Bolometric Detector Array Thermal Error Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Thermal imaging systems with bolometric detector arrays face measurement errors due to heat flow between measuring cells and the base body, leading to inaccurate temperature readings over time, especially when thermal radiation is detected over a prolonged period.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a detector array with bolometric measuring cells connected to a base body via connections with specific thermal conductivity, where a processor unit determines predictive temperature values by compensating for time delays and measurement errors, using thermal capacity and conductivity data to generate accurate thermal images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If thermal radiation is detected over a prolonged period to improve measurement accuracy, then temperature reading precision improves, but measurement error increases due to heat flow from the base body to the measuring cells
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback by continuously monitoring the temperature of the base body and using this information to calculate and subtract the heat flow contribution from the measuring cell readings. The evaluation circuit receives temperature signals from both the measuring cells and the base body, and uses this feedback to compensate for thermal interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of thermal conductivity by using connections with specifically controlled thermal conductivity between the base body and measuring cells. This allows the system to manage heat flow characteristics and enables accurate measurement of the heat flow parameter for compensation purposes.
2Quantity of substance
If the base body has high thermal capacity to store thermal energy, then thermal energy storage improves, but temperature measurement accuracy deteriorates due to heat flow back to measuring cells
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs feedback by measuring the base body temperature and using this information to calculate the heat flow that would return to the measuring cells. This feedback mechanism allows the system to compensate for the interference caused by the base body's thermal energy storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection elements serve as intermediaries with controlled thermal conductivity, allowing the system to manage the heat flow between the base body and measuring cells. This intermediary structure enables the base body to store thermal energy while limiting unwanted heat transfer to the measuring cells.
3Power
If thermal conductivity of connections is increased to improve heat transfer, then heat transfer efficiency improves, but measurement accuracy decreases due to increased heat flow interference
Solution Approach 1:
The system optimizes the thermal conductivity parameter of the connections to achieve a balance between heat transfer efficiency and measurement accuracy. By carefully selecting and controlling this parameter, the system ensures sufficient heat transfer for detector operation while minimizing interference with measurements.
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 rapid and precise determination of temperature values with reduced time delay and measurement errors, allowing for accurate thermal imaging even with changing infrared radiation conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The detector array comprises a plurality of bolometric measuring cells and a base body. Each bolometric measuring cell is configured to detect infrared radiation.
Implementation Method 2
Each bolometric measuring cell is configured to detect infrared radiation in the wavelength range between three microns and 20 microns.
Implementation Method 3
Each measuring cell is directly or indirectly connected to the base body via an associated connection comprising a predetermined thermal conductivity, such that heat is transferable between each measuring cell and the base body.
Implementation Method 4
The base body has thermal capacity. If thermal radiation from the body impinges on the measuring cells over a longer period of time, the base body of the detector array heats up to such an extent that the thermal energy stored by the base body leads to distorted measurements.
Data Source
AI summary
A system with a detector array, a processor unit and a signal interface. The detector array includes a plurality of bolometric measuring cells and a base body. Each measuring cell is configured to detect infrared radiation and to transmit a measurement signal, which is representative of the readings of the measuring cells, to the processor unit. The processor unit is configured to determine a body heat stored by the base body, to determine a predictive value compensated according to the time delay of the respective measuring cell for each current reading, to determine a temperature value corrected according to the measurement error for each current predictive value, and to determine a thermal image based on the current temperature values, allowing an image signal representing the thermal image to be sent from the signal interface. A corresponding method is also provided.