# US 10,119,863 B2 · Flash thermography photobox > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,119,863 B2 - Document ID: US10119863B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/344,750 - Filed: 2016-11-07 - Published: 2018-05-10 - Granted: 2018-11-06 - Earliest claimed: 2016-11-07 - Assignees: Siemens Energy, Inc. - Applicants: Siemens Energy, Inc. - Inventors: Dustin C. Boudin; Clifford Hatcher, Jr.; Anand A. Kulkarni; Ahmed Kamel - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10119863B2 ## CPC - G01J 5/0088: {in turbines} - F01D 21/003: {Arrangements for testing or measuring (for measuring vibrations G01H)} - G01J 5/10: using electric radiation detectors - G01N 25/72: Investigating presence of flaws - F01D 5/288: {Protective coatings for blades} - F01D 9/023: {Transition ducts between combustor cans and first stage of the turbine in gas-turbine engines; their cooling or sealings} - F05D 2220/32: in gas turbines - F05D 2240/35: Combustors or associated equipment - G01J 5/48: Thermography; Techniques using wholly visual means - G01J 2005/0077: {Imaging} - G06T 2207/10048: Infrared image - G06T 2207/30164: Workpiece; Machine component - G01J: MEASUREMENT OF INTENSITY, VELOCITY, SPECTRAL CONTENT, POLARISATION, PHASE OR PULSE CHARACTERISTICS OF INFRARED, VISIBLE OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT; COLORIMETRY; RADIATION PYROMETRY (light sources F21, H01J, H01K, H05B; investigating properties of materials by optical means G01N) - F01D: NON-POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, e.g. STEAM TURBINES (machines or engines for liquids F03; non-positive displacement pumps F04D) - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) - F05D: INDEXING SCHEME FOR ASPECTS RELATING TO NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, GAS-TURBINES OR JET-PROPULSION PLANTS - G06T: IMAGE DATA PROCESSING OR GENERATION, IN GENERAL ## Abstract A system for automated condition assessment of a turbine component is provided. The system includes a partially enclosed photobox and a controller. The partially enclosed photobox includes a configurable rotational table adapted to carry the turbine component, at least one wall perpendicular to and abutting a horizontal platform upon which the rotational table is carried. The photobox also includes a plurality of cameras configured to be automatically positioned at locations surrounding the turbine component and capture images of the turbine component. The controller communicates with each of the cameras to respectively control the positioning of each camera in order to capture a desired view of the turbine component. At least one of the cameras is an infrared camera configured to perform flash thermography capturing a thermographic image of a portion of the turbine component. The thermographic image is used to assess the condition of the turbine component. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for automated condition assessment of a turbine component, comprising: a partially enclosed photobox, comprising: a configurable rotational table adapted to carry the turbine component; at least one wall, the at least one wall essentially perpendicular to and abutting a horizontal platform upon which the rotational table is carried; a plurality of cameras configured to be automatically positioned at locations surrounding the turbine component and capture a plurality of images of the turbine component; and a controller communicating with each of the plurality of cameras to respectively control the positioning of each camera in order to capture an image of a desired view of the turbine component; a calibration target disposed on the at least one wall, wherein the calibration target comprises a photographable target, wherein at least one of the plurality of cameras is an infrared camera configured to perform flash thermography capturing a thermographic image of a portion of the turbine component, wherein the thermographic image is used by the controller to assess the condition of the turbine component, and wherein a visible light camera of the plurality of cameras captures images of the calibration target prior to capturing an image of the turbine component in order to create a three dimensional model of the turbine component. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the infrared camera of the plurality of cameras and a flash tube are integrated into a single package such that the view is through the center of the flash tube. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of cameras is a visible light camera. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the turbine component is selected from the group consisting of a turbomachine blade or vane, a transition, and a combustor basket. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controller comprises an I/O interface enabling a user to indicate a specific turbine component to be inspected, and wherein the controller positions the plurality cameras according to preprogrammed locations which are assigned according to the turbine component to be inspected. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the turbine component includes a thermal barrier coating and/or a bond coating. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a linear stage configured to vertically position the rotational table. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the linear stage includes an attachment portion to which a camera of the plurality of cameras is attached, and wherein the liner stage enables the positioning of the camera with the interior of a hollow turbine component in order to capture an image of the interior of the hollow turbine component. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controller compiles the plurality of images taken by the plurality of cameras and stitches the images onto the three dimensional model of the turbine component. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the images stitched onto the three dimensional model are used to visually assess the condition of the turbine component. ### Claim 11 A non-destructive method for automatic condition assessment of a turbine component, comprising: providing a plurality of optical cameras, each having a field of view of the turbine component, wherein at least one of the optical cameras is an infrared camera configured to perform flash thermography; creating, by a controller, a three dimensional model of the turbine component positioned in a photobox from obtained images of the turbine component against a photographable calibration target; automatically positioning a plurality cameras by the controller around the turbine component in the photobox in order to capture at least one image of a desired view of the turbine component; capturing a plurality of images of the component from the plurality of cameras; stitching by the controller the plurality of images onto the three dimensional model of the turbine component; analyzing a characteristic of the turbine component on the stitched image. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method as claimed in claim 11, further comprising automatic positioning of the turbine component by the controller which is accomplished by controlling a motorized rotational stage upon which the turbine component is carried. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the automatic positioning of the plurality of cameras includes controlling the positioning of a 360 degree camera into an interior of a hollow turbine component through control of a linear stage upon which the camera is carried. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The method as claimed in claim 11, further comprising obtaining a thermographic image of the turbine component generated by flash heating a surface of the turbine component and capturing by an infrared camera the infra-red radiation emitted from the turbine component.