Panoramic Shortwave Radiometry with Full-Spectrum Irradiance Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods fail to accurately measure shortwave irradiance across the full spectrum (0.2 to 2 μm) simultaneously, as existing detectors like CCD and CMOS cameras are sensitive to narrow spectral regions, leading to incomplete radiative energy accounting.
Innovation Solution
A device with a bare thermal sensor array detector and lens assembly, capable of measuring shortwave radiation from 0.2 to 2 μm, combined with a shutter and servo mechanism, and a 2-axis pan/tilt assembly for panoramic imaging, along with a longwave array detector for comprehensive radiation analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If quantum imagers like CCD or CMOS cameras are used to measure radiation, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but the spectral coverage is limited to narrow regions and measurement precision across the full shortwave spectrum is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a longwave array detector with a visible light/near-infrared camera system into a single integrated device. The longwave detector captures thermal radiation while the camera captures visible and near-infrared radiation, and both datasets are merged to provide comprehensive shortwave radiation measurement across the full spectrum from thermal to visible ranges, resolving the spectral coverage limitation of individual quantum imagers
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated device performs multiple functions simultaneously: it measures both longwave thermal radiation and shortwave visible/near-infrared radiation, provides panoramic imaging capability, and delivers comprehensive radiative energy accounting across the entire shortwave spectrum. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate measurement systems while achieving full spectral coverage
2Measurement precision
If multiple separate detectors for different spectral regions are used, then measurement precision across the full spectrum is improved, but the device complexity increases and the ability to capture comprehensive radiative energy simultaneously is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges a longwave array detector with a visible light/near-infrared camera into a single integrated system that simultaneously captures both thermal and visible/near-infrared radiation. This unified device provides comprehensive shortwave radiation measurement across the full spectrum, eliminating the need for multiple separate detectors and enabling simultaneous capture of complete radiative energy data
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated device achieves spectral universality by combining detectors for different spectral regions (longwave thermal and visible/near-infrared) into one system. This allows the device to measure the complete shortwave spectrum from thermal to visible ranges simultaneously, providing full spectral adaptability without requiring multiple separate instruments
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 determination of planar irradiance values and biometeorological measurements, such as GHI, DNI, DHI, and SVF, by stitching shortwave and longwave images to analyze heat transfer and human comfort in urban environments.
Implementation Method 1
a lens assembly configured to pass shortwave radiation from about 0.2 to about 2 μm in wavelength to the bare thermal sensor array detector
Implementation Method 2
a bare thermal sensor array detector, having a plurality of pixels
Implementation Method 3
a shutter configured to have a first position and a second position, such that shortwave radiation is prevented from reaching the lens assembly in the first position and allowed to reach the lens assembly in a second position
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a device that will take radiometric images of the shortwave spectrum from 0.2-2 μm, which can then be processed into a spherical panoramic image. This single source of data can then be used to produce a wide range of functional outputs for radiative energy analysis, from architectural performance and thermal comfort analysis to replacing the array of sensors required to make specific biometeorological measurements, such as Global Horizontal Irradiance (GHI), Direct Normal Irradiance (DNI), Diffuse Horizontal Irradiance (DHI), Sky View Factor (SVF), and/or Global Tilted Irradiance (GTI). The data is also combined with a longwave array detector to produce full-spectrum radiative energy measurements.