METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR IN-SITU MACHINERY INSPECTION

• US 20090027665A1
• Filed: 07/26/2007
• Published: 01/29/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Ogburn, Erik Matthew, Gilchrist, George Martin III
• Granted Patent: US 7,619,728 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 356/241.100
• CPC Class Codes: F01D 21/003 Arrangements for testing or measuring for measuring vibrations G01H
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2260/80 Diagnostics
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/2484 Arrangements in relation to a camera or imaging device processing or control of video signals generated by an endoscope H04N23/60, H04N23/70
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/2492 Arrangements for use in a hostile environment, e.g. a very hot, cold or radioactive environment
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/26 using light guides for illumination G02B23/2469

Abstract

Methods and systems for inspecting rotatable machine components are provided. The system includes a fiber optic port configured to extend through a first aperture of a machine casing wherein the port includes an interior end and an exterior end. The system further includes an imager configured to optically couple to the exterior end. The imager includes a light intensifier capable of generate images of inspection components though the port using ambient light. The imager further includes an image capture gate configured to control an acquisition time of the generated images.

Claims

1. An inspection system comprising:

a fiber optic port configured to extend through a first aperture of a machine casing, said port comprising an interior end and an exterior end; and

an imager configured to optically couple to said exterior end, said imager comprising a light intensifier capable of generate images of inspection components though said port using ambient light, said imager further comprising an image capture gate configured to control an acquisition time of the generated images.

2. A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said port comprises a first optical path configured to couple to a light sensor of said imager and a second optical path configured to couple to a light source wherein said paths are optically isolated from each other within said port.

3. A system in accordance with claim 2 wherein an interior end of said second optical path comprises a lens portion, said lens portion formed in at least one of a substantially planar cross-section and a curved cross-section.

4. A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said port comprises a first optical path configured to couple to a light sensor of said imager, an interior end of said first optical path comprises a lens portion, said lens portion formed in at least one of a substantially planar cross-section and a curved cross-section.

5. A system in accordance with claim 4 wherein a central axis of said lens portion is oriented obliquely with respect to a longitudinal axis of said first optical path.

6. A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said port comprises a longitudinal axis substantially perpendicular to an opening of the aperture.

7. A system in accordance with claim 6 wherein said port is rotatable about the longitudinal axis.

8. A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said port comprises a ball joint wherein said first optical path is swivelably coupled to the machine casing through the ball joint, said first optical path is tiltable with respect to the machine casing.

9. A system in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a light port configured to couple to a second aperture through the machine casing, said light port comprising a fiber optic member configured to at least one of permit ambient light to enter the machine casing and direct light from a light source into the machine casing.

10. A method of inspecting internal components of a rotatable machine during operation, said method comprising:

optically accessing an interior of the rotatable machine during normal machine operation; and

capturing an image of at least one internal component during normal machine operation for a selectable gated time period through the optical access.

11. A method in accordance with claim 10 further comprising intensifying the captured image.

12. A method in accordance with claim 10 wherein optically accessing an interior of the rotatable machine comprises receiving ambient light images of internal machine components.

13. A method in accordance with claim 10 wherein capturing an image comprises capturing a plurality of successive images wherein the gating of the image capture is synchronized to a position of a selected internal machine component.

14. A method in accordance with claim 10 further comprising illuminating the interior of the machine during image capture using at least one of ambient light admitted using a light port and a light source directed towards the interior of the machine using the light port.

15. A method in accordance with claim 14 wherein illuminating the interior of the machine during image capture comprises gating the light source.

16. A method in accordance with claim 10 wherein the selectable gated time period is selected based on a rotational speed of the machine.

17. A method in accordance with claim 10 further comprising determining an angular position of a shaft of the machine with respect to the inspected machine component.

18. A rotatable machine comprising:

a rotatable member;

a stationary casing substantially surrounding said rotatable member; and

an optical port extending through said casing comprising a first exterior end configured to be coupled to a gated intensifier imager, a second interior end comprising a lens for focusing light received from inside the casing, and a fiber optic light pipe extending therebetween configured to transmit the light received to the imager.

19. A rotatable machine in accordance with claim 18 wherein said optical port is at least one of swivelably and rotatably coupled to the casing.

20. A rotatable machine in accordance with claim 18 further comprising a light port extending through said casing comprising a first exterior end configured to be at least one of coupled to a powered light source and open to ambient light, a second interior end comprising a lens for focusing light received from outside the casing, and a fiber optic light pipe extending therebetween configured to transmit the light received into the machine.