An infrared imager for detecting volatile organic compound (VOC) leaks

Abstract

This utility model relates to the field of infrared imager technology, and specifically discloses an infrared imager for detecting volatile organic compound (VOC) leaks. It includes a detection host, a detection lens, and a support pan-tilt unit. When the device encounters an external impact, the main protective shell, buffer connecting seat, and light-transmitting protective plate form the first line of defense, directly preventing tools, parts, and other external objects from directly contacting the detection lens. This avoids scratching the high-precision optical lens, thereby preventing infrared signal acquisition distortion and ensuring the accuracy of VOC leak detection. If the impact force acts on the front of the light-transmitting protective plate, the two return springs between the light-transmitting protective plate and the main protective shell are compressed synchronously. The elastic deformation of the springs absorbs the impact force, reducing the transmission of the impact force to the buffer connecting seat, the main protective shell, and the inside of the detection host. This protects precision components such as the infrared detector and signal processing module, preventing malfunctions such as decreased detector sensitivity and effectively extending the overall service life of the equipment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of infrared imager technology, and in particular to an infrared imager for detecting volatile organic compound leaks. Background Technology

[0002] In industrial settings such as petrochemical, fine chemical, and tank storage areas, the leakage of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) not only wastes resources and causes environmental pollution, but may also lead to safety hazards such as explosions and poisoning due to gas accumulation. Therefore, rapid and accurate detection of VOCs leaks is crucial. Infrared imagers for VOCs leak detection are devices that use infrared thermal imaging technology to convert invisible VOCs gas leaks into images visible to the naked eye, thereby enabling rapid location and monitoring of leak points.

[0003] One type of equipment is the drone-mounted VOCs leak detection infrared imager. This type of device is equipped with a high-end cooled mid-wave class II superlattice infrared detector. By precisely matching the characteristic infrared absorption bands of VOCs gases in the 3.2μm to 3.5μm wavelength range, it can efficiently identify more than 400 common VOCs, including methane, benzene, and ethanol. Leveraging the flexibility and mobility of drones, the equipment can overcome the spatial limitations of manual inspection, quickly reaching inaccessible areas such as high altitudes, narrow pipe gaps, and the tops of hazardous chemical storage tanks. It can perform long-distance, comprehensive scanning and screening of target scenes, transforming invisible VOCs leak clouds into intuitive infrared images. This helps inspectors locate leak points in real time, significantly improving detection efficiency and operational safety, and has become a core piece of equipment in the field of industrial VOCs leak monitoring.

[0004] Industrial plant environments are complex. During flight inspections, drones must navigate through dense pipe supports, towering reaction towers, and crisscrossing cables. Furthermore, dynamic operations such as component handling and tool placement are common within the plant area, increasing the risk of accidental collisions between drones and metal supports, equipment parts, and tools. Since the detection lenses use high-precision optical lenses, they are easily scratched by collision objects if there is no effective surface protection, leading to distortion of infrared signal acquisition and directly reducing the accuracy of VOCs leak detection. The detection host integrates precision components such as infrared detectors and signal processing modules. If the impact force from external collisions is directly transmitted to the internal components, it can cause malfunctions such as decreased detector sensitivity, thereby shortening the equipment's lifespan. Utility Model Content

[0005] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention provides an infrared imager for detecting volatile organic compound (VOC) leaks. It solves the problems of complex industrial environments where drones, during flight detection, must navigate through dense pipe supports, towering reaction towers, and crisscrossing cables. Furthermore, dynamic operations such as component handling and tool placement within the factory area frequently lead to accidental collisions between the drone and metal supports, equipment parts, and tools. Because the detection lens uses high-precision optical lenses, its surface is easily scratched by collisions without effective protection, resulting in distorted infrared signal acquisition and directly reducing the accuracy of VOC leak detection. Additionally, the detection host integrates precision components such as infrared detectors and signal processing modules; if the impact force from external collisions is directly transmitted to the internal components, it can cause a decrease in detector sensitivity and other malfunctions, thus shortening the equipment's lifespan.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution:

