Article inspection apparatus

• US 8,368,749 B2
• Filed: 12/22/2006
• Issued: 02/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Waygate Technologies USA LP (Baker Hughes Company)
• Original Assignee: GE Inspection Technologies LP (General Electric Company)
• Inventors: Lambdin, Thomas Eldred, Morse, Bradford, Bendall, Clark A., Hubben, Edward B., Karpen, Thomas W., Pellegrino, Bruce A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Perungavoor, Sath V
• Assistant Examiner(s): FINDLEY, CHRISTOPHER G
• Application Number:
  US11/645,082
• Publication Number:
  US 20070226258A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,237 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 348/92
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/2469 using optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/2476 Non-optical details, e.g. housings, mountings, supports
• 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

An inspection apparatus can be operated to collect files during performance of an inspection. An inspection apparatus can associate metadata to a collected file. In one embodiment metadata associated with a collected file can include an article identifier. In one embodiment metadata that is associated with a collected file can include data input into an inspection apparatus by an inspector. In one embodiment metadata that is associated with a collected media file can include sensor output data. An inspection apparatus in one embodiment can include an application guiding an inspector in the performance of an inspection.

Claims

1. An apparatus for performance of visual inspection respecting an industrial equipment article, the apparatus comprising:

an elongated inspection module, a two dimensional image sensor generating image signals, and a display,

wherein said apparatus is configured to enable an inspector to input commands into said apparatus,

wherein said apparatus is further configured to enable said inspector to control a position of said elongated inspection module relative to an industrial equipment article being inspected,

wherein said apparatus is also configured to execute a measurement mode in which said apparatus embeds metadata in media files that are collected in response to a command input by said inspector during steps of an inspection procedure,

wherein the measurement mode displays a data entry field in which said inspector can enter data,

wherein the metadata comprises data entered into said data entry field by said inspector, and

wherein said apparatus, during execution of the measurement mode, is configured to modify the display for subsequent steps of the inspection procedure based on the metadata.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus is configured to send said collected media file and said associated metadata to a computer external to said apparatus.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus displays a form including said data entry field.

4. An apparatus for performance of visual inspection respecting an industrial equipment article, the apparatus comprising:

an elongated inspection module, a two dimensional image sensor generating image signals, and a display, the apparatus being configured to enable an inspector to input commands into said apparatus during an inspection procedure, said apparatus further being configured to enable said inspector to control a position of said elongated inspection module relative to an industrial equipment article being inspected;

wherein said apparatus is also configured in a measurement mode in which said apparatus embeds metadata in media files that are collected in response to a user input command,

wherein the metadata comprises data entered into said data entry field by said inspector and sensor output data output by a sensor,

wherein said apparatus, during execution of the measurement mode, is configured to modify the display for subsequent steps of the inspection procedure based on the metadata.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said sensor output data includes data output from a sensor on-board said apparatus.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said sensor output data includes data output from a sensor off-board relative to said apparatus.

7. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said sensor output data includes data output from a location sensor.

8. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said apparatus is configured to send said collected media file and said associated metadata to a computer external to said apparatus.

9. The apparatus of 4, wherein said apparatus is configured so that said apparatus when associating metadata to a media file writes the metadata to at least one of a text file or to said media file.

10. An apparatus for performance of visual inspection respecting an industrial equipment article, the apparatus comprising:

an elongated inspection module, a two dimensional image sensor generating image signals, and a display, the apparatus being configured to enable an inspector to input commands into said apparatus, said apparatus further being configured to enable said inspector to control a position of said elongated inspection module relative to an industrial equipment article being inspected;

wherein said apparatus is also configured to operate in accordance with a measurement mode that embeds metadata in media files, wherein an inspector is guided through an inspection procedure having a plurality of steps to capture the media files, the measurement mode disabling an exit function normally provided by actuation of said actuator of said control and display module when said application is initiated so that when said measurement mode is initiated actuation of said certain actuator by an inspector does not result in exiting of said measurement mode, the functioning associated with said certain actuator being configured so that when said certain actuator is actuated during execution of said application but prior to completion of said steps, said apparatus provides negative feedback indicating to an inspector performing said inspection procedure that said inspection procedure has not been completed,

wherein said apparatus is configured to use metadata that comprises data entered into a data entry field by said inspector and is embedded in the captured media files during execution of the measurement mode, and

wherein said apparatus, during execution of the measurement mode, is configured to modify the display for subsequent steps of the inspection procedure based on the metadata.

11. The apparatus of 10, wherein said negative feedback is in the form of a displayed message on said display of said control and display module.

12. The apparatus of 10, wherein said apparatus is configured so that when said certain actuator is actuated during execution of said application but prior to completion of said steps, sends an message to an external computer indicating that an inspector has attempted to exit a procedure prior to completion of a procedure.