Flash thermography device for inspecting turbine components

1. A flash thermography device for generating an infrared image of a turbine component located inside a turbine, comprising:

a flash enclosure having an aperture;

a flash tube located in the aperture, wherein the flash tube generates a light pulse that heats the turbine component; and

an infrared sensor for detecting thermal energy radiated by the turbine component wherein the radiated thermal energy is transmitted through the aperture to the infrared sensor to enable generation of the infrared image, wherein the flash tube is annular and wherein the infrared sensor is positioned to receive thermal energy that passes through an annular opening defined by the flash tube.

2. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the infrared sensor captures at least one image through an opening ( 53 ) in the turbine.

3. The device according to claim 2 , wherein the opening is through a pilot cone ( 60 ) of a turbine combustor.

4. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the infrared sensor captures at least one image of at least one vane of the turbine.

5. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the component includes a thermal barrier coating and/or a bond coating.

6. A flash thermography device for generating an infrared image of a turbine component located inside a turbine, comprising:

a flash enclosure;

a flash source located in the flash enclosure, wherein the flash source is annular and defines an annular opening, the flash source operable to generate a light pulse that heats the turbine component;

a conical reflector positioned substantially within the annular opening and defining a reflector opening;

a lens positioned substantially within the reflector opening; and

an infrared sensor for detecting thermal energy radiated by the turbine component through an opening in the turbine, wherein the radiated thermal energy is transmitted through the lens to the infrared sensor to enable generation of the infrared image.

7. The device according to claim 6 , wherein the flash source is a flash tube.

8. The device according to claim 6 , wherein the opening is through a pilot cone of a turbine combustor.

9. The device according to claim 6 , wherein the infrared sensor captures at least one image of at least one vane of the turbine.

10. The device according to claim 6 , wherein the component includes a thermal barrier coating and/or a bond coating.

11. A method for thermographically inspecting a turbine component located inside a turbine, comprising:

providing a flash enclosure having an aperture;

positioning a flash tube within the flash enclosure, wherein the flash tube generates a light pulse that heats the turbine component, and wherein the flash tube is annular and defines an annular opening;

providing an infrared sensor for detecting thermal energy radiated by the turbine component, wherein the radiated thermal energy is transmitted through the aperture and through the annular opening to the infrared sensor to enable generation of the infrared image;

locating the flash enclosure in a top hat section of a turbine combustor;

capturing at least one image of the turbine component through an opening in the turbine combustor; and

inspecting a turbine component characteristic.

12. The method according to claim 11 , wherein the opening is through a pilot cone of the turbine combustor.

13. The method according to claim 11 , wherein the infrared sensor captures at least one image of at least one vane of the turbine.

14. The method according to claim 11 , wherein the flash enclosure includes a reflector.

15. The method according to claim 14 , wherein the reflector is conical.