Gas Turbine Interior Inspection Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for inspecting the interior of gas turbine engine components are limited in effectively mapping and tracking the movement of inspection scopes within complex internal volumes, making it difficult to ensure comprehensive visual inspection and identify unexamined areas.
Innovation Solution
An inspection system and method that utilize an image sensor to capture images of the interior, determine the location of the sensor by comparing image data to model data, and track movement to map inspected and uninspected areas, allowing for accurate documentation and identification of inspection status.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional inspection methods are used to visually inspect internal volumes, then inspection can be performed, but tracking movement and mapping inspected areas becomes difficult and imprecise
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a digital copy (3D model) of the apparatus interior and uses image comparison to determine sensor location, replacing complex physical tracking mechanisms with computational matching between captured images and model data
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical tracking systems with an optical-computational system that uses image capture and comparison algorithms to determine location, eliminating the need for complex mechanical position sensors or encoders
2Reliability
If inspection scope movement is not tracked, then the inspection system is simpler, but it is difficult to ensure comprehensive visual inspection and identify unexamined areas
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously compares captured images with the 3D model to provide feedback on sensor location and automatically maps inspected areas, ensuring comprehensive coverage and identifying unexamined regions through real-time location awareness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a spatial mapping dimension to the inspection process by creating a visual representation of inspected vs. uninspected areas, transforming 1D scope movement into 3D spatial coverage information
Data Source
AI summary
During an inspection method, an inspection scope is inserted into an interior of an apparatus of a gas turbine engine. An image of the interior of the apparatus is captured to provide/output image data. A location of the inspection scope within the interior of the apparatus when the image is captured is determined to provide location data, where the determining of the location includes comparing the image data to model data from a model of the apparatus. During the course of inspection, movement of the inspection scope is tracked within the interior of the apparatus using the location data. The location data may be derived by feature recognition and/or motion tracking of live feed from a scope video output to features available in a field of view within duplicate CAD model.