Optical Gas Imaging With Uncooled Thermal Cameras and Image Stabilization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Optical gas imaging systems face challenges in effectively detecting gas clouds due to small changes in infrared images, noise interference, and varying gas cloud characteristics, which can obscure gas presence and require high operator training and inconsistent results.

Innovation Solution

A thermal imaging system with an infrared camera module, user interface, display, and processor configured for non-uniformity correction, image stabilization, and optical gas imaging processes to enhance gas detection, including drift indicators and region-based contrast analysis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If uncooled thermal imaging cameras are used for gas imaging, then device complexity and cost are reduced, but signal-to-noise ratio and gas signal contrast become insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecamera system complexityVSAvoidgas detection precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by capturing multiple frames before gas detection and using them to establish a baseline scene representation. This pre-processing establishes reference data that enables subsequent gas detection through comparison, allowing uncooled cameras to achieve adequate signal-to-noise ratios without cryogenic cooling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a digital copy of the scene through multiple frame captures and generates a synthesized baseline representation. This copied baseline scene data is then compared against current frames to detect gas, enabling uncooled cameras to achieve sufficient contrast by subtracting the baseline from current measurements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Measurement precision

If multiple image processing techniques are applied to reduce noise and stabilize images, then gas detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegas detection accuracyVSAvoidimage processing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The image processing is segmented into distinct functional stages: frame capture, baseline establishment, drift detection, stabilization, and gas detection. Each stage handles a specific aspect of the processing pipeline, making the overall complex system manageable and enabling uncooled cameras to achieve sufficient processing capability through modular architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies partial processing by focusing computational resources on key areas such as baseline subtraction and drift compensation rather than processing every pixel uniformly. This selective processing approach maintains gas detection accuracy while reducing the overall computational burden on the device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Measurement precision

If frame averaging is used to reduce noise, then signal-to-noise ratio is improved, but response time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal-to-noise ratioVSAvoiddetection response time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs frame averaging and baseline establishment as preliminary actions before actual gas detection begins. By pre-computing the baseline scene representation from multiple frames, the system reduces noise in advance, enabling faster real-time detection without sacrificing signal-to-noise ratio during the actual measurement phase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Improves gas detection accuracy by reducing noise, stabilizing images, and providing clear visual indicators, enabling reliable gas recognition with reduced operator dependence.

Implementation Method 1

an infrared camera module, a user interface, a display, a processor in communication with the user interface, the display, and the infrared camera module

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInfrared radiation detection: Infrared Radiation

Implementation Method 2

gases selectively absorb/emit infrared radiation at specific wavelengths

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInfrared absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS12474214B2Optical gas imaging systems and method compatible with uncooled thermal imaging cameras

Publication Date: 2025.11.18 FLUKE CORP

AI summary

A thermal imaging system includes an infrared camera, a user interface, and a processor. While an actuation of the user interface is detected, the processor is configured to apply non-uniformity correction (NUC) values to infrared image data in infrared images of a target scene; register the corrected infrared images using image stabilization; perform an image-stabilized optical gas imaging process using the registered infrared images to generate optical gas image data indicating a change in the target scene; and generate a display image including the optical gas image data. Actuation of the user interface may be detected while a depressible trigger is depressed, and no longer detected when the depressible trigger is released. Upon detecting the actuation of the user interface, the processor may perform a NUC process to establish the NUC values. A drift indicator in the display image may indicate movement of the infrared camera from a reference position.