Abstract: A method and system for nondestructively detecting and characterizing defects in articles, including assemblies that may include components formed of composite materials. The method entails vibrating an entire article/assembly to induce an oscillating strain in the article/assembly so that any flaws in the article/assembly are heated by localized friction, as would occur between opposing surface portions of a defect or an interface between components of the assembly. The article/assembly is then infrared imaged to detect any localized temperature rises associated with the localized friction at the defect or interface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting, locating, isolating and controlling variations in the manufacturing process by transient thermography. A heat source (200) imparts heat to a surface which is radiated in the infrared region. Infrared sensors (204, 206, 208, 210) are coupled to a processor which tracks the physical characteristics of the sample, and provides feedback to a central process controller to make adjustments to the manufacturing process. The sample can be a continuous product such as a green powder metal sheet or tobacco product.

Abstract: There is described an inspection system for inspecting an object, the system comprising: a structural inspection module for inspecting the object structurally; a functional test module for testing the object functionally; a support device for supporting the object to be inspected structurally and tested functionally; and a common controller for the structural inspection module and the functional test module. A method for use with the system is also described.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus preferably used during the photocagulation of the fundus of human eyes or animals measures density fluctuations caused by pulsed irradiation, such as a laser irradiation source, on a material. A wherein a measuring signal is acoustically or optically detected. The change of the intensity and/or of the time slope of the measuring signal resulting from the irradiation of a specific material point is detected. A linear thermo-elastic signal fraction is removed from the measuring signal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and corresponding apparatus for recognizing foreign material (2), in particular adhesive objects, glue or joints, on or in bank notes (1).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing a material such as the water-wall tubes in boilers includes the use of a portable thermal line heater having radiation shields to control the amount of thermal radiation that reaches a thermal imager. A procedure corrects for variations in the initial temperature of the material being inspected. A method of calibrating the testing device to determine an equation relating thickness of the material to temperatures created by the thermal line heater uses empirical data derived from tests performed on test specimens for each material type, geometry, density, specific heat, speed at which the line heater is moved across the material and heat intensity.

Abstract: An infrared (IR) radiation source (20, 50) includes an envelope (22), at least a portion (26) of which is IR transmissive, and a molecular gas species (23), contained in the envelope, which gas species is thermally excited to emit IR radiation in a discrete spectrum characteristic of the species, substantially without heating the envelope.

Abstract: Described are methods and systems for providing improved defect detection and analysis using infrared thermography. Test vectors heat features of a device under test to produce thermal characteristics useful in identifying defects. The test vectors are timed to enhance the thermal contrast between defects and the surrounding features, enabling IR imaging equipment to acquire improved thermographic images. In some embodiments, a combination of AC and DC test vectors maximize power transfer to expedite heating, and therefore testing. Mathematical transformations applied to the improved images further enhance defect detection and analysis. Some defects produce image artifacts, or “defect artifacts,” that obscure the defects, rendering difficult the task of defect location. Some embodiments employ defect-location algorithms that analyze defect artifacts to precisely locate corresponding defects.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the optical measurement of dental objects (30) with the use of topometric measurement procedures, having a rotatably mounted object receptacle (18) for holding the object (30) to be measured, a projector (11) for the projection of structured lighting patterns onto the object (30), a detection unit (12) for the detection of lighting structures projected onto the object (30), and an evaluation unit (20) for the calculation of the spatial structure of the object (30) to be measured. In order to improve operability, with the possibility of measuring individual parts of any geometry, the object receptacle (18) is mounted so as to be additionally pivotable around a pivot axis (B) arranged perpendicularly to the axis of rotation (A).

Abstract: A thermal imaging system for detecting cracks and defects in a structure. An ultrasonic transducer is coupled to the structure through a malleable coupler. Ultrasonic energy from the transducer causes the defects to heat up, which is detected by a thermal camera. A control unit is employed to provide timing and control for the operation of the ultrasonic transducer and the camera.

Abstract: A method of determining the analyte concentration of a test sample is described. A temperature gradient is introduced in the test sample and infrared radiation detectors measure radiation at selected analyte absorbance peak and reference wavelengths. Reference and analytical signals are detected. In the presence of the selected analyte, parameter differences between reference and analytical signals are detectable. These parameter differences, having a relationship to analyte concentration, are measured, correlated, and processed to determine analyte concentration in the test sample. Accuracy is enhanced by inducing a periodically modulated temperature gradient in the test sample. The analytical and reference signals may be measured continuously and the parameter difference integrated over the measurement period to determine analyte concentration.

Abstract: A solid-state spectrometer for the non-invasive generation and capture of thermal gradient spectra from human or animal tissue. The spectrometer includes an infrared transmissive thermal mass window for inducing a transient temperature gradient in the tissue by means of conductive heat transfer with the tissue, and cooling means in operative combination with the thermal mass window for cooling the thermal mass window. Also provided is an infrared sensor means for detecting infrared emissions emanating from the tissue as the transient temperature gradient progresses into the tissue, and for providing output signals proportional to the detected infrared emissions. Data capture means is provided for sampling the output signals received from the infrared sensor means as the transient temperature gradient progresses into the tissue.

Abstract: A solid-state device for the non-invasive generation and capture of thermal gradient spectra from sample tissue. The device includes an infrared transmissive layered window assembly, a means for inducing a thermal gradient in sample tissues. Also provided is an infrared radiation detector for detecting infrared emissions emanating from the tissue as the transient temperature gradient progresses into the sample tissues. The sensor provides output signals proportional to the detected infrared emissions. A data capture means is provided for the sampling of output signals received from the infrared radiation detector as the induced temperature gradient progresses into the sample tissue.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided which addresses the drawbacks of the prior art and which incorporates two separate imaging devices, one near-infrared and one mid-infrared imaging device which simultaneously capture images of the passing objects. The background information is removed and images of the objects remain. A spherical optical transform and a defect preservation transform preserve any defect levels on objects and compensate for the non-lambertian gradient reflectants on spherical objects at their curvatures and dimensions.

Abstract: Provided are methods and apparatuses for the sensing of a property of a molten metal that lies beneath layers of interfering matter. A stream of gas is propelled into the layers of interfering matter at a velocity that is sufficient for the gas to penetrate through the layers of interfering matter and into the molten metal, thereby providing an opening through the layers of interfering matter. At the same time, energy emanating from the molten metal is detected and measured through the opening, so as to obtain an energy measurement. Then, the energy measurement is processed to determine a value for the desired property of the molten metal.

Abstract: The CPU outputs to the delay circuit 22 delay time setting signals for setting the delay time, based on input delay time data input from an external input device. The delay circuit 22 re-sets the delay time via new delay setting signals input from the CPU 24 and delays the trigger signals input from the trigger circuit 21 based on the specified delay time and outputs the resulting signals to the clock generator 23. The clock generator 23 outputs new sample start signals to the A/D sampler 3 at the input timing of the delayed trigger signals input from the delay circuit 22, thus changing the sampling start timing of interference signals in the A/D sampler.

Abstract: A system for the thermal imaging of sonically or ultrasonically excited subsurface defects in a structure. The system includes a hand-held sound source, a thermal imaging camera and a control unit. The sound source emits pulses of sound energy into the structure, and the camera generates images of defects in the structure that are heated by the sound energy. The control unit controls the operation of the sound source on the camera for timing purposes. The sound source includes a transducer that is positioned against the structure at a desirable location. The source further includes a pair of legs that are also positioned against the structure to define a plane in combination with the transducer. The length of each leg is adjustable relative to the length of the transducer so that the gun can be used against irregular surfaces. The legs include a rubber tip to further prevent the transducer from slipping on the structure.

Abstract: An analyte detection system for non-invasively determining the concentration of an analyte in a sample is described. The detection system includes a window assembly consisting of a main layer adapted to allow electromagnetic radiation to pass therethrough, and a heater layer adapted to exchange heat to the sample. The system also includes a detector adapted to detect electromagnetic radiation emitted by the sample and passed through the window assembly. The analyte detection system also includes a control system in electrical communication with the heater layer and adapted to cause the heater layer to exchange heat to the sample. The main layer of the window assembly may be made from a variety of materials such as germanium, silicon, and chemical vapor deposited diamond.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of determining the analyte concentration of a test sample is described. A temperature gradient is introduced in the test sample and infrared radiation detectors measure radiation at selected analyte absorbance peak and reference wavelengths. The modulation of the temperature gradient is controlled by a surface temperature modulation. A transfer function is determined that relates the surface temperature modulation to the modulation of the measured infrared radiation. Reference and analytical signals are detected. In the presence of the selected analyte, phase and magnitude differences in the transfer function are detected. These phase and magnitude differences, having a relationship to analyte concentration, are measured, correlated, and processed to determine analyte concentration in the test sample.

Abstract: A method of determining the analyte concentration of a test sample is described. A temperature gradient is introduced in the test sample and infrared radiation detectors measure radiation at selected analyte absorbance peak and reference wavelengths. Reference and analytical signals are detected. In the presence of the selected analyte, parameter differences between reference and analytical signals are detectable. These parameter differences, having a relationship to analyte concentration, are measured, correlated, and processed to determine analyte concentration in the test sample. Accuracy is enhanced by inducing a periodically modulated temperature gradient in the test sample. The analytical and reference signals may be measured continuously and the parameter difference integrated over the measurement period to determine analyte concentration.

Abstract: A method of determining the analyte concentration of a test sample is described. A temperature gradient is introduced in the test sample and infrared radiation detectors measure radiation at selected analyte absorbance peak and reference wavelengths. Reference and analytical signals are detected. In the presence of the selected analyte, parameter differences between reference and analytical signals are detectable. These parameter differences, having a relationship to analyte concentration, are measured, correlated, and processed to determine analyte concentration in the test sample. Accuracy is enhanced by inducing a periodically modulated temperature gradient in the test sample. The analytical and reference signals may be measured continuously and the parameter difference integrated over the measurement period to determine analyte concentration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for detecting an object-to-be-printed and aims at providing an apparatus for detecting an object-to-be-printed which is capable of discriminating whether the object-to-be-printed is plain paper or special paper. The apparatus includes an infrared sensor for detecting infrared rays 4 radiated by heating the object-to-be-printed 1 with heating means 2 and is capable of discriminating whether the object-to-be-printed is plain paper or special paper.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for high-throughput determination of phase change points of combinatorial libraries of metal alloys uses an infrared camera to monitor temperature-dependent changes in emissivity/reflectivity of the alloys. An infrared focal plane array monitors the emissivity/reflectivity changes over time, and the intensity of each heated member over time is correlated with temperature to detect the phase change points of the members.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the recording of an object space with an opto-electronic distance sensor by a signal propagation time method, with a transmitter for transmitting optical signals, in particular those of a laser, and a receiver device for receiving optical signals, in particular laser radiation, which is reflected from objects located in the target space. The distance sensor is combined with a scanning device for deflecting the optical axes of the transmitter and receiver device, and it has an evaluation device, which from the propagation time or phase angle of the optical signal emitted ascertains distance values. Downstream of the scanning device, that is, out of the region oriented toward the distance sensor, part of the beam is split off from the beam path of the transmitter and/or receiver device and is directed to receiver diodes or the like, and from the corresponding signals, a pixel is ascertained and each pixel is assigned a distance value and a space angle.

Abstract: A system for the remote detection and analysis of trace chemical agents in the air. A beam of electromagnetic radiation is used to radiate a cloud. The radiation energy that is absorbed by the cloud is thermalized by collisional energy transfer between the molecules that absorb the radiation. Increases in the cloud temperature increase the emission intensity of the molecules against the background, resulting in improved detection of the target molecules. A tracking telescope is used to collect the thermal emissions generated by the radiation beam. A spectrometer is used to resolve the emissions from the cloud and generate an emissions spectrum. The wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation can be selected to be in resonance with the absorption lines of water or oxygen molecules in the cloud, or to be in resonance with absorption lines of known target molecules in the cloud to generate the heat.

Abstract: A system and method for determining lateral thermal diffusivity of a material sample using a heat pulse; a sample oriented within an orthogonal coordinate system; an infrared camera; and a computer that has a digital frame grabber, and data acquisition and processing software. The mathematical model used within the data processing software is capable of determining the lateral thermal diffusivity of a sample of finite boundaries. The system and method may also be used as a nondestructive method for detecting and locating cracks within the material sample.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for automated non-destructive evaluation (NDE) thermal imaging tests of combustor liners and other products. The apparatus for automated NDE thermal imaging testing of a sample includes a flash lamp positioned at a first side of the sample. An infrared camera is positioned near a second side of the sample. A linear positioning system supports the sample. A data acquisition and processing computer is coupled to the flash lamp for triggering the flash lamp. The data acquisition and processing computer is coupled to the infrared camera for acquiring and processing image data. The data acquisition and processing computer is coupled to the linear positioning system for positioning the sample for sequentially acquiring image data.

Abstract: Processes and devices for the photothermal inspection of a test body. Lighting radiation with short lighting times is applied to a test body and at least one measurement value of the emission curve during or after a short lighting time is sensed. The diffusion and/or effusion capacity of a test body coating layer, for example, can be determined by computer units on the basis of the measurement value(s), even when the thickness of the coating layer is unknown, because the measurement values are detected during or shortly after irradiation and the coating layer thickness plays only an insignificant role in the course of the emission curve in this range.

Abstract: A system for the remote detection and analysis of trace chemical agents in the air. A beam of electromagnetic radiation is used to radiate a cloud. The radiation energy that is absorbed by the cloud is thermalized by collisional energy transfer between the molecules that absorb the radiation. Increases in the cloud temperature increase the emission intensity of the molecules against the background, resulting in improved detection of the target molecules. A tracking telescope is used to collect the thermal emissions generated by the radiation beam. A spectrometer is used to resolve the emissions from the cloud and generate an emissions spectrum. The wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation can be selected to be in resonance with the absorption lines of water or oxygen molecules in the cloud, or to be in resonance with absorption lines of known target molecules in the cloud to generate the heat.

Abstract: Various methods of inspecting a film on a semiconductor workpiece for a residue are provided. In one aspect, a method of inspecting a film on a semiconductor workpiece wherein the film has a known infrared signature is provided. The method includes heating the workpiece so that the film emits infrared radiation and sensing the infrared radiation emitted from the film. The infrared signature of the radiation emitted from the film is compared with the known infrared signature and a signal indicative of a deviation between the infrared signature of the emitted infrared radiation and the known infrared signature is generated. The method enables the rapid and accurate detection of residues, such as oxide residues on nitride films.

Abstract: A system for the thermal imaging of sonically or ultrasonically excited subsurface defects in a structure. The system includes a hand-held sound source, a thermal imaging camera and a control unit. The sound source emits pulses of sound energy into the structure, and the camera generates images of defects in the structure that are heated by the sound energy. The control unit controls the operation of the sound source on the camera for timing purposes. The sound source includes a transducer that is positioned against the structure at a desirable location. The source further includes a pair of legs that are also positioned against the structure to define a plane in combination with the transducer. The length of each leg is adjustable relative to the length of the transducer so that the gun can be used against irregular surfaces. The legs include a rubber tip to further prevent the transducer from slipping on the structure.

Abstract: A device for determining the melting point of a sample material utilizing an infrared sensor to measure the temperature of the sample material and photocells to detect changes in transmissivity of the sample material at its melting point.

Abstract: A thermal imaging system for detecting cracks in a tooth. An ultrasonic dental cleaning tool is used to transmit ultrasonic energy through a jet of water to the tooth that causes cracks in the tooth to heat up. A thermal camera is used to detect the thermal radiation emitted by the heated cracks. The ultrasonic energy is in the form of a pulse where the frequency of the ultrasonic signal is substantially constant within the pulse. The control unit is employed to provide timing and control of the operation of the dental cleaning tool and the camera.

Abstract: A heating zone (22) and a detection zone (23) at the surface (1a) of a part (1) are displaced in such a way as to carry out the scanning of the surface (1a) and a flux radiated in the detection zone (23) is detected by using a line of detectors (21) which is chosen from a matrix of detectors (20). The method makes is possible in particular to reduce the time for scanning the surface (1a) of the part and to be able to adjust the offset, in the direction of displacement (24), between the heating zone (22) and the detection (23), simply by choosing the line (21) of the matrix of detectors (20). The method and the device in accordance with the invention make it possible in particular to carry out thermographic inspections of parts made of any materials and in particular of metal parts which may have considerable dimensions and complex shapes.

Abstract: An infrared inspection system and an induction heating system used in conjunction enable the inspection of rubber coated rolls, such as rolls used in the pulp and paper industry. The system effects non-destructive inspections of rubber coated rolls to detect a debonded condition between the metal core and rubber coating. The method includes supporting a roll for inspection, evenly heating or cooling the roll, and observing a thermal transient of the roll generated by the evenly heating process. Using an infrared camera, observed areas that are not transferring heat uniformly with respect to neighboring areas are suspected debonded areas.

Abstract: An infrared inspection system and an induction heating system used in conjunction enable the inspection of rubber coated rolls, such as rolls used in the pulp and paper industry. The system effects non-destructive inspections of rubber coated rolls to detect a debonded condition between the metal core and rubber coating. The method includes supporting a roll for inspection, evenly heating or cooling the roll, and observing a thermal transient of the roll generated by the evenly heating process. Using an infrared camera, observed areas that are not transferring heat uniformly with respect to neighboring areas are suspected debonded areas.

Abstract: A thermal imaging system for detecting cracks and defects in a component. An electromagnetic acoustic transducer (EMAT) is coupled to the component, and introduces pulsed sound signals therein. The sound signals cause the defects to heat up. The IR radiation from the heated pulses is detected by a thermal camera. The amplitude of the pulsed signals are substantially constant, and the frequency of the pulsed signal can be changed within each pulse. A control unit is employed to provide timing and control for the operation of the EMAT and the camera.

Abstract: An IR transient thermography imaging system includes high-power flash lamps fitted with spectrally tuned optical filters and a focal-plane array camera for IR image data acquisition. The image data processing control computer analyzes acquired IR image data frames and provides a color-keyed display of an imaged object that correlates to object thickness over the imaged surface area. Acquisition of IR data is initiated at a firing of flash lamps used to heat a surface of the object along with a reference standard. A predetermined number of IR image frames are acquired and recorded over a predetermined period of time after firing of the lamps to develop a temperature-time (T-t) history of the object surface and the reference standard. A contrast curve is calculated for each pixel in the image frame, each pixel corresponding to an elemental region on the object surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an arrangement for non-destructive inspection of joint layer(s) in a multilayer structure (40) comprising at least a first layer (1) with a first outer surface, a second layer (2) with a second outer surface and a joint layer (3) for joining said first and second layers. It comprises a heating arrangement (10) for homogeneously heating up said second outer surface of the multilayer structure (40), a detecting arrangement (20) comprising a thermographic imaging system for registering the infrared radiation pattern representative of the temperature distribution on said first outer surface of the multilayer structure (40) and processing means (30) for, based on the temperature distribution, establishing at least the eventual presence of (a) cavity/cavities in the joint layer (3).

Abstract: In an infrared (IR) transient thermography system a sequence of image frames is acquired from an IR sensitive focal-plane array camera. Each sequentially acquired image frame is made up of an array of pixels and has assigned a frame-number that corresponds to elapsed time. Temperature-versus-time (T-t) data corresponding to each pixel is developed from stacks of sequential image-frames. A method of analyzing the stacks of thermal data image-frames is presented wherein either the Real or the Imaginary component portions of a Fast-Fourier Transform of a normalized T-t data curve from each pixel is used to determine the thickness of an object and produce a color-keyed or gray-scale coded thickness map.

Abstract: In an infrared (IR) transient thermography system a sequence of image frames is acquired from an IR sensitive focal-plane array camera. Each sequentially acquired image frame is made up of an array of pixels and has assigned a frame number that corresponds to elapsed time. A method of analyzing thermal imaging data-frames is presented wherein a synthetically generated temperature-time reference curve is used to determine pixel contrast-versus-time data.

Abstract: A process for the detection of flaws in an article comprising infra-red scanning of the article as its temperature changes and comparing the infra-red scans for regularity of cooling/heating pattern. Where the article is irregular, such as in marginal areas, thermodynamic modelling is performed to establish a hypothetic cooling/heating pattern for an unflawed article.

Abstract: The scanning of a surface of a part is carried out by a means of imparting heat to at least one heating zone at the surface of the part. This occurs by relative displacement of the part and of the means of imparting heat. A detector is used to sense the flux radiated by the surface of the part in a detection zone displaced synchronously with the movement of the heating zone. The detector delivers, for each of the positions of a set of successive positions of the detection zone, a signal representative of the flux radiated. The scanning of the surface of the part is carried out along a determined path, in a first direction, then in a second opposite direction. For each of the successive positions of the detection zone, a differential signal is formulated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inspection of unpopulated printed circuit boards is disclosed. A printed circuit board is mounted on a mobile base capable of scanning on at least one direction. During a scan, the printed circuit board moves with respect to a heater and a portion of the board's surface, including both tracks and substrate, is heated. After heating, but within seconds of removing the heat source, the board surface is analyzed by an infrared (IR) sensitive camera. The different intensities of IR emissions allow for discrimination between the traces and the substrate and provide a means of detecting defects on the board. Defects are detected either by comparison to a database used for production of the boards or by design rule checking.

Abstract: A process for the detection of flaws in an article comprising infra-red scanning of the article as its temperatures changes and comparing the infra-red scans for regularity of cooling/heating pattern. Where the article is irregular, such as in marginal areas, thermodynamic modelling is performed to establish a hypothetic cooling/heating pattern for an unflawed article.

Abstract: A process for the detection of flaws in an article comprising infra-red scanning of the article as its temperatures changes and comparing the infra-red scans for regularity of cooling/heating pattern. Where the article is irregular, such as in marginal areas, thermodynamic modelling is performed to establish a hypothetic cooling/heating pattern for an unflawed article.

Abstract: An invisible symbol reading apparatus includes a heating unit for heating an invisible symbol formed on a sample and containing a material which emits infrared light when heated, a detecting unit for detecting infrared light emitted from the invisible symbol, and an arithmetic operation unit for binarizing a detection signal from the detecting unit. The arithmetic operation unit calculates a differential coefficient of the detection signal, that corresponds to a position on the sample. On the basis of upper and lower threshold values set for the differential coefficient, the arithmetic operation unit determines a maximum value of the differential coefficient in a region exceeding the upper threshold value and a minimum value of the differential coefficient in a region smaller than the lower threshold value. The arithmetic operation unit binarizes the detection signal by using the maximum or minimum value as a leading or trailing edge of a binary function.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided which incorporates two separate imaging devices, one near-infrared and one mid-infrared imaging device which simultaneously capture images of the passing objects. The background information is removed and images of the objects remain. A spherical optical transform and a defect preservation transform preserve any defect levels on objects and compensate for the non-lambertian gradient reflectance on spherical objects at their curvatures and dimensions. The processed images provided by the mid-infrared camera are subtracted from the images provided by the near-infrared camera to produce an image of just defects which are analyzed to produce the separation or sorting control signals based on defect rejection decisions and user parameters to signal appropriate mechanical actions (driver commands) to separate objects with defects from those that do not contain defects, or to sort or categorize objects based on the amount, type, size, or character of the defects.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for non-invasively measuring the concentration of an analyte, particularly blood analyte in blood. The method utilizes spectrographic techniques in conjunction with equilibrating the concentration of the analyte between the vascular system fluid compartment of the test area and the other tissue fluid compartment. An improved optical interface between a sensor probe and a skin surface or tissue surface of the body containing the blood to be analyzed. Multiple readings during the equilibration period are taken and utilized to show the direction and rate of charge of concentration of the analyte in the blood which is useful in optimizing therapeutic response to the collected data.

Abstract: A thermal imaging system for detecting cracks and defects in a component. An ultrasonic transducer is coupled to the specimen through a malleable coupler. Ultrasonic energy from the transducer causes the defects to heat up, which is detected by a thermal camera. The ultrasonic energy is in the form of a pulse where the frequency of the ultrasonic signal is substantially constant within the pulse. A control unit is employed to provide timing and control for the operation of the ultrasonic transducer and the camera.