Abstract: A multi-point non-invasive, real-time pyrometry-based temperature sensor (200) for simultaneously sensing semiconductor wafer (22) temperature and compensating for wafer emissivity effects. The pyrometer (200) measures the radiant energy that a heated semiconductor wafer (22) emits and coherent beams of light (224) that the semiconductor wafer (22) reflects. As a result, the sensor (200) generates accurate, high-resolution multi-point measurements of semiconductor wafer (22) temperature during a device fabrication process. The pyrometer (200) includes an infrared laser source (202) that directs coherent light beam (203) into beam splitter (204). From the beam splitter (204), the coherent light beam (203) is split into numerous incident coherent beams (210). Beams (210) travel via optical fiber bundles (218) to the surface of semiconductor wafer (22) within the fabrication reactor (80). Each optical fiber bundle (218) collects reflected coherent light beam and radiant energy from wafer (22).

Abstract: A method and device for checking a joint of an electronic component is arranged to apply heat energy to a joint containing a heat conductive material and receive the infrared ray radiated from said joint with an infrared camera. By processing the image information output from the infrared camera, the method and device can offer an area of a defect, an area ratio of a defect, pixel coordinates, a temperature distribution pattern, a distance between central axes of a particular portion of the joint, or a gradient angle. The obtained value is compared with a predetermined value for determining the kind of a defect and whether or not the joint is defective.

Abstract: A bond inspection technique which determines the integrity of a plurality of package leads (13) bonded to a plurality of contact areas (12) on a semiconductor chip (11). A bonding process heats each package lead (13) bonded to each contact area (12). A camera (16) forms an infra-red intensity image at a predetermined time of the semiconductor chip (11) and ports image data to a computer (18). Infra-red intensity radiated from each bond on the semiconductor chip (11) is compared by the computer (18) with infra-red intensity data of known good and bad bonds. The comparison of each bond determines bond integrity of the semiconductor chip (11).

Abstract: Device (10) to control the temperature of extruded metallic sections during the step of extrusion from an extrusion press, the device being suitable for connection to, and for governing, a system that controls and regulates the extrusion speed, and being positioned in the vicinity of the outlet of the extruded product from the extrusion die and comprising a carriage (13) able to move circumferentially at least partly about the extruded product (12) on a plane substantially normal to the axis of the extruded product and bearing an optical-fiber (17) monitor (15) connected to a remotely located pyrometer (18).

Abstract: The rotor exhaust gas bulk total temperature relative to the last blade row of a combustion turbine is determined by traversing an optical pyrometer radially across the last stage blades. The resulting radial temperature measurements are then flow weight averaged to provide an accurate bulk gas temperature relative to the last row of blades. Such temperature is useful in a feedback control system for the turbine. A technique of traversing is to cause the optical pyrometer to traverse by mounting its line of sight or optical axis at an angle to its axis of rotation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a real-time video display and a temperature map display of an object, in particular a flame, comprises a single CCD video camera and optical equipment which focuses separate light bundles onto a photosensitive surface of the camera. A separate band pass filter is used in each light bundle to filter selected different wavelengths of light. The video signal from the camera is used in a video digitizer to obtain data which can be used to calculate a temperature map based on the different wavelengths of light of the two bundles. The video signal is also used to produce a real-time video display of the object.

Abstract: An imaging and temperature monitoring system (10) is disclosed for displaying an image of an environment (E), along with information regarding the temperature of select regions (R) within the environment. The system includes a sensor head (12) equipped with a video imager (26) for producing a video image of the environment. The sensor head also includes a pyrometer (22) mounted on a computer-controlled translation stage (24), which allows the pyrometer to directly collect temperature information from the various regions. The combined imaging and temperature monitoring functions are advantageously achieved without tradeoffs in the performance of either function.

Abstract: A measuring instrument for receiving radiation through an opening in a housing and having a protective shield member across the opening. The protective shield member is sealed against the housing to project a flexible contact portion at above ambient pressure for contacting and conforming to the surface of an object. A flexible dome on the protective shield member can pump air into the protective shield member to provide the desired internal pressure. The protective shield member is relatively thin and reaches thermal equilibrium with the object in a relatively short period of time, when the measuring instrument is a radiation thermometer.

