Systems, apparatuses, and methods for inspecting inner surfaces of holes using pixel-intensity analysis

1 . An inspection system comprising:

a scanner configured to scan an inner surface of a hole and to generate a plurality of images, wherein each one of the images represents one of a plurality of sections of the inner surface, and wherein at least a portion of the scanner is configured to be inserted into the hole; and

a processor coupled to the scanner to receive the plurality of images, wherein the processor is programmed to:

determine a reflection angle of the scanner based on a known curvature of the inner surface;

combine the plurality of images to form an image that represents the inner surface of the hole;

determine pixel-intensity values of pixels of the image, wherein the pixel-intensity values represent optical reflectivity of the inner surface;

compensate for variations in the optical reflectivity of the inner surface due to a curvature of the inner surface by:

comparing the pixel-intensity values represented in the image to a reference-intensity value; and

upscaling or downscaling one or more of the pixel-intensity values represented in the image based on the reference-intensity value and the reflection angle of the scanner and the inner surface of the hole to generate compensated pixel-intensity values; and

evaluate the inner surface to distinguish between coated surface area and uncoated surface area based on the compensated pixel-intensity values of the image by comparing the compensated pixel-intensity values to a threshold-intensity value, wherein the compensated pixel-intensity values represent the optical reflectivity of the inner surface compensated for variations due to the curvature.

2 . The inspection system of claim 1 , wherein

the processor is further programmed to

determine a presence of a surface coating based on the comparison of the compensated pixel-intensity values to the threshold-intensity value.

3 . The inspection system of claim 2 , wherein the processor is further programmed to determine a percentage of the inner surface that comprises the surface coating.

4 . The inspection system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further programmed to segment the image into a plurality of image segments based on similarities of the compensated pixel-intensity values of pixels in a region of the image.

5 . The inspection system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further programmed to flatten the image.

6 . The inspection system of claim 1 , wherein the scanner comprises an endoscopic scanner that is configured to be inserted within the hole.

7 . The inspection system of claim 1 , wherein the scanner comprises a structured light scanner.

8 . The inspection system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further programmed to quantify surface coverage represented by a ratio of the coated surface area to the uncoated surface area.

9 . The inspection system of claim 2 , wherein the processor is further programmed to qualify the inner surface based on the presence of the surface coating.

10 . An inspection method comprising:

capturing a plurality of images of an inner surface of a hole;

combining the images to form an image that represents the inner surface of the hole;

determining pixel-intensity values of pixels of the image, wherein the pixel-intensity values represent optical reflectivity of the inner surface;

compensating for variations in the optical reflectivity of the inner surface due to a curvature of the inner surface by:

comparing the pixel-intensity values represented in the image to a reference-intensity value; and

upscaling or downscaling one or more of the pixel-intensity values represented in the image based on the reference-intensity value and a reflection angle of the scanner and the inner surface of the hole to generate compensated pixel-intensity values; and

evaluating the inner surface to distinguish between coated surface areas and uncoated surface areas based on the compensated pixel-intensity values of the image by comparing the compensated pixel-intensity values to a threshold-intensity value, wherein the compensated pixel-intensity values represent the optical reflectivity of the inner surface compensated for variations due to the curvature.

11 . The inspection method of claim 10 , wherein

evaluating the inner surface further comprises

determining a presence of a surface coating based on a comparison of the compensated pixel-intensity values to the threshold-intensity value.

12 . The inspection method of claim 11 , further comprising determining a percentage of the inner surface that comprises the surface coating.

13 . The inspection method of claim 10 , further comprising segmenting the image into a plurality of image segments based on similarities of the pixel-intensity values of pixels in a region of the image.

14 . The inspection method of claim 11 , wherein evaluating the inner surface further comprises qualifying the inner surface based on the presence of the surface coating.

15 . The inspection method of claim 11 , wherein evaluating the inner surface further comprises quantifying surface coverage represented by a ratio of the coated surface area to the uncoated surface area.

16 . A data processing system comprising:

a processor; and

a memory storing program code that, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to:

receive a plurality of images that represent a plurality of sections of an inner surface of a hole in an object;

determine a reflection angle of the scanner based on a known curvature of the inner surface;

combine the images to form an image that represents the inner surface of the hole;

determine pixel-intensity values of pixels of the image, wherein the pixel-intensity values represent optical reflectivity of the inner surface;

compensate for variations in the optical reflectivity of the inner surface due to a curvature of the inner surface by:

comparing the pixel-intensity values represented in the image to a reference-intensity value; and

upscaling or downscaling one or more of the pixel-intensity values represented in the image based on the reference-intensity value and the reflection angle of the scanner and the inner surface of the hole to generate compensated pixel-intensity values; and

evaluate the inner surface to distinguish between coated surface areas and uncoated surface areas based on the compensated pixel-intensity values of the image by comparing the compensated pixel-intensity values to a threshold-intensity value, wherein the compensated pixel-intensity values represent the optical reflectivity of the inner surface compensated for variations due to the curvature.

17 . The data processing system of claim 16 , wherein:

the program code, when executed by the processor, further causes the processor to determine a presence of a surface coating based on the comparison of the pixel-intensity values to the threshold-intensity value.

18 . The data processing system of claim 16 , wherein the program code, when executed by the processor, further causes the processor to segment the image into a plurality of image segments based on similarities of the compensated pixel-intensity values of pixels in a region of the image.

19 . The data processing system of claim 17 , wherein the program code, when executed by the processor, further causes the processor to qualify the inner surface based on the presence of the surface coating.

20 . The data processing system of claim 17 , wherein the program code, when executed by the processor, further causes the processor to quantify surface coverage represented by a ratio of the coated surface area to the uncoated surface area.