Siemens Energy, Inc.

Wayne State University

Siemens Power Generation, Inc.

Siemens Westinghouse Power Corporation

Robert L. Thomas

Joachim F. Baumann

Paul Zombo

Lawrence D. Favro

Max J. Rothenfusser

Xiaoyan Han

Robert E. Shannon

Robert E Shannon

Paul John Zombo

Max Rothenfusser

Joachim W Baumann

Christian Homma

Fredrick Michael Davis

Yakup Genc

Robert L Thomas

Lawrence D Favro

Matthias Goldammer

Xiang Zhang

Paul D Vona

Clifford Hatcher

Zhong Ouyang

Frank Forster

Hua Sui

Gang Sun

Claudio Laloni

Sergey Kabanov

Max J Rothenfusser

Joachim F Baumann

A method of using a Graphic User Interface (GUI) for interactive virtual inspection of modeled objects. The method includes acquiring a three-dimensional model of a modeled object and displaying a first view of the modeled object for a user to identify locations of interest on a surface of the modeled object visible within the first view. The user enters information to create a markup tag that annotates the location of interest, and the markup tag is automatically associated with the location of interest on the modeled object. A second view of the modeled object is displayed including the user identified location of interest and the markup tag.

Method and system for interactive virtual inspection of modeled objects

A method of coalescing information about inspected objects. The method includes acquiring an image set of an object to be inspected, the image set having a three-dimensional model of the object and a plurality of two-dimensional images of the object. A location of interest is identified on a surface of the modeled object and global coordinate points of the three-dimensional model are designated that characterize the location of interest of the modeled object. A markup tag annotating the location of interest is associate with the designated global coordinate points of the three-dimensional model, and the markup tag is conveyed when viewing any one of the plurality of two-dimensional images of the image set that have at least one image point that correlates to a corresponding designated global coordinate point of the three-dimensional model that characterize the location of interest.

Method of coalescing information about inspected objects

A method for processing thermography signals. A time series of radiometric data is measured from a surface () of an object () over a period of heating and subsequent cooling, and a mathematical curve () is fit to the data. An amplitude aspect and one or more shape aspects are identified for each curve. The amplitude and shape aspects are then used together to characterize features such as defects in the object. The amplitude and shape aspects for an array of such data may be combined in a single noise-free visual display () by associating hue (color) with the shape aspect and luminance (brightness) with the amplitude aspect. Optionally, a second shape aspect may be identified and associated with saturation on the display. A visible image of the object may be overlaid on the display.

Advanced processing of active thermography signals

An inspection apparatus () applying two dimensional nondestructive examination images onto a three dimensional solid model of a component () to display a virtual component () that may be manipulated to perform a nondestructive inspection. The two dimensional nondestructive examination images may be acquired from a plurality of views of the component in order to provide full coverage of the surface to be inspected, with appropriate stitching of images in regions of overlap between adjacent views. The two dimensional images () may be color or black and white photographs or ultraviolet or infrared images, for example. Multiple types of nondestructive examination images, results of inspection data evaluations, and design, operational and/or maintenance information may be displayed separately or jointly on the three dimensional solid model. Surface features of interest that are mapped as defined areas () on the three dimensional solid model may be displayed simultaneously in different views on 2D and 3D images of the virtual component.

Combined 2D and 3D nondestructive examination

A hand-held thermography system (). A generator () supplies current to a transformer () in a handle (). An induction coil () connected to the transformer () extends from the handle (). The induction coil () induces eddy currents in a test object (), producing a thermal topography on a surface () of the object () that reveals structural features including defects in the object. An infrared camera () mounted on the transformer () digitizes images of the thermal topography. A controller () processes the images, displays them on a monitor (), and stores them in a digital memory () for evaluation. Digitized positional data relating the position of the image to the surface may also be stored. An operator () presses a trigger (), signaling the controller () to start current to the induction coil () and simultaneously to acquire and process one or more images from the camera (). The images may be evaluated visually and/or by computerized analysis techniques for analyzing defects in the object.

Hand held magnetic induction thermography system

A method and apparatus for calibrating an acoustic thermography systemand/or enhancing the flaw detection abilities of such a system is provided. The method allows applying a material (e.g.,) to a specimenundergoing acoustic thermography inspection. The material is thermally responsive to acoustic energy transmitted to the specimen by the acoustic thermography system. In one aspect thereof, a thermal response of the material applied to the specimen when subjected to acoustic energy is processed to determine whether the level of acoustic energy applied by the acoustic thermographic system appropriately meets a desired amount of acoustic energy for inspecting the specimen. In another aspect thereof, the thermal response of the specimen in combination with the applied material may be processed to determine whether certain types of flaws (e.g., relatively wide flaws) are actually present in the specimen or to enhance the detectability of other flaws that would only faintly show up on the infrared images.

Method for calibrating and enhancing flaw detection of an acoustic thermography system

A defect detection system for thermally imaging a structure that has been energized by a sound energy. The system includes a transducer that couples a sound signal into the structure, where the sound signal causes defects in the structure to heat up. In one embodiment, the sound signal has one or more frequencies that are at or near an eigen-mode of the structure.

System and method for multiple mode flexible excitation in sonic infrared imaging

A defect detection system for thermally imaging a structure that has been energized by a sound energy. The system includes a transducer that couples a sound signal into the structure, where the sound signal causes defects in the structure to heat up. In one embodiment, a non-linear coupling material is positioned between the transducer and the structure to couple the sound energy from the transducer to the structure. A predetermined force is applied to the transducer and a pulse duration and a pulse frequency of the sound signal are selected so that the sound energy induces acoustic chaos in the structure, thus generating increased thermal energy. A thermal imaging camera images the structure when it is heated by the sound signal.

System and method for acoustic chaos and sonic infrared imaging

An apparatus () for performing acoustic thermography including a fixture () having a compliant member () that allows contacting surfaces of a horn face () and a specimen surface () to self-align into parallel contact in response to only the contacting force (F) there between. When the contacting surfaces are brought together in a slightly non-parallel alignment, the contacting force develops a force component (F) that is normal to the plane of contact. This normal force causes deflection of a compliant member, thereby providing movement that brings the contacting surfaces into parallel alignment. The compliant member may be a spring (), elastomer (), swivel member (), bearing member (), or a curved non-stick surface () in various embodiments.

Self-aligning apparatus for acoustic thermography

A thermal imaging system for detecting cracks and defects in a component. An electromagnetic acoustic transducer (EMAT) is coupled to the component, and introduces pulsed sound signals therein. The sound signals cause the defects to heat up. The IR radiation from the heated pulses is detected by a thermal camera. The amplitude of the pulsed signals are substantially constant, and the frequency of the pulsed signal can be changed within each pulse. A control unit is employed to provide timing and control for the operation of the EMAT and the camera.

Miniaturized contactless sonic IR device for remote non-destructive inspection

Growing community of inventors

Oviedo, FL, United States of America

Robert E Shannon