Abstract: A non-contact infrared temperature sensing system for determining temperature values for a series of targets all having a similar emissivity value, which calculates an emissivity value for the targets based on the sensed total heat radiated from one target, an inputted temperature value for that target, and a temperature value for extraneous radiation from that target. The system then computes, for each subsequent target whose heat radiation is detected, a temperature value for each said target dependent upon the emitted component of radiation, and independent of the extraneous component of radiation from that target.

Abstract: For the measurement of the temperature of a body (e.g. a melt) whose temperature is such that radiation is emitted from the body surface, a camera sighted on the body surface produces a real image from a selected area of which electronic signals are derived representative of the magnitude of a plurality (preferably three) of color components of radiation. These derived signals are subsequently processed to provide a measure of body temperature.

Abstract: A plastic material, controlled at a desired temperature, is fed on an upstream side of a gap between a pair of rotating forming rolls arrayed almost in parallel and controlled at a desired temperature from a flat die connected to an extruding machine and having a slit outflow portion. The plastic material is pressed and formed into a sheet by the forming rolls therebetween while forming a bank or an accumulation of the plastic material on an upstream side of the gap of the forming rolls and is carried out on a downstream side of the gap. The bank quantity monitoring is performed by measuring a temperature of the sheet carried out through the gap of the forming rolls and estimating the quantity of the bank in accordance with measured temperature information. The sheet formation is performed by measuring a temperature of the sheet carried out through the gap of the forming rolls and controlling various forming conditions according to a measured temperature information.

Abstract: A multi-point non-invasive, real-time pyrometry-based temperature sensor (200) for simultaneously sensing semiconductor wafer (22) temperature and compensating for wafer emissivity effects. The pyrometer (200) measures the radiant energy that a heated semiconductor wafer (22) emits and coherent beams of light (224) that the semiconductor wafer (22) reflects. As a result, the sensor (200) generates accurate, high-resolution multi-point measurements of semiconductor wafer (22) temperature during a device fabrication process. The pyrometer (200) includes an infrared laser source (202) that directs coherent light beam (203) into beam splitter (204). From the beam splitter (204), the coherent light beam (203) is split into numerous incident coherent beams (210). Beams (210) travel via optical fiber bundles (218) to the surface of semiconductor wafer (22) within the fabrication reactor (80). Each optical fiber bundle (218) collects reflected coherent light beam and radiant energy from wafer (22).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for profiling the bed of a furnace involves the production of a digital image of the bed and background. The digital image is processed to determine transitions in the image which correspond to transitions between the bed and background and thereby to the boundary of the bed. Bed characteristics, such as the bed profile, the bed height, the slope of the bed and the volume of the bed are determined from the processed image. The image may be displayed for use in controlling the performance of a furnace. In addition, the determined bed characteristics may be compared with reference bed characteristics, with the differences being displayed, used in controlling the operation of the furnace, or in activating an indicator, such as an alarm, in the event the reference and determined bed characteristics differ by a threshold amount.

Abstract: An infrared image monitoring system according to the present invention includes an infrared camera and a visible light camera, both viewing the same scene to be monitored. The visible light camera has a threshold means, for example, an optical filter, to attenuate the visible light input to the visible light camera to a level below which the visible light camera can not detect the scene. The output of the visible light camera indicates reflections of the sun light which are brighter than a predetermined threshold level. The output of the visible light camera is superposed over the temperature pattern of the scene measured with the infrared camera, so that the area having the reflection is deleted from the data of the temperature pattern. Thus processed temperature data is further processed with a conventional process so as to judge whether a rise in the temperature data is abnormal or not.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the temperature of a piston in an internal combustion engine. The apparatus includes a thermistor to sense the temperature of the piston and generate an electrical signal representative of that temperature, a transmission unit connected to the thermistor for receiving the electrical signal and for converting the signal to an infrared beam for transmission to a point remote from the piston, and a receiver to receive the beam and convert the beam to an electrical signal corresponding to the electrical signal generated by the thermistor. The first mentioned electrical signal is converted to a rectangular wave form prior to transmission of the infrared beam.

