Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method and apparatus for back end control of translation and rotation of green ware (e.g., producible from ceramic extrudate). A green ware handling system (102) includes a back end assembly (129) that contacts a back end face (118B) of a green ware (116) and moves to push the green ware (116) along the support channel (114). In certain embodiments, the green ware handling assembly (102) includes a leading end assembly (128) to pull the green ware (116) and then transfer control to the back end assembly (129), which translates and also optionally rotates the green ware (116). This handoff increases the overall production rate of the green ware (116). In certain embodiments, the back end assembly (129) penetrates the back end face (118B) of the green ware (116) with cleat penetration features (312) to provide a secure engagement with the green ware (116) to rotate and translate the green ware (116) while also decreasing a depth of damage to the green ware (116).

Abstract: A visual inspection posable invertebrate robot (VIPIR) borescope camera system can inspect components in difficult to reach locations. The system enables dexterous robotic inspection of worksites and areas that were heretofore impossible to inspect via extravehicular activities (EVA) and fixed situational awareness cameras. VIPIR may include: (1) a main drive assembly; (2) a reel system; (3) a video borescope assembly (VBA); (4) an enhanced motorized zoom lens (EMZL); (5) a fixed camera assembly (FCA); (6) a support structure; and/or (7) a main electronics box (MEB).

Abstract: A method for training a system for automatically detecting a defect of a blade of a turbomachine including a platform intended to receive a blade, at least one image-acquiring device, at least one light source the luminous intensity of which may vary, at least one moving device configured to move the platform with respect to the at least one image-acquiring device or to move the at least one image-acquiring device with respect to the platform, and a processing unit configured to receive acquired images and associate them with the items of information relating to the luminous intensity of the at least one light source and to the relative position of the platform with respect to the at least one image-acquiring device during the image acquisition.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for life cycle wear monitoring of a consumable refractory in an electric induction furnace used for heating and melting materials by accumulating laser imaging data of the refractory's inner surface periodically over the refractory's life cycle while the furnace is utilized in a foundry environment and processing the accumulated imaging data for comparative analysis with previous laser imaging data of the refractory's inner surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring a position according to an embodiment includes a light source emitting light to an inner surface of a pipe, a first lens receiving reflected light from which light emitted by the light source is reflected by the inner surface and converting the reflected light into parallel light parallel to an optical axis, a second lens disposed on an optical path of the parallel light and converting the parallel light into a convergent refracted light, an image sensor disposed on an optical path of the refracted light, one or more elastic members disposed between the first lens and the second lens, and a plurality of wheels that are coupled to a side surface of the first lens and are in close contact with the inner surface to be rotated by movement of the moving body.

Abstract: A depth image is used to obtain a three dimensional (3D) geometry of an object as an object mesh. The object mesh is obtained using an object shell representation. The object shell representation is based on a series of depth images denoting the entry and exit points on the object surface that camera rays would pass through. Given a set of entry points in the form of a masked depth image of an object, an object shell (an entry image and an exit image) is generated. Since entry and exit images contain neighborhood information given by pixel adjacency, the entry and exit images provide partial meshes of the object which are stitched together in linear time using the contours of the entry and exit images. A complete object mesh is provided in the camera coordinate frame.

Abstract: A probe driver may include a coupling that interfaces with a conduit section at a first position of the conduit section. A probe driver may also have one or more positioning elements to reposition the conduit section to interface with the coupling at a second position of conduit section in response to one or more commands based on a recorded inspection, where through completing the one or more commands is configured to initiate a second inspection identical to the recorded inspection.

Abstract: A display panel and an electronic device are provided. The display panel includes a driving substrate, an insulating layer, which is provided with a first receiving groove and a second receiving groove, a first micro light emitting diode disposed in the first receiving groove, a second micro light emitting diode disposed in the second receiving groove, and a first reflective layer disposed above the second micro light emitting diode. The display panel and the electronic device can reduce a thickness of the display panel.

Abstract: A laser system calibration method and system are provided. In some methods, a calibration plate may be used to calibrate a video camera of the laser system. The video camera pixel locations may be mapped to the physical space. A xy-scan device of the laser system may be calibrated by defining control parameters for actuating components of the xy-scan device to scan a beam to a series of locations. Optionally, the beam may be scanned to a series of locations on a fluorescent plate. The video camera may be used to capture reflected light from the fluorescent plate. The xy-scan device may then be calibrated by mapping the xy-scan device control parameters to physical locations. A desired z-depth focus may be determined by defining control parameters for focusing a beam to different depths. The video camera or a confocal detector may be used to detect the scanned depths.

Abstract: The present invention relates to modifying a reformer tube to facilitate regular tube inspections to assess the service life and subsequently predict its remaining life accurately.

Abstract: An in situ inspection system and method to inspect a honeycomb body (122) skin in a skinning system. The inspection system includes a line illuminator (148) to generate a line illumination on the skin (136) perpendicular to an axial direction (112) of the honeycomb body travel, and a detector (152) to detect the line illumination scattered from the skin (136) and generate a signal based on the detected line illumination. A controller (184) is configured to receive the signal generated by the detector (152), compare the received signal to a previously stored defect free signal in real-time, and control at least one skinning process parameter based on the comparison. The method includes in situ inspecting the skin (136) and controlling at least one skinning process parameter based on the inspection. In the method, the in situ inspection includes illuminating a line of the skin (136) perpendicular to the axial direction (112) and detecting the illuminated line scattered from the skin (136).

Abstract: A probe driver may have a coupling that interfaces with a conduit section at a first position of the conduit section. The probe driver also may have an input structure that actuates in response to a user input indicating a second position of the conduit section. The probe driver may also have one or more positioning elements to reposition the conduit section to interface with the coupling at the second position of the conduit section in response to the user input.

Abstract: The present invention provides an in vivo photon analysis system and method, wherein the system comprises: an in vivo device and an in vitro device; the in vivo device comprises: an intervention function module which enters into a human body, outputs a laser output by the in vitro device to a preset position, and acquires a feedback fluorescence of the preset position; the in vitro device comprises: a laser light source module which outputs a first group of laser and a second group of laser; a coupling and switching module which couples the first group of laser to obtain a first to-be-output laser, couples the second group of laser to obtain a second to-be-output laser, acquires the feedback fluorescence, and sends the feedback fluorescence to an analyzing and testing module; an analyzing and testing module which receives the feedback fluorescence, and analyzes the feedback fluorescence, so as to obtain analysis results of the feedback fluorescence, and send the analysis results of the feedback fluorescence t

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides an apparatus including: a fluid-impermeable membrane configured to contain a fluid and be placed in the cavity; a light emitter provided within the membrane; and a fluid provided within the membrane, wherein the fluid scatters light emitted by the light emitter such that the intensity of the light is substantially uniform over the inner surface of the cavity proximal to the membrane.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention is directed to an imaging probe which comprises a first element supplying electromagnetic radiation in a forward path for illuminating a forward field of view of space in front of the probe, a second element supplying electromagnetic radiation in a sideways and/or rearward path for illuminating a sideways and/or back field of view of space alongside the probe and an image sensor. The probe further includes an imaging device in imaging paths imaging the forward and sideways and/or back fields of view onto the image sensor. Preferably the forward path, the sideways and/or rearward path and the imaging paths are unobstructed by any component of the probe. Preferably the forward and sideways and/or back fields of view are registered in a fixed spatial relationship relative to one another on the image sensor.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a sealing component for an endoscope plug at an end of which a plug connection end to be sealed is arranged. The sealing component comprises: a body part having a blind hole-like endoscope plug insertion opening into which the plug connection end of the endoscope plug is sealingly insertable, and a fastening portion for the fastening at an endoscope cable of the endoscope whose endoscope plug comprises the plug connection end sealingly insertable into the blind hole-like endoscope plug insertion opening.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various systems and methods for guiding, supporting, and/or housing instruments. One exemplary system includes a guide tube having a manipulation section and mated with rails carrying instrument control members. Moving the rails with respect to the guide tube, or another point of reference, can control movement of the manipulation section.

