Method and device for inspecting hard-to-reach components

US11995815B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• LUFTHANSA TECHNIK AG · DE

Inventors

• Jan Oke Peters · Hamburg, DE
• Michael Thies · Indianapolis, US
• Thorsten Schueppstuhl · Hamburg, DE
• Werner Neddermeyer · Echternach, LU
• Sven Rasche · Hamburg, DE
• Tomas Domaschke · Hamburg, DE
• Maik Dammann · Hamburg, DE
• Mattes Schumann · Hamburg, DE
• Jens-Peter Tuppatsch · Hamburg, DE
• Soenke Bahr · Darmstadt, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 12, 2019
• Grant date: May 28, 2024
• Expiry date: Jan 29, 2041

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06T2215/16
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A method uses a flexible endoscope to inspect one or more hard-to-reach components of a gas turbine. The flexible endoscope has at least one image capture unit, which is configured to capture visual image information and associated 3D data, and which is located at a free end of the flexible endoscope. The method includes: introducing the flexible endoscope through an inspection opening; capturing the visual image information and the associated 3D data by the at least one image capture unit; comparing the captured 3D data to a 3D model of a component to be examined, and based on the comparison, ascertaining a relative pose of the at least one image capture unit in relation to the component; and texturing the 3D model with the visual image information captured by the at least one image capture unit, in accordance with the ascertained relative pose of the image capture unit.