Patent ID: 8922640
Filing Date: 2014-12-30
Classification: F01D,G01M,G01N,G02B

Abstract:
1. A system for non-contact internal inspection of a turbine, comprising: a base for affixation to a turbine inspection port external a turbine; an inspection scope having an extendable rigid elongated body defining a central axis, with a proximal end rotatively coupled to the base external the turbine and a distal end for insertion within the turbine inspection port; a rigid extension portion intermediate the proximal and distal ends; and an articulation joint, having opposed first and second joint ends, with the first joint end coupled to the inspection scope distal end; a camera head, having a field of view, coupled to articulation joint second joint end; a gross rotation drive coupled to the base external the turbine for rotating the inspection scope about its central axis, coupled thereto; a scope extension drive for translating the extension portion, coupled thereto; an articulation drive, for articulating the camera head field of view relative to the inspection scope central axis, coupled to the camera head; a camera coupled to the camera head, for capturing an image within the field of view; an illumination system coupled to the camera head for illuminating the camera head field of view; and a control system, coupled to the gross rotation, scope extension and articulation drives and the camera, for automatically and sequentially positioning the inspection scope and field of view along a pre-designated non-contact navigation path within a turbine to plural internal areas of interest and for capturing respective camera images thereof without human intervention; wherein the navigation path designation is selected from the group consisting of: human controlled positioning of an inspection system within a turbine of the same type along a selected navigation path, and recording said navigation path for subsequent replication by an inspection scope control system; human controlled simulated positioning of a virtual inspection system within a virtual turbine of the same type along a selected navigation path, and recording said navigation path for subsequent replication by an inspection scope control system; and simulated positioning of a virtual inspection scope and virtual power generation machine of the same type along a simulated selected navigation path without human intervention, and recording said navigation path for subsequent replication by an inspection scope control system.