Abstract: Systems and apparatuses of operating the same are described. An apparatus that may include a light guide. The light guide may include a body configured to direct at least a portion of light within a defined wavelength spectrum from a first light source toward an object. The body may be formed of a material to provide a threshold contrast ratio between a first portion of the object and a second portion of the object. The body may include a first surface that includes a first cavity formed to receive at least a portion of an incident end the first light source. The body may include a second surface at a distal end from the light source. The second surface may be a peripheral diffusing portion or a peripheral focusing portion.

Abstract: Inspection of distribution and morphology of a substance applied to a container includes selectively illuminating at least a portion of a surface of a container using a light source, adjusting the light source to create a resolved view of the substance with sufficient contrast to show a layer of the lubricant disposed on the surface of the container, obtaining an image of the resolved view of the illuminated portion of the surface of the container using an image detector, analyzing image data representing the image of the resolved view, using a data processor, to generate a quantity representing a quality of interaction between the lubricant and the surface of the container, and determining whether the container is acceptable based upon the quantity generated.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for repairing an abradable material coated on a casing of a gas turbine engine. The system includes an articulating guide configured to fit into an access port of the gas turbine engine. Further, the articulating guide has a proximal end and a distal end. The system also includes a repair tool configured at a distal end of the articulating guide. The repair tool includes a body having a proximal end and a shaped distal end, with the shaped distal end extending away from the body. Thus, the shaped distal body is configured to trench out an area of the abradable material comprising a defect. The system also includes a filler material for filling the trenched out area.

Abstract: There is provided herein an optical system for a tip section of a multi-sensor endoscope, the system comprising: a front-pointing camera sensor; a front objective lens system; a side-pointing camera sensor; and a side objective lens system, wherein at least one of said front and side objective lens systems comprises a front and a rear sub-systems separated by a stop diaphragm, said front sub-system comprises, in order from the object side, a first front negative lens and a second front positive lens, said rear sub-system comprises, in order from the object side, a first rear positive lens, an achromatic sub-assembly comprising a second rear positive lens and a third rear negative lens, wherein the following condition is satisfied: f(first rear positive lens)?1.8f, where f is the composite focal length of the total lens system and f(first rear positive lens) is the focal length of said first rear positive lens.

Abstract: A washing system that can reliably remove chips attached to the surface of a jig on which a workpiece is placed. The washing system includes a nozzle, a manipulator for moving the nozzle, an imaging part for capturing an image of a region on which a workpiece is placed, a chip detecting part for detecting a chip in the region based on the image captured by the imaging part, a arrangement determining part for determining a position and posture of the nozzle when the fluid is sprayed to the chip, a manipulator controlling part for controlling the manipulator so that the nozzle is located at the determined position and posture, and a fluid supplying part for injecting, through the nozzle, the fluid that has been supplied to the nozzle.

Abstract: An object sizing system sizes an object positioned within a patient. The object sizing system identifies a presence of the object. The object sizing system navigates an elongate body of an instrument to a position proximal to the object within the patient. An imaging sensor coupled to the elongate body captures one or more sequential images of the object. The instrument may be further moved around within the patient to capture additional images at different positions/orientations relative to the object. The object sizing system also acquires robot data and/or EM data associated with the positions and orientations of the elongate body. The object sizing system analyzes the captured images based on the acquired robot data to estimate a size of the object.

