Papers by Keyword: Thermal Imaging

Abstract: This research paper presents a comprehensive study on the identification of cracks in solar panels using a combination of electroluminescence (EL) and thermal imaging techniques. The EL imaging was utilized to capture the electroluminescent response of the panels, highlighting any irregularities in the cell structure caused by cracks. While thermal imaging was used to identify temperature variations indicative of crack locations due to localized heat dissipation. The results of the study demonstrate the efficacy of each imaging technique in crack detection. EL imaging exhibited high sensitivity to cracks, providing detailed information about the location and extent of the damage. Thermal imaging, on the other hand, revealed temperature differentials in cracked areas. Furthermore, thermal imaging can expediently assess health of solar panels insofar as both methods were successful in identifying major defects in solar panels. In addition, the research paper discusses the advantages and limitations of each imaging technique, providing insights into their applicability in real-world solar panel inspection scenarios. The thermal imaging showed that a temperature difference of ten degree Celsius between average and peak temperature on solar panels showed major cracks or faults in the panel.

Abstract: The combustion engines are widely used in the daily life of people, in cars, we find them with greater emphasis, and currently hybrid engines and electric motors are being used. In this analysis, one of the important factors for the failure of combustion engines is the temperature, for which cars have cooling systems, through the use of radiators and coolant-based systems. In this work we present a methodology for the analysis of the state of the components of the combustion engine system in cars, through the use and analysis of thermal images, for which it is necessary to identify the zones or control points depending on the model and type of engine and car, The analysis procedure requires a thermal camera, the results presented are related to the comparison of an optical and thermal image, in order to locate the control point, the method can be applied by mechanics, maintenance personnel and car drivers themselves, to analyze the condition of their car.

Abstract: This paper presents a study on the current condition of the First Peoples House, located at the University of Victoria in British Columbia. The building houses two rammed earth walls that exemplify the use of stabilized rammed earth as a modern construction material. These rammed earth walls have been exposed to 7 years of natural weathering in a wet climate. A rebound hammer, infrared camera, and a new method developed to quantify surface deterioration were used in Non-Destructive Testing (NDT). The results provided insight into the compressive strength, thermal envelope and surface condition of the walls. Relationships between wind direction and wind speed are presented. It is postulated that the wall that is most exposed to a combination of both effects will exhibit the largest forms of deterioration. This hypothesis was addressed using results from NDT and local wind data.

Abstract: Friction stir welding (FSW) is a recently developed method for making a rigid joint of materials that are otherwise hard to weld. It uses a rotating tool for softening the materials without reaching the melting point, and while the tool is moved along the joint line the plasticised material from the joined materials is mixed and hardened producing the solid phase bond. The article presents the authors’ method for monitoring the Friction Stir Welding (FSW) processes with use of thermal imaging camera.FSW method is a new method and there are only few tools to assess the quality of the process, especially on-line, that is in the making of the weld. The authors propose a method for monitoring the FSW process using hybrid vision methods that is acquisition of the image of the weld with the use of a thermal imaging camera and visual band camera. The paper presents selected results of research performed using infrared imaging channel.The recorded thermograms allow identifying the weld defects and non-compliances during the process and using a thermal imaging camera, also allow detecting subsurface defects. The obtained results indicate its potential practical application but still the described application is to be further developed to become a part of a hybrid system for monitoring the FSW processes.

Abstract: Various non-destructive testing and evaluation (NDTE) techniques are in use by the aviation industry. Thermal imaging as an NDTE tool for composite material is becoming an effective methodology. In this research, a direct energy method approach to active thermal imaging is applied with test specimen placed between the heating source and the camera to take only one diagnostics snap per unit area of region of interest (ROI). Purpose of this study is to assess the utility of direct method as a reliable NDTE technique during aerospace inspections as a quick ‘Go / No Go’ tool for the detection of sub-surface delamination in multilayered composite sheets. The research presents a quantitative comparison of temperature profiles as well as qualitative analysis of 2D active infrared thermo graphic testing of glass fiber epoxy to detect sub-surface delamination. The experimental results are in close agreement with the actual locations of delamination in test samples. The technique may serve as a reliable tool to quickly categorize the component under inspection. However, the size of delamination could not be ascertained with acceptable accuracy in this study, possibly due to the spread of epoxy to the delaminated regions during preparation of defective samples.

Abstract: In this paper, the design and architecture of general digital image processing circuit (GFDIPC) based on a Xilinx Virtex-5 FPGA processor is presented. The GFDIPC applications on thermal imaging, image fusion, real-time video stabilization and time-delay test for image processing system are described. The design of FPGA in each application follows the principle of functional modularity, pipeline processing and parallel computing, which brings FPGA high efficiency and high real-time performance.

Abstract: Evaluation of thermoregulation performance of textiles incorporated with phase change materials (PCMs) has long been dependent on differential scanning calorymetry (DSC). However, some parameters like the time required for reaching the steady state and the effect of multiple layering cannot be characterized by calorimetric methods. In this paper, Newton cooling law was fitted to the temperature–time graphs of PCM-treated and untreated fabrics obtained by a digital data-logger. By definition, lower values of α in Newton cooling law associates with higher thermoregulation effect. The effect of using different layers as well as thermoregulation efficiency of PCM-treated fabrics were investigated by this method. Thermal imagining was another method employed to calculate thermoregulation percentage (TP) of the fabrics exposed to an infrared, IR, light source. The temperature–time graphs obtained by an IR camera were populated, and the corresponding TP percentages were calculated by image analysis. At the end, the results obtained by two suggested methods were qualitatively compared with DSC.

Abstract: For the purpose of screening drivers with higher than normal temperature, we developed a device based on Forward-looking Infrared Imagery (FLIR). Infrared curtain is used to detect the height of vehicle for the automatic positioning mechanism, face recognition technology is used to overcome sources of interferences, a dynamic equivalent temperature screening method is developed to distinguish the drivers with higher than normal temperature. This device was tested in Huang gang Port and had a good result, now it has become a standard facility in port of entry.

Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the localized solar cells heating by thermal imaging, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The electrical measurements and thermal infrared measurements were done on the commercial crystalline Si cells (10 cm x 10 cm). SEM was used for the observation of the localized heating. The I-V characteristics of all cells were quite similar with a small spread in the electrical parameters, while the IR images were different: some cells had quite uniform temperature profiles distribution and other ones showed the localized heating. The energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) analysis showed that some hot spots have high metal impurity contamination. The micro-structure investigation of hot spots revealed the micro-cracks presence. Our study found direct correlation between areas of high impurity contamination, micro cracks and hot-spot heating.

Abstract: Superplastic forming of titanium is typically restricted to low volume, high value products due to the high costs inherent in the current process. Problems contributing to the high costs stem from the interactions that take place at the die/part interface and include; poor part surface finish due to the build-up of corrosion products on the die surface and part distortion due to adhesion at the die surface. This paper describes novel methods for the investigation of the build-up of corrosion products on the die using surface digitization tools with laboratory based simulations of the forming conditions and a novel method for monitoring, analyzing and quantifying the die surface condition in a production environment using a combination of thermal imaging techniques and image analysis.