White Box, Inc.

Omega Engineering, Inc.

Shahin Baghai

Milton Bernard Hollander

Michael A Macchiarelli

William Earl McKinley

Milton Barnard Hollander

A system combining the output of a thermal detection and imaging device with a capture and display device, such as a cordless or portable telephone/camera, is used to manage thermal information and displays.

Interfacing devices and systems

This invention relates to optical sighting apparatus systems, and to methods for visualization and for identifying remote target surface areas without physical contact for the purpose of measurement and/or of treatment of the remote surface. An arrangement of projected light beams indicates the position and size of the target surface in relation to a measurement detector or treatment device, so that the device is accurately directed to the target. In a preferred arrangement separate laser beams form a light distribution indication or brightness pattern at the target and the device is sighted toward the pattern on the target surface area.

Sighting system and method

The present invention is directed to a hand-held infrared thermometer or radiometer () for measuring, remotely, the temperature of a target surface (). In one embodiment, the radiometer includes an infrared detector (), associated optical system (), and associated circuitry and an LCD display (). Built into or mounted on the radiometer is a distance measuring device (), the operation of which is controlled by the radiometer. The device () includes an ultrasonic transmitter/receiver () and associated circuitry for calculating, from a comparison of the transmitted and received pulses, the distance of the radiometer from the target surface. The distance-to-target is displayed on the LCD display ().

Infrared thermometers

Hand held infrared measurement devices are disclosed, having at least two separated laser sighting emitters (), which together mark and define a sighting area on a target surface (&#x2033;). In an embodiment of the invention, separate lasers () are provided which each produce a beam () used to illuminate a respective separate optical beam directing element (), mounted between each laser emitter and the target surface (&#x2033;). The element may be, for example, any of the optical glass fibers, a prism, or a lens, such as a diffraction beam splitter lens, or a refractive lens, each element directing laser light onto the target surface to produce a visually perceptible target marking. The element is preferably made of optical material such as glass or plastic (e.g., methyl methacrylate). Separate laser emitters permit greater brightness displayed on the target within safe operation limits than use of a single laser alone, even with a beam splitter. The laser emitters may each be separately powered and may also each be switched on or off or changed in brightness.

Multi-laser system

A radiometer includes a sighting system which generates an image of an area on the surface of an object onto the IR detector. The distance between the object surface and the radiometer is measured by a rangefinder, controlled by the radiometer. From the distance one can calculate the size of the energy zone on the surface, as materialized on a radiometer sighting system display.

Measurement system and method

A speech module () comprises an independent self-contained connector module or unit which is adapted to be releasably connected in series with the input to, or output from, a signal sensing apparatus (). The module is provided with plugs and/or sockets () compatible with those of the apparatus () so that the module () is capable of forming a connector in series with the signal input or output leads (). The module is further provided with plugs and/or sockets () and leads () to replace the signal input or output leads (). The module is connected to a data output socket () by means of a lead (); in the alternative, it is connected to the input connectors () of the apparatus and is further connected by leads to probes () equivalent to the standard probes used by the apparatus, which is preferably an electrical multimeter.

Speech generating method for use with signal generators

An infra-red measurement device is disclosed having at least two laser emitters () which between them define a sighting area (&#x2033;). In one embodiment of the invention, two lasers are provided and these are each preferably split into a number of beams by means of, for example, a diffraction grating lens (). The fact that there are two laser emitting devices, means that effectively twice the power can be utilised since the limit is per laser emitting device, and thus twice the brightness of a conventional device attained. In another embodiment of the invention, four laser emitters () are employed and the beams () can be split by a diffraction grating as before. The laser emitters in the device can be operated simultaneously, sequentially, or can be pulsed. Having greater brightness than conventional devices, the detectors of the invention are excellent for use in dark or smoky conditions, for example for obtaining the temperatures of car engines, furnaces and the like.

Laser system

A thermoelectric connector module (C) is disclosed which comprises input () and output (E) connectors and contains signal conditioning circuitry (C). The input connectors () are interfaced with a hand-held detector (), and the output connectors (E) are connected to signal-utilising apparatus (). The module does not contain a battery but receives its power supply for the conditioning circuitry from the signal-utilising apparatus supplied via the output connectors (E). In this way, the module may be miniaturised, making it particularly suitable for mounting directly on a hand-held temperature detector or probe. Since the connector does not have to be opened for a battery replacement, it can be permanently hermetically sealed, providing resistance to dirt, dust, moisture, water and the like.

Two wire temperature transmitter

The combination in an instrument of a multimeter and an instrument having apparatus for determining a non-contact measurement of radiation perceived at a distance from a surface. The instrument may further have an apparatus for determining temperature of that surface by direct contact therewith. The non-contact apparatus may have optical sighting means and laser sighting means, and means for determining emissivity of the surface. Provision may be made for recording data, e.g. a data logger. Audio output may be provided in accordance with temperature determinations, and may include speech synthesizing. Conveniently, the instrument is adapted for holding in the hand, for example by a pistol-grip handle, and/or for mounting on a tripod as well as a threaded connection with a wrist strap or a tripod. Temperatures derived respectively from infrared radiation, and from direct contact, have separate displays. The multimeter and the temperature instrument may have means for their control by vocal command.

Pyrometer multimeter

A thermoelectric cold junction compensator connector module, for use with a thermoelectric device such as a thermistor, thermocouple, or resistance-temperature device, has within a housing a cold junction compensator circuit which has means for linearization of voltage output of the circuit relative to input to the circuit. Preferably the circuit also includes potentiometer means for adjustment of at least one parameter of the circuit, and means for adjustment of its voltage output to correspond to degrees Centigrade and degrees Fahrenheit. In a preferred form there are included within the housing a pair of input terminals shielded by ferrite material against stray electromagnetic induction signals, a printed circuit board which comprises a cold junction compensation circuit, a signal linearization circuit, a converter/amplifier circuit, and a circuit for selectively providing a degree Centigrade and degree Fahrenheit output, a battery power supply, and a battery status indicator with means for bringing it into and out of operation, a plurality of potentiometers for preliminary setting up of the circuits, an on-off switching means for the powered circuits, and output terminal means for connection to, for example, a voltmeter or a voltage recording device. The compact body may have a base portion on which the circuits and other items are mounted, and one or more removable cover portions securable on the base portion. Further, a thermocouple voltage-to-analog connector is in the form of a compact hand-held module which contains all the components and power supplies for converting an input of thermocouple output voltage to a linear and cold-junction-compensated analog output. A particularly advantageous feature is that an on-board analog-to-digital converter only calculates and provides the linearity correction, necessary for the specific thermocouple at a specific temperature, in the form of a pulse width modulation signal output, so that about 95% of the analog output is derived from the output of a thermocouple amplifier and temperature sensor, and only 5% of the remaining signal is derived from the on-board micro-processor.

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Trumbull, CT, United States of America

Shahin Baghai