Thermal Imaging Camera Baffle Control for Heat Damage Prevention
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermal imaging cameras are prone to heat damage from extremely high-temperature objects, such as the sun, despite the use of attenuation devices, as they cannot prevent the camera from being burnt by such objects, leading to abnormal images and inaccurate temperature measurements.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a baffle system that automatically closes when a high-temperature object is detected, combined with a non-uniformity correction (NUC) mechanism to protect the image sensor, allowing for unlimited temperature range protection and ensuring accurate imaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If an attenuation device with a known attenuation coefficient is used to expand the temperature measurement range, then the temperature measurement range is extended to a certain extent, but for extremely high temperature objects such as the sun, a large amount of infrared energy still reaches the image sensor causing the thermal imaging camera to be burnt
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by closing the baffle before the high-temperature object can cause damage to the image sensor. The system detects the presence of high-temperature objects in advance and preemptively blocks the optical path, preventing the harmful infrared energy from reaching the sensor. This is evident in the method where the baffle is closed when heat damage is detected, stopping the damage before it occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The baffle acts as an intermediary element between the high-temperature object and the image sensor. It is positioned in the optical path to block infrared energy from extremely high-temperature objects before they can reach and damage the sensor. The baffle serves as a protective mediator that can be dynamically positioned to control the flow of thermal radiation.
2Reliability
If the baffle is closed to block high-energy radiation from extremely high-temperature objects, then the image sensor is protected from heat damage, but the thermal imaging camera cannot capture images during normal operation when the baffle is closed
Solution Approach 1:
The baffle is designed as a dynamic component that can change its position between open and closed states based on operating conditions. During normal operation, the baffle remains open to allow infrared energy to reach the image sensor for imaging. When high-temperature objects are detected that could cause damage, the baffle dynamically transitions to the closed position to block the harmful radiation, thus maintaining both imaging capability and protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback mechanisms to monitor the thermal environment and control the baffle position accordingly. Heat damage detection circuits continuously monitor for conditions that could lead to sensor damage, and based on this feedback, the control system automatically adjusts the baffle position. This closed-loop control ensures the baffle is closed only when necessary for protection, maintaining normal imaging operations when safe.
3Measurement precision
If non-uniformity correction is executed after the high-temperature object is moved out of the image picture, then the image picture shows normal images, but the image picture still shows traces that characterize the image sensor being burnt despite the correction
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by blocking the harmful infrared energy from extremely high-temperature objects before it can alter the material characteristics of the image sensor. By closing the baffle in advance when such objects are detected, the patent prevents the thermal damage that would otherwise require correction. This proactive approach eliminates the need for non-uniformity correction and prevents permanent sensor degradation.
Solution Approach 2:
The baffle provides beforehand cushioning by serving as a protective barrier that can be deployed before thermal damage occurs. When the detection system identifies extremely high-temperature objects, the baffle is closed to cushion the image sensor against the incoming high-energy infrared radiation, preventing the material characteristic changes that would otherwise require post-processing correction.
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
Prevents permanent damage to the thermal imaging camera by blocking high-energy radiation and correcting image anomalies, ensuring normal image and temperature measurement functionality.
Implementation Method 1
the sun or other objects whose temperature is much higher than the temperature measurement range of the thermal imaging camera can cause the material characteristics of the image sensor in the thermal imaging camera to change, that is, cause the image sensor to be burnt
Implementation Method 2
The thermal imaging camera is a camera that detects infrared energy in a non-contact manner and converts the infrared energy into an electric signal through an image sensor
Implementation Method 3
converts the infrared energy into an electric signal through an image sensor
Implementation Method 4
when the high-temperature object is moved out of the image picture, the non-uniformity correction is executed on the image picture to obtain a normal image picture
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
The embodiments of the present application provides a method and apparatus for preventing heat damage to a thermal imaging camera. The method includes: obtaining a thermal imaging picture of the thermal imaging camera; detecting whether the thermal imaging picture shows that a high-temperature object appears in the picture of the thermal imaging camera; confirming that the thermal imaging picture shows that a high-temperature object appears in the picture, generating a heat damage alarm signal, and closing a baffle if the baffle is not closed currently. In the present application embodiments, after detecting a heat damage alarm signal, that is, after detecting that a high-energy radiating object enters an image picture, the baffle is closed immediately, thereby avoiding the risk of the sensor being permanently burnt due to directly face to the high-energy radiating object.