Multi-band Infrared Sensor Array for Gas Quantification
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical gas imaging systems face challenges in accurately quantifying gas presence due to factors like scattering, emissivity, and reflectance from background objects, which complicates minute gas concentration and mass flow measurements.
Innovation Solution
The use of two or more infrared sensors capturing different wavelength ranges allows for the creation of a radiometric scene map, enabling better discrimination between gases and background portions, thereby improving gas quantification accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional single-band infrared sensors are used for gas detection, then the system structure remains simple, but gas quantification accuracy deteriorates due to inability to discriminate background radiometric interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the infrared detection task into multiple wavelength bands by using a multi-band sensor array. Each sensor element detects radiation in a specific wavelength range, allowing the system to segment the complex radiometric scene into distinct spectral components. This segmentation enables separate analysis of gas absorption features from background emissions, thereby improving gas quantification accuracy while managing device complexity through structured spectral decomposition
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from single-band (one-dimensional) infrared detection to multi-band (multi-dimensional) spectral detection. By adding the wavelength dimension to the spatial detection capability, the system creates a two-dimensional detection space (spatial + spectral) that provides additional information for discriminating gas signals from background interference, thus improving measurement precision without proportionally increasing device complexity
2Measurement precision
If passive gas visualization is used to detect gas presence, then detection capability is achieved, but quantification of minute gas concentrations deteriorates due to atmospheric scattering and reflectance variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the detection parameter from single-wavelength intensity measurement to multi-wavelength spectral measurement. By measuring radiation intensity across multiple wavelength bands and analyzing the spectral signature, the system can identify characteristic gas absorption features that remain consistent despite variations in atmospheric scattering and background reflectance. This parameter change enables accurate quantification of minute gas concentrations by focusing on spectral ratios and absorption depths rather than absolute intensity values
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a radiometric scene mapping approach that continuously updates background radiometric characteristics and uses this information to correct and enhance gas detection signals. The system feeds back the measured background radiometric values into the gas quantification algorithm, allowing real-time compensation for atmospheric and background variations, thereby improving measurement precision for minute gas concentrations
3Object-affected harmful factors
If infrared imager distance is decreased to reduce atmospheric factors, then atmospheric interference is reduced, but background object reflectance variations worsen and remain problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes from single-band intensity detection to multi-band spectral detection, enabling the system to identify and isolate gas-specific absorption features from background reflectance variations. By analyzing spectral patterns across multiple wavelength bands, the system can distinguish gas absorption signatures from background object reflections, maintaining gas quantification accuracy even when operating at distances where background reflectance varies significantly
4Measurement precision
If multi-band sensor arrays are used to capture different wavelength ranges, then radiometric scene mapping capability improves, but device complexity and data processing requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the spectral detection task into discrete wavelength bands, with each sensor element or detector group assigned to a specific band. This segmentation allows the system to process complex multi-band data in a structured manner, reducing processing complexity by handling each band separately and combining results through established radiometric algorithms, thereby achieving improved background discrimination without proportionally increasing overall system complexity
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 enhances gas quantification by accurately distinguishing between gas and background, reducing errors associated with varying background emissivity and reflectance, leading to more precise gas concentration and flow measurements.
Implementation Method 1
two or more types of infrared sensors may be used to detect different ranges of infrared (e.g., thermal) wavelengths for background portions of a scene
Implementation Method 2
specific gases may emit and/or absorb infrared (e.g. thermal) radiation in characteristic ways at particular wavelengths
Implementation Method 3
specific gases may emit and/or absorb infrared (e.g. thermal) radiation in characteristic ways at particular wavelengths
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Improved techniques for quantification of detected gases are provided. In one example, a method includes receiving infrared radiation from a scene at a sensor array comprising first and second sets of infrared sensors associated with first and second wavelength ranges of the infrared radiation, respectively. The method also includes capturing first and second images by the first and second sets of infrared sensors, respectively. The method also includes detecting a background object in the first image. The method also includes tracking the background object to identify the background object in the second image. The method also includes updating a radiometric scene map with first and second radiometric values associated with the first and second images and correlated to a location of the background object in the scene. The method also includes performing gas quantification using the radiometric scene map. Additional systems and methods are also provided.