Infrared-Visible Imaging for Utility Equipment Tracking in Motion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems struggle to accurately and efficiently monitor the condition of electrical utility equipment using infrared cameras, particularly when mounted on moving vehicles, due to the narrow field of view and challenges in precisely positioning the IR camera.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of an imaging system that combines an infrared (IR) camera with a visible-light camera, where the visible camera is used to identify the position of the device and guide the positioning of the IR camera, allowing for accurate placement and acquisition of high-quality thermal data while the system is in motion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If an infrared camera is mounted on a moving vehicle to monitor utility equipment, then the productivity of equipment monitoring is improved, but the measurement precision of device position and temperature is degraded due to vehicle movement and narrow field of view

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveequipment monitoring efficiencyVSAvoiddevice position and temperature measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

A visible light camera is introduced as an intermediary device to capture device positions and guide the infrared camera's positioning. The visible camera's wider field of view and higher frame rate provide accurate positional information that serves as a reference for the infrared camera, enabling precise thermal measurements even during vehicle movement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system merges the capabilities of two different camera systems - a visible light camera for positioning and navigation, and an infrared camera for thermal imaging. By combining these complementary technologies and synchronizing their operations, the system achieves both high productivity during vehicle movement and precise measurement of device positions and temperatures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Measurement precision

If the infrared camera uses a narrow field of view to achieve high thermal imaging quality, then the measurement precision of temperature is improved, but the ease of operation and device acquisition are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature measurement accuracyVSAvoiddevice acquisition difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The visible light camera performs preliminary action by capturing device positions and identifying targets before the infrared camera acquires thermal images. This preliminary positioning information allows the infrared camera to be precisely oriented toward the correct devices, making the narrow field of view advantageous rather than limiting

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by using visible camera positional information to continuously guide and adjust the infrared camera's orientation. This closed-loop control ensures that the infrared camera's narrow field of view is always directed at the correct devices, maintaining ease of operation despite the limited viewing angle

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If the system captures images at high speed during vehicle movement, then the productivity is improved, but the stability of image quality and alignment is degraded

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage capture speedVSAvoidimage alignment and quality consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system embraces dynamics by continuously adjusting both cameras' positions and orientations during vehicle movement. The visible camera dynamically tracks device positions while the infrared camera dynamically repositions to maintain thermal imaging alignment, allowing high-speed capture while preserving image quality and alignment through real-time adaptation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 approach enables high-quality monitoring of utility assets by ensuring accurate placement of the IR camera, maintaining proper alignment during movement, and accounting for environmental factors, leading to improved detection of anomalies and more effective preventative maintenance.

Implementation Method 1

Some systems exhibit stress or wear through elevated temperatures, which may be detectable using infrared cameras

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInfrared radiation detection: Infrared Radiation

Data Source

PatentUS20250047976A1Infrared and visible imaging system for monitoring equipment

Publication Date: 2025.02.06 X DEVELOPMENT LLC

AI summary

Methods, systems, and apparatus for an infrared and visible imaging system. In some implementations, Image data from a visible-light camera is obtained. A position of a device is determined based at least in part on the image data from the visible-light camera. An infrared camera is positioned so that the device is in a field of view of the infrared camera, with the field of view of the infrared camera being narrower than the field of view of the visible-light camera. Infrared image data from the infrared camera that includes regions representing the device is obtained. Infrared image data from the infrared camera that represents the device is recorded. Position data is also recorded that indicates the location and pose of the infrared camera when the infrared image data is acquired by the infrared camera.