[0007] An infrared imager for detecting volatile organic compound (VOC) leaks includes a detection host, a detection lens, and a support pan-tilt unit. The detection host is externally equipped with a protective mechanism comprising a main protective shell, a buffer connecting seat, and a light-transmitting protective plate. The main protective shell is located outside the detection host, the buffer connecting seat is slidably connected inside the main protective shell, and the light-transmitting protective plate is fixedly installed outside the buffer connecting seat. Two return springs are installed between the light-transmitting protective plate and the main protective shell, with the ends of the return springs fixedly connected to the outside of the light-transmitting protective plate. The main protective shell, buffer connecting seat, and light-transmitting protective plate form the first line of defense, preventing external objects such as tools and parts from directly impacting the detection lens. The light-transmitting protective plate is made of a highly transparent material to ensure a clear field of view for the detection lens and to maintain detection accuracy.

[0008] Preferably, both ends of the main protective shell are fixedly installed with guide limiting shafts, and the reset spring is movably sleeved on the outside of the guide limiting shafts. Both ends of the light-transmitting protective plate are provided with mounting shaft holes. The light-transmitting protective plate is slidably connected to the outside of the guide limiting shaft through the mounting shaft holes. The guide limiting shaft restricts the light-transmitting protective plate to slide only along the axial direction of the shaft, so as to avoid the light-transmitting protective plate from shifting or misaligning during collision, and to ensure that the reset spring can be stably compressed and reset.

[0009] Preferably, each guide limiting shaft is provided with a limiting threaded sleeve for limiting the position of the light-transmitting protective plate. Each guide limiting shaft is fixedly installed with a fixing screw at its end. The limiting threaded sleeve is threaded to the outside of the fixing screw. The limiting threaded sleeve prevents the light-transmitting protective plate from falling off the guide limiting shaft during daily use or slight vibration. The light-transmitting protective plate can be removed by unscrewing the limiting threaded sleeve, which is convenient for maintenance or replacement.

[0010] Preferably, both ends of the detection host are provided with square nuts, and both ends of the main protective shell are rotatably connected with connecting bolts, the connecting bolts being threaded into the inside of the square nuts. The detection host is characterized in that both ends are provided with positioning slots, the square nuts are engaged in the inside of the positioning slots, and the detection host is provided with connecting through holes on one side corresponding to each positioning slot, the connecting bolts being threaded into the inside of the positioning slots through the connecting through holes.

[0011] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0012] First, insert the two square nuts into the preset positioning slots at both ends of the testing host, ensuring that the square nuts are aligned with the connecting through holes on the side of the testing host. Then, cover the main protective shell on the outside of the testing host, and then rotate the connecting bolts to tighten the threads of the connecting bolts and the square nuts in the positioning slots, thus completing the fixed installation of the main protective shell, buffer connecting seat and light-transmitting protective plate.

[0013] The light-transmitting protective plate is made of high-transmittance acrylic or quartz material, ensuring a clear field of view when the detection lens detects volatile organic compound (VOC) leaks. This prevents a decrease in detection accuracy due to obstruction by protective components. When the equipment encounters an external collision, the main protective shell, buffer connecting seat, and light-transmitting protective plate form the first line of defense, directly preventing tools, parts, and other external objects from directly contacting the detection lens. This avoids scratches on the high-precision optical lens, thereby preventing infrared signal acquisition distortion and ensuring the accuracy of VOCs leak detection. If the impact force acts on the front of the light-transmitting protective plate, the plate will slide along the guide limit axis. The two return springs between the plate and the main protective shell will compress synchronously, absorbing the impact force through the elastic deformation of the springs. This reduces the transmission of the impact force to the buffer connecting seat, main protective shell, and the detection host, thus protecting precision components such as the infrared detector and signal processing module and preventing malfunctions such as decreased detector sensitivity. After the impact force disappears, the return springs can use their elasticity to drive the light-transmitting protective plate back to its initial position along the guide limit axis, ensuring that subsequent detection work can proceed normally and effectively extending the overall service life of the equipment. Attached Figure Description

