Methods and systems for in-situ machinery inspection

• US 7,619,728 B2
• Filed: 07/26/2007
• Issued: 11/17/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Gilchrist, George Martin III, Ogburn, Erik Matthew
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, SANG H
• Application Number:
  US11/828,922
• Publication Number:
  US 20090027665A1
• Time in Patent Office: 845 Days
• Field of Search: 3562371-2373, 356426-428, 356342-343, 250/214.VT, 250/214.1, 250/208.1, 250/370.11
• US Class Current: 356/237.1
• 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 generating images of inspection components through said port using ambient light, said imager further comprising an image capture gate configured to generate images of the inspection components during operations by controlling 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.