Abstract: Methods for remotely joining material a surface area of a component of a gas turbine engine are provided. The method can include inserting an integrated repair interface attached to a cable delivery system within a gas turbine engine; positioning a tip of the integrated repair interface adjacent to a defect defined within a surface of the component; temporarily attaching the tip adjacent to the defect within the surface of the component; and supplying a new material to the area to fill the defect.

Abstract: Disclosed is a detection device for detecting a turbomachine including an opening, the detection device comprises: a flange configured to close the opening; and an endoscope assembly including an endoscope body, a detector extending from the endoscope assembly and inserted into an internal space of the turbomachine through the flange and an extension part connecting the endoscope body and the detector.

Abstract: A method of inspecting an artifact on a machine tool includes: scanning a probe mounted on the machine tool along the surface of the artifact to be inspected. The method involves supplying a flow of fluid at least at the point of interaction between the probe and the artifact during the scanning.

Abstract: A method of optical data acquisition includes shaping a flexible reference system to be at least partially within a limited line of sight volume with respect to a workpiece.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining torque on bit and bending forces in a drilling assembly. The apparatus includes a body having an inner bore defined by an inner wall and having an outer wall, the body also including first and second light bores disposed between the inner wall and the outer wall and a light emitting assembly arranged and configured to cause a light beam to enter the first and second light bores.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for thermal imaging of an interior space of a high temperature furnace through an opening in a wall of the furnace. An outer housing houses at least a portion of a rigid borescope. The outer housing has a port for aspirating ambient air through the outer housing to cool the rigid borescope and passing the air through a hole at the end of the outer housing and into the furnace. A camera is operatively connected to a rigid borescope but is located such that it is isolated from the air passing through the outer housing.

Abstract: Downhole imaging systems and methods are disclosed herein. An example method includes projecting flushing fluid into an optical field of view of an imaging system disposed on a downhole tool. The example method also includes directing a pattern of light onto a target in the optical field of view via a light source of the imaging system and determining three-dimensional shape information of the target based on the light directed from the target and received via an image detection plane of the imaging system. The example method further includes determining a characteristic of the target based on the three-dimensional shape information.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining torque on bit and bending forces in a drilling assembly. The apparatus includes a body having an inner bore defined by an inner wall and having an outer wall, the body also including first and second light bores disposed between the inner wall and the outer wall and a light emitting assembly arranged and configured to cause a light beam to enter the first and second light bores. The assembly further includes first and second light sensors disposed in or at an end of the first and second light bores, respectively, that measure a location where light that enters the first and second light bores contacts the sensors.

Abstract: An inner diameter measuring device for measuring a shape of an inner surface of a cylindrical member, comprising an image pickup unit (2) disposed on a base end side of a frame unit (10) and for picking up an image of a forward end side, a cone mirror unit (30) provided on a forward end side of the frame unit and having a cone mirror (29) with a conical reflection surface at a forward end, and a laser beam emitting unit (14) for emitting a laser beam (17) toward a forward end of the cone mirror, wherein the cone mirror unit can be replaced by another cone mirror unit having a cone mirror with a different vertical angle to suit measuring condition.

Abstract: A non-contact optical probe for inspecting an inside surface of a cylindrical workpiece includes a laser source that emits an incident light beam, a polarizing beam splitter that transmits one polarization of the incident beam and reflects the opposite polarization, and a quarter wave plate that together with the polarizing beam splitter separates back reflected return light from the incident laser beam. The non-contact optical probe further includes an optical system that directs the incident laser beam onto the cylinder surface and directs reflected light from the surface back to the beam splitter, and at least one detector that receives a portion of the reflected light and generates data about the cylinder surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a tool in an assembled apparatus. The apparatus includes a support structure, the support structure having a central member and a plurality of support members pivotally mounted on the central member. The support members are movable between a non-deployed position in which the support members extend a minimum distance from the central member and a deployed position in which the support members extend a maximum distance from the central member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for repairing an abradable coating of a compressor of a gas turbine, where a worn abradable coating is repaired, where an analysis and/or selection of areas of the abradable coating to be repaired is conducted by means of a boroscope in the non-removed state of the gas turbine, where a tool is passed through at least one boroscope aperture of the gas turbine to the area to be repaired and the worn abradable coating is at least partially removed, where the removed material is extracted, where the area of the abradable coating to be repaired is cleaned and/or prepared for application of a repair medium, where a hardenable aluminum oxide-based repair medium is applied to the area to be repaired by means of a type of airbrush and then hardened, and where the area provided with the repair medium is subsequently mechanically treated.

