General Monitors, Inc.

International Electronic Machines Corp.

Shankar B Baliga

Javid J Huseynov

John G Romero

Zahid F Mian

Ronald W Gamache

Herbert H Rabe

Brett Bleacher

Scott W Reed

John Park

Gary D Shubinsky

Zvi Boger

Cristian S Filimon

Christian S Filimon

An improved system for evaluating one or more components of a vehicle is provided. The system includes a set of imaging devices configured to acquire image data based on infrared emissions of at least one vehicle component of the vehicle as it moves through a field of view of at least one of the set of imaging devices. An imaging device in the set of imaging devices can include a linear array of photoconductor infrared detectors and a thermoelectric cooler for maintaining an operating temperature of the linear array of detectors at a target operating temperature. The infrared emissions can be within at least one of: the mid-wavelength infrared (MWIR) radiation spectrum or the long wavelength infrared (LWIR) radiation spectrum.

Infrared-based vehicle component imaging and analysis

An ultrasonic gas leak detector system for locating a source of ultrasonic airborne energy is described. An exemplary embodiment includes a plurality of spatially separated ultrasonic gas leak detectors, each configured to generate signals indicative of detected angles of arrival of received ultrasonic energy at the respective detectors. A locator processor receives the signals generated by the detectors, and is configured to process the signals to determine a location in three dimensions of the source of the ultrasonic energy received at the detectors and provide locator processor output signals indicative of the location.

Ultrasonic gas leak location system and method

An ultrasonic gas leak detector and test method, configured to discriminate the ultrasound generated by a pressurized gas leak into the atmosphere from ultrasound generated by man-made ultrasonic sources. In an exemplary embodiment an ultrasonic gas leak detector is able to identify a remote ultrasonic test source as a known test source and to initiate a test sequence instead of alarm. An output function generates detector outputs in dependence on the test mode initiation. The ultrasonic gas leak detector may also identify various other man-made ultrasonic sources as being neither gas leaks nor remote test sources but as nuisance or hostile sources to be identified as such. The test method utilizes a narrowband test source at a known ultrasonic frequency to ensonify the detector.

Ultrasonic gas leak detectors and testing methods

An embodiment of a directional ultrasonic gas leak detector includes an array of spaced MEMS microphones, each responsive to incident airborne ultrasonic energy from gas leak sources to generate a microphone signal. A beamforming processor is responsive to the microphone signals from the array to generate processor output signals indicative of estimated angles of arrival of ultrasonic energy incident on the array. The array may be disposed in an explosion proof housing structure for operation in hazardous location, or implemented as an intrinsically safe device. In another embodiment, a display is responsive to the processor output signals to generate an image representative of a surveilled scene with the estimated magnitudes of incident energy at beam directions overlaid onto the image.

Directional ultrasonic gas leak detector

Exemplary embodiments of a flame detector and operating method. Optical energy is received at one or more optical sensors, and the detector processes the energy to determine whether the received energy is from a known remote test source. If so, the flame detector is operated in a test mode. If the processing indicates that the received optical energy is not a test signal, the flame detector is operated in a flame detection operating mode. The detector processing uses an artificial neural network in an exemplary embodiment in the flame detection operation mode.

Flame detectors and testing methods

An ultrasonic gas leak detector is configured to discriminate the ultrasound generated by a pressurized gas leak into the atmosphere from false alarm ultrasound. An exemplary embodiment includes multiple acoustic sensors for detecting acoustic energy and providing sensor signals, including a broadband sensor and at least one narrowband sensor, and an electronic controller responsive to the sensor signals. In one exemplary embodiment, the electronic controller is configured to provide a threshold comparator function to compare a sensor signal value representative of sensed ultrasonic energy to a gas detection threshold value, and an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) function for processing signals derived from the multitude of sensor signals and applying ANN coefficients configured to discriminate false alarm sources from gas leaks. An output function generates detector outputs in dependence on the threshold comparator output and the ANN output.

Multi-spectral ultrasonic gas leak detector

An ultrasonic gas leak detector is configured to discriminate the ultrasound generated by a pressurized gas leak into the atmosphere from false alarm ultrasound. An exemplary embodiment includes a sensor for detecting ultrasonic energy and providing sensor signals, and an electronic controller responsive to the sensor signals. In one exemplary embodiment, the electronic controller is configured to provide a threshold comparator function to compare a sensor signal value representative of sensed ultrasonic energy to a gas detection threshold value, and an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) function for processing signals derived from the digital sensor signals and applying ANN coefficients configured to discriminate false alarm sources from gas leaks. An output function generates detector outputs in dependence on the threshold comparator output and the ANN output.

