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EP4058836A2 - Borescope having a rotary head - Google Patents

Borescope having a rotary head

Info

Publication number
EP4058836A2
EP4058836A2 EP20807717.2A EP20807717A EP4058836A2 EP 4058836 A2 EP4058836 A2 EP 4058836A2 EP 20807717 A EP20807717 A EP 20807717A EP 4058836 A2 EP4058836 A2 EP 4058836A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
image acquisition
image
rotary head
shaft
boroscope
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP20807717.2A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Jan Oke Peters
Michael Thies
Thomas Ruegg
Sören Wedow
Sven Rasche
Jens-Peter Tuppatsch
Sönke Bahr
Lukas BATH
Thorsten SCHÜPPSTUHL
Tarek Mostafa
Oliver Neumann
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Lufthansa Technik AG
Original Assignee
Lufthansa Technik AG
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Lufthansa Technik AG filed Critical Lufthansa Technik AG
Publication of EP4058836A2 publication Critical patent/EP4058836A2/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • GPHYSICS
    • G02OPTICS
    • G02BOPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B23/00Telescopes, e.g. binoculars; Periscopes; Instruments for viewing the inside of hollow bodies; Viewfinders; Optical aiming or sighting devices
    • G02B23/24Instruments or systems for viewing the inside of hollow bodies, e.g. fibrescopes
    • G02B23/2407Optical details
    • G02B23/2423Optical details of the distal end
    • GPHYSICS
    • G01MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01NINVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N21/00Investigating or analysing materials by the use of optical means, i.e. using sub-millimetre waves, infrared, visible or ultraviolet light
    • G01N21/84Systems specially adapted for particular applications
    • G01N21/88Investigating the presence of flaws or contamination
    • G01N21/95Investigating the presence of flaws or contamination characterised by the material or shape of the object to be examined
    • G01N21/954Inspecting the inner surface of hollow bodies, e.g. bores
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01DNON-POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, e.g. STEAM TURBINES
    • F01D21/00Shutting-down of machines or engines, e.g. in emergency; Regulating, controlling, or safety means not otherwise provided for
    • F01D21/003Arrangements for testing or measuring
    • GPHYSICS
    • G01MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01NINVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N21/00Investigating or analysing materials by the use of optical means, i.e. using sub-millimetre waves, infrared, visible or ultraviolet light
    • G01N21/84Systems specially adapted for particular applications
    • G01N21/88Investigating the presence of flaws or contamination
    • G01N21/8806Specially adapted optical and illumination features
    • GPHYSICS
    • G02OPTICS
    • G02BOPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B23/00Telescopes, e.g. binoculars; Periscopes; Instruments for viewing the inside of hollow bodies; Viewfinders; Optical aiming or sighting devices
    • G02B23/24Instruments or systems for viewing the inside of hollow bodies, e.g. fibrescopes
    • G02B23/2476Non-optical details, e.g. housings, mountings, supports
    • G02B23/2484Arrangements in relation to a camera or imaging device
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04NPICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N23/00Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof
    • H04N23/60Control of cameras or camera modules
    • H04N23/698Control of cameras or camera modules for achieving an enlarged field of view, e.g. panoramic image capture
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61BDIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B1/00Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
    • A61B1/00163Optical arrangements
    • A61B1/00174Optical arrangements characterised by the viewing angles
    • A61B1/00177Optical arrangements characterised by the viewing angles for 90 degrees side-viewing
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F05INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
    • F05DINDEXING SCHEME FOR ASPECTS RELATING TO NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, GAS-TURBINES OR JET-PROPULSION PLANTS
    • F05D2270/00Control
    • F05D2270/80Devices generating input signals, e.g. transducers, sensors, cameras or strain gauges
    • F05D2270/804Optical devices
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04NPICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N23/00Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof
    • H04N23/50Constructional details
    • H04N23/555Constructional details for picking-up images in sites, inaccessible due to their dimensions or hazardous conditions, e.g. endoscopes or borescopes

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a borescope, in particular for borescopy of the combustion chambers of aircraft engines, and to an arrangement comprising a borescope.
  • a borescope in particular for borescopy of the combustion chambers of aircraft engines
  • an arrangement comprising a borescope.
  • boroscopes to inspect technical equipment in areas that are not directly visible.
  • the borescopes can be inserted into the areas in question through small openings and offer insight into otherwise inaccessible areas either directly via optics or by displaying a video image recorded by suitable sensors on the tip of the borescope - also known as a video borescope.
  • Boroscopy is used, for example, for the inspection of aircraft engines, in order to gain an insight into the interior of the engine without having to take it apart in a laborious manner. At least for individual areas of the aircraft engine, such as the combustion chamber, for example, it is necessary or at least desirable to find and document the area in full.
  • a video borescope with a flexible shaft is used for boroscopy of the interior of the combustion chamber and is guided manually through the combustion chamber. To do this, the flexible borescope is guided along the entire inner circumference of the combustion chamber and then slowly pulled out. The images captured by the borescope are recorded while it is being pulled out. An attempt is made to ensure that the entire circumference of the usually ring-shaped combustion chamber is covered. If a possible problem is identified in the combustion chamber, it can then manual 3-D recording of the relevant point can be carried out with specially designed 3-D borescopes.
  • the object of the present invention is to create a borescope with which the inspection of technical devices, in particular the combustion chamber of aircraft engines, can be simplified and improved.
  • the invention relates to a borescope, in particular for borescopy of the combustion chambers of aircraft engines, to summarize an electronic image capture unit with at least one image sensor with a receiving cone at the first end of a shaft with a shaft axis through which data and supply lines for the image capture unit are passed , wherein the image acquisition unit is arranged on a rotary head rotatably attached to the shaft axis at the first end in such a way that the axis of the receiving cone does not run parallel to the shaft axis at the first end and a round image can be recorded by rotating the rotary head.
  • the invention relates to an arrangement comprising a borescope according to one of the preceding claims and a control and evaluation unit which is used to control the rotational movement movement of the rotary head and the image capturing unit, as is designed to combine the image data captured by the at least image capturing sensor to form a round image.
  • the invention has recognized that it is advantageous for the boroscopy of technical devices, in particular the combustion chambers of aircraft engines, if the borescope used is designed to create round images - that is, a 360 ° panorama image. If the borescope is brought into a desired position, the round image can be created according to the invention without changing the position or location of the borescope shaft.
  • the at least one image sensor of the image acquisition unit is arranged on a rotary head that can be rotated about the shaft axis.
  • the "shaft axis" is the longitudinal or symmetry axis of the shaft. If the shaft axis does not run in a straight line (for example in the case of a curved shaft) and / or is variable (for example in the case of a flexible shaft) is on that part of the Shaft axis to be placed directly at the first end of the shaft on which the rotary head is arranged as the axis of rotation for the rotary head.
  • the range of rotation of the rotary head can be less than or equal to 360 °. By limiting the range of rotation accordingly, it can be prevented that any data and supply lines that may be routed from the shaft into the rotary head are twisted or wound up when the rotary head is rotated as desired. Since it is sufficient for the creation of a round image at the same time if the entire 360 ° area is actually captured by the recording cone of the image capture unit, a rotation range of less than 360 ° can also be sufficient, since the Receiving cone regularly has an extension in the plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the rotary head, so that a complete round image can still be created.
  • the rotary head preferably has a ring gear, in which a pinion engages, which is driven by a drive unit which is fixed in place and eccentrically with respect to the shaft axis. Due to the eccentric arrangement of the drive unit with respect to the shaft, the routing of the data and supply lines on the shaft in the rotary head can be simplified.
  • the drive unit can be an electric motor, preferably a stepping motor, the supply and control lines of which can also be routed through the shaft.
  • the rotary head preferably comprises a co-rotating cylindrical housing with at least one transparent window in which the image capturing unit is arranged such that the receiving cone of each image capturing sensor is aligned through a transparent window.
  • the image capturing unit is protected by the housing, while no restriction is to be expected with regard to the image capturing at any angular positions of the rotary head due to the windows provided therein, rotating with it.
  • a cylindrical housing with at least one transparent ring segment which is stationary opposite the shaft axis at the first end and surrounding the rotary head, can be provided, the receiving cone of each image detection sensor being aligned by a transparent ring segment, with a separate ring segment being provided for each individual image detection sensor can be and / or the recording cone of several image acquisition sensors through a common mes ring segment are aligned.
  • the housing is stationary, but due to the at least one ring segment, the image acquisition by the image acquisition sensors is not impaired in any angular position of the rotary head.
  • the housing has a cylindrical shape.
  • the housing can thus be seen as a rigid continuation of the shaft, with which in particular the insertion of the boroscope according to the invention into a boroscope opening is easily possible.
  • the outer diameter of the housing can preferably correspond approximately to the outer diameter of the shaft.
  • the housing is - in both of the aforementioned versions - encapsulated before given to liquid-tight.
  • the borescope can then also be used for fluid-filled cavities without the image acquisition unit or other components of the borescope coming into direct contact with the fluid in the area of its tip and being damaged as a result.
  • the image acquisition unit comprises at least two, preferably in the direction of the shaft axis, image acquisition sensors spaced apart from one another with at least partially overlapping and / or mutually parallel alignment cones for determining 3-D information by triangulation. Since the two image acquisition sensors of the pair record a common image section at a distance from one another, triangulation can be used to determine 3-D information about the distance between the image points recorded by the two image acquisition sensors, which later becomes a 3-D model of the boroscopic area let join together. Suitable triangulation methods are known from the prior art.