[0014] The above description is only an overview of the technical solution of this utility model. In order to better understand the technical means of this utility model and to implement it in accordance with the contents of the specification, the preferred embodiments of this utility model are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0015] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the present invention;

[0016] Figure 2 This utility model Figure 1 Structural diagram of the detection host;

[0017] Figure 3This utility model Figure 2 Exploded structural diagram of the main protective shell;

[0018] Figure 4 This utility model Figure 2 Enlarged structural diagram at point A in the middle;

[0019] Figure 5 This utility model Figure 2 Enlarged structural diagram at point B;

[0020] Figure 6 This utility model Figure 3 Enlarged structural diagram at point C.

[0021] Legend: 1. Detection host; 2. Detection lens; 3. Main protective shell; 4. Buffer connecting seat; 5. Light-transmitting protective plate; 6. Reset spring; 7. Guide limit shaft; 8. Assembly shaft hole; 9. Limit threaded sleeve; 10. Fixing screw; 11. Square nut; 12. Connecting bolt; 13. Positioning slot; 14. Connecting through hole; 15. Supporting gimbal. Detailed Implementation

[0022] This application provides an infrared imager for detecting volatile organic compound (VOC) leaks. It effectively addresses the challenges of complex industrial environments where drones, during flight detection, must navigate through dense pipe supports, towering reaction towers, and crisscrossing cables. Furthermore, dynamic operations such as component handling and tool placement within the factory area frequently lead to accidental collisions between the drone and metal supports, equipment parts, or tools. Because the detection lens uses high-precision optical lenses, its surface is easily scratched by impact objects without effective protection, resulting in distorted infrared signal acquisition and directly reducing the accuracy of VOC leak detection. Additionally, the detection host integrates precision components such as infrared detectors and signal processing modules; if the impact force from external collisions is directly transmitted to the internal components, it can cause a decrease in detector sensitivity and other malfunctions, thereby shortening the equipment's lifespan.

[0023] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 6As shown, the technical solution in this application effectively addresses the challenges of complex industrial plant environments. During drone flight inspections, drones must navigate through dense pipe supports, towering reaction towers, and crisscrossing cables. Furthermore, dynamic operations such as component handling and tool placement within the plant area frequently occur, increasing the risk of accidental collisions between drones and metal supports, equipment parts, and tools. Since the detection lens uses high-precision optical lenses, its surface is easily scratched by impact objects without effective protection, leading to infrared signal distortion and directly reducing the accuracy of VOCs leak detection. Additionally, the detection host integrates precision components such as infrared detectors and signal processing modules. If the impact force from external collisions is directly transmitted to the internal components, it can cause a decrease in detector sensitivity and other malfunctions, thereby shortening the equipment's lifespan. The overall approach is as follows:

[0024] To address the problems existing in the prior art, this utility model provides an infrared imager for detecting volatile organic compound (VOC) leaks, including a detection host 1, a detection lens 2, and a support pan-tilt unit 15. The detection host 1 is equipped with a protective mechanism, which includes a main protective shell 3, a buffer connecting seat 4, and a light-transmitting protective plate 5. The main protective shell 3 is located outside the detection host 1, the buffer connecting seat 4 is slidably connected inside the main protective shell 3, and the light-transmitting protective plate 5 is fixedly installed outside the buffer connecting seat 4. The main protective shell 3, the buffer connecting seat 4, and the light-transmitting protective plate 5 form the first protective barrier, preventing external objects such as tools and parts from directly impacting the detection lens 2. The light-transmitting protective plate 5 is made of a high-transmittance material to ensure a clear field of view for the detection lens 2 and not affect the detection accuracy.

[0025] Two reset springs 6 are provided between the light-transmitting protective plate 5 and the main protective shell 3. The ends of the reset springs 6 are fixedly connected to the outside of the light-transmitting protective plate 5. They absorb the impact force through elastic deformation, reduce the force transmitted to the detection host 1, and automatically drive the light-transmitting protective plate 5 to reset without manual adjustment, ensuring that subsequent detection can proceed normally.

