Detecting defects in wind turbine blades

A wind turbine blade inspection system for detecting defects in a wind turbine blade, comprising:

• a directional light source configured to illuminate an inspection surface of a wind turbine blade at an acute angle relative to the inspection surface;
• a diffuse light source configured to diffusely illuminate the inspection surface of the wind turbine blade;
• an image-capturing device configured to capture an image of the inspection surface;
• a controller in communication with the directional light source, the diffuse light source, and the image-capturing device, the controller configured to:
• selectively activate the directional light source or the diffuse light source;
• receive, from the image-capturing device, an image of the inspection surface when illuminated by the directional light source and when illuminated by the diffuse light source;
• and
• analyze the received images of the inspection surface to detect a defect.

A computer-implemented method for detecting defects in a wind turbine blade, the method comprising:

• activating a directional light source of a wind turbine blade inspection system to illuminate an inspection surface of the wind turbine blade, an axis of directional light source oriented at an acute angle relative to the inspection surface;
• with a controller, receiving a first image of the inspection surface illuminated by the directional light source;
• activating a diffuse light source of the wind turbine blade inspection system to diffusely illuminate the inspection surface;
• with the controller receiving a second image of the inspection surface illuminated by the diffuse light source;
• and
• with the controller, analyzing the first and the second images of the inspection surface to detect a defect in the inspection surface.