Abstract: A method and system for driving a plurality of transient decoupling capacitors connected in a circuit in order to heat them and to screen them via a thermal image of them. Radio-frequency excitation is provided for the purpose by connecting a pulse driver through an inductive circuit and a series capacitance to supply a driving current to the decoupling capacitors. The inductance is selected to yield resonance at a selected frequency; and the series capacitance provides a voltage divider to help set the frequency and to adjust the level of the drive of the decoupling capacitors.

Abstract: A scanning infrared sensor (10) in which the scanner (21), detector (32) and temperature converter (35) are all contained in proximity with one another in a single housing assembly (18) enables correction of both emissivity based on emissivity settings (41) for each of a plurality of spot targets (16') along a scan line (16) and correction for DC offset errors based on reference temperature measurement (45) of hot and cold references (34, 36). Correction is performed before digital conversion by an A/D converter (56) by a nulling circuit (46), a programmable gain circuit (50) and a bias circuit (62) to produce corrected digital temperature signals on a plurality of output ports (26) respectively associated to a plurality of spot targets (16') along a scan line (16) on a target (12) which are individually connectable with a multiple temperature display (27), a temperature recorder (28) and a process control (30).

Abstract: A sample in a wind tunnel is radiated from a thermal energy source exteriorly of the wind tunnel. A thermal imager system, also located exteriorly of the wind tunnel, reads surface radiations from the sample as a function of time. The produced thermal images are characteristic of the heat transferred from the sample to the flow across the sample. In turn, the measured rates of heat loss of the sample are characteristic of the flow and the sample.

Abstract: A solid state laser visible light source (26) passes light through a scanning mechanism (22) otherwise used to convey radiation from a target (12) to a detector (28) of a scanning radiation sensor (10) to mark with light a line (16) which is continuous when the sensor (10) is operating in a continuous mode, but when the sensor is operated in a spot mode in which a plurality of spots along a scan line are to be individually measured, a control (30) causes the light source to turn on and off at the correct times in the scan cycle to cause the light source (26) to mark the plural spots on the scan line (16). A CCD camera (40) with an automatic gain control circuit (46) is used in conjunction with a band pass light filter (36) to substantially enhance viewability of the image of the light markings (16) on the target (12) on a display (44).

Abstract: A plurality of lead wires such as those from an IC (an integrated circuit) is irradiated by a fan beam at same time. Infrared rays radiated from the portion which is irradiated by the fan beam and the periphery of the portion are detected so as to catch a thermogram exhibiting the temperature distribution. The thermogram is processed by image processing so as to produce a temperature distribution image. This image is visually compared with a standard temperature distribution-pattern on a display apparatus to judge whether soldering on those lead wires is defective or not.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for sensing temperature of a surface comprises a plurality of time domain intensity transmission networks. Each network comprises pairs of fiber optic power dividers which are connected to each other by bridges. One power divider in each pair is connected in a series by delay lines that form an output bus for propagating a light pulse supplied to an initial power divider in the output bus. This produces a train of light pulses which are returned to a light detector by a receiving bus which interconnects the power dividers at the opposite end of each bridge. Each power divider is in thermal contact with the surface whose temperature is to be measured and the intensity of the train of light pulses is changed in accordance with changes in the temperature of the surface.