[0026] Both ends of the main protective shell 3 are fixedly installed with guide limiting shafts 7. The reset spring 6 is movably sleeved on the outside of the guide limiting shaft 7. Both ends of the light-transmitting protective plate 5 are provided with mounting shaft holes 8. The light-transmitting protective plate 5 is slidably connected to the outside of the guide limiting shaft 7 through the mounting shaft holes 8. The guide limiting shaft 7 restricts the light-transmitting protective plate 5 to slide only along the axial direction of the shaft, so as to prevent the light-transmitting protective plate 5 from shifting or misaligning during collision, and to ensure that the reset spring 6 can be stably compressed and reset.

[0027] Each guide limiting shaft 7 is provided with a limiting threaded sleeve 9 on its outside to limit the position of the light-transmitting protective plate 5. Each guide limiting shaft 7 is fixedly installed with a fixing screw 10 at its end. The limiting threaded sleeve 9 is threaded to the outside of the fixing screw 10 to prevent the light-transmitting protective plate 5 from falling off the guide limiting shaft 7 during daily use or slight vibration. The light-transmitting protective plate 5 can be removed by unscrewing the limiting threaded sleeve 9, which is convenient for maintenance or replacement.

[0028] Both ends of the testing host 1 are provided with square nuts 11, and both ends of the main protective shell 3 are rotatably connected with connecting bolts 12. The connecting bolts 12 are threaded into the inside of the square nuts 11. Both ends of the testing host 1 are provided with positioning slots 13, and the square nuts 11 are engaged in the inside of the positioning slots 13. Each side of the testing host 1 corresponding to each positioning slot 13 is provided with a connecting through hole 14, and the connecting bolts 12 are threaded into the inside of the positioning slots 13 through the connecting through holes 14.

[0029] The square nut 11 is quickly positioned by the positioning slot 13 without additional welding or bonding, simplifying the installation process. The square nut 11 can also be replaced. The connecting bolt 12 passes through the hole at the end of the main protective shell 3 and the connecting through hole 14 on the side of the detection host 1, and is screwed into the square nut 11 in the positioning slot 13 to securely fix the main protective shell 3 to the detection host 1. The connection is reliable. The entire protective mechanism can be removed by unscrewing the connecting bolt 12 in the opposite direction, which facilitates the internal maintenance of the detection host 1.

[0030] Example 1:

[0031] First, insert the two square nuts 11 into the pre-set positioning slots 13 at both ends of the detection host 1, ensuring that the position of the square nuts 11 is aligned with the connecting through holes 14 on the side of the detection host 1. Then, cover the main protective shell 3 on the outside of the detection host 1, and then rotate the connecting bolt 12 to tighten the connecting bolt 12 with the square nuts 11 in the positioning slots 13, thus completing the fixed installation of the main protective shell 3, the buffer connecting seat 4, and the light-transmitting protective plate 5.

[0032] The light-transmitting protective plate 5 is made of high-transmittance acrylic or quartz material, which can ensure a clear field of view when the detection lens 2 detects volatile organic compound leaks, and avoid the decrease in detection accuracy due to the obstruction of the protective components. When the equipment is subjected to external impact, the main protective shell 3, the buffer connecting seat 4 and the light-transmitting protective plate 5 form the first protective barrier to prevent tools, parts and other external objects from directly hitting the detection lens 2. If the impact force is applied to the front of the light-transmitting protective plate 5, the light-transmitting protective plate 5 will slide along the guide limiting shaft 7. The two return springs 6 between it and the main protective shell 3 are compressed. The elastic deformation of the return springs 6 absorbs the impact force and reduces the force transmission to the buffer connecting seat 4 and the main protective shell 3, thereby protecting the detection host 1. After the impact force disappears, the return springs 6 rely on their own elasticity to reset, driving the light-transmitting protective plate 5 back to the initial position along the guide limiting shaft 7, ensuring that subsequent detection work can still be carried out normally and effectively extending the service life of the equipment.

