inspection camera. The at least one directional light source is configured to emit directional light from the offset position into the field of view of the inspection camera so as to produce shadows on a surface of interest. Further, the inspection system includes a display device coupled to the inspection camera and the inspection camera is configured to capture one or more images of the shadows produced on the surface of interest. The display device is configured to receive and display the one or more images.

Abstract: A spray nozzle includes a first conduit that provides a first flow path for a first type of fluid, a second conduit that provides a second flow path for a second fluid that is different from the first fluid, a first dispensing aperture that ejects therefrom a spray that includes the first type of fluid and/or the second type of fluid, and at least one balancing outlet in fluid communication with the second conduit. The at least one balancing outlet permit the second type of fluid to exit therefrom to balance a force of ejection of the spray from the first dispensing aperture.

Abstract: A tool system for inserting into a cavity, the tool system including a first continuum having a flexible body defining a connection interface; and a second continuum having a flexible body defining a connection interface; and an engagement mechanism configured to couple the connection interfaces of the first and second continua together to form the tool.

Abstract: Systems and methods of servicing engines including a method of servicing an engine, the method including navigating at least a portion of a robotic assembly to a location associated with the engine; applying, from the robotic assembly, a medium to one or more adjustable components of the engine while the engine is at an elevated temperature; waiting a duration of time; and with the robotic assembly, operating on the one or more adjustable components.

Abstract: A robotic assembly configured to service an engine, wherein the robotic assembly includes an environmental capture device configured to provide information associated with an environment in which the engine is disposed to one or more computing devices, and wherein the one or more computing devices are configured to use the information to inspect the engine before and after repair operations associated with the service to check for repair equipment, or parts thereof, left in the engine after the repair.

Abstract: Systems and methods of servicing engines, an exemplary method of servicing an engine, the method including receiving, by one or more computing devices, information corresponding to one or more components of the engine; determining, by the one or more computing devices, a location of the one or more components of the engine with respect to a location of an augmented reality device; and presenting, in a current field of view display of the augmented reality device, at least a portion of the information corresponding to the one or more components of the engine, wherein the portion of the information includes a rendering of the one or more components, instructions regarding operations to be performed on the one or more components, directional arrows or contextual information associated with the one or more components, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: A system and method of using a tool assembly is provided. The system includes a body, a first camera and a second camera fixed to the body, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive data indicative of images of a reference feature from the first camera, determine data indicative of a first spatial position of the first camera based at least in part on the received data indicative of the images of the reference feature, and determine data indicative of a second spatial position of the second camera based on the first spatial position, a known spatial relationship between the first location and the second location, or both. Further, the controller may be configured to receive data indicative of images of a target feature using the second camera, derive dimensions of the target feature based on the images, and generate a three-dimensional representation of the target feature.

Abstract: Systems and methods of servicing equipment including determining, by one or more computing devices, a workscope associated with the equipment; and at least partially-autonomously servicing the equipment in response to the determined workscope.

Abstract: A method of servicing equipment, the method comprising: recording information associated with servicing of the equipment in view of a workscope at a first location; sending the recorded information to a node; receiving service input from a third party located at a second location different from the first location, the third party having prepared the service input in response to the recorded information on the node; and performing the service using the received service input.