Abstract: A clinical thermometer which employs an infrared sensor and is constructed so as to prevent the occurrence of a temperature measurement error caused by a change in temperature of a tip portion (of a housing a temperature measuring portion) during temperature measurement. In one embodiment a heat insulator is attached to the tip portion to prevent a rise in temperature of the tip portion. In a second embodiment, the tip portion is formed of a metal of good heat conductivity in the shape of a net for example to improve the heat radiating property of the tip portion, thereby preventing a rise in temperature of the tip portion. In a third embodiments, a temperature sensor is attached to the tip portion to correct a temperature measurement error caused by a change in temperature of the tip portion.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for accurately and instantaneously determining the thermodynamic temperature of remote objects by continuous determination of the emissivity, the reflectivity, and optical constants, as well as the apparent or brightness temperature of the sample with a single instrument. The emissivity measurement is preferably made by a complex polarimeter including a laser that generates polarized light, which is reflected from the sample into a detector system. The detector system includes a beamsplitter, polarization analyzers, and four detectors to measure independently the four Stokes vectors of the reflected radiation. The same detectors, or a separate detector in the same instrument, is used to measure brightness temperature. Thus, the instrument is capable of measuring both the change in polarization upon reflection as well as the degree of depolarization and hence diffuseness.

Abstract: An infrared thermometer has a field of view selected so that the temperature of the crop growing in a field is accurately measured. The infrared thermometer may be mounted on a support pole in a field to substantially continuously monitor the foliage temperature of the growing crop. In one preferred embodiment, the infrared thermometer comprises and instrument housing structure provided with an infrared telescope mounted on a turntable that scans through an angle of the field, while an electronic circuit simultaneously integrates the output of the infrared telescope. The angle to be scanned is selected by the user in accordance with his needs. In another embodiment, the infrared thermometer comprises a novel sensor head block including an aperture which provides a wide, elongated oval field of view for an infrared sensor provided therein. In both embodiments, the elongated oval field of view has a width that is at least four times its height.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting a defective portion on the outer surface not exposed of a pipe, which comprises: heating or cooling a pipe, the outer surface of which is not exposed, from the side of the inner surface thereof so that a difference in temperature is produced between a portion of the inner surface of the pipe corresponding to an accumulation of foreign matters or a thinner portion as a defective portion on the outer surface not exposed of the pipe and a portion of the inner surface of the pipe corresponding to a normal portion of the outer surface of the pipe; then shooting the inner surface of the pipe by means of a thermal imaging system while the difference in temperature still remains on the inner surface of the pipe to obtain a thermal image of the difference in temperature; and detecting the accumulation of foreign matters or the thinner portion as the defective portion on the outer surface of the pipe by means of the thus obtained thermal image.

Abstract: The pyrometer includes at least one optical fibre (10) transparent to infra-red made of fluorite glass, a reference emitter (20) of infra-red flux, an infra-red detector (30) for receiving the infra-red flux emerging from the optical fibre (10) or the infra-red flux originating from the reference emitter (20), a mechanical modulator (40) for infra-red flux positioned, in the direction of flux propagation, upstream of the infra-red detector (30) for periodically and successively interrupting the infra-red fluxes emerging from the optical fibre (10) and originating from the reference emitter (20), an electronic means of demodulation (50) for receiving the output signal from the detector (30) and a servo-control signal emitted by the mechanical modulator (40) in order to ensure a synchronized measurement, and a measuring apparatus (60) connected to the electronic demodulation means (50) for indicating the temperature to be measured of the target irradiating the optical fiber.

Abstract: Method for observation of vibration mode in which a substance inclusive of structures and materials to be observed in vibration mode is vibrated, heat generated by giving vibration is held at the vibrating parts, infrared emission energy emitted from the substance is optically detected to visually display the distribution of temperature change at each vibrating part as thermal imagery.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus for using infrared radiation to distinguish between live and dead poultry eggs. The apparatus comprises a plurality of infrared sensors, means for moving a fixed array of eggs to a predetermined aligned position with respect to the infrared sensors. The apparatus records the infrared radiation emitted by each egg in the array, and calculates a threshold temperature from the individual temperatures for which 70 percent of the eggs measured in the fixed array are cooler. The apparatus includes means for removing dead eggs from the fixed array which are identified as having temperatures more than one degree Fahrenheit cooler than the threshold temperature.

