Infrared Gas Leak Flow Estimation With Map-Based Distance Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing leakage gas detection systems require manual distance measurement by a user during image capture, increasing workload and limiting the ability to estimate gas flow rates accurately without stored distance information.
Innovation Solution
A system that calculates gas flow rates using map information, camera position, and imaging orientation to automatically determine distances, eliminating the need for manual distance measurement, and includes components for region extraction, vector calculation, and concentration thickness product estimation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual distance measurement by user is required during image capture, then distance information can be obtained for flow rate estimation, but user workload increases and operation becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically acquires distance information using the camera's built-in distance sensor and map matching technology, eliminating the need for manual distance measurement by the user. The camera performs self-service by autonomously obtaining and storing distance data along with image data, thereby reducing user workload while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by automatically measuring and storing distance information at the time of image capture without requiring subsequent manual intervention. The distance data is acquired in advance and stored in the storage unit, so when flow rate estimation is needed later, the distance information is already available, eliminating the need for repeated manual measurements.
2Ease of operation
If distance information is not stored during image capture, then user workload is reduced, but flow rate estimation cannot be performed later
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements multi-functionality by automatically acquiring distance information that serves dual purposes: it supports both simple leakage detection and flow rate estimation. The distance data is stored universally with the image data, allowing the system to adapt to different operational modes (detection only or detection with flow rate estimation) without requiring separate measurement processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by automatically measuring and storing distance information at the time of image capture. This preliminary acquisition ensures that when flow rate estimation is needed later, the distance data is already available, enabling the system to maintain versatility without increasing user workload during operation.
3Ease of operation
If automatic distance calculation using map information is implemented, then manual measurement is eliminated, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces the mechanical/manual distance measurement process with an automated electronic system using the camera's built-in distance sensor and map matching technology. This substitution eliminates the need for physical laser range finders or manual measurement tools, reducing user workload while the electronic automation handles the complexity internally.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses map information as an intermediary to bridge the camera position and the actual distance to the target. The map data serves as a mediator that, combined with the distance sensor reading and camera orientation, enables automatic calculation of accurate distance information without requiring direct manual measurement, thereby simplifying user operation while managing system complexity through data integration.
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 accurate gas flow rate estimation without manual distance measurement, reducing user workload and improving convenience by automating the calculation of three-dimensional distances using sensor data and map information.
Implementation Method 1
a leakage gas detection device which detects a leaked gas from an image captured by a camera using infrared absorption of a specific wavelength by a gas
Data Source
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AI summary
A gas flow rate estimation device (10) includes a map acquisition section (34) acquiring, from position information of a camera (20) capturing an image including information of an infrared ray, map information around the camera (20), a distance calculation section (37) calculating, based on the map information, a distance from the camera (20) to a gas cloud, a first calculation section (13) calculating, using time-series images, a gas velocity of the gas cloud and a gas passage time for which gas passes through a gas region, a second calculation section (15) calculating a gas concentration thickness product of the gas region by using image data of the gas region and a gas amount of the gas region by using the gas concentration thickness product and a distance calculated by the distance calculation section (37), and a third calculation section (16) calculating a flow rate estimation value of gas by using the gas passage time and the gas amount.