  • the image acquisition sensors of a pair provided for the triangulation are arranged with a center distance of 15 mm to 25 mm, preferably 17 mm to 22 mm, more preferably approx. 20 mm.
  • the "center-to-center distance" denotes the distance between the two sensor centers.
  • the accuracy of the determination of the 3D data with the aid of triangulation depends on the distance between the two image acquisition sensors, with the small space available and optical distortions due to the generally only small distance.
  • the stated distances have proven to be advantageous in particular for the use of the boroscope according to the invention for inspecting aircraft engines.
  • the image capturing sensors can be arranged and / or designed in such a way that the receiving cones of one or two image capturing sensors provided for capturing 3-D information are arranged at a predetermined viewing angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the image capturing unit. If this viewing angle is 90 °, areas to the side of the image capture unit can be captured. By choosing a different angle of view other than 90 °, areas in front of it (angle range 30 ° -90 °) or areas behind (angle range 90 ° -150 °) can be recorded in the direction of insertion of the boroscope. However, it is also possible to provide several image acquisition sensors or pairs of image acquisition sensors provided for triangulation on a single borescope, each of which has different viewing angles. In particular, two pairs of image acquisition sensors can be provided, the receiving cones of both image acquisition sensors of the one pair being at a different viewing angle with respect to the shaft axis are aligned than the recording cones of both image capture sensors of the other pair.
  • the image capture unit can comprise at least one image capture sensor for capturing color images.
  • the color images captured by this at least one image capture sensor can be used directly as a round image.
  • a 3-D information acquired on the basis of a pair of image acquisition sensors is supplemented with the color information of a color image acquisition sensor in order to add colored 3-D information or a colored 3-D information.
  • D model. Recourse to gray-scale image acquisition sensors to determine 3-D information can be advantageous compared to color image acquisition sensors due to the higher resolution with identical sensor sizes.
  • the image acquisition sensors are preferably CCD sensors or CMOS sensors, preferably with a global shutter.
  • the image acquisition sensors preferably have a resolution of 400 x 400 pixels to 2400 x 2400 pixels, an image repetition rate of up to 240 recordings per second and / or an image field opening angle of 30 ° to 120 °, preferably 35 ° to 65 °, more preferably of 40 °, 50 ° or 60 °, in each case ⁇ 5 °, preferably in each case ⁇ 3 °.
  • continuous recording of image information is also possible with corresponding image acquisition sensors.
  • At least one light source preferably an LED
  • the at least one The light source can emit visible light and / or infrared radiation, depending on the wavelength range for which the image acquisition sensors are designed. It is of course also possible to provide several different light sources - for example one for the visible and one for the infrared range. The use of LEDs as light sources is particularly preferred because of the low heat generation and low energy consumption.
  • the shaft of the boroscope can be rigid, semi-flexible or flexi bel. If the shaft is flexible, the borescope can be guided through a guide tube, for example.
  • the guide tube can be part of the boroscope or a separate effetsvor direction.
  • the basic position of the boroscope or its image acquisition unit in the interior of the area to be boroscoped can then be determined via the guide tube.
  • the shaft can also be provided with cables that enable the shaft to be controlled. But it is also possible to loosely guide the borescope with a flexible shaft through an area to be recorded and to create the desired recordings in particular when pulling out the borescope.
  • a control and evaluation unit connected to the borescope according to the invention is provided, with which the rotational movement of the rotary head and the at least one image acquisition sensor are controlled and with which the individual images recorded by the at least one image acquisition sensor are combined to form a circular image.
  • the arrangement can be designed for continuous recording by the image acquisition units when the rotary head rotates.
  • the image acquisition units when the rotary head rotates.
  • in short succession usually only given by the speed of the Image Capture Sensors - Images captured while the rotary head is spinning.
  • a corresponding continuous recording enables a high quality in the round image assembled on the basis of these images.
  • the arrangement is designed for recording individual images by the image acquisition unit with the angular position successively reached by rotation of the rotary head.
  • the angular positions are to be selected in such a way that the individual images can still be put together to form a round image.
  • the amount of data to be processed is smaller with this alternative.
  • the control and evaluation unit is preferably designed to join two partially overlapping circular images. By joining together overlapping circular images, an enlarged circular image can be created.
  • the control and evaluation unit can also control the change in the position of the rotary head from which a round image is to be recorded. Suitable controllable guide devices are known in the prior art.
  • the merging of individual images to form round images or of individual round images to form an enlarged round image includes the merging of the associated 3-D information, provided this was determined by the borescope or the control and evaluation unit. This creates a 3-D model of the boroscopic area.
  • FIG. 1 a schematic representation of the borescope tip of a first exemplary embodiment of a boroscope according to the invention
  • FIG. 2 a schematic representation of the borescope tip of a second exemplary embodiment of a borescope according to the invention.
  • FIG. 3 a schematic representation of an arrangement according to the invention comprising a borescope according to FIG. 1 or FIG. 2.
  • FIG. 1 the tip 2, which is inserted into the areas to be examined, of a boroscope 1 is shown schematically.
  • the borescope 1 comprises a flexible shaft 3 that can be controlled via cables, which is only indicated in FIG. 1.
  • a Rota tion head 10 is arranged, which is rotatably mounted on a bearing 11 about the shaft axis 3 '.
  • the shaft axis 3 ' is the axis of symmetry of the shaft 3, the axis of rotation 10' of the rotary head 10 coinciding with the shaft axis 3 'directly at the first end 4 of the shaft 3, so that the remaining current shape of the flexible shaft 3 does not arrives.
  • the shaft axis 3 ′ is mentioned below, the part of the shaft axis 3 ′ immediately adjacent to the first end 4 of the shaft 3 is meant.
  • a stepper motor as a drive unit 12 is fixed in place with respect to the shaft 3 and its shaft axis 3 'be.
  • the drive unit 12 is arranged eccentrically to the shaft 3, so that sufficient space remains for the implementation of data and supply lines 21 from the shaft 3 into the rotary head 10.
  • the drive unit 12 is on Control and supply cables 13 connected, which are also if passed through the shaft 3 and via which the drive unit 12 can be controlled.
  • the drive unit 12 engages with a pinion 14 in a ring gear 15 on the rotary head 10 (both shown only schematically) and can thus rotate the rotary head 10 about its axis of rotation 10 'or the shaft axis 3'.
  • the range of rotation of the rotary head 10 is limited to approx. 280 ° by suitable stops in order to prevent the data and supply lines 21 from hitting or twisting the drive unit 12, which may generate heat.
  • the rotary head 10 comprises a co-rotating cylindrical housing 16 with a transparent window 17.
  • the housing 16 is encapsulated in a liquid-tight manner.
  • An image acquisition unit 20, which is connected to the data and supply lines 21, is arranged in the interior of the rotary head 10 or its housing 16.
  • the image acquisition unit 20 comprises two spaced gray value image acquisition sensors 22, the recording cones of which overlap in such a way that 3-D information can be derived from the images of the two image acquisition sensors 22 for the overlap area by triangulation.
  • a color image image detection sensor 23 is provided, which likewise detects the overlap area of the two other image detection sensors 22.
  • the color image information from the image acquisition sensor 23 can be used to enrich the 3-D information obtained via the two other image acquisition sensors 22 with color information. Corresponding methods for this are known in the prior art.
  • the image acquisition unit 20 further comprises two LEDs as light sources 24, with which the recording area of the individual image acquisition sensors 22, 23 can be sufficiently illuminated.
  • the image acquisition unit 20 is arranged within the housing 16 of the rotary head 10 in such a way that both the image acquisition sensors 22, 23 acquire through the transparent window 17 through the surroundings and the light sources 24 can illuminate the surroundings through the transparent window 17 .
  • the image acquisition sensors 22, 23 are further arranged in such a way that their receiving cones or their receiving axes 22 ',
  • the image acquisition unit 20 is stationary with respect to the housing 16 and can thus be rotated by 280 ° about the axis of rotation 10 ', together with the recording areas of the image acquisition sensors 22, 23 there is the possibility of an annular 360 ° - Panorama.
  • the image data and 3-D information recorded by the image acquisition sensors 22, 23 can accordingly be combined to form a round image.
  • FIG. 2 shows an alternative exemplary embodiment of a borescope 1, largely in accordance with the exemplary embodiment from FIG. 1.
  • the housing 16 is designed to be stationary with respect to the shaft 3 and the parts of the rotary head 10 that can be rotated about the rotational axis 10 'include the image acquisition unit 20 already fastened to a bracket 18 of the ring gear 15 and arranged within the housing 16 .
  • the non-visible bearing is provided between the hollow wheel 15 and the inner wall of the housing 16.
  • the first end 4 of the shaft 3 is inserted into the housing 16 and firmly connected to it.
  • the housing has a completely transparent ring segment 17 'so that the image acquisition sensors 22, 23 of the image acquisition unit 20 protruding from the bracket 18 can capture the surroundings unimpeded in any angular position that can be controlled via the drive unit 12.
  • the ring segment 17 ' is connected to the other non-transparent parts of the housing 16 in such a way that the housing 16 as a whole is liquid-tight, that is to say the rotary head 10 is encapsulated in a liquid-tight manner.
  • FIG 3 a section through a two-shaft engine 50 is shown schematically, in which the fan 51 and the low pressure compressor 52 is rotatably connected via a first shaft 53 with the low pressure turbine 54, while the high pressure compressor 55 via a second shaft 56 with the High pressure turbine 57 is rotatably connected. Between the high pressure compressor 55 and high pressure turbine 57, the annular combustion chamber 58 is arranged.
