Laser Thermography Shading for Contaminated Surface Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Active laser thermography measurements on inhomogeneous surfaces are compromised by surface contaminants, leading to measurement errors and reduced productivity due to the need for surface cleaning before retesting.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that adaptively modify the measurement area to exclude error-inducing surfaces by using movable mirrors or shutter plates to create a new measurement area, excluding error-inducing regions and using thermal imaging for identification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If surface cleaning is performed before retesting, then measurement accuracy is improved, but productivity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and excludes error-inducing surface regions from the measurement area using a shading device. The observation device identifies contaminated areas, and the shading device (movable mirrors or shutter plates) creates a modified measurement area that excludes these problematic regions, allowing measurement to proceed without cleaning the entire surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by treating different regions of the surface differently. Instead of uniformly cleaning the entire surface, the system identifies and excludes only the specific error-inducing regions while maintaining measurement of the remaining valid areas, thus preserving productivity while ensuring measurement accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If measurement area is modified to exclude error-inducing surfaces, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functionality by integrating the shading device into the existing measurement apparatus. The movable mirrors or shutter plates serve dual purposes: they control the measurement area boundaries and dynamically exclude error-inducing regions identified by the observation device, combining area control and error exclusion functions in a single system.
Solution Approach 2:
The shading device acts as an intermediary between the laser beam source and the surface to be measured. It modifies the measurement area by selectively blocking portions of the laser beam or observation path, thereby excluding error-inducing regions without requiring direct contact or complex modifications to the surface or measurement methodology.
3Productivity
If cycle time is reduced for higher productivity, then productivity is improved, but measurement accuracy may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by using the observation device to identify error-inducing surfaces before the main measurement process. This pre-identification allows the shading device to pre-adjust the measurement area boundaries, ensuring that only valid regions are measured from the outset, thus maintaining accuracy without requiring additional measurement cycles or cleaning steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback through the observation device that continuously monitors the surface for error-inducing regions. Based on this feedback, the shading device dynamically adjusts the measurement area in real-time, allowing the system to maintain high measurement accuracy while proceeding through the measurement process at optimal speed without unnecessary delays.
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
Enhances measurement accuracy and productivity by avoiding measurement errors and reducing cycle times through adaptive area manipulation.
Implementation Method 1
a laser beam source or laser optics (1) which emit a laser beam (2) onto a surface to be tested (7)
Implementation Method 2
an observation device B for thermographic observation of the surface to be tested (7)
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for the measurement of inhomogeneous surfaces by means of active laser thermography comprises a laser source, which can emit a laser beam onto a surface to be tested in order to form a measurement area, and an observation device for thermographic observation of the surface to be tested, which is distinguished in that the observation device is further adapted to identify error-inducing surfaces on the surface to be tested, the apparatus moreover comprising a shading device which is adapted to modify the measurement area in such a way that a new measurement area is created while excluding the error-inducing surface. A method for the measurement of inhomogeneous surfaces by means of active laser thermography uses such an apparatus.