Abstract:
A conventional radiation thermometer encompasses an infrared radiation sensor and a heatable and/or coolable radiation incidence window. The method and radiation thermometer according to the invention use the established dependence of the sensor signal U of the infrared radiation sensor on the temperature Tw of the radiation incidence window W (or any other heatable or coolable optical element in the beam path) for verifying its proper functional operation. Applying the method according to the invention, the radiation incidence window (or perhaps another optical element in the beam path) is heated up or cooled by activating an associated electric heating or cooling device. The resulting change ΔUw in the sensor signal U is detected, preferably in continuous fashion, as a function of the window temperature Tw and analyzed or verified for any deviation from an acceptable value or permissible range.
Abstract:
Infrared Ir Thermometer Calibration Systems and Methods are Disclosed in which the temperature of an IR thermometer calibration system is controlled such that radiation emitted by a target at a given input temperature is equal to the radiation emitted by a graybody heated to the input temperature and having an emissivity equal to an emissivity setting of an IR thermometer to be calibrated using the IR thermometer calibration system.
Abstract:
An infrared imaging camera (4) acquires a plurality of frames (94) of infrared radiation from a patient (P) positioned in a field-of-view (92) of the camera (4). Each frame (94) is acquired during a corresponding frame sample interval and each frame (94) corresponds to the infrared radiation acquired from an array of optical elements (90) in the field-of-view (92) during its frame sample interval. Plural integrals are determined from infrared radiation received from the array of optical elements (90), with each integral corresponding to the infrared radiation received from the same optical element (90) in at least two frames (94). Each integral is mapped to a color or a shade of gray and the color or shade of gray of each integral is mapped to a position in an image corresponding to the position of the corresponding optical element (90) in the field-of-view (92). The camera (4) can be used for early detection of neoplastic disease process, detection of angiogenesis and/or identification of treatment sites for pain management therapeutic modalities.
Abstract:
A method for measuring the differential emissivity between two sites on the surface of a body and the temperature of the two sites. The method includes a plurality of measurements of the infrared radiation arising from each of the two sites under a number of different conditions. Some of the measurements include irradiation by external infrared radiation at a known wavelength and intensity. The infrared radiation arising from each of the sites may include emitted radiation, reflected ambient radiation, and reflected external radiation. Additionally, the temperature determined using the method described can be used to calibrate infrared imaging devices used to inspect the entire body.
Abstract:
Apparatus for measuring the temperature of an electrically heated pot which uses the Planck formula and employs an infrared reflective hemisphere; first and second infrared wave guides, and first and second infrared filters and infrared detectors as well as a calculating device.
Abstract:
A thermal difference detector for testing serviceability of a heat source includes a sensor connected via sn amplifier-filter to a microprocessor outputting an indicator. The inventive detector can be used in a system for testing the serviceability of a plurality of heat sources. The system comprises a plurality of detectors, a robotic structure, with the detectors mounted on arms of the structure, a microprocessor and an indicator unit. A method is also disclosed comprising a sequence of steps including detecting radiation from an ambient temperature source, detecting radiation from the heat source, transforming them into electrical signals and processing the signals, comparing them to each other, and making a judgement of the serviceability of the heat source based on a predetermined criteria.
Abstract:
An electronic infrared thermometer is disclosed comprising a housing forming an interior chamber, a pyroelectric sensor mounted within the chamber for sensing temperature change and generating an indicative electrical signal, means for directing infrared radiation from the object to be measured to the pyroelectric sensor, a shutter assembly for controlling the passing of infrared radiation to the pyroelectric sensor, an ambient temperature sensor for sensing ambient temperature within the interior chamber and generating an electrical signal indicative thereof, an electrical circuit for processing the electrical signals to calculate the temperature of the object to be measured, and an indicator for indicating the calculated temperature. The process for measuring the temperature of an object is also disclosed comprising shielding the pyroelectric sensor from infrared radiation from exterior to the thermometer housing, selectively exposing the pyroelectric sensor to infrared radiation substantially solely from the object to be measured to generate a first electrical signal related to the absolute temperature of the object to be measured, sensing the ambient temperature of the pyroelectric sensor and generating a second electrical signal proportional thereto, and electrically processing the first and second electrical signals to calculate the temperature of the object to be measured.