Abstract: There is provided a control system for a furnace. The control system comprises a thermal imaging camera and a control unit. The thermal imaging camera is configured to receive thermal radiation from a plurality of positions in a furnace and to generate an image which includes temperature information for the plurality of positions in the furnace. The control unit is configured to receive the image from the thermal imaging camera and to generate control signals for the furnace using the image.

Abstract: A radiation thermometer is provided, comprising: a thermal radiation detector assembly having an operative surface area responsive to thermal radiation of a first wavelength; a focussing optics assembly adapted to focus both thermal radiation of the first wavelength and visible light of a second wavelength along an optical axis, the focussing optics assembly being configured to form a focussed image of the operative surface area of the thermal radiation detector assembly on a focal plane outside the radiation thermometer, the focussed image of the operative surface area defining a target region from which the thermal radiation detector assembly detects thermal radiation; a visible light source assembly adapted to exhibit an illuminated pattern of visible light of the second wavelength, the visible light source assembly comprising at least one visible light source and a mask through which light from the at least one visible light source is arranged to pass, the mask having one or more substantially opaque port

Abstract: A method of measuring the temperature of a sheet material in which the sheet material is arranged such that it forms at least one side of a cavity so as to enhance the effective emissivity of the sheet material in the vicinity of the cavity.

Abstract: A radiation thermometer comprising a radiation detector and an optical input path arranged to direct radiation from an object of interest to the radiation detector is disclosed. The radiation detector is adapted to output a signal related to the radiation received from the object of interest, and a processor is adapted to generate temperature measurements from the signal. Filtering means are provided in the optical input path which are arranged to block radiation having a wavelength between approximately 0.92 and 0.98 microns.

Abstract: A method of measuring the temperature of a sheet material in which the sheet material is arranged such that it forms at least one side of a cavity so as to enhance the effective emissivity of the sheet material in the vicinity of the cavity.

Abstract: A method of measuring the temperature of a sheet material arranged such that it forms at least one side of a cavity, so as to enhance the effective emissivity of the sheet material in the vicinity of the cavity comprises: generating a thermal image of at least part of the inside of the cavity, the thermal image comprising a plurality of pixels each having a pixel value representative of radiation emitted by a respective region of the cavity; identifying a first subset of the pixels whose pixel values meet predetermined criteria; using the identified first subset to determine a line on the thermal image representative of optimal emissivity enhancement in the cavity; and selecting a second subset of the pixels based on the determined line and generating a temperature profile along the determined line derived from the pixel values associated with each of the second subset of pixels.

Abstract: A method of measuring the temperature of a sheet material arranged such that it forms at least one side of a cavity, so as to enhance the effective emissivity of the sheet material in the vicinity of the cavity comprises: generating a thermal image of at least part of the inside of the cavity, the thermal image comprising a plurality of pixels each having a pixel value representative of radiation emitted by a respective region of the cavity; identifying a first subset of the pixels whose pixel values meet predetermined criteria; using the identified first subset to determine a line on the thermal image representative of optimal emissivity enhancement in the cavity; and selecting a second subset of the pixels based on the determined line and generating a temperature profile along the determined line derived from the pixel values associated with each of the second subset of pixels.

Abstract: A radiation thermometer comprising a radiation detector and an optical input path arranged to direct radiation from an object of interest to the radiation detector is disclosed. The radiation detector is adapted to output a signal related to the radiation received from the object of interest, and a processor is adapted to generate temperature measurements from the signal. Filtering means are provided in the optical input path which are arranged to block radiation having a wavelength between approximately 0.92 and 0.98 microns.

Abstract: A thermal imaging system and method for quantitative thermal mapping of a scene. The system comprises a thermal imaging device, a heat source of known temperature and emissivity located within the scene viewed by the thermal imaging device and a processor adapted to generate a calibrated temperature map of the scene from the data supplied by the thermal imaging device, based on the known temperature of the heat source. This enables accurate temperature measurements to be made using inexpensive uncooled Focal Plane Array detectors.

Abstract: A temperature monitoring system for generating a representation of the temperature of the regions of a heated sheet of a rotary thermoforming machine includes a temperature detector for detecting the respective temperatures of areas of the sheet extending in a line across the sheet, a system for monitoring relative movement between the sheet and the temperature detector; and a processing system for a) recording the coordinates and temperature of each area whose temperature is monitored; and b) determining the temperature of regions of the sheet defined on a different basis to the areas by applying a predetermined algorithm to the data stored in step a) which takes account of the rotary movement of the sheet.

Abstract: A fail-safe shutter (13) for a “cross-stack” monitor, comprises a body member (14) having an aperture (1) through which, in use, an associated monitoring instrument is adapted to sight. A gate (3) is movable between a retracted, open position in which the aperture (1) is exposed, and a closed position in which the aperture (1) is closed-off by a portion of the gate (3), and means are provided to bias the gate (3) towards its closed position.

Abstract: A thermal imaging system and method for quantitative thermal mapping of a scene. The system comprises a thermal imaging device, a heat source of known temperature and emissivity located within the scene viewed by the thermal imaging device and a processor adapted to generate a calibrated temperature map of the scene from the data supplied by the thermal imaging device, based on the known temperature of the heat source. This enables accurate temperature measurements to be made using inexpensive uncooled Focal Plane Array detectors.

Abstract: A temperature monitoring system for generating a representation of the temperature of the regions of a heated sheet of a rotary thermoforming machine comprises a temperature detector for detecting the respective temperatures of areas of the sheet extending in a line across the sheet, a system for monitoring relative movement between the sheet and the temperature detector; and a processing system for a) recording the coordinates and temperature of each area whose temperature is monitored; and b) determining the temperature of regions of the sheet defined on a different basis to the areas by applying a predetermined algorithm to the data stored in step a) which takes account of the rotary movement of the sheet.

Abstract: A gas sampler (1) for a portable gas analyser, having a cooler or chiller (8) through which cooler or chiller (8) the gas sample is passed prior to being conveyed to a gas analyser, has the cooler or chiller (8) operable by means other than electrical power. The invention also includes a portable gas analyser provided with such a sampler (1).

Abstract: A radiation thermometer assembly comprises a radiation thermometer for detecting radiation and for generating at a first terminal an electrical output signal representative of the detected radiation. A cap assembly comprises a housing carrying a second terminal to which a cable can be connected, and electrical connectors to electrically couple the first and second terminals. An overcenter latch removably secures the cap assembly to the radiation thermometer.

Abstract: A radiation thermometer assembly comprises a housing to a front end of which is movably mounted an objective lens housing. An eye piece is mounted to the radiation thermometer housing and is arranged to receive light passing through the objective lens. A control system causes relative movement between the objective lens housing and the radiation thermometer housing, the control system being connected to a manual control member for operating the control system. The control member is mounted to the radiation thermometer housing at a position spaced from the objective lens housing.

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus for open-path gas monitoring and is particularly concerned with measuring the opacity of stack gases. Single and double pass systems to provide an optical across the stack, are known, but to provide meaningful data, gain compensation is required to deal with temperature variations and the possibility of ageing of electronic components.

Abstract: A radiation thermometer comprises an optical objective through which radiation to be detected passes. A beam splitter has a central region through which a central portion of the radiation which has passed through the objective passes undeflected and an outer region which reflects radiation surrounding the central portion. An eye piece receives radiation passing through the beam splitter; and a radiation detector receives radiation reflected by the beam splitter.

Abstract: A purge assembly for mounting to a radiation thermometer, comprises a purge tube for mounting in front of the radiation thermometer. At least two axially spaced chambers are positioned about the purge tube, each pair of chambers being linked by a respective restrictive opening such that a difference in pressure exists between adjacent chambers in use. An upstream chamber with respect to the flow of purge fluid is connected to source of purge fluid such as air in use and a downstream chamber with respect to the flow of purge fluid opens into the purge tube via a swirl reducing system whereby purge fluid is emitted into the purge tube in use. The chambers are positioned such that fluid flows through the chambers generally towards the lens and then through the downstream chamber opening towards an outer end of the purge tube away from the lens.