Panoramic Infrared Wall Temperature Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for determining heat transfer coefficients on walls require contact measurements, are labor-intensive, and depend heavily on expert knowledge, making them costly, time-consuming, and non-comparable.

Innovation Solution

A non-contact method using panoramic infrared imaging to measure spatially resolved wall and reflected temperatures, combined with air and outside temperatures, to calculate heat transfer coefficients independently of measurement location, with a system comprising an infrared camera, air temperature sensors, and image processing for accurate and efficient determination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If contact measurements using thermocouples or heat flow sensors are used, then measurement precision can be achieved, but the method becomes labor-intensive, requires expert knowledge, and increases time consumption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat transfer coefficient measurement accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces contact-based mechanical measurement systems (thermocouples, heat flow sensors) with a non-contact infrared measurement system. The infrared camera captures thermal radiation from the wall surface, and the evaluation device processes these images to determine heat transfer coefficients, eliminating the need for physical contact and expert installation while maintaining measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a thermal image copy of the wall surface using infrared camera imaging. Instead of measuring temperature at discrete contact points, the system captures a complete thermal map of the wall surface, from which heat transfer coefficients can be calculated for the entire surface area, significantly reducing measurement time and eliminating the need for multiple point measurements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Measurement precision

If contact measurements are performed at specific positions, then measurement precision is improved, but the method requires expert knowledge for proper sensor placement and reduces ease of operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement result accuracyVSAvoidease of use
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical contact measurement system requiring expert placement knowledge with a non-contact infrared imaging system. The camera can capture the entire wall surface from any position, and the evaluation device automatically processes the thermal images to determine heat transfer coefficients, making the method accessible to non-experts while maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The infrared camera serves multiple functions: it captures thermal radiation from the wall surface, records spatial temperature distribution, and provides data for calculating heat transfer coefficients. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for specialized sensor placement knowledge while achieving comprehensive wall surface assessment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If point-by-point measurements are taken, then measurement precision at specific locations is improved, but the overall assessment becomes complex and increases device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocal temperature measurement accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces multiple discrete contact sensors with a single infrared camera that captures the entire wall surface simultaneously. The evaluation device then processes the thermal image data to calculate heat transfer coefficients for the entire surface, significantly simplifying the measurement system while maintaining or improving measurement precision through spatially resolved temperature data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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, efficient, and spatially resolved heat transfer coefficient measurement without expert knowledge, reducing experimental effort and time, and allowing for standardized assessments.

Implementation Method 1

creating at least one panoramic infrared image of the room from any point in the room, the panoramic infrared image includes at least one horizontally extending 360° panorama

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal radiation: Thermal Radiation

Data Source

PatentEP3870946B1Determining heat-transfer coefficients at walls of a room
Publication Date: 2022.11.16 DEUTSCHES ZENTRUM FÜR LUFT UND RAUMFAHRT E V
  • EP3870946B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3870946B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3870946B1 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for contactlessly determining heat-transfer coefficients U at a wall of a room, comprising the following steps: measuring the air temperature Ti in the room; providing an additional air temperature Te1 of an additional room adjoining the wall or an outside air temperature Te2; creating at least one panoramic infrared image of the room from any point in the room, the panoramic infrared image comprising at least one horizontally extending 360° panorama; evaluating the panoramic infrared image and determining a spatially resolved wall temperature Ts from the panoramic infrared image and determining the spatially resolved reflected temperature Tref; determining the heat-transfer coefficients U of the wall by means of the air temperature Ti, the additional air temperature Te1 or the outside air temperature Te2, the spatially resolved wall temperature Ts and the spatially resolved reflected temperature Tref.