  • the arrangement 30 comprises a control and evaluation unit 31. Since the control and evaluation unit 31 also includes the actuators for includes the cables of the controllable shaft 3, which is directly fastened to the engine 50 in the region of a borescope opening 59, through which the borescope 1 is inserted into the combustion chamber 58.
  • the control and evaluation unit 31 is connected to the image acquisition unit 20 and the drive unit 12 via the data, control and supply lines 14, 21 running in the shaft 3 of the boroscope 1 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). Since the control and evaluation unit 31 can also control the shaft 3 via its cables, fully automatic 3-D detection of the combustion chamber 58 is possible.
  • control and evaluation unit 31 controls the cables of the shaft 3 in such a way that predetermined positions within the combustion chamber 58 with the rotary head 10 are started one after the other. At each of these positions, the rotary head 10 is then rotated while simultaneously recording the surroundings by the image sensors 22, 233-D information and color information is collected, which is then evaluated by the control and evaluation unit 31 using known triangulation and stitching methods colored 3-D round pictures can be put together.
  • the image sensors 22, 23 can continuously record images while the rotary head 10 is rotating, or individual images are recorded only at certain angular positions of the rotary head 10. In both cases, the image information can be combined to form colored round images, including comprehensive 3-D information.
  • the overlapping colored 3-D round images recorded at the various points can then be added together to form a 3-D model of the interior of the combustion chamber 58, which is then assessed and assessed at a user terminal (not shown) can.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Biochemistry (AREA)
  • Pathology (AREA)
  • Immunology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Astronomy & Astrophysics (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Instruments For Viewing The Inside Of Hollow Bodies (AREA)
  • Endoscopes (AREA)
  • Length Measuring Devices By Optical Means (AREA)
  • Monitoring And Testing Of Nuclear Reactors (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to a borescope (1), in particular for the borescopy of fuel chambers (58) of aircraft engines (50), and to an assembly (31) comprising a borescope (1). The borescope (1) comprises an electronic image capturing unit (20) with at least one image capturing sensor (22, 23) with a receiving cone at a first end (4) of a shaft (3) which has a shaft axis (3') and through which data and supply lines (21) for the image capturing unit (20) are guided. The image capturing unit (20) is arranged on a rotary head (10) which is rotatably secured to the first end (4) about the shaft axis (3') such that the axis (22', 23') of the receiving cone is not parallel to the shaft axis (3') on the first end (4) and a panoramic image can be captured by rotating the rotary head (10). The assembly (30) comprises a borescope (1) according to the invention and a control and analysis unit (31) which is designed to control the rotational movement of the rotary head (10) and the image capturing unit (20) and to combine the image data captured by the at least one image capturing sensor (22, 23) in order to form a panoramic image.

Description

Boroskop Borescope
Die Erfindung betrifft ein Boroskop, insbesondere für die Bo- roskopie der Brennkammern von Flugzeugtriebwerken, sowie eine Anordnung umfassend ein Boroskop. Im Stand der Technik ist es bekannt, zur Inspektion von tech nischen Geräten in Bereichen, die nicht unmittelbar einsehbar sind, auf Boroskope zurückzugreifen. Die Boroskope können durch kleine Öffnungen in die fraglichen Bereiche eingeführt werden und bieten entweder unmittelbar über eine Optik oder aber durch Anzeige eines durch geeignete Sensorik an der Boro- skopspitze aufgenommenen Videobildes - auch Video-Boroskop ge nannt - Einblick in ansonsten nicht einsehbare Bereiche. The invention relates to a borescope, in particular for borescopy of the combustion chambers of aircraft engines, and to an arrangement comprising a borescope. In the prior art it is known to use boroscopes to inspect technical equipment in areas that are not directly visible. The borescopes can be inserted into the areas in question through small openings and offer insight into otherwise inaccessible areas either directly via optics or by displaying a video image recorded by suitable sensors on the tip of the borescope - also known as a video borescope.
Die Boroskopie wird bspw. bei der Inspektion von Flugzeug triebwerken eingesetzt, um einen Einblick in das Innere des Triebwerks zu erlangen, ohne es dafür aufwendig auseinander nehmen zu müssen. Dabei ist es zumindest für einzelne Bereiche des Flugzeugtriebwerks, wie bspw. die Brennkammer, erforder lich oder zumindest wünschenswert, den Bereich vollständig zu befunden und zu dokumentieren. Derzeit wird für die Boroskopie des Innenraums der Brennkammer auf ein Video-Boroskop mit flexiblem Schaft zurückgegriffen, welches manuell durch die Brennkammer geführt wird. Dazu wird das flexible Boroskop entlang des kompletten Innenumfangs der Brennkammer geführt und anschließend langsam herausgezogen. Während des Herausziehens werden die vom Boroskop erfassten Bilder aufgezeichnet. Es wird dabei versucht sicherzustellen, dass der komplette Umfang der üblicherweise ringförmigen Brennkammer erfasst wird. Wird dabei eine mögliche Problem stelle in der Brennkammer identifiziert, kann anschließend eine manuelle 3-D-Erfassung der entsprechenden Stelle mit ge sonderten dafür geeigneten 3-D-Boroskopen durchgeführt werden. Boroscopy is used, for example, for the inspection of aircraft engines, in order to gain an insight into the interior of the engine without having to take it apart in a laborious manner. At least for individual areas of the aircraft engine, such as the combustion chamber, for example, it is necessary or at least desirable to find and document the area in full. Currently, a video borescope with a flexible shaft is used for boroscopy of the interior of the combustion chamber and is guided manually through the combustion chamber. To do this, the flexible borescope is guided along the entire inner circumference of the combustion chamber and then slowly pulled out. The images captured by the borescope are recorded while it is being pulled out. An attempt is made to ensure that the entire circumference of the usually ring-shaped combustion chamber is covered. If a possible problem is identified in the combustion chamber, it can then manual 3-D recording of the relevant point can be carried out with specially designed 3-D borescopes.
Aufgrund der manuellen Führung des Boroskops mit flexiblem Schaft ist eine vollständige und reproduzierbare Dokumentation des Zustands einer Brennkammer jedoch kaum möglich. Außerdem ist insbesondere die nachträgliche 3-D-Erfassung von möglichen Problemstellen sehr aufwendig und zeitintensiv. However, due to the manual guidance of the boroscope with flexible shaft, complete and reproducible documentation of the condition of a combustion chamber is hardly possible. In addition, the subsequent 3-D recording of possible problem areas in particular is very complex and time-consuming.
Aufgabe der vorliegenden Erfindung ist es, ein Boroskop zu schaffen, mit dem die Inspektion von technischen Geräten, ins- besondere der Brennkammer von Flugzeugtriebwerken, vereinfacht und verbessert werden kann. The object of the present invention is to create a borescope with which the inspection of technical devices, in particular the combustion chamber of aircraft engines, can be simplified and improved.
Gelöst wird diese Aufgabe durch ein Boroskop gemäß Hauptan spruch sowie eine Anordnung gemäß dem nebengeordneten Anspruch 12. Vorteilhafte Weiterbildungen sind Gegenstand der abhängi- gen Ansprüche. This object is achieved by a borescope according to the main claim and an arrangement according to the independent claim 12. Advantageous further developments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.
Demnach betrifft die Erfindung ein Boroskop, insbesondere für die Boroskopie der Brennkammern von Flugzeugtriebwerken, um fassend eine elektronische Bilderfassungseinheit mit wenigs tens einem Bilderfassungssensor mit einem Aufnahmekegel am ersten Ende eines Schafts mit einer Schaftachse, durch den Da ten- und Versorgungsleitungen für die Bilderfassungseinheit geführt sind, wobei die Bilderfassungseinheit an einem drehbar um die Schaftachse am ersten Ende befestigten Rotationskopf derart angeordnet ist, dass die Achse des Aufnahmekegels nicht parallel zur Schaftachse am ersten Ende verläuft und durch Drehung des Rotationskopfes ein Rundbild aufnehmbar ist. Accordingly, the invention relates to a borescope, in particular for borescopy of the combustion chambers of aircraft engines, to summarize an electronic image capture unit with at least one image sensor with a receiving cone at the first end of a shaft with a shaft axis through which data and supply lines for the image capture unit are passed , wherein the image acquisition unit is arranged on a rotary head rotatably attached to the shaft axis at the first end in such a way that the axis of the receiving cone does not run parallel to the shaft axis at the first end and a round image can be recorded by rotating the rotary head.
Weiterhin betrifft die Erfindung eine Anordnung umfassend ein Boroskop nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche und eine Steuer- und Auswerteeinheit, die zum Steuern der Rotationsbe- wegung des Rotationskopfes und der Bilderfassungseinheit, so wie zum Zusammenfügen der von dem wenigstens Bilderfassungs sensor erfassten Bilddaten zu einem Rundbild ausgebildet ist. Furthermore, the invention relates to an arrangement comprising a borescope according to one of the preceding claims and a control and evaluation unit which is used to control the rotational movement movement of the rotary head and the image capturing unit, as is designed to combine the image data captured by the at least image capturing sensor to form a round image.
