Borescope Wand Protection System for Gas Turbine Inspection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Borescopes experience wear and lens damage due to contact with components during inspection in gas turbine engines, reducing their service life and increasing maintenance intervals.
Innovation Solution
A borescope wand protection system comprising a sleeve around the articulating portion and an end cap with a passage to protect the lens, both spaced apart from the lens to prevent direct contact with engine components, and auxiliary attachments for additional functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the borescope wand is used to inspect gas turbine engines, then the lens can view inaccessible features, but the lens and wand experience wear and damage from contact with engine components
Solution Approach 1:
A protective sleeve is positioned around the articulating portion of the borescope wand, and an end cap with a passage is positioned around the lens end. These intermediary components act as mediators between the borescope wand and the gas turbine engine components, allowing the wand to access and view inaccessible features while the protective components absorb the contact and wear, preventing damage to the lens and articulating portion
Solution Approach 2:
The protective sleeve and end cap are positioned on the borescope wand before insertion into the gas turbine engine. This beforehand protection creates a cushioning barrier that anticipates and prevents wear and damage from upcoming contact with engine components during the inspection process
2Ease of operation
If the borescope wand slides through passages to reach the lens position, then inspection of hidden features is enabled, but wear increases on the articulating portion
Solution Approach 1:
The protective sleeve positioned around the articulating portion serves as an intermediary that allows the borescope wand to slide through passages and reach positioning goals while the sleeve absorbs the mechanical wear from contact with passage walls and edges, preserving the articulating portion's service life
3Measurement precision
If the lens contacts gas turbine components for inspection, then detailed viewing is achieved, but the lens becomes scratched or damaged
Solution Approach 1:
An end cap with a passage is positioned around the lens end of the borescope wand. The lens extends through the passage such that it can view gas turbine components, but the end cap acts as an intermediary barrier that prevents direct contact between the lens and engine components, eliminating scratches and damage while maintaining viewing capability
Solution Approach 2:
The end cap provides localized protection specifically at the lens end of the borescope wand. The passage in the end cap is sized to allow the lens to extend and view components while maintaining a protective barrier, providing targeted protection exactly where the lens is vulnerable to damage
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is directed to a borescope. The borescope includes a borescope wand having a base portion, an articulating portion, a lens end, and an outer surface. A lens is positioned in the lens end of the borescope wand. A sleeve is positioned around a portion of the outer surface of the borescope wand. The sleeve is spaced apart from the lens. An end cap defines a passage extending therethrough from a first opening to a second opening. The lens end of the borescope wand extends through the first opening and is positioned within the passage such that the lens is positioned between the first opening and the second opening.