Usage of thermal imaging in commercial aircraft maintenance
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School of Engineering |
Master's thesis
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Date
2010
Department
Major/Subject
Lentotekniikka
Mcode
Kul-34
Degree programme
Language
en
Pages
(8) + 119 s. + liitt. 4
Series
Abstract
Infrared (IR), which is electromagnetic radiation all objects emit in relation to their temperature, has been subjected to vast research and study since its discovery in 1800. This Master's Thesis focuses on the utilization of infrared imaging in the use of commercial aircraft maintenance. The aeronautical world has been strongly involved in the development of IR-technology since the early days but the commercial industry has only recently started to wake up on the practical potential that the technology has to offer. The goal of the Thesis is to present a good general picture on the capabilities of infrared imaging by first introducing the basics of IR-radiation and a short history of the development of the measuring equipment. After that the typical applications and uses of this technology are presented in order to fully understand the possibilities infrared imaging has to offer. This knowledge is then applied to aeronautical environment and compared to testing methods that are being used in the industry at the moment. These methods are then adjusted to suit the needs of a small airline maintenance organization. In addition to raising the awareness of the potential of IR imaging, the Thesis is to assist an aircraft maintenance organization in the selection process of an infrared imager. The work includes a literature study focusing on the infrared imaging technology and its applications in various branches of industry. In addition, a case study is included which consists of a camera test aiming to the selection of a thermal imager to be used in the aircraft maintenance of Blue1 Oy. Also, the practical adaptations of some experimental infrared imaging techniques are studied empirically. The results of these studies are then screened against the current techniques and procedures used in the airline industry. Conclusions and recommendations are given basing on all the information obtained.Description
Supervisor
Saarela, OlliThesis advisor
Hämäläinen, SamiKeywords
thermal camera, infrared, aircraft maintenance