Back to results
US 2026/0133122 A1Published application
Inverse Backscatter Absorption Gas Imaging
AssigneeWisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
InventorsScott Sanders, Matthias Beuting
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Imaging of hydrogen and other dry gases with low light absorption is provided by an inverse backscatter gas absorption technique targeting absorption of surrounding water vapor to delineate a gas plume. Background distance characterization and modeling allow accurate quantification of leakage rate. A drone system provides for broad area leak surveys, leak characterization, and gas confirmation.
Claims18
A method of imaging comprising:
- (a) illuminating a gas volume with light providing a narrowband wavelength between 0.93 and 4.4 μm in a range including a measurable absorption feature present in ambient air;
- (b) monitoring backscattered light to collect an absorption image of a plume of gas having an absorption less than that of the absorption feature delineated by a surrounding gas with the absorption feature;
- and
- (c) displaying image information from the absorption image.
1 more element
A backscatter imaging apparatus comprising:
- (a) a light source having a narrowband wavelength within a range of 0.93 and 4.4 μm including a measurable absorption feature present in ambient air and adapted to be directed toward a gas field;
- (b) a light sensor position to monitor backscattered light to collect an absorption image of a plume of gas delineated by surrounding gas having a greater concentration of the absorption feature;
- and
- (c) a display outputting information from the absorption image.
1 more element
A drone system comprising:
- a flying platform adapted for remote control;
- a Raman spectrometer supported by the flying platform;
- a hollow core optical fiber at least one meter in length and having an upper end communicating with the Raman spectrometer and a lower end providing a mirror for receiving light through the hollow core optical fiber from the Raman spectrometer and reflecting received light back to the Raman spectrometer through the hollow core fiber;
- and
- an air compressor circulating air through the hollow core fiber.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.