Abstract: Systems and methods for inspecting a device are disclosed. The method includes arranging the device in a known position relative to a plurality of movable cameras. The plurality of movable cameras is mounted on a controllable actuator. The plurality of cameras is pointed at the device by controlling the controllable actuator to position the camera with a user interface. An image of the device generated by the camera is displayed on a mobile and wireless display. The computing device also causes a rendered virtual image of the device to be displayed on the mobile and wireless display. A stream of interest and a region of interest is selected at the mobile and wireless display from the images generated by the cameras.

Abstract: A standardized inspection port system with common inspection port bodies and port plugs are incorporated in plural inspection locations within a gas turbine engine casing to facilitate internal engine inspection. The inspection ports preferably have identical internal diameter, stub flange dimensions and axial length from the gas turbine casing inspection seat to the stub flange for standardized mounting of inspection instruments at different locations about the turbine. The inspection port system components are preferably axially and radially aligned along the turbine casing for establishing a common reference position along all turbine blade/vane rows. The port plug incorporates a magnetically attractive pole piece for concentration or redirection of an attractive magnetic field circuit generated by an inspection port plug service tool during plug insertion or retrieval.

Abstract: Turbine blade tip clearance is measured in a fully assembled turbine casing by mounting a contact or non-contact displacement probe on a turbine blade that generates data indicative of probe distance from the turbine casing that circumferentially surrounds the blade. Variations in probe distance data are recorded as the blade circumferentially sweeps the turbine casing when the turbine is operated in turning gear mode. Blade rotational position data are collected by a rotational position sensor. A data processing system correlates the distance and rotational position data with localized blade tip gap at angular positions about the turbine casing circumference. An optical camera inspection system may be coupled to a turbine blade to obtain visual inspection information within the turbine casing. This method and apparatus provide an accurate and cost effective solution for accessing turbine casing deformation impact on blade tip clearance and rotor/casing alignment.

Abstract: Turbine engine casing interiors are visually inspected in a fully assembled turbine casing by mounting an optical camera on a turbine blade that captures optical images, such as of the casing abradable surface. Optical images are recorded as the blade circumferentially sweeps the turbine casing when the turbine is operated in turning gear mode or manually rotated. Blade rotational position data are collected by a rotational position sensor. A data processing system correlates the captured optical images and rotational position data about the turbine casing circumference. This method and apparatus provide an accurate and cost effective solution for accessing a turbine casing interior.

Abstract: A method of generating a comprehensive image (87) of interior surfaces (78, 80) of machine components such as a gas turbine combustor basket (59) and transition duct (34) by digitally stitching together multiple photographs (82) thereof, and analyzing the comprehensive image by contouring (91, 95A-B) of colors and shadings thereon, and quantifying and tracking aspects of the contours (A, B, C) over time for indications of degradation (89) of the interior surfaces. A scope (58) may be inserted into a port (56) in the combustor with a camera (72, 74) in a rotatable end (70) of the scope for obtaining a circumferential set (84) of photos at each axial position along a length of the combustor and transition duct. A 3D surface scanning device (76) in the scope may define the geometry of the interior surface for 3D photographic modeling thereof providing a virtual walk-through inspection.

Abstract: Gas turbine inlet guide vane ice detection and control systems and methods that utilize active infra-red monitoring of inlet guide vanes, detection of ice formation on the guide vanes and elimination of the ice by altering properties of the gas turbine inlet intake airflow, such as by introducing compressed and/or heated air bled from the turbine. Ice has lower detectable emissivity intensity in the infra-red spectrum than ice-free inlet guide vane surfaces. Ice formation is inhibited by direct monitoring of inlet guide vane icing conditions, rather than by indirect empirical assumptions of ice formation based on atmospheric condition monitoring. Direct monitoring mitigates ice formation in real time without reliance on excessive use of gas turbine compressed or heated air bleed, which enhances turbine operational efficiency.

Abstract: An object in a hot atmosphere with a temperature greater than 400 F in a gas turbine moves in a 3D space. The movement may include a vibrational movement. The movement includes a rotational movement about an axis and a translational movement along the axis. Images of the object are recorded with a camera, which may be a high-speed camera. The object is provided with a pattern that is tracked in images. Warpings of sub-patches in a reference image of the object are determined to form standard format warped areas. The warpings are applied piece-wise to areas in following images to create corrected images. Standard tracking such as SSD tracking is applied to the piece-wise corrected images to determine a movement of the object. The image correction and object tracking are performed by a processor.

Abstract: Internal components of power generation machinery, including for example gas or steam industrial turbines as well as generators, are inspected a camera inspection system that is inserted and positioned within the machinery by an elongated cable carrier that has restricted cable flexure along a two-dimensional carrier cable flexure motion plane. A camera head that retains the camera is coupled to a distal end of the cable carrier. Embodiments also include a connector block coupled between the cable carrier distal end and the camera head. The connector block has a pivot axis coupled to the camera head for swinging the camera head along a camera head range of motion path that intersects the cable carrier flexure motion plane. Embodiments include a camera head swing motion drive system for selectively positioning the camera head along the camera head range of motion path.

Abstract: An on-line optical inspection and monitoring system is externally mounted to existing man way service access within the combustor housing. A replacement man way cover having an optical window is mounted to the combustor housing. One or more optical cameras are oriented so that the camera field of view (FOV) is directed through the man way cover optical window. The camera FOV is moved to plural positions within the combustion section, such as under control of an automated motion control system, and images are captured. Multiple images are combined to form a composite image, which may include an image of an entire transition within the combustion section. Visual images and/or infrared (IR) thermal images may be captured. Thermal image information is correlated with component temperature. Image information is utilized to determine vibration characteristics of the imaged components.

Abstract: Internal components of gas and steam turbines are inspected with an optical camera inspection system that is capable of automatically and/or manually positioning the camera field of view (FOV) to an area of interest within the turbine along a pre-designated navigation path and capturing images with or without human intervention. Camera positioning and image capture can be initiated automatically or after receipt of operator permission. The inspection system includes an articulated multi-axis inspection scope with an optical camera that is inserted through a combustor nozzle access port, combustor and transition, so that the camera FOV captures the leading edge of Row 1 rotating turbine blades while the rotor is spinning at up to 1000 RPM. An illumination system strobe light and the camera image capture are synchronized with the blade rotation speed so that images of multiple or all blades may be obtained from a single inspection scope insertion point.

Abstract: Internal components of gas or steam turbines are inspected with a 3D scanning camera inspection system that is inserted and positioned within the turbine, for example through a gas turbine combustor nozzle port. Three dimensional internal component measurements are performed using projected light patterns generated by a stripe projector and a 3D white light matrix camera. Real time dimensional information is gathered without physical contact, which is helpful for extracting off-line engineering information about the scanned structures. Exemplary 3D scans, preferably with additional visual images, are performed of the gas path side of a gas turbine combustor support housing, combustor basket and transition with or without human intervention.

Abstract: Systems and methods for inspecting a device are disclosed. The method includes arranging the device in a known position relative to a plurality of movable cameras. The plurality of movable cameras is mounted on a controllable actuator. The plurality of cameras is pointed at the device by controlling the controllable actuator to position the camera with a user interface. An image of the device generated by the camera is displayed on a mobile and wireless display. The computing device also causes a rendered virtual image of the device to be displayed on the mobile and wireless display. A stream of interest and a region of interest is selected at the mobile and wireless display from the images generated by the cameras.