System and method for optical inspection of off-line industrial gas turbines and other power generation machinery while in turning gear mode

摘要

Internal components of gas and steam turbines are inspected with an optical camera inspection system that is capable of automatically and/or manually positioning the camera field of view (FOV) to an area of interest within the turbine along a pre-designated navigation path and capturing images with or without human intervention. Camera positioning and image capture can be initiated automatically or after receipt of operator permission. The inspection system includes an articulated multi-axis inspection scope with an optical camera that is inserted through a combustor nozzle access port, combustor and transition, so that the camera FOV captures the leading edge of Row 1 rotating turbine blades while the rotor is spinning at up to 1000 RPM. An illumination system strobe light and the camera image capture are synchronized with the blade rotation speed so that images of multiple or all blades may be obtained from a single inspection scope insertion point.

主权项

1. A system for internal inspection of a turbine, comprising:
a base for affixation to a turbine inspection port; an inspection scope having an extendable elongated body defining a central axis, with a proximal end rotatively coupled to the base and a distal end for insertion within a turbine inspection port; an 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, including a camera for capturing an image within a field of view, coupled to articulation joint second joint end; a gross rotation drive 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 field of view relative to the inspection scope central axis, coupled to the camera head; an illumination system for selectively illuminating the camera field of view; and a control system, coupled to a turbine rotational speed sensing system, the gross rotation, scope extension and articulation drives, the camera and the illumination system, for positioning the inspection scope and field of view along a navigation path within a turbine to an internal area of interest, as well as for selectively illuminating the camera field of view with the illumination system in response to turbine rotor rotational speed information obtained from the speed sensing system, and capturing camera images at rates corresponding to said turbine rotor rotational speed information.