Borescope Centering Aid with Variable Radial Spacers for Stable Imaging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing borescope methods for inspecting technical devices like gas turbines and aircraft engines suffer from inconsistent image quality due to relative movement of the probe relative to the inspection area, making sharp imaging and 3D scanning impossible, especially when vibrations occur.
Innovation Solution
A centering aid for borescopes featuring an elongated central body with a radially variable spacer device, comprising elastically deformable strips or air cushions, which provide lateral support to the borescope head, maintaining consistent orientation and position despite vibrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the borescope probe is freely suspended or manually positioned in the combustion chamber, then the borescope can be easily inserted and moved, but the relative position of the probe to the inspection area varies, causing inconsistent image quality
Solution Approach 1:
A centering aid with a central body and radially extendable spacer components is introduced as an intermediary device between the borescope probe and the combustion chamber walls. The spacer components (strips or bristles) extend radially outward to contact the chamber walls, providing a mediating support structure that stabilizes the probe position while allowing easy insertion. This intermediary mechanism resolves the contradiction by enabling both easy operation during insertion and precise, consistent positioning during inspection.
2Measurement precision
If the exposure time is set short to capture sharp images during vibrations, then image sharpness is improved, but image quality deteriorates due to insufficient light exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The centering aid with radially extendable spacer components provides beforehand cushioning by stabilizing the borescope probe position before vibration occurs. The spacer components contact the combustion chamber walls in advance, creating a stable support structure that prevents relative movement during vibrations. This allows the use of longer exposure times without sacrificing image sharpness, as the probe position is pre-stabilized, thereby resolving the contradiction between image sharpness and image quality.
3Loss of information
If manual 3D scanning is performed separately, then 3D data can be obtained, but the inspection process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The centering aid with its stable support structure merges the functions of positioning and 3D scanning into a single integrated process. By stabilizing the probe position and orientation relative to the combustion chamber, the centering aid enables the borescope to capture consistent images from fixed positions, allowing 3D reconstruction to be performed as part of the normal inspection process rather than requiring separate manual 3D scanning operations. This combining of functions reduces both process complexity and inspection time while maintaining 3D data acquisition capability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Ensures consistent image quality and enables 3D scanning by stabilizing the borescope head within the inspection area, reducing the need for separate manual 3D scanning and improving imaging clarity.
Implementation Method 1
at least three elastically deformable strips each distributed over the circumference, arranged offset in the longitudinal direction of the central body, which are expandable radially outwards by changing the ratio of the distance between their respective two guide points and their respective length between the two guide points
Implementation Method 2
the components are flexible bristles, at least partially resiliently mounted on the central body and pivotable about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the central body
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The invention relates to a centering aid (1) for borescopes and to an assembly (10) comprising such a centering aid (2) and a borescope (11). The centering aid (1) comprises an elongated central body (2) with a through-channel (3) for borescope lines and with a spacer device (4), which extends over the entire circumference of the central body (2) in the radial direction in a variable manner, for supporting the central body (2) on at least two support planes (5) which are mutually spaced along the central body (2) and each of which runs perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the central body (2). The assembly (10) comprises a borescope (11) with a borescope head (12) at one end of a borescope shaft (13), in which borescope lines run, and a centering aid (1) according to the invention, wherein the centering aid (1) is arranged directly adjacently to the borescope head (12), and the borescope lines are guided through the through-channel of the centering aid (1).