Non-destructive evaluation of welded joints of bar wound stator utilizing infrared and thermal methods

A system for the non-destructive evaluation of a plurality of welds, the system comprising:

• an electrical current source that is electrically connectable to the plurality of welds to selectively activate the plurality of welds;
• an infrared camera configured to capture at least one thermographic image of the activated plurality of welds;
• and
• a processor configured to analyze said at least one thermographic image to qualify at least one weld of the plurality of welds.

A method for non-destructive evaluation of an array of welded joints of a stator, the array of welded joints including a plurality of welds, the method comprising:

• orienting the stator with respect to an infrared camera, such that the location of each weld of the plurality of welds is identifiable in a thermal image produced by the infrared camera;
• energizing the array of welded joints using an electrical current provided to the stator;
• recording a plurality of thermal images of the energized array over time;
• analyzing the plurality of thermal images to develop a temperature-time profile of at least one weld of the plurality of welds;
• and
• evaluating the temperature-time profile of said at least one weld to qualify said at least one weld, including at least one of:
• estimating the size of said at least one weld;
• and
• determining if the temperature of said at least one weld has exceeded a predetermined temperature.