The next generation borescope -- Video imaging measurement systems as portable as a fiberscope

Conference · Sat Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1994

OSTI ID:72624

Boyd, C E ^[1]

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1. Welch Allyn Inc., Skaneateles Falls, NY (United States)

Today, Remote Visual Inspection (RVI) techniques routinely save industry the significant costs associated with unscheduled shutdowns and equipment disassembly by enabling visual inspection of otherwise inaccessible equipment surfaces with instruments called borescopes. Specific applications in the nuclear industry include heat exchangers, condensers, boiler tubes, steam generators, headers, and other general interior surface inspections. While borescope inspections have achieved widespread utility, their potential applicability and value have been limited by their inability to provide dimensional information about the objects seen. This paper presents a simple, but very accurate measurement technique that enables the inspector to make measurements of objects directly from the borescope image. While used effectively since 1990, the technique is designed for a video imaging borescope and has, therefore, not been available for the shorter length fiberscope applications--until now. On June 6, 1993 Welch Allyn introduced the VideoProbe XL, a video imaging borescope that is as portable and affordable as a one meter fiberscope. This breakthrough not only extends video imaging into the rest of the fiberscope world, but opens the door for them to this measurement capability as well.

• OSTI ID: 72624
• Report Number(s): CONF-931061--; ISBN 0-87170-506-0
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
BORESCOPES
IMAGE PROCESSING
IN-SERVICE INSPECTION
MEASURING METHODS
NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS
PORTABLE EQUIPMENT
REMOTE HANDLING
VIDEO TAPES