Abstract: A downhole fiber optic apparatus for acquiring downhole information includes a carrier conveyable in a borehole, an electromagnetic energy emitter coupled to the carrier, and a fiber optic sensor that receives electromagnetic energy emitted from the electromagnetic energy emitter and generates an optical output signal representative of the downhole information. A method for acquiring downhole information includes conveying a carrier in a borehole, emitting electromagnetic energy from an electromagnetic energy emitter coupled to the carrier, receiving electromagnetic energy emitted from the electromagnetic energy emitter with a fiber optic sensor, and generating an optical signal representative of the downhole information using the fiber optic sensor.

Abstract: A first and a second image recording unit, which are arranged at a defined distance from one another, are provided for monitoring a spatial region. The spatial region has at least one structure having a plurality of substantially parallel edges. A number of reference marks are arranged at the structure. A first image of the spatial region is recorded by means of the first image recording unit. A second image is recorded by means of the second image recording unit. A number of reference distances between the image recording units and the reference marks are determined. A structure position of the structure is determined on the basis of the reference distances. Moreover, a number of object positions are determined on the basis of the first and second images, wherein each object position represents the spatial distance of an object relative to the image recording units. Depending on the object positions, a switching signal is generated.

Abstract: A system and method for inspecting inner surfaces (22) of cylindrical parts (20) includes a line scan camera (30), a pair of light emitting diodes each directing light toward the inner surface (22), and a mirror (36) disposed in the cylindrical part (20) at a 45 degree angle relative to the inner surface (22). The camera (30) and mirror (36) remain in a fixed position while the cylindrical part (20) rotates continuously about a center axis (A) and the images are acquired. The cylindrical part (20) is then moved laterally along the center axis (A) and the images are again acquired as the cylindrical part (20) rotates about the center axis (A). An unwrapped display of the inner surface (22) is generated and used to automatically identify defects (24) on the inner surface (22).

Abstract: A non-contact optical probe for inspecting an inside surface of a cylindrical workpiece includes a laser source that emits an incident light beam, a polarizing beam splitter that transmits one polarization of the incident beam and reflects the opposite polarization, a quarter wave plate that together with the polarizing beam splitter separates back reflected return light from the incident laser beam, a probe tip that directs the incident laser beam onto the cylinder surface and directs reflected light from the surface back to the beam splitter, and at least one detector that receives a portion of the reflected light and generates data about the cylinder surface.

Abstract: An imaging system for inspecting an inner surface bounding a component bore is provided along with a method of inspection therewith. The system includes a laser light source configured to emit a laser beam. Further, a camera is configured to image a reflection of the laser beam from the inner surface. At least a first minor is disposed within the bore. The laser light source is configured to emit the laser beam directly from the laser light source in substantially parallel relation to the central axis incident on the first mirror and the camera is configured to view a reflection of the laser beam from the inner surface.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus for diagnostic imaging,which allows easy verification of a spatial position on an arbitrary cross section is provided.

Abstract: An automated method for texture segmentation (11) of geophysical data volumes, where texture is defined by double-window statistics of data values, the statistics being generated by a smaller pattern window moving around within a larger sampling window (12). A measure of “distance” between two locations is selected based on similarity between the double-window statistics from sampling windows centered at the two locations (13). Clustering of locations is then based on distance proximity (14).

