System to prognose gas turbine remaining useful life
First Claim
1. A flash thermography device for generating an infrared image of a turbine component located inside a turbine, wherein the turbine includes at least one inspection port, the flash thermography device comprising:
- an elongated borescope arranged to transmit thermal energy from a first end to a second end;
a flash source coupled to and arranged around a perimeter of the first end of the borescope, the flash source operable to generate a light pulse that heats the turbine component, wherein the flash source has an annular shape having a central aperture that receives the borescope;
an infrared sensor coupled to the second end of the borescope for detecting thermal energy radiated by the turbine component; and
a lens disposed adjacent one of the first end and the second end of the borescope, wherein the first end of the borescope passes through the inspection port to position the flash source adjacent the component while the second end of the borescope including the infrared sensor remains outside of the turbine,and wherein thermal energy radiated from the turbine component in response to activation of the flash source is transmitted through the borescope to the infrared sensor to enable generation of the infrared image.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A flash thermography device for generating an infrared image of a turbine component located inside a turbine, wherein the turbine includes at least one inspection port. The device includes a flash source that generates a light pulse that heats the turbine component and an infrared sensor for detecting thermal energy radiated by the turbine component. The device also includes a borescope having a sensor end, a viewing end that includes the flash source and an interior hollow that extends between the sensor and viewing ends. The borescope is positioned in the inspection port such that the viewing end is located inside the turbine. Thermal energy radiated from the turbine component is transmitted through the hollow to the infrared sensor to enable generation of the infrared image. The device further includes a reflector located on the viewing end that directs the light pulse toward the turbine component and a flash power supply for energizing the flash source.
23 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A flash thermography device for generating an infrared image of a turbine component located inside a turbine, wherein the turbine includes at least one inspection port, the flash thermography device comprising:
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an elongated borescope arranged to transmit thermal energy from a first end to a second end; a flash source coupled to and arranged around a perimeter of the first end of the borescope, the flash source operable to generate a light pulse that heats the turbine component, wherein the flash source has an annular shape having a central aperture that receives the borescope; an infrared sensor coupled to the second end of the borescope for detecting thermal energy radiated by the turbine component; and a lens disposed adjacent one of the first end and the second end of the borescope, wherein the first end of the borescope passes through the inspection port to position the flash source adjacent the component while the second end of the borescope including the infrared sensor remains outside of the turbine, and wherein thermal energy radiated from the turbine component in response to activation of the flash source is transmitted through the borescope to the infrared sensor to enable generation of the infrared image. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A flash thermography device for generating an infrared image of a turbine component located inside a turbine, wherein the turbine includes at least one inspection port, comprising:
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a flash source that generates a light pulse that heats the turbine component, wherein the flash source has an annular shape having a central aperture; an infrared sensor for detecting thermal energy radiated by the turbine component; a borescope having a sensor end, a viewing end and an elongated hollow tube that extends between the sensor end and the viewing end, wherein the infrared sensor is coupled to the sensor end and the central aperture of the flash source receives the viewing end such that the flash source surrounds a perimeter of the viewing end, and wherein the viewing end and the flash source are positioned in the inspection port to locate the viewing end inside the turbine and wherein thermal energy radiated from the turbine component in response to receipt of the light pulse is transmitted through the elongated hollow tube to the infrared sensor to enable generation of the infrared image; a first lens positioned within the elongated hollow tube adjacent the viewing end; a second lens positioned within the elongated hollow tube adjacent the sensor end; and a flash power supply for energizing the flash source, the flash power supply and the infrared sensor disposed outside of the turbine. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method for inspecting a turbine component located inside a turbine system, wherein the turbine includes at least one inspection port, the method comprising:
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providing a flash source that generates a light pulse that heats the turbine component, wherein the flash source has an annular shape having a central aperture; providing an infrared sensor for detecting thermal energy radiated by the turbine component in response to receipt of the light pulse; providing a borescope having a viewing end and an interior hollow that extends from the viewing end to the infrared sensor, the flash source coupled to the viewing end of the borescope; inserting the viewing end of the borescope and the flash source into the inspection port to locate the viewing end and the flash source inside the turbine system while maintaining the infrared sensor outside of the inspection port; transmitting thermal energy radiated from the turbine component through the hollow to the infrared sensor to enable generation of the infrared image; and inspecting a turbine characteristic. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification