Patents by Inventor Yousheng Zeng

Yousheng Zeng has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11906161
    Abstract: A remote sensing system which may be assembled with an Infrared (IR) sensor, or a plurality of IR sensors, disposed to sense IR radiance emitted as combustion products from a flare stack in two distinctive spectral bands, each band having a narrow spectral bandpass, the sensor being radiometrically calibrated to sense transmission characteristics of the two distinctive bands of the radiance from flare combustion gases; and an analyzer driven by a microcontroller, coupled to the IR sensor, to operationally respond in real time by generating an indication of flare stack's performance through a parameter derived from a ratio of the transmission characteristics of the two radiance outputs sensed by the IR sensor. The IR sensor of this flare monitoring-apparatus must be positioned in such a way that the anticipated entire flame will be captured within the Field of View (FoV) of the IR sensor, or sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Inventor: Yousheng Zeng
  • Patent number: 11860015
    Abstract: An Infrared (IR) imaging system can be constructed with a spectral range that includes at least a portion of an IR band of CO2 which firstly, enables the system to measure flow rates of flare stack gases that contain hydrocarbons, and secondly, is radiometrically calibrated, thereby assuring that the output for each pixel in images captured by the camera has apparent temperature consistent with the temperature of a blackbody used to calibrate the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Inventor: Yousheng Zeng
  • Publication number: 20210372613
    Abstract: A remote sensing system which may be assembled with an Infrared (IR) sensor, or a plurality of IR sensors, disposed to sense IR radiance emitted as combustion products from a flare stack in two distinctive spectral bands, each band having a narrow spectral bandpass, the sensor being radiometrically calibrated to sense transmission characteristics of the two distinctive bands of the radiance from flare combustion gases; and an analyzer driven by a microcontroller, coupled to the IR sensor, to operationally respond in real time by generating an indication of flare stack's performance through a parameter derived from a ratio of the transmission characteristics of the two radiance outputs sensed by the IR sensor. The IR sensor of this flare monitoring-apparatus must be positioned in such a way that the anticipated entire flame will be captured within the Field of View (FoV) of the IR sensor, or sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2021
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Inventor: Yousheng Zeng
  • Publication number: 20200386596
    Abstract: An Infrared (IR) imaging system can be constructed with a spectral range that includes at least a portion of an IR band of CO2 which firstly, enables the system to measure flow rates of flare stack gases that contain hydrocarbons, and secondly, is radiometrically calibrated, thereby assuring that the output for each pixel in images captured by the camera has apparent temperature consistent with the temperature of a blackbody used to calibrate the camera.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2020
    Publication date: December 10, 2020
    Inventor: Yousheng Zeng
  • Patent number: 9760995
    Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting at least one chemical species including obtaining a first image from a first electromagnetic radiation detector and obtaining a second image from a second electromagnetic radiation detector. The first image includes a first plurality of pixels and the second image includes a second plurality of pixels, each pixel having an associated intensity value. A first resultant image is generated. The first resultant image includes a plurality of resultant pixels, each pixel having an associated intensity value. One or more regions of interest are determined. The correlation between the first image, the second image, and the first resultant image is determined for the one or more regions of interest using a correlation coefficient algorithm to calculate a first correlation coefficient and a second correlation coefficient. The presence of the chemical species is determined based, at least in part, on the first correlation coefficient and the second correlation coefficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Jonathan M. Morris, Yousheng Zeng
  • Patent number: 9726543
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for validating a leak survey result obtained from an Optical Gas Imaging (OGI) device is proposed. The validation system is coupled to a gas detection infrared thermography camera that captures the infrared image of a scene which may or may not include a gas plume. The validation system performs operations to validate the leak survey result, which includes acquiring a background temperature of each pixel of the infrared image of the scene, acquiring a temperature of the gas plume or ambient air from a temperature sensor that is coupled to the validation system, calculating a temperature difference of said each pixel between the background temperature of said each pixel and the temperature of the gas plume or ambient air, comparing the temperature difference of said each pixel to a predetermined threshold value, and determining whether the leak survey result of the infrared thermography camera is valid based on the temperature difference of said each pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: PROVIDENCE PHOTONICS, LLC
    Inventor: Yousheng Zeng
  • Patent number: 9671331
    Abstract: As hydrogen sulfide is toxic and widely present in many oil and gas facilities, it is highly desirable to use an infrared camera to detect the presence of a hydrogen sulfide (H2S) plume from a safe distance. The proposed are an imaging system and method for detecting hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in a safe distance. The imaging system includes an infrared (IR) imager capable of capturing an image of a scene that includes a gas plume, and a narrow bandpass filter installed in the infrared imager. The narrow bandpass filter has a spectral window. A width of the spectral window is in the range of 100 nm to 300 nm. The spectral window is included in a wavelength range between 2.5 ?m and 2.8 ?m, a wavelength range between 1.5 ?m and 2.0 ?m, or a wavelength range between 7.0 ?m and 10.0 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: PROVIDENCE PHOTONICS, LLC
    Inventors: Yousheng Zeng, Jonathan Morris
  • Publication number: 20170039716
    Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting at least one chemical species including obtaining a first image from a first electromagnetic radiation detector and obtaining a second image from a second electromagnetic radiation detector. The first image includes a first plurality of pixels and the second image includes a second plurality of pixels, each pixel having an associated intensity value. A first resultant image is generated. The first resultant image includes a plurality of resultant pixels, each pixel having an associated intensity value. One or more regions of interest are determined. The correlation between the first image, the second image, and the first resultant image is determined for the one or more regions of interest using a correlation coefficient algorithm to calculate a first correlation coefficient and a second correlation coefficient. The presence of the chemical species is determined based, at least in part, on the first correlation coefficient and the second correlation coefficient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Publication date: February 9, 2017
    Inventors: Jonathan M. Morris, Yousheng Zeng
  • Patent number: 9501827
    Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting at least one chemical species including obtaining a first image from a first electromagnetic radiation detector and obtaining a second image from a second electromagnetic radiation detector. The first image includes a first plurality of pixels and the second image includes a second plurality of pixels, each pixel having an associated intensity value. A first resultant image is generated. The first resultant image includes a plurality of resultant pixels, each pixel having an associated intensity value. One or more regions of interest are determined. The correlation between the first image, the second image, and the first resultant image is determined for the one or more regions of interest using a correlation coefficient algorithm to calculate a first correlation coefficient and a second correlation coefficient. The presence of the chemical species is determined based, at least in part, on the first correlation coefficient and the second correlation coefficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Yousheng Zeng, Jonathan M. Morris, Hazem M. Abdelmoati
  • Patent number: 9471969
    Abstract: Methods for differential image quality enhancement for a detection system including multiple electromagnetic radiation detectors which include obtaining an image from a chemical band electromagnetic radiation detector and an image from a reference band electromagnetic radiation detector. Each of the images includes a plurality of pixels, each pixel having an associated intensity value. One or more intensity values of a plurality of pixels from the reference band image are adjusted based on one or more intensity value parameters of the chemical band image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Yousheng Zeng, Jonathan M. Morris, Hazem M. Abdelmoati
  • Patent number: 9448134
    Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting chemical species including a lens, a beam splitter, first and second bandpass filters, and first and second electromagnetic radiation detectors. The first bandpass filter has a first transmittance window having a first width transmitting greater than 50% of the filtered first electromagnetic radiation beam within a first electromagnetic radiation wavelength range. The second bandpass filter includes a second transmittance window having a second width within a second electromagnetic radiation wavelength range. The second transmittance window has an upper limit wavelength value that is greater than an upper limit wavelength value of the first transmittance window. The second bandpass filter is configured to transmit a lesser percentage of the second electromagnetic radiation beam passing through the second transmittance window than the first bandpass filter transmits of the first electromagnetic radiation beam passing through the first transmittance window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Jonathan M. Morris, Yousheng Zeng
  • Patent number: 9442011
    Abstract: Methods for calibrating multiple electromagnetic radiation detectors within a detection system and methods of using such calibrated systems which include generating a calibration electromagnetic radiation beam at a first temperature. At least a portion of the calibration electromagnetic radiation beam is detected with a first electromagnetic radiation detector. An average intensity value of a plurality of pixels from the first electromagnetic radiation detector is obtained. One or more pixels of the first electromagnetic radiation detector are adjusted to decrease the difference between the intensity of an individual pixel and the average intensity value of the first electromagnetic radiation detector. Detecting at least a portion of the calibration electromagnetic radiation beam with a second electromagnetic radiation detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Jonathan M. Morris, Yousheng Zeng
  • Publication number: 20160238451
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for validating a leak survey result obtained from an Optical Gas Imaging (OGI) device is proposed. The validation system is coupled to a gas detection infrared thermography camera that captures the infrared image of a scene which may or may not include a gas plume. The validation system performs operations to validate the leak survey result, which includes acquiring a background temperature of each pixel of the infrared image of the scene, acquiring a temperature of the gas plume or ambient air from a temperature sensor that is coupled to the validation system, calculating a temperature difference of said each pixel between the background temperature of said each pixel and the temperature of the gas plume or ambient air, comparing the temperature difference of said each pixel to a predetermined threshold value, and determining whether the leak survey result of the infrared thermography camera is valid based on the temperature difference of said each pixel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2015
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Inventor: Yousheng Zeng
  • Patent number: 9325915
    Abstract: The calibration/verification system and method for gas imaging infrared cameras standardizes the procedures to objectively and consistently check performance of gas imaging infrared cameras. This system includes a background board maintaining a uniform temperature, a target cell filled with a target compound and disposed in front of the background board, a reference cell filled with a reference compound and disposed in front of the background board, and an analyzer coupled to the camera that captures images of the gas cell and the reference cell. The analyzer compares the intensity difference and the temperature difference of rays passing through the target cell and reference cell to a reference relationship data of a quality control chart to determine whether the camera is in a working condition. The method is further extended to provide a quantitative measurement of a hydrocarbon plume from a gas imaging infrared camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Providence Photonics, LLC
    Inventors: Yousheng Zeng, Jon Morris
  • Publication number: 20160097714
    Abstract: As hydrogen sulfide is toxic and widely present in many oil and gas facilities, it is highly desirable to use an infrared camera to detect the presence of a hydrogen sulfide (H2S) plume from a safe distance. The proposed are an imaging system and method for detecting hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in a safe distance. The imaging system includes an infrared (IR) imager capable of capturing an image of a scene that includes a gas plume, and a narrow bandpass filter installed in the infrared imager. The narrow bandpass filter has a spectral window. A width of the spectral window is in the range of 100 nm to 300 nm. The spectral window is included in a wavelength range between 2.5 ?m and 2.8 ?m, a wavelength range between 1.5 ?m and 2.0 ?m, or a wavelength range between 7.0 ?m and 10.0 ?m.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventors: Yousheng Zeng, Jonathan Morris
  • Patent number: 9258495
    Abstract: The multi-spectral imaging system for real-time measurement of combustion efficiency of an industrial flare is provided. The system includes four spectral bands, one for a hydrocarbon group (fuel), one for carbon dioxide (CO2), product of complete combustion), one for carbon monoxide (CO, product of partially completed combustion), and one for background reference. More spectral bands can be added to measure combustion efficiency of specific compounds or enhance the background reference adjustment. The analysis apparatus includes a machine readable storage medium, which provides instructions that cause the analysis apparatus to perform operations to obtain the combustion efficiency of the flare. The operations includes acquiring at least three spatially and temporally synchronized intensities from an imaging unit capturing images of the flare, and producing the combustion efficiency of the flare from said at least three intensities, and absorption coefficients of materials contained in the flare.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: PROVIDENCE PHOTONICS, LLC
    Inventors: Yousheng Zeng, Jon Morris, Mark Dombrowski
  • Patent number: 9225915
    Abstract: The calibration/verification system and method for gas imaging infrared cameras standardizes the procedures to objectively and consistently check performance of gas imaging infrared cameras. This system includes a background board maintaining a uniform temperature, a target cell filled with a target compound and disposed in front of the background board, a reference cell filled with a reference compound and disposed in front of the background board, and an analyzer coupled to the camera that captures images of the gas cell and the reference cell. The analyzer compares the intensity difference and the temperature difference of rays passing through the target cell and reference cell to a reference relationship data of a quality control chart to determine whether the camera is in a working condition. The method is further extended to provide a quantitative measurement of a hydrocarbon plume from a gas imaging infrared camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: PROVIDENCE PHOTONICS, LLC
    Inventors: Yousheng Zeng, Jon Morris
  • Publication number: 20150373285
    Abstract: Methods for calibrating multiple electromagnetic radiation detectors within a detection system and methods of using such calibrated systems which include generating a calibration electromagnetic radiation beam at a first temperature. At least a portion of the calibration electromagnetic radiation beam is detected with a first electromagnetic radiation detector. An average intensity value of a plurality of pixels from the first electromagnetic radiation detector is obtained. One or more pixels of the first electromagnetic radiation detector are adjusted to decrease the difference between the intensity of an individual pixel and the average intensity value of the first electromagnetic radiation detector. Detecting at least a portion of the calibration electromagnetic radiation beam with a second electromagnetic radiation detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2015
    Publication date: December 24, 2015
    Inventors: Jonathan M. Morris, Yousheng Zeng
  • Publication number: 20150369693
    Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting chemical species including a lens, a beam splitter, first and second bandpass filters, and first and second electromagnetic radiation detectors. The first bandpass filter has a first transmittance window having a first width transmitting greater than 50% of the filtered first electromagnetic radiation beam within a first electromagnetic radiation wavelength range. The second bandpass filter includes a second transmittance window having a second width within a second electromagnetic radiation wavelength range. The second transmittance window has an upper limit wavelength value that is greater than an upper limit wavelength value of the first transmittance window. The second bandpass filter is configured to transmit a lesser percentage of the second electromagnetic radiation beam passing through the second transmittance window than the first bandpass filter transmits of the first electromagnetic radiation beam passing through the first transmittance window.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2015
    Publication date: December 24, 2015
    Inventors: Jonathan M. Morris, Yousheng Zeng
  • Publication number: 20150371386
    Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting at least one chemical species including obtaining a first image from a first electromagnetic radiation detector and obtaining a second image from a second electromagnetic radiation detector. The first image includes a first plurality of pixels and the second image includes a second plurality of pixels, each pixel having an associated intensity value. A first resultant image is generated. The first resultant image includes a plurality of resultant pixels, each pixel having an associated intensity value. One or more regions of interest are determined. The correlation between the first image, the second image, and the first resultant image is determined for the one or more regions of interest using a correlation coefficient algorithm to calculate a first correlation coefficient and a second correlation coefficient. The presence of the chemical species is determined based, at least in part, on the first correlation coefficient and the second correlation coefficient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2015
    Publication date: December 24, 2015
    Inventors: Yousheng Zeng, Jonathan M. Morris, Hazem M. Abdelmoati