Abstract: A method for capturing an image of a moving object in a rotary system, for example, an image of a rotating blade in a gas turbine, uses an endoscope to form an image of a moving object. One-dimensional line images are captured with a line scan image sensor which is oriented to lie orthogonal to the direction of movement of the image of the moving object past the image sensor. Successive line images are combined to form a composite two-dimensional image of the moving object. A second image may be detected using a second line scan image sensor oriented orthogonal with respect to the direction of movement of the image, to the first line scan image sensor.

Abstract: A method for capturing an image of a moving object in a rotary system, for example, an image of a rotating blade in a gas turbine, uses an endoscope to form an image of a moving object. One-dimensional line images are captured with a line scan image sensor which is oriented to lie orthogonal to the direction of movement of the image of the moving object past the image sensor. Successive line images are combined to form a composite two-dimensional image of the moving object. A second image may be detected using a second line scan image sensor oriented orthogonal with respect to the direction of movement of the image, to the first line scan image sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for capturing and displaying images, using a system which synchronously controls a scanning image capture means and a scanning display means, is described with reference to an optical instrument such as a borescope or endoscope. The apparatus (10) comprises a scanning image capture means (32) receiving light from an object and producing an output representative thereof. Amplification means (46) amplifies the output and drives a light source (48) which provides light for a scanning image display system (52) which is operable to create a image of the object. Control means (56) is operable to synchronise operation of the scanning image capture means (32) and the scanning image display means (52). In this way, the invention provides a reel time high resolution image capture and display system.

Abstract: An endoscope includes an optical train or image-to-video conversion device, defining a longitudinal axis, for receiving an image for transmission to a viewing device. A first prism having a reflective surface at 45° to the longitudinal axis and laterally offset from is mounted for rotation about an axis that is perpendicular to and intersecting the longitudinal axis and the axis intersecting the center of the reflective surface. A second prism with a reflective surface at 45° to and intersecting the longitudinal axis is also provided. The field of view is illuminated by light transmitted to a third prism with a reflective surface mounted symmetrically about the longitudinal axis with respect to the first reflector and rotatable synchronously with the first reflector. In this way, the direction of view and of illumination can an be varied synchronously over a range of about 120°.

Abstract: A monocular borescope or endoscope is provided with an image relaying means (16) defining a longitudinal axis (L)(and with a viewing means comprising an ocular lens (20) and field mask (18) defining a central axis (C) which is parallel to and offset from the longitudinal axis (L). In one embodiment the ocular lens (20) is coincident with the central axis (C) of the mask (18), while in another embodiment the ocular lens (20) is coincident with the longitudinal axis (L). The mask (18) is arranged to be mountable in a number of different rotational orientations each providing a different offset between the longitudinal axis (L) and the central axis (C).