Abstract: A surface inspection device includes an image generator for generating a digital image achieved by imaging an inner surface of a bore which is subjected to a boring work, a line extraction processor for extracting a line along a horizontal direction set to a line extraction direction from the digital image, for determining the state of the inner surface of the bore based on the line extracted by the line extraction processor. The line extraction processor extracts lines along the line detection direction from respective digital images before and after rotation which are achieved by rotating the digital image once or over plural times every predetermined angle while the line extraction direction is fixed, and the estimating unit determines the state of the inner surface of the bore based on the lines extracted from the respective digital images before and after the rotation.

Abstract: The disclosed method for processing a broadcast signal for 3D (3-Dimensional) broadcast service comprises encoding 2D (2-Dimensional) video stream including a 2D video frame, encoding depth information including depth of a 3D image relative to a plane of a display, encoding signaling information for signaling the encoded 2D video stream and the depth information, wherein the signaling information includes a 3D service location descriptor including codec type information specifying encoding type of the encoded depth information, generating the broadcast signal including the encoded 2D video stream, depth information and signaling information, and transmitting the generated broadcast signal.

Abstract: A cured-in-place-pipe (CIPP) liner inspection system used to inspect a resin level in a CIPP liner that has been impregnated with resin using an inspection chamber having an optical sensor. The CIPP liner inspection system is also used to identify zones within an installed CIPP liner having lower mechanical strength due to inadequate distribution of resin using a robotic unit having an optical sensor. The optical sensor measures an optical property, which is used to determine a resin level or a mechanical property based on predetermined correlations between the optical property and the resin level and predetermined correlations between the optical property and the mechanical property.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided that includes an optical probe; and a robotic transport so adapted to the optical probe as to move the optical probe inside a drilled hole to measure the drilled hole at one or more depths.

Abstract: A 3D image processing apparatus includes: L and R graphic decoders which decode coded stream data to generate left-eye and right-eye image data; an image output control unit which outputs the generated image data; and a control unit which, when a decoding error occurs in generating one of the image data, and a successful decode occurs in generating the other of the image data, (i) shifts, by a preset offset, a pixel position of the other of the image data, to generate pseudo image data as the one of the image data, and (ii) outputs the pseudo image data to an image output control unit, wherein the image output control unit outputs the other of the image data and the pseudo image data, when the decoding error occurs in generating the one of the image data and the successful decode occurs in generating the other of the image data.

Abstract: A visual inspection device for inspecting interior passages of a system is disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the visual inspection device includes a visual inspection tool and a tube having a lumen disposed therein, the visual inspection tool being disposed at a distal end of the tube. A plurality of actuators are disposed along an axial extent of an exterior of the tube, and a locomotor is disposed on an exterior of the tube. A locator for tracking a location of the visual inspection tool is also provided as part of the visual inspection device.

Abstract: A system for measuring a drilled hole in a structure, the drilled hole having a drilled hole wall, includes a probe having a probe body movable along a probe path extending into the drilled hole, the probe body supporting an optical illumination path and an optical section signal path. Illumination follows the illumination path and is emitted radially outwardly from the probe body so as to illuminate the drilled hole wall when the probe body is disposed at a location along the probe path and the illumination is transmitted along the illumination path. Illumination reflecting from the drilled hole wall back toward an optical sensor represents an optical section signal associated with the location of the probe along the probe path.

Abstract: A measurement system is provided to measure a hole of a target, including a light source generation unit, a capturing unit and a processing unit. The light source generation unit generates a light source and focuses the light source on a plurality of different height planes. The capturing unit captures a plurality of images scattered from the plurality of different height planes. The processing unit obtains boundaries of the hole on the plurality of different height planes according to the plurality of images, samples image intensities of different azimuth angles on the boundaries of the hole on each of the plurality of different height planes to generate a plurality of sampling values, and develops a sidewall image of the hole according to the plurality of sampling values, the plurality of different height planes and the different azimuth angles.