Die Erfindung hat erkannt, dass es für die Boroskopie von technischen Geräten, insbesondere der Brennkammern von Flug zeugtriebwerken, vorteilhaft ist, wenn das verwendete Boroskop zur Erstellung von Rundbildern - also ein 360°-Panoramabild - ausgebildet ist. Ist das Boroskop in eine gewünschte Position gebracht, kann das Rundbild erfindungsgemäß ohne Veränderung der Position oder Lage des Boroskopschafts erstellt werden. The invention has recognized that it is advantageous for the boroscopy of technical devices, in particular the combustion chambers of aircraft engines, if the borescope used is designed to create round images - that is, a 360 ° panorama image. If the borescope is brought into a desired position, the round image can be created according to the invention without changing the position or location of the borescope shaft.
Dazu ist vorgesehen, dass der wenigstens eine Bildsensor der Bilderfassungseinheit an einem Rotationskopf angeordnet ist, der sich um die Schaftachse drehen lässt. Als „Schaftachse" ist dabei die Längs- oder Symmetrieachse des Schafts bezeich- net. Verläuft die Schaftachse nicht geradlinig (bspw. bei ei nem gekrümmten Schaft) und/oder ist sie variabel (bspw. bei einem flexiblen Schaft) ist auf denjenigen Teil der Schaftachse unmittelbar an dem ersten Ende des Schafts, an dem der Rotationskopf angeordnet ist, als Rotationsachse für den Rotationskopf abzustellen. For this purpose, it is provided that the at least one image sensor of the image acquisition unit is arranged on a rotary head that can be rotated about the shaft axis. The "shaft axis" is the longitudinal or symmetry axis of the shaft. If the shaft axis does not run in a straight line (for example in the case of a curved shaft) and / or is variable (for example in the case of a flexible shaft) is on that part of the Shaft axis to be placed directly at the first end of the shaft on which the rotary head is arranged as the axis of rotation for the rotary head.
Der Drehbereich des Rotationskopfes kann dabei kleiner gleich 360° sein. Durch eine entsprechende Begrenzung des Drehbe reichs kann verhindert werden, dass sich aus dem Schaft bis in den Rotationskopf ggf. geführte Daten- und Versorgungsleitun- gen bei beliebigen Drehen des Rotationskopfes verdrillen oder aufwickeln. Da es für die Erstellung eines Rundbildes gleich zeitig ausreicht, wenn der gesamte 360°-Bereich von dem Auf nahmekegel der Bilderfassungseinheit tatsächlich erfasst wird, kann auch eine Drehbereich kleiner 360° ausreichen, da der Aufnahmekegel regelmäßig eine Ausdehnung in der Ebene senk recht zur Rotationsachse des Rotationskopfes aufweist, sodass dennoch ein vollständiges Rundbild erstellt werden kann. The range of rotation of the rotary head can be less than or equal to 360 °. By limiting the range of rotation accordingly, it can be prevented that any data and supply lines that may be routed from the shaft into the rotary head are twisted or wound up when the rotary head is rotated as desired. Since it is sufficient for the creation of a round image at the same time if the entire 360 ° area is actually captured by the recording cone of the image capture unit, a rotation range of less than 360 ° can also be sufficient, since the Receiving cone regularly has an extension in the plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the rotary head, so that a complete round image can still be created.
Der Rotationskopf weist bevorzugt ein Hohlrad auf, in welches ein durch eine ortsfest und exzentrisch gegenüber der Schaftachse befestigte Antriebseinheit angetriebenes Ritzel eingreift. Durch die gegenüber dem Schaft exzentrische Anord nung der Antriebseinheit kann die Führung der Daten- und Ver sorgungsleitungen auf dem Schaft in den Rotationskopf verein facht werden. Bei der Antriebseinheit kann es sich um einen elektrischen Motor, vorzugsweise einen Schrittmotor, handeln, dessen Versorgungs- und Steuerleitungen ebenfalls durch den Schaft geführt sein können. The rotary head preferably has a ring gear, in which a pinion engages, which is driven by a drive unit which is fixed in place and eccentrically with respect to the shaft axis. Due to the eccentric arrangement of the drive unit with respect to the shaft, the routing of the data and supply lines on the shaft in the rotary head can be simplified. The drive unit can be an electric motor, preferably a stepping motor, the supply and control lines of which can also be routed through the shaft.
Der Rotationskopf umfasst vorzugsweise ein mitrotierendes zy lindrisches Gehäuse mit wenigstens einem transparenten Fens ter, in welchem die Bilderfassungseinheit derart angeordnet ist, dass der Aufnahmekegel jedes Bilderfassungssensors je weils durch ein transparentes Fenster ausgerichtet ist. Die Bilderfassungseinheit ist durch das Gehäuse geschützt, während aufgrund der darin vorgesehenen, mitrotierenden Fenster keine Einschränkung hinsichtlich der Bilderfassung bei beliebigen Winkelpositionen des Rotationskopfes zu erwarten ist. The rotary head preferably comprises a co-rotating cylindrical housing with at least one transparent window in which the image capturing unit is arranged such that the receiving cone of each image capturing sensor is aligned through a transparent window. The image capturing unit is protected by the housing, while no restriction is to be expected with regard to the image capturing at any angular positions of the rotary head due to the windows provided therein, rotating with it.
Alternativ kann ein gegenüber der Schaftachse am ersten Ende ortsfestes, den Rotationskopf umgebendes zylindrisches Gehäuse mit wenigstens einem transparenten Ringsegment vorgesehen sein, wobei der Aufnahmekegel jedes Bilderfassungssensors je weils durch ein transparenten Ringsegment ausgerichtet ist, wobei für einen einzelnen Bilderfassungssensor (jeweils) ein gesondertes Ringsegment vorgesehen sein kann und/oder die Auf nahmekegel mehrerer Bilderfassungssensoren durch ein gemeinsa- mes Ringsegment ausgerichtet sind. In diesem Fall ist das Ge häuse zwar feststehend, aufgrund des wenigstens einen Ringseg mentes ist die Bilderfassung durch die Bilderfassungssensoren jedoch in keiner Winkelposition des Rotationskopfes beein trächtigt. Alternatively, a cylindrical housing with at least one transparent ring segment, which is stationary opposite the shaft axis at the first end and surrounding the rotary head, can be provided, the receiving cone of each image detection sensor being aligned by a transparent ring segment, with a separate ring segment being provided for each individual image detection sensor can be and / or the recording cone of several image acquisition sensors through a common mes ring segment are aligned. In this case, the housing is stationary, but due to the at least one ring segment, the image acquisition by the image acquisition sensors is not impaired in any angular position of the rotary head.
In beiden Fällen weist das Gehäuse eine zylindrische Form auf. Das Gehäuse kann somit als starre Fortführung des Schaftes an gesehen werden, womit insbesondere das Einführen des erfin dungsgemäßen Boroskops in eine Boroskopöffnung einfach möglich ist. Der Außendurchmesser des Gehäuses kann dabei vorzugsweise annähernd dem Außendurchmesser des Schaftes entsprechen. In both cases the housing has a cylindrical shape. The housing can thus be seen as a rigid continuation of the shaft, with which in particular the insertion of the boroscope according to the invention into a boroscope opening is easily possible. The outer diameter of the housing can preferably correspond approximately to the outer diameter of the shaft.
Das Gehäuse ist - in beiden vorgenannten Ausführungen - bevor zugt flüssigkeitsdicht gekapselt. Das Boroskop kann dann auch für flüssigkeitsgefüllte Hohlräume eingesetzt werden, ohne dass die Bilderfassungseinheit oder andere Komponenten des Bo roskops im Bereich dessen Spitze in unmittelbare Kontakt mit der Flüssigkeit kämen und dadurch beschädigt werden könnten. The housing is - in both of the aforementioned versions - encapsulated before given to liquid-tight. The borescope can then also be used for fluid-filled cavities without the image acquisition unit or other components of the borescope coming into direct contact with the fluid in the area of its tip and being damaged as a result.
Es ist bevorzugt, wenn die die Bilderfassungseinheit wenigs tens zwei, vorzugsweise in Richtung der Schaftachse, voneinan der beabstandete Bilderfassungssensoren mit einander wenigs tens teilweise überschneidenden und/oder zueinander parallel ausgerichteten Aufnahmekegeln zur Ermittlung von 3-D-Informa- tionen durch Triangulation umfasst. Indem die beiden Bilder fassungssensoren des Paares voneinander beabstandet einen ge meinsamen Bildausschnitt erfassen, können mithilfe von Trian gulation 3-D-Informationen über den Abstand der von beiden Bilderfassungssensoren aufgenommenen Bildpunkte ermitteltwer den, die sich später zu einem 3-D-Modell des boroskopierten Bereichs zusammenfügen lassen. Geeignete Triangulationsverfah ren sind aus dem Stand der Technik bekannt. Es ist bevorzugt, wenn die Bilderfassungssensoren eines für die Triangulation vorgesehenen Paares mit einem Mittelpunktab stand von 15 mm bis 25 mm, vorzugsweise von 17 mm bis 22 mm, weiter vorzugsweise von ca. 20mm angeordnet sind. Alternativ ist bevorzugt ein Mittelpunktabstand von 5 mm bis 15 mm, vor zugsweise von 7 mm bis 12 mm, weiter vorzugsweise von 10 mm bis 11 mm. Mit „Mittelpunktabstand" ist der Abstand der beiden Sensormittelpunkte zueinander bezeichnet. Die Genauigkeit der Ermittlung der 3D-Daten mithilfe von Triangulation hängt von dem Abstand der beiden Bilderfassungssensoren ab, wobei der geringe zur Verfügung stehende Bauraum und optische Verzerrun gen aufgrund des regelmäßig nur geringen Abstands der Aufnah meebene von der Bilderfassungseinheit limitierende Faktoren sind. Die genannten Abstände haben sich insbesondere für die Verwendung des erfindungsgemäßen Boroskops zur Inspektion von Flugzeugtriebwerken als vorteilhaft erwiesen. It is preferred if the image acquisition unit comprises at least two, preferably in the direction of the shaft axis, image acquisition sensors spaced apart from one another with at least partially overlapping and / or mutually parallel alignment cones for determining 3-D information by triangulation. Since the two image acquisition sensors of the pair record a common image section at a distance from one another, triangulation can be used to determine 3-D information about the distance between the image points recorded by the two image acquisition sensors, which later becomes a 3-D model of the boroscopic area let join together. Suitable triangulation methods are known from the prior art. It is preferred if the image acquisition sensors of a pair provided for the triangulation are arranged with a center distance of 15 mm to 25 mm, preferably 17 mm to 22 mm, more preferably approx. 20 mm. Alternatively, a center-to-center distance of 5 mm to 15 mm, preferably from 7 mm to 12 mm, more preferably from 10 mm to 11 mm, is preferred. The "center-to-center distance" denotes the distance between the two sensor centers. The accuracy of the determination of the 3D data with the aid of triangulation depends on the distance between the two image acquisition sensors, with the small space available and optical distortions due to the generally only small distance The stated distances have proven to be advantageous in particular for the use of the boroscope according to the invention for inspecting aircraft engines.
