Infrared-Visible Imaging Alignment for Mobile Utility Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems face challenges in accurately monitoring and maintaining electrical utility equipment, particularly in detecting wear and anomalies, due to limitations in aiming infrared cameras with narrow fields of view, especially when mounted on moving vehicles.
Innovation Solution
An imaging system combining an infrared camera with a visible-light camera, using the visible camera to identify and position the infrared camera's field of view, and incorporating sensors and stabilization systems to maintain alignment and adjust for changing conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an infrared camera with a narrow field of view is used to monitor equipment, then temperature detection precision is improved, but the difficulty of positioning and aiming the camera increases
Solution Approach 1:
A visible-light camera is introduced as an intermediary device to capture the location of equipment. The visible camera's wide field of view allows easy positioning and identification of the target, and this location information is then used to guide the infrared camera's aiming, solving the positioning difficulty while maintaining the infrared camera's precise temperature detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a single-camera approach to a multi-camera approach by adding a visible-light camera dimension. This allows the system to first locate targets in the visible spectrum and then transfer that positional information to the infrared camera, effectively decoupling the positioning task from the temperature measurement task
2Productivity
If the imaging system is mounted on a moving vehicle to increase monitoring coverage, then productivity is improved, but the stability of the camera positioning deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A stabilization system with counterbalancing mechanisms is implemented to compensate for vehicle motion. The stabilization system actively adjusts the camera positions to counteract the effects of vehicle movement, maintaining stable aiming despite the dynamic mounting environment, thereby enabling both mobile operation and positioning stability
3Measurement precision
If the infrared camera's field of view is narrowed to improve temperature measurement accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The visible-light camera performs preliminary action by capturing the location and identifying equipment before the infrared camera begins its measurement task. This preliminary positioning information is then used to pre-align the infrared camera, making the operation easier while maintaining the narrow field of view for accurate temperature measurement
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 and maintenance by accurately detecting temperature anomalies and wear on utility assets, improving preventative maintenance and reducing the risk of equipment failure.
Implementation Method 1
Some systems exhibit stress or wear through elevated temperatures, which may be detectable using infrared cameras
Data Source
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.