Patent abstracts

Citation

(2007), "Patent abstracts", Sensor Review, Vol. 27 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/sr.2007.08727dad.010

Patent abstracts

Title: System, device, and methods for resonant thermal acoustic imagingApplicant: Univ Florida (US); Li Jian (US); Sheplak Mark (US); Cattafesta Louis N (US); Zmuda Henry (US)Patent number: WO2007044741Publication date: 19 April 2007

A thermal acoustic imaging system includes a source of continuous amplitude-modulated RF or microwaves for irradiating a tissue region to be imaged, wherein a modulation frequency of the RF of microwaves resonantly excite the tissue region to emit thermal acoustic signals in response. The source preferably provides a substantially uniform power distribution in the region to be imaged. An acoustic transducer receives the thermal acoustic signals and generates an electrical signal in response. Matched filtering matched to a frequency of the amplitude-modulated RF or microwaves followed by delay- and sum or adaptive methods are preferably used to generate images from the electrical signals. The acoustic transducer is preferably a micro-electromechanical system transducer.

Title: Means for detecting leaks between plates in a plate heat exchanger by using thermal imagingApplicant: John Oliver WatsonPatent number: NZ542485Publication date: 23 February 2007

A method for testing for fluid leaks between plates in a plate heat exchanger without dismantling is disclosed. A camera 8 that is capable of producing a thermal image is positioned near the plate heat exchanger 1. By moving the camera around either mechanically or manually the heat signature of various locations in the plate heat exchanger can be measured. Any leaks present will show up as a large temperature difference on the heat signature. The invention has particular application to the dairy industry.

Title: Method and system for thermal imaging having a selective temperature imaging modeApplicant: Bullard Co (US)Patent number: US2006033998Publication date: 16 February 2006

The present invention is a method for operating a thermal imaging camera for selective temperature imaging, and a thermal imaging system having a selective temperature imaging mode. When first entering the selective temperature imaging mode of operation, the system and method automatically determine the hottest area in a scene and display it in a predetermined hue. The remainder of the scene is displayed in grayscale. The method and system allow further adjustment of the set point of the selective temperature imaging mode, and display portions of the scene as hot as or hotter than the set point value in gradient shades of the predetermined hue.

Title: Thermal imaging method and apparatusApplicant: United Technologies CorpPatent number: US2007036199Publication date: 15 February 2007

An inspection apparatus includes a light source positioned to direct light to a first surface of a workpiece. An infrared detector is positioned to receive radiation from the first surface. A data acquisition and processing computer is coupled to the light source and the infrared detector. The computer triggers the light source to emit the light a number of instances. The computer acquires thermal data from the infrared detector for a number of times after each of the instances. The computer is configured to process the data using a theoretical solution to analyze the thermal data based upon an average of the thermal data for a number of each of corresponding ones of the times from different ones of the instances.

Title: Low-level light detector and low-level light imaging apparatusApplicant: Nat L Inst of Info & Comm Tech (JP)Patent number: US2007034781Publication date: 15 February 2007

A low-level light detector includes an avalanche photodiode (APD) to which is applied a bias voltage adjusted to produce a multiplication factor of not more than 30, and a capacitor for accumulating carriers produced by light in the APD and multiplied using the APD characteristics, the capacitor being connected to the APD. The detector detects the intensity of light impinging on the APD by periodically reading the capacitor voltage and obtaining time- based differences in the voltage, or by resetting the capacitor voltage to a predetermined voltage each time the capacitor voltage is read.

Title: Absolute intensity determination for a light source in low-level light imaging systemsApplicant: Xenogen CorpPatent number: US2007013780Publication date: 18 January 2007

The invention describes systems and methods to obtain and present imaging data in absolute units. The systems and methods convert relative image data produced by a camera to absolute light intensity data using a compensation factor. The compensation factor accommodates for hardware and specific imaging conditions in the imaging system that variably affect camera output. The present invention determines the compensation factor based on assessing the output of the camera against a known light source for a specific set of imaging conditions in the imaging system. The compensation factor is then stored in memory corresponding to the specific set of imaging conditions. Upon subsequent imaging with the set of imaging conditions, the corresponding compensation factor is called from memory and applied to the camera output. A compensation factor may be determined and stored for each hardware state and imaging condition available to the imaging system.

Title: Carbon nanotube sensorApplicant: Honeywell IncPatent number: US2007117213Publication date: 24 May 2007

Carbon nanotubes are formed on projections on a substrate. A metal, such as nickel is deposited on the substrate with optional platforms, and heated to form the projections. Carbon nanotubes are formed from the projections by heating in an ethylene, methane or CO atmosphere. A heat sensor is also formed proximate the carbon nanotubes. When exposed to IR radiation, the heat sensor detects changes in temperature representative of the IR radiation. In a gas sensor, a thermally isolated area, such as a pixel is formed on a substrate with an integrated heater. A pair of conductors each have a portion adjacent a portion of the other conductor with projections formed on the adjacent portions of the conductors. Multiple carbon nanotubes are formed between the conductors from one projection to another. IV characteristics of the nanotubes are measured between the conductors in the presence of a gas to be detected.