Die Bilderfassungssensoren können so angeordnet und/oder aus gestaltet sein, dass die Aufnahmekegel eines oder zwei zur Er fassung von 3-D-Informationen vorgesehener Bilderfassungs sensoren in einem vorgegebenen Blickwinkel gegenüber der Längsachse der Bilderfassungseinheit angeordnet sind. Beträgt dieser Blickwinkel 90°, können Bereiche seitlich der Bilder fassungseinheit erfasst werden. Durch eine andere Wahl des Blickwinkels abweichend von 90° können in Einschubrichtung des Boroskops davorliegende Bereiche (Winkelbereich 30°-90°) oder zurückliegende Bereiche (Winkelbereich 90°-150°) erfasst wer den. Es ist aber auch möglich, mehrere Bilderfassungssensoren oder zur Triangulation vorgesehene Paare von Bilderfassungs sensoren an einem einzelnen Boroskop vorzusehen, die jeweils unterschiedliche Blickwinkel aufweisen. Insbesondere können zwei Paare von Bilderfassungssensoren vorgesehen sein, wobei die Aufnahmekegel beider Bilderfassungssensoren des einen Paa res in einem anderen Blickwinkel gegenüber der Schaftachse ausgerichtet sind als die Aufnahmekegel beider Bilderfassungs sensoren des anderen Paares. The image capturing sensors can be arranged and / or designed in such a way that the receiving cones of one or two image capturing sensors provided for capturing 3-D information are arranged at a predetermined viewing angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the image capturing unit. If this viewing angle is 90 °, areas to the side of the image capture unit can be captured. By choosing a different angle of view other than 90 °, areas in front of it (angle range 30 ° -90 °) or areas behind (angle range 90 ° -150 °) can be recorded in the direction of insertion of the boroscope. However, it is also possible to provide several image acquisition sensors or pairs of image acquisition sensors provided for triangulation on a single borescope, each of which has different viewing angles. In particular, two pairs of image acquisition sensors can be provided, the receiving cones of both image acquisition sensors of the one pair being at a different viewing angle with respect to the shaft axis are aligned than the recording cones of both image capture sensors of the other pair.
Die Bilderfassungseinheit kann wenigstens einen Bilderfas sungssensor zur Erfassung von Farbbildern umfassen. Dabei kön nen die von diesem wenigstens einen Bilderfassungssensor er fassten Farbbilder unmittelbar als Rundbild verwendet werden. Es ist aber auch möglich, dass ein auf Basis von durch ein Paar Bilderfassungssensoren aufgenommene Grauwertbilder ermit telte 3-D-Informatinen mit den Farbinformationen eines Farb- Bilderfassungssensor ergänzt werden, um so eingefärbte 3-D-In- formationen bzw. ein farbiges 3-D-Modell zu erhalten. Der Rückgriff auf Grauwert-Bilderfassungssensoren zur Ermittlung von 3-D-Informationen kann aufgrund der bei identischer Sen sorgröße höheren Auflösung gegenüber Farb-Bilderfassungssenso- ren vorteilhaft sein. The image capture unit can comprise at least one image capture sensor for capturing color images. The color images captured by this at least one image capture sensor can be used directly as a round image. However, it is also possible that a 3-D information acquired on the basis of a pair of image acquisition sensors is supplemented with the color information of a color image acquisition sensor in order to add colored 3-D information or a colored 3-D information. D model. Recourse to gray-scale image acquisition sensors to determine 3-D information can be advantageous compared to color image acquisition sensors due to the higher resolution with identical sensor sizes.
Bei den Bilderfassungssensoren handelt es sich vorzugsweise um CCD-Sensoren oder CMOS-Sensoren, vorzugsweise mit Global Shut- ter. Die Bilderfassungssensoren weisen vorzugsweise eine Auf lösung von 400 x 400 Pixel bis 2400 x 2400 Pixel, eine Bild wiederholrate von bis zu 240 Aufnahmen pro Sekunde und/oder einen Bildfeldöffnungswinkel von 30° bis 120°, vorzugsweise 35° bis 65°, weiter vorzugsweise von 40°, 50° oder 60°, je weils ± 5°, vorzugsweise jeweils ± 3° auf. Mit entsprechenden Bilderfassungssensoren ist insbesondere auch eine kontinuier liche Aufnahme von Bildinformationen möglich. The image acquisition sensors are preferably CCD sensors or CMOS sensors, preferably with a global shutter. The image acquisition sensors preferably have a resolution of 400 x 400 pixels to 2400 x 2400 pixels, an image repetition rate of up to 240 recordings per second and / or an image field opening angle of 30 ° to 120 °, preferably 35 ° to 65 °, more preferably of 40 °, 50 ° or 60 °, in each case ± 5 °, preferably in each case ± 3 °. In particular, continuous recording of image information is also possible with corresponding image acquisition sensors.
Es ist bevorzugt, wenn am Rotationskopf wenigstens eine Licht quelle, vorzugsweise eine LED, zur Beleuchtung des Aufnahmebe reichs vorgesehen ist. Durch die Anordnung der Lichtquelle un mittelbar am Rotationskopf kann eine gute Be- und Ausleuchtung des Aufnahmebereichs unabhängig von der Winkelposition des Ro tationskopfes sichergestellt werden. Die die wenigstens eine Lichtquelle kann sichtbares Licht und/oder Infrarotstrahlung aussenden, je nachdem, für welchem Wellenlängenbereich die Bilderfassungssensoren ausgelegt sind. Es ist selbstverständ lich auch möglich, mehrere unterschiedliche Lichtquellen - bspw. eine für den sichtbaren und eine für den Infrarot-Be reich - vorzusehen. Die Verwendung von LEDs als Lichtquellen ist aufgrund der geringen Wärmeentwicklung und des geringen Energieverbrauchs besonders bevorzugt. It is preferred if at least one light source, preferably an LED, is provided on the rotary head to illuminate the recording area. By arranging the light source directly on the rotary head, good lighting and illumination of the recording area can be ensured regardless of the angular position of the rotary head. The at least one The light source can emit visible light and / or infrared radiation, depending on the wavelength range for which the image acquisition sensors are designed. It is of course also possible to provide several different light sources - for example one for the visible and one for the infrared range. The use of LEDs as light sources is particularly preferred because of the low heat generation and low energy consumption.
Der Schaft des Boroskops kann starr, semi-flexibel oder flexi bel sein. Ist der Schaft flexibel, kann das Boroskop bspw. durch ein Führungsrohr geführt werden. Das Führungsrohr kann dabei Teil des Boroskops oder einer gesonderten Führungsvor richtung sein. Über das Führungsrohr kann dann die grundsätz liche Position des Boroskops bzw. dessen Bilderfassungseinheit im Innern des zu boroskopierenden Bereichs festgelegt werden. Der Schaft kann auch mit Seilzügen versehen sein, die eine Steuerung des Schaftes ermöglichen. Es ist aber auch möglich, das Boroskop mit flexiblem Schaft lose durch einen aufzuneh menden Bereich zu führen und die gewünschten Aufnahmen insbe sondere beim Herausziehen des Boroskops zu erstellen. The shaft of the boroscope can be rigid, semi-flexible or flexi bel. If the shaft is flexible, the borescope can be guided through a guide tube, for example. The guide tube can be part of the boroscope or a separate Führungsvor direction. The basic position of the boroscope or its image acquisition unit in the interior of the area to be boroscoped can then be determined via the guide tube. The shaft can also be provided with cables that enable the shaft to be controlled. But it is also possible to loosely guide the borescope with a flexible shaft through an area to be recorded and to create the desired recordings in particular when pulling out the borescope.
Bei der erfindungsgemäßen Anordnung ist eine mit dem erfin dungsgemäßen Boroskop verbundene Steuer- und Auswerteeinheit vorgesehen, mit der die Rotationsbewegung des Rotationskopfes sowie der wenigstens eine Bilderfassungssensor gesteuert und mit der die von dem der wenigstens einen Bilderfassungssensor aufgenommenen Einzelbilder zu einem Rundbild zusammengefügt werden. In the arrangement according to the invention, a control and evaluation unit connected to the borescope according to the invention is provided, with which the rotational movement of the rotary head and the at least one image acquisition sensor are controlled and with which the individual images recorded by the at least one image acquisition sensor are combined to form a circular image.