Abstract: In order to measure the temperature of a body (3) extensively independently of interference radiation (.theta..sub.U1), a sensor (1) is provided wherein the radiation (.theta..sub.3) of the body (3) is chopped by means of a chopper (5) between the sensor (1) and the body (3). Since extraneous radiation originates predominantly from losses at the sensor (1) as well as from frictional heat of the chopper (5) in case a mechanical chopper (5) is provided, the housing temperature of the sensor (1) is detected for correction purposes on the side of the chopper (5) facing the sensor (1) by means of an additional sensor (13). Around and in the zone of the travel path of the mechanical chopper (5), by means of a third sensor (15), the ambient temperature of the chopper is detected, again for correction purposes.

Abstract: The invention is a method of distinguishing between live and dead poultry eggs. The method comprises monitoring the individual temperatures of the selected group of eggs and then using the monitored individual egg temperatures to determine a comparative egg temperature for the selected group. The difference between each individual egg temperature and the comparative egg temperature of the selected group is determined, and dead eggs are identified on the basis of the difference between their monitored individual temperatures and the comparative egg temperature of the selected group.

Abstract: A temperature sensor is incorporated within a housing having a silicon window through which infra-red radiation can enter. Mounted on a support structure is a semiconductor fabrication consisting of a reference junction and a sensing junction, covered with a black absorber. The reference junction is responsive to the temperature of the housing, whereas the sensing junction is responsive to the temperature of the housing and also the temperature of a remote zone from which infra-red radiation can enter the housing via the window. A Peltier heater/cooler controls the temperature of the housing, which temperature is monitored by a sensor to provide a measure of that of the remote zone.

Abstract: The invention involves a method for measuring the temperature in a heating system of the type having an electrically heated hot plate with a filled cooking vessel on it and a radiation pick-up located at varying distances from the side of the vessel and pointed at it which emits a signal indicating the temperature of the substance in the vessel based upon radiation from an area on the side of the vessel as detected by the radiation measurement field of the radiation pick-up, the radiation intensity of which decreases as a square of increasing distance. To compensate for the effect on measurements of spurious radiation form the changing position of the vessel on the hot plate, the invention involves adjusting the angle of a non-intersecting radiation measurement field to obtain corresponding reduction in the area of radiation detetion on the vesel for increasing distances between vessel and radiation pick-up.

Abstract: A method for heat loss surveys comprising the steps of obtaining one or more thermal profiles of a surface radiating heat, the thermal profiles being marked in depicting areas of specified temperatures; at a selected location on each surface a heat flux measurement is made to thereby identify the heat loss from the surface at the selected location. The selected heat loss measurement is then correlated with the thermal profiles by employing a scaling equation to thus obtain indication of heat loss from all increments of the thermal profile, and thence from the entire surface under investigation. Heat loss evaluations for each of the various surfaces of the object being measured are then totalized. The total heat loss and the consequent cost thereof is considered to determine if heat insulation of the object will enhance or impede return on investment.

Abstract: A clinical infrared thermometer is disclosed for use in measuring the internal temperature of living subjects. The system operates by the combination of a radiation sensor that is held in isothermic condition with wave guide at ambient temperature. A thermistor, or other temperature sensor, is thermally coupled thereto and compensates for changes in ambient conditions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring a temperature of a body extensively independently of an interference radiation. The apparatus comprising a sensor wherein a radiation of the body is chopped or interrupted by a chopper disposed between the sensor and a body. In order to sense extraneous radiation which originates predominately from losses at the sensor as well as from frictional heat of the chopper, the housing temperature of the sensor is detected for correction purposes on a side of the chopper facing the sensor by an additional sensor. Around and in the zone of the travel path of the chopper, an additional sensor is provided for sensing an ambient temperature of the chopper.

Abstract: A method for detecting a state of a substance existing in a pipe, the outer surface of which is exposed, which comprises: heating or cooling a pipe, the outer surface of which is exposed, from the side of the outer surface thereof so that a difference in temperature is produced between a portion of the outer surface of the pipe corresponding to a portion of the inner surface thereof, which is in contact with a solid or liquid substance existing in the pipe, and a portion of the outer surface of the pipe corresponding to a portion of the inner surface thereof, which is not in contact with the substance; then shooting the outer surface of the pipe by means of a thermal imaging system while the above-mentioned difference in temperature still remains on the outer surface of the pipe to obtain a thermal image of the difference in temperature; and detecting a state of the substance existing in the pipe by means of the thus obtained thermal image.

