Abstract: Non-destructive inspection systems (10) and methods for inspecting structural flaws that may be in a structure (15) based on guided wave thermography. The method may include sweeping a frequency-phase space to maximize ultrasonic energy distribution across the structure while minimizing input energy, e.g., via a plurality of actuators. The system may include transducer elements (12, 14, 16, 17) configured to predominantly generate shear horizontal-type guided waves in the structure to maximize thermal response from any flaws.

Abstract: Non-destructive inspection systems (10) and methods for inspecting structural flaws that may be in a structure (15) based on guided wave thermography. The method may include sweeping a frequency-phase space to maximize ultrasonic energy distribution across the structure while minimizing input energy, e.g., via a plurality of actuators. The system may include transducer elements (12, 14, 16, 17) configured to predominantly generate shear horizontal-type guided waves in the structure to maximize thermal response from any flaws.

Abstract: An apparatus for bolt inspection are presented. The bolt has a cylindrical threaded surface delimited by a pair of end faces that are opposite to each other. An ultrasonic transducer device contacts one of the pair of end faces for performing a scan operation. A guide structure is engaged with the bolt that guides a motion of the ultrasonic transducer device such that only a portion of a transducer contact surface contacts the one of the pair of end faces during the scan operation. The guide structure delimits a radial extent of the motion of the ultrasonic transducer device during the scan operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for bolt inspection are presented. The bolt has a cylindrical threaded surface delimited by a pair of end faces that are opposite to each other. An ultrasonic transducer device contacts one of the pair of end faces for performing a scan operation. A guide structure is engaged with the bolt that guides a motion of the ultrasonic transducer device such that only a portion of a transducer contact surface contacts the one of the pair of end faces during the scan operation. The guide structure delimits a radial extent of the motion of the ultrasonic transducer device during the scan operation.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for bolt inspection are presented. The bolt has a cylindrical threaded surface delimited by a pair of end faces that are opposite to each other. An ultrasonic transducer device contacts one of the pair of end faces for performing a scan operation. A guide structure is engaged with the bolt that guides a motion of the ultrasonic transducer device such that only a portion of a transducer contact surface contacts the one of the pair of end faces during the scan operation. The guide structure delimits a radial extent of the motion of the ultrasonic transducer device during the scan operation.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for bolt inspection are presented. The bolt has a cylindrical threaded surface delimited by a pair of end faces that are opposite to each other. An ultrasonic transducer device contacts one of the pair of end faces for performing a scan operation. A guide structure is engaged with the bolt that guides a motion of the ultrasonic transducer device such that only a portion of a transducer contact surface contacts the one of the pair of end faces during the scan operation. The guide structure delimits a radial extent of the motion of the ultrasonic transducer device during the scan operation.

Abstract: Methods and systems (10) based on guided wave thermography for non-destructively inspecting structural flaws that may be present in a structure (15). For example, such systems and methods may provide the ability to selectively deliver sonic or ultrasonic energy to provide focusing and/or beam steering throughout the structure from a fixed transducer location (12, 14, 16). Moreover, such systems and methods may provide the ability to selectively apply sonic or ultrasonic energy having excitation characteristics (FIGS. 11 and 12) which may be uniquely tailored to enhance the thermal response (FIGS. 5 and 7) of a particular flaw geometry and/or flaw location.

Abstract: Thermographic inspection of an internal component (28, 34) of power production equipment (20) by inserting an ultrasound energizer (74A) into an inspection portal of the equipment to contact an exterior of the component, and inserting a camera scope via a second portal into an interior (52, 54) of the component. A motorized drive (66) may mount on a pilot fuel port (58) of a gas turbine to move the scope robotically within a combustor (28) and transition duct (34). A distal camera housing (69) on the scope pivots (64) and contains an infrared camera with a lateral field of view (85) that rotates about an axis 78 by rotating (73) a distal mirror head (70) on the housing or by rotating (73?) the housing (69?). Circumferential sets of thermographic images are acquired by rotating the field of view and translating it along a navigation path in the component interior.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for monitoring and quantifying progression of a structural anomaly, such as crack, over a surface of a component (12) in a high temperature environment of a combustion turbine engine The apparatus may include an electrically-insulating layer (14) formed at least over a portion of the surface of the component of the combustion turbine engine. At least a first detection leg (16) may be disposed on the electrically-insulating layer The first detection leg may be adapted to operate under a desired sensing modality from a bi-modal sensing scheme, such as may be implemented in one sensing modality by way of monitoring changes of an electrical parameter in an electrical circuit formed by the detection leg The sensing scheme may also be implemented by way of imaging radiance energy emitted by the detection leg.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for monitoring and quantifying progression of a structural anomaly, such as crack, over a surface of a component (12) in a high temperature environment of a combustion turbine engine The apparatus may include an electrically-insulating layer (14) formed at least over a portion of the surface of the component of the combustion turbine engine.

Abstract: A method of nondestructive evaluation and related system. The method includes arranging a test piece (14) having an internal passage (18) and an external surface (15) and a thermal calibrator (12) within a field of view (42) of an infrared sensor (44); generating a flow (16) of fluid characterized by a fluid temperature; exposing the test piece internal passage (18) and the thermal calibrator (12) to fluid from the flow (16); capturing infrared emission information of the test piece external surface (15) and of the thermal calibrator (12) simultaneously using the infrared sensor (44), wherein the test piece infrared emission information includes emission intensity information, and wherein the thermal calibrator infrared emission information includes a reference emission intensity associated with the fluid temperature; and normalizing the test piece emission intensity information against the reference emission intensity.

Abstract: A method of nondestructive evaluation and related system. The method includes arranging a test piece (14) having an internal passage (18) and an external surface (15) and a thermal calibrator (12) within a field of view (42) of an infrared sensor (44); generating a flow (16) of fluid characterized by a fluid temperature; exposing the test piece internal passage (18) and the thermal calibrator (12) to fluid from the flow (16); capturing infrared emission information of the test piece external surface (15) and of the thermal calibrator (12) simultaneously using the infrared sensor (44), wherein the test piece infrared emission information includes emission intensity information, and wherein the thermal calibrator infrared emission information includes a reference emission intensity associated with the fluid temperature; and normalizing the test piece emission intensity information against the reference emission intensity.

Abstract: Methods and systems (10) based on guided wave thermography for non-destructively inspecting structural flaws that may be present in a structure (15). For example, such systems and methods may provide the ability to selectively deliver sonic or ultrasonic energy to provide focusing and/or beam steering throughout the structure from a fixed transducer location (12, 14, 16). Moreover, such systems and methods may provide the ability to selectively apply sonic or ultrasonic energy having excitation characteristics (FIGS. 11 and 12) which may be uniquely tailored to enhance the thermal response (FIGS. 5 and 7) of a particular flaw geometry and/or flaw location.