Single-axis inspection scope with spherical camera and method for internal inspection of power generation machinery

摘要

Internal components of power generation machinery, such as gas turbine engines, are inspected with a spherical optical camera inspection system mounted on a compact diameter, single-axis inspection scope that is capable of insertion within an inspection port or other accessible insertion site. The inspection scope includes nested, non-rotatable telescoping tubes, which define an extension axis. Circumscribing, telescoping tubes have anti-rotation collars, which are in sliding engagement with a mating axial groove on an outer circumferential surface of a circumscribed tube. The camera is advanced and/or retracted along a scope extension axis by nested, drive tubes, which incorporate at least one external drive screw on a circumscribed drive tube and corresponding female threads formed in a circumscribing drive tube. The spherical camera has a 360-degree field of view, and captures images without rotation about the scope extension axis.