Rolls Royce Intelligent Borescope Method - it is based on collaboration with Waygate Technologies and Rhinestahl, introduces hardware equipped with high-resolution, templated imaging systems that capture detailed visuals of the HPT blades during inspections.

The challenge

High-Pressure Turbine (HPT) blades are subjected to temperatures exceeding 1,600°C, centrifugal forces greater than 10 tonnes, and immense pressure as they extract energy from the high-velocity gases exiting the combustion chamber. This makes them among the most critical and complex parts of an engine, directly influencing performance, efficiency, and durability.

Inspecting blades to ensure they remain within operating limits has traditionally been a labour-intensive and time-consuming process generating inconsistent data that can require repeat inspections, highly conservative decision that can see engines removed unnecessarily for maintenance, and uncertainty in fleet planning for airlines.

The answer

Today our enhanced Intelligent Borescope Method integrates digital technology with physical inspection hardware, meaning inspections are efficient and generate consistent high quality data. This data is then easily and immediately accessible in a cloud to enable accurate maintenance decisions and optimise the time on wing of the engines. And as this database builds, artificial intelligence is revolutionising the decision making and the predictability, creating much greater certainty for airlines planning their fleet engine maintenance.

Partnering for success

At Rolls-Royce our Intelligent Borescope Method is the result of a collaboration with Waygate Technologies and Rhinestahl, and introduces hardware equipped with high-resolution, templated imaging systems that capture detailed visuals of the HPT blades during inspections. Our AI-powered algorithms subsequently analyse those images with exceptional precision, identifying even the smallest amount of wear and tear quickly, consistently and accurately.

With a wealth of data, we are now building an enormous ‘maintenance brain’, containing historical inspection data, comparative analysis, and diagnostic benchmarks.

The intricate design and demanding operational conditions of HPT blades underscore the need for cutting-edge maintenance solutions. Our Intelligent Borescope Method not only simplifies the inspection of these complex components but when the most important metric of engine performance is time on wing, it can address wear patterns early, reduce re-inspections and increasing the certainty of maintenance planning and fleet management.