Jet Engine Blade Image Inspection via Template Correlation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for inspecting blades in a jet engine, such as using endoscopes, are inefficient in detecting defects due to the need for sequential imaging and comparison, and lack precision in capturing images of rotating blades.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus that extracts a template image from streaming video of blades, compares it with subsequent images, and selects record images based on correlation, allowing for efficient inspection and storage of suitable blade images for analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If sequential imaging and comparison methods are used to inspect blades, then defect detection capability is maintained, but inspection efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a template image in advance that represents the ideal blade appearance. During inspection, the system directly compares captured blade images against this pre-established template, eliminating the need for sequential imaging and comparison. This preliminary preparation of reference data significantly improves inspection efficiency while maintaining defect detection capability.
2Reliability
If all captured blade images are stored for analysis, then complete inspection data is preserved, but storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and stores only the essential reference information in the form of a template image that represents the ideal blade. Instead of storing all captured images, the system selectively retains only the template image and compares subsequent images against it. This extraction of critical data maintains inspection reliability while dramatically reducing storage requirements.
3Measurement precision
If template image is extracted from streaming video, then precise blade imaging is achieved, but image selection complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a simplified copy or representation of the ideal blade image as a template. This template serves as a reference model that captures the essential features of a perfect blade without requiring complex processing during inspection. The copying approach maintains measurement precision while avoiding the complexity of real-time sophisticated image analysis.
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing apparatus includes: an image extracting section that extracts a template image from blade images which form a streaming video obtained by capturing blades periodically arrayed in a jet engine; an image comparing section that compares the blade images with the template image; an image selecting section that selects an image as a record image from the blade images based on a result of the image comparison of the image comparing section; and a display section that displays the surface shape of the blade calculated based on the record image.