System and method for automated optical inspection of industrial gas turbines and other power generation machinery

摘要

Internal components of power generation machinery, such as gas and steam turbines are inspected with an optical camera inspection system that is capable of automatically positioning the camera field of view (FOV) to an area of interest within the machinery along a pre-designated navigation path and capturing images without human intervention. Automatic camera positioning and image capture can be initiated automatically or after receipt of operator permission. The pre-designated navigation path can be defined by operator manual positioning of an inspection scope within the power machine or a similar one of the same type and recording of positioning steps for future replication. The navigation path can also be defined by virtual simulation.

主权项

1. A system for non-contact internal inspection of power generation machinery, comprising:
a base for affixation to a power generation machine inspection port; an inspection scope having a proximal end coupled to the base, and an extendable elongated body defining a central axis, extended and driven by a linear drive that is capable of remote control and actuation by a control system; a camera head coupled to a camera, having a field of view, the camera head coupled to the inspection scope distal the base, that are capable of remote control and image capture by a control system; an articulation drive, coupled to the camera head and the control system, that is capable of remote control and actuation by a control system, for articulating the camera head and field of view relative to the inspection scope central axis; and a control system coupled to the inspection scope linear and articulation drives and the camera, for automatically guiding and positioning the inspection scope and camera field of view along a pre-designated pre-recorded non-contact navigation path of linear and articulation drives actuation instructions within a power generation machine to an internal area of interest without human intervention and for capturing a camera image thereof without human intervention.