An inspection system includes one or more processors and an infrared (IR) camera operably coupled to the one or more processors. The one or more processors control a microwave transmitter to sequentially emit microwaves having different frequencies within a designated frequency range into an object during a first sweep. The IR camera generates thermal image data of the object after the object is heated by each of the different frequencies of microwaves. The one or more processors analyze the thermal image data and determine a selected frequency within the designated frequency range that provides greater heating of the object than one or more other frequencies in the designated frequency range. The one or more processors also analyze select thermal image data of the object, responsive to heating of the object by the selected frequency of microwaves, to detect an element in the object.

A method of forming a film cooling hole in a component having an internal surface and an external surface is disclosed herein that includes forming the component with a first feature on the external surface, measuring a geometry of the external surface to determine a first placement of the first feature, and drilling the film cooling hole through the component at the first placement.

Embodiments of the present disclosure include a method for controlling a power generation system, the method including: detecting a heat distribution across a component of a power generation system from a thermal output of the component, during operation of the power generation system; calculating a projected heat distribution across the component based on a library of modeling data for the power generation system; calculating whether a difference between the heat distribution and the projected heat distribution exceeds a thermal threshold; adjusting the power generation system in response to the difference exceeding the predetermined threshold, wherein the adjusting includes modifying an operating setting of the power generation system.

A system includes a focusing system, a radiation detector, and a controller. The focusing system is configured to receive an incident radiation beam from a radiation source and focus the incident radiation beam on a portion of a component of a high temperature mechanical system. The incident radiation beam scatters from the portion of the component as a diffracted radiation beam. The focusing system is further configured to focus the diffracted radiation beam from the portion of the component on the radiation detector. The radiation detector is configured to detect a diffraction pattern of the diffracted radiation beam from the portion of the component. The controller is configured to determine a temperature of the portion of the component based on the diffraction pattern.

A gas turbine engine includes a core engine having a casing, a cowl disposed annularly around the casing such that a gap is formed between the casing and the cowl, and a thermal monitoring system having at least one camera positioned within the gap, wherein the at least one camera is configured to detect thermal radiation from at least one turbine component within the gap.

According to an aspect of this disclosure, a system of applying thermal loads may include at least one laser module, and a plurality of optical components fixed to the at least one laser module and directing a plurality of laser beams from the plurality of optical components towards a surface. Further, the plurality of laser beams apply radiative heating to the surface in accordance with the system. The system also includes at least one infrared camera measuring thermal conditions of the surface, and a controller coordinating operation of the at least one laser module and the at least one infrared camera.

A turbine section according to an example of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a component including a coating on a substrate, and at least one sensor positioned a distance from the component, the at least one sensor configured to detect radiation emitted from at least one localized region of the coating at a first wavelength and configured to detect radiation emitted from the substrate corresponding to the at least one localized region at a second, different wavelength. The first wavelength and the second wavelength are utilized to determine a heat flux relating to the at least one localized region. A method of measuring a gas turbine engine component is also disclosed.

An apparatus for measuring temperature of turbine blades, including: a radiation collection device, a data processing module; a master control unit (MCU); a calibration module; and a motion servo. The radiation collection device includes a scan reflector, a collimator lens, a first dichroic mirror, a first focus lens, a visible and near-infrared (VNIR) detector, a second dichroic mirror, a second focus lens, a short-wave infrared (SWIR) detector, a third focus lens, and a medium-wave infrared (MWIR) detector. The calibration module includes a calibration reflection mirror and a blackbody furnace. The scan reflector, the collimator lens, the first dichroic mirror, the second dichroic mirror, the third focus lens, and the MWIR detector are disposed successively along a first optical axis; the first dichroic mirror, the first focus lens, and the VNIR detector are disposed successively along a second optical axis that is perpendicular to the first optical axis.

A temperature measuring system is disclosed herein. The temperature measuring system includes an optical assembly and a spectral data receiver. The temperature measuring system views passing gas and measures the radiant response of a selected gas. The measurement includes radiant intensities with respect to wavelengths in the infrared region.

A method for monitoring a high-temperature region of interest in a turbine engine (10) is provided. The method includes providing an internally-cooled stationary vane (12). The method may further include locating at least one monitoring port (14) in the stationary vane and operatively connecting a monitoring instrument (16) to the monitoring port to provide a field of view of a region of interest.