Abstract: A non-destructive method for the condition assessment of a turbine component is provided. A pulsed laser is used to excite a desired surface of the turbine component by directing the pulsed laser at the desired surface to couple ultrasonic energy into the surface of the turbine component. A thermographic image of the desired surface under the influence of the ultrasonic is captured by an image receiver. A system for the non-destructive detection of defects in a material utilizing acoustic thermography is also provided. The system includes a pulsed laser to couple ultrasonic energy into the material, an infrared camera to capture the thermographic image, and a processor communicatively coupled to the infrared camera to receive, store, and analyze the thermographic image.

Abstract: Ultrasonic bolt inspection apparatus and methods facilitate in situ as well as bench non-destructive evaluation (NDE) inspection of fastening bolt distal ends and their mating nuts. The apparatus is coupled to an exposed end of a fastener bolt head, its exposed thread tip or to a mating nut. The apparatus retains a phased array ultrasonic probe that generates inspection scan data and a rotational position encoder that generates rotational position data. The probe is coupled to an ultrasonic inspection system analyzer, which converts scan data into inspection data that characterizes possible defects in the inspected bolt. A system controller is coupled to the analyzer and the rotational position encoder, correlating rotation position data and inspection data, in order to identify location and characteristics of possible defects in the inspected bolt end.

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: Ultrasonic bolt inspection apparatus and methods facilitate in situ as well as bench non-destructive evaluation (NDE) inspection of fastening bolt distal ends and their mating nuts. The apparatus is coupled to an exposed end of a fastener bolt head, its exposed thread tip or to a mating nut. The apparatus retains a phased array ultrasonic probe that generates inspection scan data and a rotational position encoder that generates rotational position data. The probe is coupled to an ultrasonic inspection system analyzer, which converts scan data into inspection data that characterizes possible defects in the inspected bolt. A system controller is coupled to the analyzer and the rotational position encoder, correlating rotation position data and inspection data, in order to identify location and characteristics of possible defects in the inspected bolt end.