Flame Monitoring with IR-Camera Distance Validation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flame detection systems are unable to accurately determine flame distance and size, leading to potential false alarms and inefficiencies in fire detection.
Innovation Solution
A flame monitoring system utilizing an infrared sensor and a camera sensor to determine flame area and distance through a processor that calculates and validates the actual area of a flame by comparing distances and infrared energy, adjusting for focal length and image capturing device parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If existing flame detection systems are used, then flame presence can be detected, but flame distance and size cannot be accurately determined
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional single-point flame detection to a two-dimensional imaging approach using a camera sensor. The camera captures flame images within a field of view, enabling measurement of flame area, distance, and size by analyzing the spatial dimensions in the captured images, thereby resolving the limitation of existing systems that cannot determine flame distance and size
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing system that combines data from both the flame detector (infrared energy detection) and the camera sensor (visual imaging). This intermediary processor integrates multiple measurement parameters including infrared energy values, image area, focal length, and pixel dimensions to calculate and validate flame distance and size, reducing false alarms through cross-validation
2Measurement precision
If a flame detector and image capturing device are integrated, then flame area and distance can be determined, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the flame detection function and the imaging function into a single integrated system. The flame detector and camera sensor are positioned to share a common field of view, and their data streams are combined in the processor to jointly determine flame parameters, achieving accurate measurement while managing system complexity through functional integration
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated system performs multiple functions simultaneously: the flame detector provides infrared energy detection for flame presence, while the camera sensor provides visual imaging for area and distance measurement. The processor universally handles both data types and performs validation across multiple parameters, making the system multi-functional and highly capable
3Reliability
If distance validation is performed using image capturing device parameters, then false alarms are reduced, but calculation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback validation mechanism where the processor calculates flame distance using two independent methods: one based on infrared energy detection and another based on image capturing device parameters (focal length, pixel dimensions, field of view). The system compares these two distance measurements and validates the flame detection only when they agree within a threshold, providing feedback-based verification that reduces false alarms
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary validation by pre-establishing the relationship between camera parameters (focal length, sensor dimensions, field of view) and distance calculations. Before actual flame detection, the system configures the geometric parameters and validation thresholds, so that during operation, the validation process can proceed efficiently using pre-computed relationships rather than complex real-time calculations
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
Accurately determines the actual area and distance of a flame, reducing false alarms and enhancing the reliability of fire detection systems.
Implementation Method 1
a flame detector configured to sense infrared energy (E) emitted by a flame within a field of view (FOV) of the flame detector
Data Source
AI summary
A flame monitoring system is disclosed. The flame monitoring system comprises a flame detector configured to sense an infrared energy (E) emitted by a flame, an image capturing device, and at least one processor. The at least one processor is configured to determine an area (A) of the flame based at least on a first distance (d1) between the flame and the flame detector, a predefined flame constant (k), and the infrared energy (E); determine a second distance (d2) between the flame and the flame detector based at least on parameters associated with the image capturing device and (A); determine a difference between the first distance (d1) and the second distance (d2); and in an instance in which the difference between the first distance (d1) and the second distance (d2) is less than or equal to a threshold value, validate the area (A) as an actual area of the flame.