[0033] Example 2:

[0034] Rotate the limiting threaded sleeve 9 so that it is screwed out along the thread direction of the fixing screw 10 until the limiting threaded sleeve 9 is completely disengaged from the fixing screw 10. Then, pinch both ends of the light-transmitting protective plate 5 and gently pull it along the axial direction of the guide limiting shaft 7. The light-transmitting protective plate 5 will drive the buffer connecting seat 4 to slide synchronously until the light-transmitting protective plate 5 and the buffer connecting seat 4 are completely disengaged from the main protective shell 3. At this time, the return spring 6 is disengaged from the guide limiting shaft 7. The entire operation does not require complicated tools, and the steps are simple and efficient. It is convenient for operators to clean the light-transmitting protective plate 5 during equipment use, or to quickly replace the light-transmitting protective plate 5 when it is scratched or damaged due to collision. At the same time, the return spring 6 can be easily removed as the light-transmitting protective plate 5 is disengaged from the guide limiting shaft 7, which is convenient for checking the elastic performance of the return spring 6. If the return spring 6 has problems such as aging or deformation, it can be replaced in time to ensure that the buffer protection function of the protective mechanism is always effective.

[0035] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are merely examples for clearly illustrating the present invention and are not intended to limit the implementation. Those skilled in the art can make other variations or modifications based on the above description. It is neither necessary nor possible to exhaustively list all possible implementations. However, obvious variations or modifications derived therefrom are still within the protection scope of this invention.

Claims

1. An infrared imager for detecting volatile organic compound (VOC) leaks, comprising a detection host (1), a detection lens (2), and a support pan-tilt unit (15), characterized in that, The detection host (1) is provided with a protective mechanism on its exterior. The protective mechanism includes a main protective shell (3), a buffer connecting seat (4), and a light-transmitting protective plate (5). The main protective shell (3) is located on the exterior of the detection host (1), the buffer connecting seat (4) is slidably connected to the interior of the main protective shell (3), and the light-transmitting protective plate (5) is fixedly installed on the exterior of the buffer connecting seat (4). Two reset springs (6) are provided between the light-transmitting protective plate (5) and the main protective shell (3), and the ends of the reset springs (6) are fixedly connected to the outside of the light-transmitting protective plate (5).

2. An infrared imager for detecting volatile organic compound leaks as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Guide limiting shafts (7) are fixedly installed at both ends of the main protective shell (3); The reset spring (6) is movably sleeved on the outside of the guide limit shaft (7).

3. An infrared imager for detecting volatile organic compound leaks as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Both ends of the light-transmitting protective plate (5) are provided with mounting shaft holes (8); The light-transmitting protective plate (5) is slidably connected to the outside of the guide limiting shaft (7) through the mounting shaft hole (8).

4. An infrared imager for detecting volatile organic compound leaks as described in claim 2, characterized in that, Each of the guide limiting shafts (7) is provided with a limiting threaded sleeve (9) for limiting the position of the light-transmitting protective plate (5).

5. An infrared imager for detecting volatile organic compound leaks as described in claim 2, characterized in that, Each of the guide limiting shafts (7) is fixedly installed with a fixing screw (10) at its end; Among them, the limiting threaded sleeve (9) is threadedly connected to the outside of the fixing screw (10).

6. An infrared imager for detecting volatile organic compound leaks as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The detection host (1) is provided with square nuts (11) at both ends, and the main protective shell (3) is rotatably connected with connecting bolts (12) at both ends; The connecting bolt (12) is threaded inside the square nut (11).

7. An infrared imager for detecting volatile organic compound leaks as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The detection host (1) has positioning slots (13) at both ends; The square nut (11) is engaged inside the positioning slot (13).

8. An infrared imager for detecting volatile organic compound leaks as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The detection host (1) has a connection through hole (14) on one side corresponding to each positioning slot (13); The connecting bolt (12) is threaded into the positioning slot (13) through the connecting through hole (14).

Images