Early stage fire detection using infrared technology

A thermal runaway detection and prevention system, comprising:

• an infrared sensor configured to measure one or more thermal characteristics of a monitored area;
• and
• a controller having one or more processors and a memory storing instruction that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations comprising:
• identifying one or more zones in the monitored area;
• receiving, from the infrared sensor, thermal signals relating to one or more measured thermal characteristics, wherein the one or more measured thermal characteristics relate to one or more identified zones;
• detecting, based on the thermal signals, a potential thermal runaway event;
• and
• initiating a control decision in response to detecting the potential thermal runaway event.

A method for detecting and mitigating a potential thermal runaway event, comprising:

• identifying, via a controller, one or more thermopiles in a monitored area;
• receiving, from the one or more thermopiles in the monitored area, thermal signals relating to one or more measured thermal characteristics of the monitored area;
• detecting, via the controller and based on the thermal signals, the potential thermal runaway event;
• and
• initiating, via the controller, a control decision in response to detecting the potential thermal runaway event.