Abstract: In the case of a system for detecting excessively heated wheel bearings and/or wheel tires of rail vehicles, a device is inserted into the path of the beam extending from a measuring point to a heat radiation sensor that distorts the resulting image and, in particular, widens it at least uniaxially. This device also serves to detect the measuring point when wheel axles shift in an axial direction. A system of this type may be formed by using a distorting optical device (6) which permits the imaging of a correspondingly widened field (4).

Abstract: A multiple point remote temperature sensing system includes a cable having temperature responsive segments as spaced along the length of the cable and being integral therewith. Each of the temperature responsive segments includes a temperature measuring device and a circuit which establishes a unique address for the segment whereby the local ambient temperature at each segment may be interrogated from a remote location.

Abstract: A thermal wave imaging apparatus generates a real time image of the surface and subsurface of an opaque solid object. A.C. electrical signals indicative of the configuration of the surface and subsurface of the object which are generated during a thermal wave scan of the object by a first heating beam which generates a localized temperature gradient on the object and a deflectable second probe beam heating beam, which deflection is detected by a detection device mounted adjacent to the object, are stored in an image memory under the control of a central processor. A refresh counter generates sequential, incremental signals used to control the X and Y axis deflection of a display monitor. Such signals also address the image memory and generate output data controlling the intensity of the display point at each generated X and Y axis deflection point.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for detecting a defective portion on the inner surface of a pipe, the outer surface of which is exposed, includes: heating or cooling a pipe, the outer surface of which is exposed, from the side of the outer surface thereof so that a difference in temperature is produced between a portion of the outer surface of the pipe corresponding to an accumulation of foreign matters or a thinner portion as a defective portion on the inner surface thereof, and a portion of the outer surface of the pipe corresponding to a normal portion of the inner surface thereof; then shooting the outer surface of the pipe by means of a thermal imaging system while the above-mentioned difference in temperature still remains on the outer surface of the pipe to obtain a thermal image of the difference in temperature; and detecting the accumulation of foreign matters or the thinner portion as the defective portion of the inner surface of the pipe by means of the thus obtained thermal image.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for the non-destructive evaluation of welds joining metal bodies employing infrared thermography; the method comprising the steps of applying thermal energy to a weld and observing temperature differentials that occur on the weld's surface. The apparatus comprises a device for applying thermal energy to welds being inspected; a device for scanning the weld surface for infrared radiation being emitted therefrom; a device for capturing the emitted radiation and converting it to a signal representative of the thermophysical characteristics of the weld; and a device for visually displaying the signal in a form suitable for interpretation.

Abstract: Laser pyrometer techniques are utilized to accurately image a true temperature distribution on a given target without touching the target and without knowing the localized emissivity of the target. The pyrometer utilizes a very high definition laser beam and photodetector, both having a very narrow focus. The pyrometer is mounted in a mechanism designed to permit the pyrometer to be aimed and focused at precise localized points on the target surface. The pyrometer is swept over the surface area to be imaged, temperature measurements being taken at each point of focus.

Abstract: An object stress analyzing system includes a scanning head with a detector, a variable gain amplifier and a control unit which controls the scanning head and which acquires stress-related data from the amplifiers. The control unit responds to detector overload conditions by automatically adjusting the gain of the amplifier, rescanning a portion of the object and rescaling data acquired prior to occurrence of the overload condition.

