US 12,736,434 B2 · Leak-detection system and methods for leak detection

Abstract

A leak-detection system comprises networked imaging packages including an infrared camera based on microbolometer arrays, one or more filters, and a processor. The processor uses one or more novel processing methods for identifying gas leakages in a monitored facility. In some embodiments, the imaging packages are installed at various locations in the monitored facility. In some other embodiments, the leak-detection system is embodied as a mobile platform, wherein the networked imaging packages are coupled to drones that fly throughout the monitored facility to monitor for gas leakages. The flight path of the cameras may be pre-programmed and may further be alterable in real time. The novel processing technique(s) employed by the leak-detection system disclosed herein involve the use of multiple unique filters that facilitate enhancing the signal-to-noise ratio of captured images; that is, enhancing the contrast of a monitored gas against other objects. The novel processing techniques include one or more of the following: (i) two-image subtraction; (ii) time-resolved imaging; and (iii) multi-filter detection. Additionally, in some embodiments, the imaging packages include a visible (light) camera in addition to an IR camera.

Claims15

Dependent claims

A leak-detection system comprising:

a server;
and
a plurality of imaging packages, each imaging package including:
an infrared camera having a microbolometer-array;
a filter wheel, the filter wheel including a plurality of different filters, wherein:
(a) a first one of the filters is a methane filter that is selective for a first absorption peak in a range of 7.7 to 7.8 microns wavelength but not for a second absorption peak at 3.3 microns wavelength, the methane filter is therefore transmissive to infrared light at the first absorption peak, and
(b) the methane filter comprising:
a silicon substrate, a first layer consisting of germanium on the substrate, a second layer consisting of barium fluoride on the first layer, a third layer consisting of germanium on the second layer, a fourth layer consisting of barium fluoride on third layer, and a fifth layer consisting of germanium on the fourth layer;
a motor that is operatively coupled to the filter wheel;
a processor, wherein, the processor is operative:
(a) in conjunction with the motor, to move the filter wheel, thereby sequentially positioning, the methane filter and a second one of the filters of the plurality thereof in front of the infrared camera;
(b) to process the light filtered by the methane filter and the second filter;
(c) to transmit data pertaining to the processed filtered light to the server;
and
(d) receive data from the server.

12 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Leak-detection system and methods for leak detection

Life of this patent

Leak-detection system and methods for leak detection

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims15