Gas Leak Position Estimation Using Infrared Image Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas leak detection methods using infrared images struggle to accurately pinpoint the gas leak position due to the difficulty in distinguishing a point source from a surface region image, especially in large areas, leading to increased time and effort for engineers to locate leaks.
Innovation Solution
A gas leak position estimation device that processes infrared images by extracting a cumulative gas region image, determining feature points, and identifying the gas leak estimated position from the outline of the image, using regression lines and circumscribed rectangles to narrow down the pixel selection, thereby improving the accuracy of leak location.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If gas leak detection uses infrared imaging to capture gas region images, then the ability to detect gas leaks is improved, but the precision of locating the exact leak position deteriorates because the gas region image shows a surface area rather than a specific point
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the gas region image into multiple pixels and systematically analyzes each pixel's characteristics (temperature, temporal variation, spatial position) to distinguish the leak source from the broader gas-affected area. By dividing the continuous gas region into discrete analyzable units, the system can pinpoint the specific pixel corresponding to the leak origin.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality analysis by examining the properties of individual pixels within the gas region rather than treating the entire gas-affected area uniformly. It identifies the leak position by finding the pixel with specific local characteristics (maximum temperature change, greatest temporal variation, or distinct spatial pattern) that differ from surrounding pixels.
2Area of stationary object
If the gas region image covers a wide area to capture the full extent of gas dispersion, then the detection coverage is improved, but the difficulty of specifying the exact leak position increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the wide gas region image into a grid of pixels and systematically processes each pixel to identify the leak source. This segmentation allows the system to maintain comprehensive coverage of the entire gas dispersion area while independently analyzing each small region to pinpoint the leak origin.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional spatial analysis of the gas region image to multi-dimensional analysis by incorporating temporal information (temperature changes over time) and quantitative pixel property analysis. This dimensional expansion allows the system to distinguish the leak position even within wide-area images by identifying pixels with characteristic temporal and quantitative properties.
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
The device effectively estimates the gas leak position by analyzing the cumulative gas region image, reducing the influence of wind fluctuations and improving the precision of leak identification, allowing for quicker and more accurate detection.
Implementation Method 1
Remote gas sensing using an infrared camera is known as a technique for sensing gas using this principle
Implementation Method 2
At occurrence of a gas leak, a slight temperature change takes place at a location where the leakage gas hangs
Data Source
AI summary
This gas leak position estimation device is provided with a specifying unit and a first determination unit. The specifying unit specifies a gas region image indicating a region in which the gas hangs in an image obtained by photographing a monitoring region. The first determination unit determines a pixel indicating a gas leak estimated position estimated to be a position at which the gas is leaking out from a plurality of pixels constituting an outline of the gas region image.