Abstract: An infrared heat source is directed through a chopper or modulator and beam splitter to the surface of the water. A pair of radiometers are provided, one located behind the back surface of the wafer to measure transmittance, the other adjacent to the beam splitter to measure wafer reflectance. The wafer temperature may then be calculated using an experimentally determined relationship between wafer radiance W.sub.W and wafer temperature, with wafer radiance being provided by the relationship ##EQU1## where r.sub.BS is the reflectance of the beam splitter, W.sub.W is the blackbody radiance of the wafer, W.sub.a is the blackbody radiance equivalent to ambient temperature, and e.sub.W is the wafer emittance. Alternatively, rather than locate a radiometer behind the wafer to measure wafer transmittance, a mirror may be located behind the wafer to reflect the transmitted energy back through the wafer on a periodic basis for a short part of each duty cycle.

Abstract: In the present invention, a discrete region of the TBC is heated, as by applying a controlled quantity of laser energy onto the region for a time interval. Then, the radiant thermal energy of a region outside the laser strike region is measured at a predetermined time following the termination of the laser pulse. The intensity of this measured radiant energy is then compared with the radiant intensities which have been experimentally obtained from known thickness specimens and the thickness is inferred therefrom.

Abstract: A detector (32) monitors infrared ray emissions from an air preheater (10) rotor (14) to detect a temperature rise that precedes a fire within air preheater (10) with each sensor output being processed independently by signal processing electronics. The instantaneous minus the average temperature of rotor (14) is calculated and compared to a variable trip level signal to determine whether a hot spot has been detected. The detector (32) scans across the face of rotor (14) until an initial hot spot is detected, whereupon the scanner motor (58) ceases operation thereby locating the scanner over the rotor radial position of the detected hot spot. If the same hot spot is detected on the next subsequent rotor pass, a hot spot alarm (60) is energized. If the hot spot is not detected on the next subsequent rotor pass, detector scanning is resumed by energizing scan motor (58).

Abstract: The present invention relates to improvements in test methods for determining if eggs, seeds or the like are fertile. This is accomplished through the use of thermography equipment which senses a temperature rise characteristic of a fertile egg or seed. The sensing can be visually observed or a thermograph can be made of the observation.

Abstract: In a double thermal coupled radiometer for preferable use with a centrifuge, an improved radiometer configuration is disclosed. The isothermal radiometic system improved is of the double junction variety (preferably copper-constantan-copper) and includes a black body housing defining a central concavity. The central concavity has a black body disk at the bottom thereof. The disk is preferably suspended by a copper and a constantan wire with one junction formed on the surface of the disk and the other junction formed on the surface of the housing. The improvement includes a plurality of and preferably three annular baffles defining central, circular and preferably concentric opening. These baffles are lodged in the opening of the housing above the mounted radiometer disk. The annular baffles on the side towards the radiation sources are coated as a black body so as to increase the thermal coupling of the black body housing to the ambient being radiometically observed.

Abstract: A method of measuring the temperature in a high pressure furnace of a hot isostatic pressing apparatus, wherein a closed-end pipe having its inside communicated with the inside of the high pressure furnace and enabling a pressure medium to pass therethrough is disposed in the furnace, an incident top end of an optical fiber, a bundle of optical fibers or like other equivalent optical rod-like memeber is disposed to the open end of the closed-end pipe so as to be capable of receiving thermally radiated light from the inside of the closed-ended pipe and an exit rear end thereof is led out through a cover and to the outside of said high pressure vessel and a measuring system is connected to said exit rear end to detect heat radiation power from the top end of the closed-end pipe to thereby measure the temperature inside of the furnace.

Abstract: An apparatus is described which is capable of producing an image of a smelt bed of inorganic chemicals collected at the bottom of a kraft pulp recovery boiler. The image produced is free of interferences of fume particles and gaseous radiation which have obscured prior attempts to view hot surfaces under such environmental conditions. The apparatus includes an industrial closed circuit video camera fitted with an infrared imaging detector or vidicon tube. An objective lens obtains the image. An optical filter interposed between the lens and the vidicon is a key element of the invention and is selected to reject radiation less than about a micrometer to avoid fume interference. The filter is further selected to reject all but limited ranges of radiation to avoid gaseous species overlying the smelt bed which are strongly emitting and absorbing. As an example, a spectral filter centered at 1.68 micrometers with a band width of 0.07 micrometer is suitable for imaging a kraft recovery smelt bed.