Abstract: A method of sensing the temperature of a heated object includes obtaining past temperature data relating to the heated object, capturing a thermal image of the heated object, obtaining a reference temperature of the heated object, and calculating a normalized hotspot temperature.

Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure provides a method of correcting a distorted image including, capturing an image of a moving object, thereby obtaining a plurality of pixels that comprise the image; obtaining a speed of the moving object; obtaining a correction factor dependant on the speed of the object; and applying the correction factor to the plurality of pixels, thereby obtaining a corrected image.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring and detecting thermal sealing defects includes a thermal imager, a controller, and an output device. The thermal imager is mounted along a process line that transports an object having at least one recently created thermal-seal. The controller includes an input that is communicably coupled to the thermal imager for receiving thermal image data of the thermal-seal and an output. The controller is programmed to detect at least one of a hot zone and a cool zone on the thermal-seal. The output device is communicably coupled to the output of the controller and indicates the results of the seal detection.

Abstract: A method of linearizing the output a infrared camera having an InGaAs includes determining the an equivalent black body temperature of an object by utilizing a plurality of calibration constants determined by collecting data from a number of temperatures of the object, and determining a target temperature of the object by utilizing the equivalent black body temperature and the emissivity of the object.

Abstract: A method of monitoring and detecting thermal sealing defects includes capturing a thermal image of a thermal seal, obtaining a reference thermal image corresponding to an acceptable thermal seal, converting the captured thermal image to a first sequenced set of pixel values, converting the reference thermal image to a second sequenced set of pixel values, defining a plurality of regions such that each region includes a plurality of sequence numbers such that each sequence number is a sequence number of a pixel value in the first sequenced set, generating a sequenced set of differential values such that each differential value is associated with the first ordered set of pixel values and with the second ordered set of pixel values, and analyzing the sequenced set of differential values.

Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure provides a method of correcting a distorted image including, capturing an image of a moving object, thereby obtaining a plurality of pixels that comprise the image; obtaining a speed of the moving object; obtaining a correction factor dependant on the speed of the object; and applying the correction factor to the plurality of pixels, thereby obtaining a corrected image.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring and detecting thermal sealing defects includes a thermal imager, a controller, and an output device. The thermal imager is mounted along a process line that transports an object having at least one recently created thermal-seal. The controller includes an input that is communicably coupled to the thermal imager for receiving thermal image data of the thermal-seal and an output. The controller is programmed to detect at least one of a hot zone and a cool zone on the thermal-seal. The output device is communicably coupled to the output of the controller and indicates the results of the seal detection.

Abstract: A method of linearizing the output a infrared camera having an InGaAs includes determining the an equivalent black body temperature of an object by utilizing a plurality of calibration constants determined by collecting data from a number of temperatures of the object, and determining a target temperature of the object by utilizing the equivalent black body temperature and the emissivity of the object.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the disclosure, a method of sensing the temperature of a molten metal vehicle is provided. In one exemplary embodiment, the method includes utilizing at least one thermal imager located to the side of the molten metal during the dispensing of the molten metal and capturing at least one thermal image for determining the rotational position of the molten metal vehicle by calculating an area of the molten metal.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the disclosure, a method of sensing the temperature of a molten metal vehicle is provided. In one exemplary embodiment, the method includes utilizing at least one thermal imager located to the side of the molten metal during the dispensing of the molten metal and capturing at least one thermal image for determining the rotational position of the molten metal vehicle by calculating an area of the molten metal.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the disclosure, a method of sensing the temperature of a molten metal vehicle is provided. In one exemplary embodiment, the method includes utilizing at least one thermal imager located to the side of the molten metal during the dispensing of the molten metal and capturing at least one thermal image for determining the rotational position of the molten metal vehicle by calculating an area of the molten metal.

Abstract: A light detector is disclosed for measuring the temperature of an object. The light detector includes a lens assembly for accepting light emitted from the object, an aperture, and a mirror for reflecting the infrared energy of the object into a fiber optic cable. The fiber optic cable is connected to a depolarizing element to which pressure is externally applied. The depolarization element relays the infrared energy into a detection portion and a signal processing portion for calculating temperature. Before the infrared light enters the fiber optic cable, a chopper, controlled by a driving circuit, chops the infrared energy reflected by the mirror.

Abstract: A scanning radiation sensor (10) for individually determining temperature of a plurality of spots (16') along a scan line (16) on a target (12) responds to inputs to a light marking apparatus (21, 29, 40, 21) to determine which of a plurality of samples produced during a scan cycle are to be selected for averaging (54, 54'). Averages are determined for each scan (54, 54') and then averages for each scan are averaged over multiple scans (56). Both spot target samples (Ts) and reference source samples (Rs) are averaged for improved accuracy, with target samples being converted to temperatures (52) before averaging.

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 method and apparatus is described for drying a product to a controlled moisture content. The apparatus comprising a first drying zone for receiving the product, a first regulating means for regulating the temperature within said first zone, a second drying zone for receiving the product from the first zone, a second regulating means for regulating the temperature within the second zone, means for measuring the moisture of the product after the product leaves the second zone, means for measuring the temperature in said first and second zones, means for controlling the second regulating means in response to the measured product moisture and the temperature of the second zone and means for cooperatively controlling the first regulating means in response to the measured product moisture and the temperature of the first zone.