Ambient Thermal Image Mapping Without Widespread Infrared Cameras
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Solution Overview
Problem
Infrared cameras used for monitoring ambient temperatures in industrial automation systems are cost-prohibitive, making it difficult to effectively monitor temperatures across the entire facility.
Innovation Solution
Utilize temperature sensors within enclosures to measure component temperatures, correlate these measurements with ambient temperatures using infrared cameras, and generate a temperature model to predict ambient temperatures, allowing for a heat map visualization without the need for widespread infrared camera deployment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If infrared cameras are deployed throughout the industrial automation system to monitor ambient temperatures, then measurement precision and coverage are improved, but device cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the expensive infrared camera system by using a temperature model that simulates ambient temperatures. This model replicates the monitoring function without requiring physical infrared cameras in every location, thus achieving measurement precision while reducing device cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces temperature sensors within enclosures as intermediary devices that indirectly measure ambient temperatures. Instead of directly monitoring ambient temperature with expensive infrared cameras, the system uses these sensors to capture internal temperatures and correlates them with ambient conditions through the temperature model.
2Device complexity
If temperature sensors are placed only within enclosures to measure component temperatures, then device cost is reduced, but the ability to monitor ambient temperatures is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses feedback from temperature sensors within enclosures to train and update the temperature model. The model continuously refines its predictions about ambient temperatures based on the feedback from these sensors, allowing the system to recover lost ambient temperature information indirectly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/infrared-based temperature monitoring system with a computational model that processes data from standard temperature sensors. This substitution allows ambient temperature monitoring to be achieved through software algorithms rather than expensive hardware deployment.
3Device complexity
If a temperature model is used to predict ambient temperatures, then device cost is reduced, but measurement precision may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary training of the temperature model using historical data from both temperature sensors and infrared cameras. This preliminary action establishes the foundation for accurate predictions, ensuring that when the model is deployed, it achieves measurement precision comparable to direct infrared monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adjusts and optimizes model parameters based on correlation analysis between sensor data and ambient conditions. By continuously refining these parameters, the system improves prediction accuracy, resolving the contradiction between cost reduction and measurement precision.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables cost-effective monitoring of ambient temperatures across the industrial automation system, providing macro-level temperature insights for coordinated control and reducing the risk of system shutdowns.
Implementation Method 1
one or more temperature sensors to measure one or more temperatures of one or more devices within one or more enclosures
Implementation Method 2
one or more thermal image sensors to acquire a set of thermal imagery data associated with one or more spaces
Data Source
AI summary
A system may include temperature sensors configured to measure temperatures of devices within an industrial automation system. The devices may be disposed within enclosures separate from one or more spaces of an ambient space of the industrial automation system. The system may include thermal image sensors configured to acquire thermal imagery data associated with the ambient space. The system may include a processor configured to receive a first set of temperature data acquired by the temperature sensors over a period of time. The processor may further generate a second set of temperature data representative of one or more predicted temperatures associated with one or more additional spaces of the ambient space. The temperature model may represent expected temperatures of the one or more spaces with respect to the temperatures within the enclosures. The processor may generate a heat map visualization including one or more thermal indicators representative of the predicted temperatures.