Analysing the potential for application of the phase shift method in endoscopic examination of marine engines

The article presents theoretical principles of image processing in digital endoscopy which makes use of a miniaturised spectral scanner “PhaseProbe” designed by General Inspection Technologies LP, the producer of the measuring videoendoscope Everest XLG3. The technology of optoelectronic 3D mapping of the examined surface, which consists in measuring the phase shift between the emitted and reflected light waves, is briefly described. The efficiency of the “PhaseProbe” based method of endoscope measurements is compared with the earlier developed methods, such as “ShadowProbe” and “LaserDots”, which were used by the author in real conditions of diagnostic investigations of engines in operation in marine power plants. The processed results of the endoscope analysis of the broken gas turbine engine rotor blades which were earlier dimensioned using the inspection probes of “StereoProbe”, “ShadowProbe” and “LaserDots” type and now are examined by the author with the aid of the phase shift method make a valuable complement and synthesis of the discussion presented in the article.