Dabei kann die Anordnung zur kontinuierlichen Aufnahme durch die Bilderfassungseinheiten bei Rotation des Rotationskopfes ausgebildet sein. In anderen Worten werden in kurzer Abfolge - in der Regel nur vorgegebenen durch die Geschwindigkeit der Bilderfassungssensoren - Bilder aufgenommen, während sich der Rotationskopf dreht. Eine entsprechende kontinuierliche Auf nahme ermöglicht eine hohe Qualität in dem auf Basis dieser Bilder zusammengefügten Rundbild. In this case, the arrangement can be designed for continuous recording by the image acquisition units when the rotary head rotates. In other words, in short succession - usually only given by the speed of the Image Capture Sensors - Images captured while the rotary head is spinning. A corresponding continuous recording enables a high quality in the round image assembled on the basis of these images.
Alternativ ist es möglich, dass die Anordnung zur Aufnahme von Einzelbildern durch die Bilderfassungseinheit bei nacheinander durch Rotation des Rotationskopfes erreichten Winkelposition ausgebildet ist. Die Winkelpositionen sind dabei so zu wählen, dass sich die Einzelbilder weiterhin zu einem Rundbild zusam menfügen lassen. Gegenüber einer kontinuierlichen Aufnahme durch die Bilderfassungseinheiten ist bei dieser Alternative die zu verarbeitende Datenmenge geringer. Alternatively, it is possible for the arrangement to be designed for recording individual images by the image acquisition unit with the angular position successively reached by rotation of the rotary head. The angular positions are to be selected in such a way that the individual images can still be put together to form a round image. Compared to a continuous recording by the image acquisition units, the amount of data to be processed is smaller with this alternative.
Die Steuer- und Auswerteeinheit ist vorzugsweise zum Zusammen fügen von zwei sich teilweise überlappenden Rundbilder ausge bildet. Durch das Zusammenfügen sich überlappender Rundbilder kann ein vergrößertes Rundbild geschaffen werden. Die Steuer- und Auswerteeinheit kann dabei auch zur Steuerung der Verände rung der Position des Rotationskopfes, von denen aus jeweils ein Rundbild erfasst werden soll, steuern. Geeignete steuer bare Führungsvorrichtungen sind dazu im Stand der Technik be kannt. The control and evaluation unit is preferably designed to join two partially overlapping circular images. By joining together overlapping circular images, an enlarged circular image can be created. The control and evaluation unit can also control the change in the position of the rotary head from which a round image is to be recorded. Suitable controllable guide devices are known in the prior art.
Das Zusammenfügen von Einzelbildern zu Rundbildern bzw. von einzelnen Rundbildern zu einem vergrößerten Rundbild umfasst dabei das Zusammenfügen von den dazugehörigen 3-D-Informatio- nen, sofern diese vom Boroskop oder der Steuer- und Auswer teeinheit ermittelt wurden. Es entsteht so ein 3-D-Modell von dem boroskopierten Bereich. The merging of individual images to form round images or of individual round images to form an enlarged round image includes the merging of the associated 3-D information, provided this was determined by the borescope or the control and evaluation unit. This creates a 3-D model of the boroscopic area.
Die Erfindung wird anhand vorteilhafter Ausführungsformen un ter Bezugnahme auf die beigefügten Zeichnungen beispielhaft beschrieben. Es zeigen: Figur 1: eine schematische Darstellung der Boroskopspitze eines ersten Ausführungsbeispiels eines erfin dungsgemäßen Boroskops; The invention is described by way of example on the basis of advantageous embodiments un ter with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it: FIG. 1: a schematic representation of the borescope tip of a first exemplary embodiment of a boroscope according to the invention;
Figur 2: eine schematische Darstellung der Boroskopspitze eines zweiten Ausführungsbeispiels eines erfin dungsgemäßen Boroskops; und FIG. 2: a schematic representation of the borescope tip of a second exemplary embodiment of a borescope according to the invention; and
Figur 3: eine schematische Darstellung einer erfindungsge mäßen Anordnung umfassend ein Boroskop gemäß Fi gur 1 oder Figur 2. FIG. 3: a schematic representation of an arrangement according to the invention comprising a borescope according to FIG. 1 or FIG. 2.
In Figur 1 ist schematisch die Spitze 2, welche in die zu un tersuchenden Bereiche eingeführt wird, eines Boroskops 1 ge zeigt. Das Boroskop 1 umfasst einen flexiblen, über Seilzüge steuerbaren Schaft 3, der in Figur 1 lediglich angedeutet ist. An dem spitzennahen ersten Ende 4 des Schafts 2 ist ein Rota tionskopf 10 angeordnet, der über ein Lager 11 drehbar um die Schaftachse 3' gelagert ist. Die Schaftachse 3' ist dabei die Symmetrieachse des Schafts 3 bezeichnet, wobei die Rotations achse 10' des Rotationskopfes 10 mit der Schaftachse 3' unmit telbar am ersten Ende 4 des Schafts 3 zusammenfällt, sodass es auch die übrige momentane Formgebung des flexiblen Schaftes 3 nicht ankommt. Ist nachfolgend von der Schaftachse 3' die Rede, ist der Teil der Schaftachse 3' unmittelbar anschließend an das erste Ende 4 des Schaftes 3 gemeint. In FIG. 1, the tip 2, which is inserted into the areas to be examined, of a boroscope 1 is shown schematically. The borescope 1 comprises a flexible shaft 3 that can be controlled via cables, which is only indicated in FIG. 1. At the tip near the first end 4 of the shaft 2, a Rota tion head 10 is arranged, which is rotatably mounted on a bearing 11 about the shaft axis 3 '. The shaft axis 3 'is the axis of symmetry of the shaft 3, the axis of rotation 10' of the rotary head 10 coinciding with the shaft axis 3 'directly at the first end 4 of the shaft 3, so that the remaining current shape of the flexible shaft 3 does not arrives. If the shaft axis 3 ′ is mentioned below, the part of the shaft axis 3 ′ immediately adjacent to the first end 4 of the shaft 3 is meant.
An dem Lager 11 ist ein Schrittmotor als Antriebseinheit 12 ortsfest gegenüber dem Schaft 3 und dessen Schaftachse 3' be festigt. Dabei ist die Antriebseinheit 12 exzentrisch zum Schaft 3 angeordnet, sodass ausreichend Platz für die Durch führung von Daten- und Versorgungsleitungen 21 vom Schaft 3 in den Rotationskopf 10 bleibt. Die Antriebseinheit 12 ist an Steuerungs- und Versorgungskabel 13 angeschlossen, die eben falls durch den Schaft 3 geführt sind und über welche die An triebseinheit 12 gesteuert werden kann. On the bearing 11, a stepper motor as a drive unit 12 is fixed in place with respect to the shaft 3 and its shaft axis 3 'be. The drive unit 12 is arranged eccentrically to the shaft 3, so that sufficient space remains for the implementation of data and supply lines 21 from the shaft 3 into the rotary head 10. The drive unit 12 is on Control and supply cables 13 connected, which are also if passed through the shaft 3 and via which the drive unit 12 can be controlled.
Die Antriebseinheit 12 greift mit einem Ritzel 14 in ein Hohl- rad 15 am Rotationskopf 10 (beide nur schematisch dargestellt) ein, und kann den Rotationskopf 10 somit um dessen Rotations achse 10' bzw. die Schaftachse 3' drehen. Dabei ist der Dreh bereich des Rotationskopfes 10 durch geeignete Anschläge auf ca. 280° begrenzt, um zu verhindern, dass die Daten- und Ver- sorgungsleitungen 21 an die ggf. wärmeentwickelnde Antriebs einheit 12 anstoßen oder verdrillen. The drive unit 12 engages with a pinion 14 in a ring gear 15 on the rotary head 10 (both shown only schematically) and can thus rotate the rotary head 10 about its axis of rotation 10 'or the shaft axis 3'. The range of rotation of the rotary head 10 is limited to approx. 280 ° by suitable stops in order to prevent the data and supply lines 21 from hitting or twisting the drive unit 12, which may generate heat.
Der Rotationskopf 10 umfasst ein mitrotierendes zylindrisches Gehäuse 16 mit einem transparenten Fenster 17. Das Gehäuse 16 ist flüssigkeitsdicht gekapselt. Im Innern des Rotationskopfes 10 bzw. dessen Gehäuses 16 ist eine Bilderfassungseinheit 20 angeordnet, die an die Daten- und Versorgungsleitungen 21 angebunden ist. The rotary head 10 comprises a co-rotating cylindrical housing 16 with a transparent window 17. The housing 16 is encapsulated in a liquid-tight manner. An image acquisition unit 20, which is connected to the data and supply lines 21, is arranged in the interior of the rotary head 10 or its housing 16.
