Compact handheld non-laser detector for greenhouse gasses

a handheld, greenhouse gas technology, applied in the direction of instruments, optics, material analysis, etc., can solve the problems of weak image contrast, ineffective absorption techniques in the thermal ir range, and many limitations of conventional techniques

Inactive Publication Date: 2010-09-16
SOUTHWEST RES INST
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

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Problems solved by technology

However, there are a number of limitations associated with such conventional techniques.
For instance, absorption techniques in the thermal IR range are not effective if the background temperature is similar to the temperature of the target gas to be detected, because there is almost no contrast between the background and the target gas.
In addition, image contrast can be weak, caused by other factors, such as inhomogeneous illuminati

Method used

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  • Compact handheld non-laser detector for greenhouse gasses
  • Compact handheld non-laser detector for greenhouse gasses
  • Compact handheld non-laser detector for greenhouse gasses

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Embodiment Construction

[0020]Techniques are disclosed relating to gas leak detection. The techniques can be deployed, for example, in compact, handheld portable devices usable for detecting leaks in space-confined applications. The devices generally include a non-laser light source and thermal imaging camera that allow for detection of gas that absorbs at least some of their wavelengths of operation. The light source can be implemented, for example, with an incoherent infrared (IR) light source, such as a resonance lamp configured with a gas cell containing a volume of the target gas. The techniques are suitable for use, for instance, in detecting gas leaks within the fuselage of an airplane or other vehicle that may be equipped with gas-containing gear (e.g., radar equipment), which may be leaking. Other such confined-space applications will be apparent in light of this disclosure.

[0021]General Overview

[0022]Imaging the infrared absorption of gasses such as SF6 is generally known. However, as previously ...

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Abstract

Techniques are disclosed relating to gas leak detection. The techniques can be deployed, for example, in compact, handheld portable devices usable for detecting leaks in space-confined applications. The devices generally include a non-laser light source and thermal imaging camera that allow for detection of a target gas (or gasses) that absorbs at least some of the light source's wavelengths of operation. The light source can be implemented, for example, with an incoherent infrared (IR) light source, such as a resonance lamp configured with a gas cell containing a volume of a gas that, when excited by electric discharge, emits a wavelength that is absorbed by the target gas.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application is related to U.S. application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket SWR3366), filed Mar. 16, 2009, and titled “Compact Handheld Detector for Greenhouse Gasses” which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.STATEMENT OF GOVERNMENT INTEREST[0002]The invention was made with United States Government support under contract DAAB07-03-D-B009 awarded by the U.S. Air Force, and the United States Government may have certain rights in this invention.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0003]The invention relates to gas leak detection, and more particularly, to techniques that can be employed in compact, handheld devices for detecting leaks in relatively small spaces.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0004]There is presently a great need to locate leaks of so-called “greenhouse” gases such as sulfur hexafluoride (SF6). As is generally known, higher concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere cause infrared (IR) radiation released from the earth to become tr...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): G02F1/01
CPCG01N21/3504G01M3/38
Inventor HILL, JR., RALPH HENRY
Owner SOUTHWEST RES INST
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