BladeTracker is a photographic device that can rotate around multiple axes.
It is placed in front of a turbine and its sensors will detect the circular motion of the turbine blade. BladeTracker will start rotating its powerful zoom lens at the same speed as the turbine blade and it will take high resolution pictures (RAW) of the blade at several positions during a revolution.More info can be found in coverage.
The major benefit is that there are no production losses as the turbine remains in operation. With increasing turbine size, the cost associated with production losses is exceeding the cost of the actual survey with conventional methods. BladeTracker can offer an overall cost reduction on the total inspection costs (production loss + survey cost).
In addition, the operational interface of having an operator to stop and start the turbine is eliminated. Therefore, the moment of surveying is not determined by operational interfaces, but whether there is a suitable weather window for performing the survey. Weather downtime at the expense of the customer is drastically reduced.
Prior to any inspection campaign a specific work method statement will be written. This work method statement describes the steps of the actual inspection, but more importantly it will provide site specific information that might limit site acces or introduce risks to the operators executing the inspection (site specific risks and weather limits). A short risk assessment will be part of the work method statement.
The principles of reporting can be found here.