Hemispherical Mirror Infrared Imaging for Solar Panel Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current infrared imaging systems for large-area monitoring, such as in solar farms, lack the necessary spatial resolution and temporal resolution to effectively identify and troubleshoot overheating solar panels or shadowing issues in real-time, especially when solar panels are mounted on trackers that rotate with the sun.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a thermal imaging system with curved optics, including fisheye lenses or hemispherical mirrors, equipped with cameras sensitive to near to mid-infrared ranges, capable of capturing images over large areas (0.01 miles to 1.5 miles) with high temporal resolution, and using interchangeable light filters to adjust intensity and amplitude, allowing for continuous monitoring and identification of temperature changes across the area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If satellite or airborne imaging techniques are used for large-area monitoring, then the monitoring area is covered, but the spatial resolution is low (10 meters or higher) and temporal resolution is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a hemispherical mirror with a large radius of curvature to capture a wide field of view (up to 1.5 miles) while maintaining high spatial resolution. The curved surface of the hemispherical mirror allows the imaging system to monitor large areas without sacrificing resolution, as the mirror focuses infrared radiation from the entire field of view onto the camera sensor array.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional flat lens optics to a three-dimensional hemispherical mirror configuration. This dimensional change enables the system to capture a hemispherical field of view, effectively adding a vertical dimension to the monitoring capability and allowing coverage of large areas while maintaining detailed spatial information through the curved surface geometry.
2Area of stationary object
If satellite or airborne imaging techniques are used for large-area monitoring, then the monitoring area is covered, but the data acquisition time intervals are large, reducing real-time troubleshooting capability
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging system is designed for autonomous operation with continuous or near-continuous monitoring capability. The hemispherical mirror configuration allows the system to self-acquire data at high temporal resolution without requiring external triggering or manual intervention, enabling real-time detection of temperature changes and operational issues in solar farms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous monitoring through the hemispherical mirror imaging system, which can capture thermal data at high temporal resolution without interruption. This continuous acquisition capability ensures that temperature variations, overheating conditions, and operational anomalies are detected immediately, enabling real-time troubleshooting and response.
3Temperature
If conventional infrared imaging systems are used, then thermal monitoring is possible, but the temporal resolution is insufficient to identify real-time temperature changes
Solution Approach 1:
The hemispherical mirror configuration enables the system to capture thermal data at high temporal resolution by continuously monitoring the entire field of view. The curved surface allows for rapid acquisition of thermal images without the mechanical limitations of traditional scanning systems, providing real-time temperature change detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes a baseline thermal profile of the solar farm using the hemispherical mirror imaging system, then continuously compares subsequent images against this baseline to detect temperature changes. This preliminary characterization enables the system to identify real-time anomalies and temperature variations relative to normal operational conditions.
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
This solution provides high spatial and temporal resolution for pinpointing defective solar panels and monitoring temperature changes, enabling real-time identification and tracking of issues like overheating or shadowing, thereby improving the efficiency and performance of solar installations.
Implementation Method 1
a hemispherical mirror configured to reflect an image of objects in front of the mirror
Implementation Method 2
a camera equipped with curved optics... equipped with cameras sensitive to near to mid-infrared ranges
Implementation Method 3
interchangeable light filters positioned in front of the camera configured to change one or more of an intensity and an amplitude of light captured by the imaging system
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging system and use thereof for large-area monitoring with very high temporal resolution are provided. In one aspect, an imaging system includes a camera equipped with curved optics having a field of view of from about 0.01 miles to about 1.5 miles; and interchangeable light filters positioned in front of the camera configured to change one or more of an intensity and an amplitude of light captured by the imaging system. The curved optics may include a hemispherical mirror configured to reflect an image of objects in front of the mirror, and the camera may be positioned facing a reflective surface of the hemispherical mirror so as to capture the image reflected in the hemispherical mirror. Alternatively, the curved optics may include a fisheye lens mounted to the camera. An imaging network of the present imaging systems and a method for use thereof for thermal monitoring are also provided.