Posted in | News

High Temperature Endoscope for Power Generation Research

Resolve Optics has supplied several high temperature Short Wavelength Infrared (SWIR) endoscopic viewing systems to enable inspection of the blades in a gas turbine while in operation.

Today, gas turbines are one of the most widely-used power generating technologies. Gas turbines are a type of internal combustion engine in which burning of an air-fuel mixture produces hot gases that spin a turbine to produce power. It is the production of hot gas during fuel combustion, not the fuel itself that the gives gas turbines the name. Gas turbines can use a variety of fuels, including natural gas, fuel oils, and synthetic fuels.

To enable inspection during gas turbine operation required that the SWIR endoscope had to operate up to 950° C at the tip with 150PSI pressure and be able to withstand severe vibration.

To overcome the negative effects of high temperature and pressure – Resolve Optics created a novel design which allowed introduction of cool air at high pressure at the mid-section of the endoscope. This innovation enabled the prism at the tip of the endoscope to be cooled to < 200° C and the positive pressure to provide enough airflow to keep the prism clean. In addition, to stop the endoscope transmitting heat from its tip to the connected camera - special heat breaks were designed into the body so that the camera end of the endoscope was kept below 50° C.

One of the most challenging aspects of the SWIR endoscope design was to ensure that the glass elements were securely retained.  If the elements or clamp rings were to become loose the levels of vibration would quickly generate enough glass and metal powder debris to obscure the image.  This problem was overcome by utilising spring retainers made from carefully selected materials with an expansion rate that would cancel out the differences in expansion between the glass and the metal housing.

For further information on bespoke optical systems able to withstand challenging operating environments (temperature, pressure or vibration) please contact Resolve Optics on +44-1494-777100 / [email protected]

Citations

Please use one of the following formats to cite this article in your essay, paper or report:

  • APA

    Resolve Optics Ltd.. (2018, February 13). High Temperature Endoscope for Power Generation Research. AZoOptics. Retrieved on November 08, 2024 from https://www.azooptics.com/News.aspx?newsID=23703.

  • MLA

    Resolve Optics Ltd.. "High Temperature Endoscope for Power Generation Research". AZoOptics. 08 November 2024. <https://www.azooptics.com/News.aspx?newsID=23703>.

  • Chicago

    Resolve Optics Ltd.. "High Temperature Endoscope for Power Generation Research". AZoOptics. https://www.azooptics.com/News.aspx?newsID=23703. (accessed November 08, 2024).

  • Harvard

    Resolve Optics Ltd.. 2018. High Temperature Endoscope for Power Generation Research. AZoOptics, viewed 08 November 2024, https://www.azooptics.com/News.aspx?newsID=23703.

Tell Us What You Think

Do you have a review, update or anything you would like to add to this news story?

Leave your feedback
Your comment type
Submit

While we only use edited and approved content for Azthena answers, it may on occasions provide incorrect responses. Please confirm any data provided with the related suppliers or authors. We do not provide medical advice, if you search for medical information you must always consult a medical professional before acting on any information provided.

Your questions, but not your email details will be shared with OpenAI and retained for 30 days in accordance with their privacy principles.

Please do not ask questions that use sensitive or confidential information.

Read the full Terms & Conditions.