Die Bilderfassungseinheit 20 umfasst zwei voneinander beab- standete Grauwert-Bilderfassungssensoren 22, deren Aufnahmeke- gel sich derart überschneiden, dass sich für den Überlappungs bereich durch Triangulation 3-D-Informationen aus den Bilder der beiden Bilderfassungssensoren 22 ableiten lassen. Darüber hinaus ist ein Farbbild-Bilderfassungssensor 23 vorgesehen, der ebenfalls den Überlappungsbereich der beiden anderen Bil- derfassungssensoren 22 erfasst. Die Farbbild-Informationen des Bilderfassungssensors 23 können dazu genutzt werden, die über die beiden anderen Bilderfassungssensoren 22 gewonnenen 3-D- Informationen mit Farbinformationen anzureichern. Entspre chende Verfahren dafür sind im Stand der Technik bekannt. Die Bilderfassungseinheit 20 umfasst weiterhin zwei LEDs als Lichtquellen 24, mit dem der Aufnahmebereich der einzelnen Bilderfassungssensoren 22, 23 ausreichend ausgeleuchtet werden kann. Der Bilderfassungseinheit 20 ist so innerhalb des Gehäuses 16 des Rotationskopfes 10 angeordnet, dass sowohl die Bilderfas sungssensoren 22, 23 durch das transparenten Fenster 17 hin durch die Umgebung erfassen, als auch die Lichtquellen 24 die Umgebung durch das transparenten Fenster 17 hindurch beleuch- ten können. The image acquisition unit 20 comprises two spaced gray value image acquisition sensors 22, the recording cones of which overlap in such a way that 3-D information can be derived from the images of the two image acquisition sensors 22 for the overlap area by triangulation. In addition, a color image image detection sensor 23 is provided, which likewise detects the overlap area of the two other image detection sensors 22. The color image information from the image acquisition sensor 23 can be used to enrich the 3-D information obtained via the two other image acquisition sensors 22 with color information. Corresponding methods for this are known in the prior art. The image acquisition unit 20 further comprises two LEDs as light sources 24, with which the recording area of the individual image acquisition sensors 22, 23 can be sufficiently illuminated. The image acquisition unit 20 is arranged within the housing 16 of the rotary head 10 in such a way that both the image acquisition sensors 22, 23 acquire through the transparent window 17 through the surroundings and the light sources 24 can illuminate the surroundings through the transparent window 17 .
Die Bilderfassungssensoren 22, 23 sind weiterhin so angeord net, dass ihre Aufnahmekegel bzw. deren Aufnahmeachsen 22',The image acquisition sensors 22, 23 are further arranged in such a way that their receiving cones or their receiving axes 22 ',
23' in einem vorgegebenen Blickwinkel von 90° gegenüber der Schaftachse 3' bzw. der Rotationsachse 10' ausgerichtet sind. Indem die Bilderfassungseinheit 20 ortsfest gegenüber dem Ge häuse 16 und somit um die Rotationsachse 10' um 280° drehbar ist, ergibt sich zusammen mit den Aufnahmebereichen der Bil derfassungssensoren 22, 23 die Möglichkeit, allein durch Rota tion des Rotationskopfes 10 ein ringförmiges 360°-Panorama. Die von den Bilderfassungssensoren 22, 23 aufgenommenen Bild daten und 3-D-Informationen lassen sich entsprechend zu einem Rundbild zusammenfügen. 23 'are aligned at a predetermined viewing angle of 90 ° with respect to the shaft axis 3' or the axis of rotation 10 '. Since the image acquisition unit 20 is stationary with respect to the housing 16 and can thus be rotated by 280 ° about the axis of rotation 10 ', together with the recording areas of the image acquisition sensors 22, 23 there is the possibility of an annular 360 ° - Panorama. The image data and 3-D information recorded by the image acquisition sensors 22, 23 can accordingly be combined to form a round image.
In Figur 2 ist ein alternatives Ausführungsbeispiel eines Bo- roskops 1 gezeigt, wobei in weiten Teilen Übereinstimmung mit dem Ausführungsbeispiel aus Figur 1 besteht. Im Folgenden wird daher nur auf die Unterschiede des alternativen Ausführungs beispiels eingegangen und im Übrigen auf die vorstehenden Aus führungen verwiesen. Bei dem Ausführungsbeispiel gemäß Figur 2 ist das Gehäuse 16 ortsfest gegenüber dem Schaft 3 ausgebildet und die um die Ro tationsachse 10' drehbaren Teile des Rotationskopfes 10 umfas send die im bereits des Hohlrads 15 an einer Halterung 18 be festigte Bilderfassungseinheit 20 innerhalb des Gehäuses 16 angeordnet. Das nicht sichtbare Lager ist dabei zwischen Hohl rad 15 und Innenwand des Gehäuses 16 vorgesehen. Das erste Ende 4 des Schafts 3 ist in das Gehäuse 16 eingeführt und fest mit diesem verbunden. FIG. 2 shows an alternative exemplary embodiment of a borescope 1, largely in accordance with the exemplary embodiment from FIG. 1. In the following, therefore, only the differences between the alternative embodiment example are discussed and reference is made to the remarks made above. In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 2, the housing 16 is designed to be stationary with respect to the shaft 3 and the parts of the rotary head 10 that can be rotated about the rotational axis 10 'include the image acquisition unit 20 already fastened to a bracket 18 of the ring gear 15 and arranged within the housing 16 . The non-visible bearing is provided between the hollow wheel 15 and the inner wall of the housing 16. The first end 4 of the shaft 3 is inserted into the housing 16 and firmly connected to it.
Damit die Bilderfassungssensoren 22, 23 der von der Halterung 18 auskragende Bilderfassungseinheit 20 in jeder über die An triebseinheit 12 ansteuerbare Winkelposition ungehindert die Umgebung erfassen können, weist das Gehäuse ein vollständig transparentes Ringsegment 17' auf. Das Ringsegment 17' ist da bei derart mit den übrigen nicht transparenten Teilen des Ge häuses 16 verbunden, dass das Gehäuse 16 als Ganzes flüssig keitsdicht ist, der Rotationskopf 10 also flüssigkeitsdicht gekapselt ist. The housing has a completely transparent ring segment 17 'so that the image acquisition sensors 22, 23 of the image acquisition unit 20 protruding from the bracket 18 can capture the surroundings unimpeded in any angular position that can be controlled via the drive unit 12. The ring segment 17 'is connected to the other non-transparent parts of the housing 16 in such a way that the housing 16 as a whole is liquid-tight, that is to say the rotary head 10 is encapsulated in a liquid-tight manner.
In Figur 3 ist schematisch ein Schnitt durch ein Zweiwellen- Triebwerk 50 gezeigt, bei dem der Fan 51 sowie der Nieder druckkompressor 52 über eine erste Welle 53 mit der Nieder druckturbine 54 drehverbunden ist, während der Hochdruckkom pressor 55 über eine zweite Welle 56 mit der Hochdruckturbine 57 drehverbunden ist. Zwischen Hochdruckkompressor 55 und Hochdruckturbine 57 ist die ringförmige Brennkammer 58 ange ordnet. In Figure 3, a section through a two-shaft engine 50 is shown schematically, in which the fan 51 and the low pressure compressor 52 is rotatably connected via a first shaft 53 with the low pressure turbine 54, while the high pressure compressor 55 via a second shaft 56 with the High pressure turbine 57 is rotatably connected. Between the high pressure compressor 55 and high pressure turbine 57, the annular combustion chamber 58 is arranged.
Die Anordnung 30 umfasst neben einem Boroskop 1, welches gemäß einer der Figuren 1 oder 2 ausgebildet ist und folglich einen Rotationskopf 10 umfasst, eine Steuer- und Auswerteeinheit 31. Da die Steuer- und Auswerteeinheit 31 auch die Aktuatoren für die Seilzüge des steuerbaren Schafts 3 umfasst, ist die unmit telbar am Triebwerk 50 im Bereich einer Boroskopöffnung 59 be festigt, durch die das Boroskop 1 in die Brennkammer 58 einge führt ist. In addition to a borescope 1, which is designed according to one of FIGS. 1 or 2 and consequently comprises a rotary head 10, the arrangement 30 comprises a control and evaluation unit 31. Since the control and evaluation unit 31 also includes the actuators for includes the cables of the controllable shaft 3, which is directly fastened to the engine 50 in the region of a borescope opening 59, through which the borescope 1 is inserted into the combustion chamber 58.
Die Steuer- und Auswerteeinheit 31 ist über die im Schaft 3 des Boroskops 1 verlaufenden Daten-, Steuer- und Versorgungs leitungen 14, 21 mit der Bilderfassungseinheit 20 und der An triebseinheit 12 verbunden (vgl. Figuren 1 und 2). Da die Steuer- und Auswerteeinheit 31 darüber hinaus den Schaft 3 über dessen Seilzüge steuern kann, ist eine vollautomatische 3-D-Erfassung der Brennkammer 58 möglich. The control and evaluation unit 31 is connected to the image acquisition unit 20 and the drive unit 12 via the data, control and supply lines 14, 21 running in the shaft 3 of the boroscope 1 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). Since the control and evaluation unit 31 can also control the shaft 3 via its cables, fully automatic 3-D detection of the combustion chamber 58 is possible.