Ultrasonic gas leak detector with false alarm discrimination

An explosion-proof system for generating acoustic energy. An exemplary embodiment of the system includes a main housing defining an open housing space and an opening. A cover structure is configured for removable attachment to the main housing structure to cover the opening and provide an explosion-proof housing structure. The cover structure includes an integral head mass. An acoustic energy emitting assembly includes the head mass, and an excitation assembly disposed within the explosion-proof housing structure. An electronic circuit is disposed within the explosion-proof housing structure to generate a drive signal for driving the excitation assembly to cause the acoustic energy emitting assembly to resonate and generate acoustic energy. In one embodiment the acoustic energy is a beam of ultrasonic energy useful for testing ultrasonic gas detectors. A method is also described for testing ultrasonic gas leak detectors using an ultrasonic source.

Explosion-proof acoustic source for hazardous locations

An exemplary embodiment of an acoustic sensor system includes a housing structure, and a miniaturized acoustic transducer mounted in the housing structure. A flame arrestor structure is mounted on or within the housing structure between the acoustic transducer and the external environment, so that ambient acoustic energy passes through the flame arrestor structure before reaching the acoustic transducer.

Techniques for protection of acoustic devices

A gas imaging system for remotely detecting gas emissions by passive images of infrared radiation includes an optical system having a field of view. The optical system has a lens, an optical filter system for filtering light passed through the lens, and a photosensitive array located at the focal plane of the optical system to produce multi-spectral infrared image data of a scene under observation. A multi-spectral image processing system is configured for processing the image data produced by the photosensitive array to detect hazardous gas emissions and to discriminate against infrared radiation emitted by false alarm sources. Some embodiments may be configured for flame detection. Other embodiments may be configured for gas and flame detection.

Gas and/or flame imaging system with explosion proof housing

A flame detection system includes a plurality of sensors for generating a plurality of respective sensor signals. The plurality of sensors includes a set of discrete optical radiation sensors responsive to flame as well as non-flame emissions. An Artificial Neural Network may be applied in processing the sensor signals to provide an output corresponding to a flame condition.

Flame detection system

A flame detector consisting of a first infrared radiation detector for detecting radiation from combustion of hydrocarbon and other carbon containing compounds in conjunction with a second infrared radiation detector for distinguishing radiation from other sources such as modulated sunlight, reflections, artificial as well as natural hot objects, illuminating light sources, and arc welders. The flame detector uses two electronic circuits following the first infrared detector such that a fire is sensed by either of the two circuits depending on its size, one circuit being optimized for flicker frequencies present in a large fire while the second circuit simultaneously checks for optical signals at flicker frequencies dominant in a smaller fire. The two electronic outputs along with the output of the second infrared detector are digitally processed and analyzed for spectral and temporal characteristics to distinguish the presence of a real fire from that of various false alarm sources. The flame detector is provided with digital serial communications so as to output its status, permit changes in the programming of operating parameters and modes and permit troubleshooting via remote control.

Digital multi-frequency infrared flame detector

Apparatus for the optical detection of selected toxic gases, using the ultraviolet region of the electromagnetic spectrum, and the known absorption properties of the toxic gases in the ultraviolet region. An ultraviolet flashlamp source illuminates a straight, highly polished metal tube with numerous perforations to permit access for the gas to be detected. The ultraviolet light then enters an optical compartment comprising an optical beamsplitter and two ultraviolet detectors with wavelength selective narrowband filters attached. The filters are selected so that one overlaps the region of absorption by the gas while the second is in a region where there is no absorption by the gas. The electronic circuit following the ultraviolet detectors and the drivers for the flashlamp, are timed by a microprocessor that provides the means for the electronics and data processing to be synchronized with the flashlamp pulse. The concentration of the absorbing gas is calculated from the output of the two detectors including the dark outputs measured while the flashlamp is turned off. By this method a parts per million sensitive toxic gas sensor useful to measure gases such as hydrogen sulfide, sulfur dioxide and benzene is obtained.

Ultraviolet toxic gas point detector

Apparatus for the optical detection of flames or explosions, having an optical structure to perform continuous optical path monitoring of the optical window receiving the optical radiation, to ensure against the buildup of radiation absorbing or scattering materials. A light source internal to the housing illuminates a straight optically transmissive quartz or sapphire rod that protrudes through the housing beyond the optical window. The protruding tip of the light rod is beveled and metallized on the bevel to provide internal reflection of the light from the source, the angle of the bevel being such that the reflected light on exiting the light rod illuminates the optical window and the optical detector behind it, thereby providing a test for the cleanliness of the optical window. This optical technique for checking the cleanliness of the optical viewing element can be utilized by other optical instruments including imaging arrays, surveillance cameras and weapons.

Growing community of inventors

Irvine, CA, United States of America

Shankar B Baliga