Micro Borescopes Determine the interior Condition of Turbine Blades and Vanes
Micro Borescopes as small as 0.5 mm (0.019 in) are used to inspect inside the smallest areas on turbines blades. Turbine blades and vanes have cooling holes to direct air inside and help reduce the temperature of the blade or vane in areas such as the combustion section of a gas turbine. Small diameter micro or mini borescopes are inserted into these tiny openings to look for blockages and proper weld penetration. This is typically done at the manufacturer or rework facility where the component being inspected is made. Without micro or mini diameter borescopes it would not be possible for non destructive inspection engineers to asses the condition of the interior of some turbine components.
About Paul Fitzgerald
Paul C. Fitzgerald, President and CEO, Advanced Inspection Technologies Inc. has been involved in the remote visual inspection industry (RVI), Since leaving the US Marines in 1992.
He has a background in business with an economics degree from the University of Rochester and an MBA from Florida Metropolitan University. He served in the United States Marine Corps as an artillery officer. Mr. Fitzgerald is a veteran of Desert Storm.
Mr. Fitzgerald began his remote visual inspection career with Schott Fiber Optics where he was responsible for sales throughout the southeastern United States. He was a founding member of Everest Imaging (later GE Inspection Technologies) in 1996 and took on responsibility for sales in Florida and the Caribbean. Mr. Fitzgerald founded Advanced Inspection Technologies in 2008 to offer remote visual inspection solutions throughout North America.
His background and experience have given him an excellent overview of the remote visual inspection industry. He has years of experience with RVI applications across multiple industries, applications and geographical areas using a wide variety of available instruments and technology. Now Mr. Fitzgerald is able to share his knowledge and experience through this Blog.
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