Die Steuer- und Auswerteeinheit 31 steuert dazu die Seilzüge des Schaftes 3 so, dass nacheinander vorgegebene Positionen innerhalb der Brennkammer 58 mit dem Rotationskopf 10 ange fahren werden. An jeder dieser Positionen wird dann durch Ro tieren des Rotationskopfes 10 bei gleichzeitiger Aufnahme der Umgebung durch die Bildsensoren 22, 233-D-informationen und Farbinformationen gesammelt, die dann von der Steuer- und Aus werteeinheit 31 mit bekannten Triangulations- und Stiching- Verfahren zu farbigen 3-D-Rundbildern zusammengefügt werden. Die Bildsensoren 22, 23 können dabei kontinuierlich Bilder aufnehmen, während sich der Rotationskopf 10 dreht, oder es werden nur bei bestimmten Winkelpositionen des Rotationskopfes 10 Einzelbilder aufgenommen. In beiden Fällen lassen sich die Bildinformationen zu farbigen Rundbildern umfassend 3-D-Infor- mation zusammenfügen. To this end, the control and evaluation unit 31 controls the cables of the shaft 3 in such a way that predetermined positions within the combustion chamber 58 with the rotary head 10 are started one after the other. At each of these positions, the rotary head 10 is then rotated while simultaneously recording the surroundings by the image sensors 22, 233-D information and color information is collected, which is then evaluated by the control and evaluation unit 31 using known triangulation and stitching methods colored 3-D round pictures can be put together. The image sensors 22, 23 can continuously record images while the rotary head 10 is rotating, or individual images are recorded only at certain angular positions of the rotary head 10. In both cases, the image information can be combined to form colored round images, including comprehensive 3-D information.
Die an den verschiedenen Punkten aufgenommenen, sich überlap penden farbigen 3-D-Rundbilder können anschließend noch zu ei nem 3-D-Modell des Innenraums der Brennkammer 58 zusammenge fügt werden, welches dann an einem Nutzerterminal (nicht dar gestellt) begutachtet und befundet werden kann. The overlapping colored 3-D round images recorded at the various points can then be added together to form a 3-D model of the interior of the combustion chamber 58, which is then assessed and assessed at a user terminal (not shown) can.

Claims

Patentansprüche Claims
1. Boroskop (1), insbesondere für die Boroskopie der Brennkam mern (58) von Flugzeugtriebwerken (50), umfassend eine elektronische Bilderfassungseinheit (20) mit wenigstens ei nem Bilderfassungssensor (22, 23) mit einem Aufnahmekegel am ersten Ende (4) eines Schafts (3) mit einer Schaftachse (3'), durch den Daten- und Versorgungsleitungen (21) für die Bilderfassungseinheit (20) geführt sind, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Bilderfassungseinheit (20) an einem drehbar um die Schaftachse (3') am ersten Ende (4) befestigten Rotations kopf (10) derart angeordnet ist, dass die Achse (22', 23') des Aufnahmekegels nicht-parallel zur Schaftachse (3') am ersten Ende (4) verläuft und durch Drehung des Rotations kopfes (10) ein Rundbild aufnehmbar ist. 1. Boroscope (1), in particular for the boroscopy of the combustion chambers (58) of aircraft engines (50), comprising an electronic image acquisition unit (20) with at least egg nem image acquisition sensor (22, 23) with a receiving cone at the first end (4) of a Shaft (3) with a shaft axis (3 ') through which data and supply lines (21) for the image acquisition unit (20) are guided, characterized in that the image acquisition unit (20) is rotatable about the shaft axis (3') on Rotary head (10) attached to the first end (4) is arranged in such a way that the axis (22 ', 23') of the receiving cone is non-parallel to the shaft axis (3 ') at the first end (4) and by rotating the rotary head ( 10) a round image can be recorded.
2. Boroskop nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Drehbereich des Rotationskopfes (10) kleiner gleich 360° ist. 2. Boroscope according to claim 1, characterized in that the range of rotation of the rotary head (10) is less than or equal to 360 °.
3. Boroskop nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Rotationskopf (10) ein Hohlrad (15) aufweist, in wel ches eine durch einen ortsfest und exzentrisch gegenüber der Schaftachse befestigte Antriebseinheit (12) angetriebe nes Ritzel (14) eingreift. 3. Boroscope according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rotary head (10) has a ring gear (15) in which a drive unit (12) driven by a stationary and eccentrically attached to the shaft axis engages Nes pinion (14).
4. Boroskop nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Rotationskopf (10) ein mitrotierendes zylindrisches Ge häuse (16) mit wenigstens einem transparenten Fenster (17) umfasst, in welchem die Bilderfassungseinheit derart ange ordnet ist, dass der Aufnahmekegel jedes Bilderfassungs sensors (22, 23) jeweils durch ein transparentes Fenster (17) ausgerichtet ist. 4. Boroscope according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rotary head (10) has a co-rotating cylindrical Ge housing (16) with at least one transparent window (17) comprises, in which the image acquisition unit is arranged in such a way that the receiving cone of each image acquisition sensor (22, 23) is aligned in each case through a transparent window (17).
5. Boroskop nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass ein gegenüber der Schaftachse (3') am ersten Ende (4) orts festes, den Rotationskopf (10) umgebendes zylindrisches Ge häuse (16) mit wenigstens einem transparenten Ringsegment (17') vorgesehen ist, wobei der Aufnahmekegel jedes Bilder fassungssensors (22, 23) jeweils durch ein transparenten Ringsegment (17') ausgerichtet ist. 5. Boroscope according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a relative to the shaft axis (3 ') at the first end (4) stationary, the rotary head (10) surrounding cylindrical Ge housing (16) with at least one transparent ring segment ( 17 ') is provided, the receiving cone of each image acquisition sensor (22, 23) being aligned in each case by a transparent ring segment (17').
6. Boroskop nach Anspruch 4 oder 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Gehäuse (16) flüssigkeitsdicht gekapselt ist. 6. Boroscope according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the housing (16) is encapsulated in a liquid-tight manner.
7. Boroskop nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Bilderfassungseinheit (20) wenigstens zwei voneinander beabstandete Bilderfassungssensoren (22) mit einander we- nigstens teilweise überschneidenden und/oder zueinander pa rallel ausgerichteten Aufnahmekegeln zur Ermittlung von 3- D-Informationen durch Triangulation umfasst. 7. Boroscope according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the image acquisition unit (20) carries out at least two spaced-apart image acquisition sensors (22) with at least partially overlapping and / or mutually parallel alignment cones for determining 3-D information Includes triangulation.
8. Boroskop nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der wenigstens eine Bilderfassungssensor (22, 23) so ange ordnet und/oder ausgestaltet sind, dass die Aufnahmekegel eines Bilderfassungssensors (23) oder eines Paares von zur Erfassung von 3-D-Informationen vorgesehener Bilderfas- sungssensoren (22) in einem vorgegebenen Blickwinkel gegen über der Schaftachse (3') am ersten Ende (4) ausgerichtet sind. 8. Boroscope according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one image acquisition sensor (22, 23) is arranged and / or designed so that the receiving cone of an image acquisition sensor (23) or a pair of for the acquisition of 3-D Information of the intended image solution sensors (22) are aligned at a predetermined viewing angle with respect to the shaft axis (3 ') at the first end (4).
9. Boroskop nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Bilderfassungseinheit (22) wenigstens ein Bilderfas sungssensor (23) zur Erfassung von Farbbildern ausgebildet ist. 9. Boroscope according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the image capturing unit (22) is designed at least one image capturing sensor (23) for capturing color images.
10. Boroskop nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass am Rotationskopf (10) wenigstens eine Lichtquelle (24), vorzugsweise eine LED, zur Beleuchtung des Aufnahmebereichs vorgesehen ist. 10. Boroscope according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one light source (24), preferably an LED, is provided for illuminating the receiving area on the rotary head (10).
11. Boroskop nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Schaft (3) als flexibler Schaft ausgestaltet ist. 11. Boroscope according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shaft (3) is designed as a flexible shaft.
12. Anordnung (30) umfassend ein Boroskop (1) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche und eine Steuer- und Auswerteein heit (31), die zum Steuern der Rotationsbewegung des Rota tionskopfes (10) und der Bilderfassungseinheit (20), sowie zum Zusammenfügen der von dem wenigstens Bilderfassungs sensor (22, 23) erfassten Bilddaten zu einem Rundbild aus gebildet ist. 12. Arrangement (30) comprising a borescope (1) according to one of the preceding claims and a control and Auswertein unit (31) for controlling the rotational movement of the Rota tion head (10) and the image acquisition unit (20), as well as for joining the from the at least image acquisition sensor (22, 23) acquired image data is formed into a round image.
13. Anordnung nach Anspruch 12, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Anordnung (31) zur kontinuierlichen Aufnahme durch die Bilderfassungseinheit (20) bei Rotation des Rotationskopfes (10) ausgebildet ist. 13. The arrangement according to claim 12, characterized in that the arrangement (31) is designed for continuous recording by the image acquisition unit (20) when the rotary head (10) rotates.
14. Anordnung nach Anspruch 12, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Anordnung (31) zur Aufnahme von Einzelbildern durch die Bilderfassungseinheit (20) bei nacheinander durch Rotation des Rotationskopfes (10) erreichten Winkelposition ausge bildet ist. 14. The arrangement according to claim 12, characterized in that the arrangement (31) for recording individual images by the image capturing unit (20) is formed when the angular position is successively reached by rotation of the rotary head (10).
15. Anordnung nach einem der Ansprüche 12 bis 14, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Steuer- und Auswerteeinheit (31) zum Zusammenfügen von zwei sich teilweise überlappenden Rundbilder ausgebildet ist. 15. Arrangement according to one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the control and evaluation unit (31) is designed for joining two partially overlapping circular images.
EP20807717.2A 2019-11-15 2020-11-13 Borescope having a rotary head Withdrawn EP4058836A2 (en)

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WO2021094533A3 (en) 2021-07-15
WO2021094533A2 (en) 2021-05-20
US20220404291A1 (en) 2022-12-22
JP2023501674A (en) 2023-01-18
CA3158259A1 (en) 2021-05-20
DE102019130949A1 (en) 2021-05-20

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