Automated Thermal History Detection Using Color-Responsive Coatings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for evaluating thermal paint on components, such as gas turbine blades, are manual, time-consuming, and lack repeatability due to reliance on human perception and insufficient trichromatic color models, requiring expensive photo spectrometers with limited spatial resolution.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a detection material with temperature-responsive colors, using a digital monochrome camera and PWM-controlled light sources to associate color changes with non-dimensional parameters, establishing functional correlations through artificial neural networks or splines for automated and accurate temperature determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual evaluation of thermal paint is performed by specialists, then temperature assessment can be conducted, but the process is time-consuming and lacks repeatability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual visual evaluation with an automated optical measurement system using a camera to capture thermal paint colors. The system converts color information into non-dimensional parameters and uses functional correlations to determine temperatures, eliminating the need for specialist manual assessment while improving repeatability and reducing time consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service automated evaluation by capturing thermal paint colors with a camera, processing the color data through non-dimensional parameters, and automatically determining temperatures without requiring specialist intervention. This makes the evaluation process accessible and repeatable by non-experts.
2Measurement precision
If photo spectrometer is used for quantitative characterisation of metameric colours, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device cost increases and spatial resolution is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive photo spectrometers with inexpensive digital cameras that have sufficient spectral sensitivity for thermal paint evaluation. The camera captures color information in the visible range, which is then processed into non-dimensional parameters that are independent of the specific measurement device, achieving accurate temperature determination without requiring costly specialized equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transforms color measurements into non-dimensional parameters that eliminate device-specific characteristics. By using ratios and normalized values instead of absolute color values, the system achieves measurement independence from the specific camera or lighting conditions, maintaining accuracy while using simpler, less expensive equipment.
3Device complexity
If trichromatic recording using commercial RGB cameras is used, then device cost is reduced, but measurement precision for metameric colours is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms standard RGB color values into non-dimensional parameters through mathematical processing. By calculating ratios and normalized values from the RGB channels, the system eliminates device-specific color responses and achieves accurate discrimination of metameric colours. This parameter transformation enables precise temperature determination using inexpensive RGB cameras without requiring specialized spectrometric equipment.
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
The method enables robust, repeatable, and accurate automated evaluation of thermal paint, providing higher repeatability and independence from external factors, improving the assessment of thermal history with enhanced spatial resolution.
Implementation Method 1
the detection material has a colour responsive to the outer temperature
Implementation Method 2
obtaining a correspondent light reflected by the detection material
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention generally relates to a method for determining the thermal history of a component by means of a detection material applied on such component, the detection material having a colour responsive to an outer temperature. This invention allows automated evaluation of test results and identification of appropriate temperatures. The proposed method provides higher repeatability of results and ensures independence of results from external factors.