PROTOCOL-BASED INSPECTION SYSTEM

• US 20120229619A1
• Filed: 03/09/2012
• Published: 09/13/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/09/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation (Rolls-Royce Holdings Plc)
• Original Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation (Rolls-Royce Holdings Plc)
• Inventors: Moriarty, Robert, Ma, Kong, Shirkhodaie, Amir
• Granted Patent: US 9,228,958 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/92
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/8901 Optical details; Scanning details per se G02B
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2200/24 involving graphical user interfaces [GUIs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/20081 Training; Learning
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/0004 Industrial image inspection

Abstract

One form of the present application provides a system comprising an illumination source capable of providing an electromagnetic illumination of an engine component, an imaging system structured to capture illumination of the engine component, a component manipulation system structured to position the engine component in a variety of orientations relative to one of the illumination source and the imaging system, a computer based user interface capable of identifying an inspection protocol defined to acquire an image of the engine component at the variety of positions using the illumination system, the imaging system and the component manipulation system, and a processor configured to process the inspection protocol for the purposes of analyzing the acquired image in response to the inspection protocol.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

an illumination source capable of providing an electromagnetic illumination of an engine component;

an imaging system structured to capture illumination of the engine component;

a component manipulation system structured to position the engine component in a variety of orientations relative to one of the illumination source and the imaging system;

a computer based user interface capable of identifying an inspection protocol defined to acquire an image of the engine component at the variety of positions using the illumination system, the imaging system and the component manipulation system; and

a processor configured to process the inspection protocol for the purposes of analyzing the acquired image in response to the inspection protocol.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the user interface is configured to provide a plurality of inspection protocol attributes capable of being selected by an operator.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the plurality of inspection protocol attributes includes one of image settings, lighting settings, and component features.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the plurality of inspection protocol attributes includes a masking feature to be applied to the acquired image.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the user interface permits a selection of a predefined inspection protocol.

6. The system of claim 2, wherein the user interface is capable of building an inspection protocol that can be saved and re-used at a later inspection activity.

7. The system of claim 6, which further includes an image library that can be referenced as a result of an inspection protocol, the image library providing a reference for determination of component inspection.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the processor is capable of performing fuzzy analysis instructions to assess a defect in the engine component.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the set of inspection protocols is further capable of being synchronized to facilitate automated control of at least one of the illumination source, the imaging system, and the component manipulation system.

10. A method comprising:

developing an inspection protocol of an article of inspection with a graphical user interface, the developing including;

setting an image parameter including one of contrast, brightness, and noise;

selecting a protocol option including one of removing a background, labeling a flaw, detecting an edge, and applying a mask;

identifying a location of the component to be evaluated;

as a result of the developing, launching the inspection protocol; and

synchronizing a component illumination, image acquisition, and a component manipulation in operative communication with a processor that receives information from the developing.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the developing is the result of loading an inspection protocol from a predefined protocol.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the developing includes repeating the developing after the synchronizing prior to storing the inspection protocol.

13. The method of claim 10, which further includes evaluating a data produced from an inspection after the synchronizing.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the evaluating includes conducting a fuzzy logic analysis to produce an output.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the developing further includes applying a mask to an image provided by the image acquisition.

16. The method of claim 10, which further includes generating a report that describes the result of the inspection.

17. The method of claim 16, which further includes determining at least one of a pass grade, a reject grade, and a repair grade prior to the generating.

18. The method of claim 10, which further includes interfacing with a historical library and comparing an inspection conclusion of pass/fail as a result of the synchronizing with the historical library.

19. The method of claim 10, wherein the component manipulation includes placing the article of inspection in a variety of positions in which an image is acquired of the article of inspection.