System and method for processing inspection data for evaluating degradation of coating on components
System and method are provided for processing inspection data for evaluating degradation of a coating, as may be used as a thermal barrier in a gas turbine component. The system may include a database ( 12 ) with a representation of a component divided into zones ( 16, 18 ) corresponding to a performance criteria associated with the operation of the component. The system may further include a processor ( 20 ) configured to process inspection data for the coating relative to the zones, such as calculating an area percentage of coating degradation for each zone. A rule base may be used to correlate the processed inspection data with appropriate repair options.
1 . A system for processing inspection data for evaluating a coating on a component, the system comprising:
a database comprising a representation of a component, the representation comprising a mapping of the component based on a selected criteria; and
a processor configured to process inspection data of the component relative to the representation of the component.
2 . The system of claim 1 wherein the processor comprises an image processing module configured to process an inspection data image relative to a mapped zone of the component.
3 . The system of claim 1 wherein the selected criteria for mapping the component is based on a criticality of a mapped zone for continuing operation of the component.
4 . The system of claim 1 wherein the selected criteria for mapping the component is based on a level of exposure to at least one operational and/or environmental parameter.
5 . The system of claim 1 further comprising an outliner module for defining an area of the component having associated therewith a specified degree of degradation of the coating.
6 . The system of claim 5 further comprising a calculator for calculating an amount of coating degradation in the defined area relative to at least one corresponding inspection zone.
7 . The system of claim 1 further comprising a rulebase storing a plurality of rules processable for issuing servicing recommendations based on the amount of coating degradation.
8 . The system of claim 1 further comprising a display for displaying both the mapped representation of the component and the processed inspection data overlapped on a single image of the component.
9 . The system of claim 1 further comprising an inspection apparatus at any of a plurality of locations, said inspection apparatus in communication with the database through a communications network.
10 . A method for processing inspection data for evaluating a coating used on a component, the method comprising:
populating a database with a representation of a component;
mapping the representation of the component based on a selected criteria; and
processing inspection data of the component relative to the representation of the component, thereby enabling a user to make a servicing decision in connection with the component undergoing inspection.
11 . The method of claim 10 further comprising processing an inspection data image of the component relative to a mapped zone of the component.
12 . The method of claim 10 wherein the selected criteria for mapping the component is based on a criticality of a mapped zone for continuing operation of the component.
13 . The method of claim 10 wherein the selected criteria for mapping the component is based on a level of exposure to at least one operational and/or environmental parameter.
14 . The method of claim 10 further comprising defining an area of the component having associated therewith a specified degree of degradation of the coating.
15 . The method of claim 14 further comprising calculating an amount of coating degradation in the defined area relative to at least one corresponding inspection zone.
16 . The method of claim 10 further comprising processing a plurality of rules stored in a rulebase for issuing servicing recommendations based on the amount of coating degradation.
17 . The method of claim 10 further comprising displaying both the mapped representation of the component and the processed inspection data overlapped on a single image of the component.
18 . A method of processing inspection data for a thermal barrier coating deposited on a gas turbine component, the method comprising:
dividing a representation of a gas turbine component into regions responsive to a performance criteria associated with the component;
inspecting the component to obtain inspection data responsive to a condition of a thermal barrier coating deposited on the component;
grouping the inspection data into groups corresponding to the respective regions of the component from which the data was obtained; and
processing the groups of inspection data separately to assess a condition of the thermal barrier coating.
19 . The method of claim 18 , further comprising processing the groups of inspection data by calculating an area percentage of the coating that is degraded in each respective region.
20 . The method of claim 19 , further comprising applying a rule base to the respective calculated area percentages to identify a repair action.