Hyperspectral Imaging Detection Limits Through Pixel-Level Thermal Contrast
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing infrared and hyperspectral imaging systems fail to accurately account for thermal contrast between gas leaks and background temperatures, leading to inaccurate detection and quantification of gas emissions.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating infrared imaging devices and temperature probes to gather data on gas and background temperatures, generating detection limit maps that account for thermal contrast and ambient conditions, using computing devices to determine detection limits for each pixel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional infrared imaging systems are used to detect gas leaks, then the system structure remains simple, but the detection precision deteriorates due to failure to account for thermal contrast between gas and background
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the detection process by separating temperature measurement (via infrared imaging) from ambient temperature measurement (via temperature probes), allowing independent optimization of each measurement channel. This segmentation enables precise thermal contrast calculation by comparing gas temperature with background temperature at each pixel location.
Solution Approach 2:
Temperature probes serve as intermediary devices that measure ambient temperature at specific locations, providing reference data that mediates between the infrared camera's thermal measurements and the actual gas temperature. This intermediary measurement allows the system to compensate for background thermal effects without requiring direct contact with the gas.
2Reliability
If thermal contrast compensation is implemented using temperature probes and detection limit maps, then detection reliability improves, but the device complexity increases due to additional sensors and processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary measurements by placing temperature probes in the environment before gas leak detection begins. These preliminary ambient temperature measurements are used to generate detection limit maps that predict the minimum detectable gas concentrations under current thermal conditions, allowing the system to compensate for thermal effects before actual detection occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection limit maps are dynamically updated based on real-time ambient temperature measurements from the temperature probes. As environmental conditions change, the system adjusts the detection thresholds and thermal contrast compensation parameters accordingly, maintaining optimal detection reliability across varying operational conditions rather than using fixed thresholds.
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 detection and quantification of gas leaks by accounting for thermal contrast, improving the precision of gas emission detection and reducing false negatives.
Implementation Method 1
a first infrared (IR) imaging device configured to generate first IR image data of a field of view of the first IR imaging device
Implementation Method 2
receive probe temperature data from a temperature probe communicably coupled with the computing device, where the probe temperature data is indicative of an external environment of the imaging system
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems, methods, and computer program products for thermal contrast determinations are provided. An example imaging system includes a first infrared (IR) imaging device that generates first IR image data of a field of view of the first IR imaging device and a computing device connected with the first IR imaging device. The computing device receives probe temperature data from a temperature probe indicative of an external environment of the imaging system and receives the first IR image data from the first IR imaging device. The computing device determines background temperature data based upon the first IR image data, determines gas temperature data based upon the probe temperature data, and determines a thermal contrast for each pixel based upon a comparison between the background temperature data and the gas temperature data. The computing device further determines a detection limit for each pixel as a function of thermal contrast.