Process and installation for the identification of materials
AssigneeLaser Zentrum Hannover e.V.
InventorsIngo Burmester, Kurt Engel
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Materials are exposed to laser energy, and after the material is heated, the thermal radiation of the material is measured. Following this, a material-specific evaluation takes place, based on optical and thermal material properties. At least one area on the surface of the material to be identified is subject to a short, point-shaped exposure of laser radiation. The material-specific thermal impulse response for the radiated surface area of the material is both locally and temporally measured, and evaluated as regarding the kind of material.
Claims24
A method for differentiating material comprising the steps of:
- a) providing at least one laser adapted to irradiate the material to be differentiated;
- b) emitting at least one localized, short-duration laser beam from the at least one laser;
- c) directing the emitted laser beam onto the surface area of the material to be differentiated to irradiate and cause heating sufficient to generate a material-specific thermal impulse response;
- d) recording the resultant thermal image of the heated material, the thermal image including at least one of the maximum temperature directly after exposure to the laser, the heat distribution, and the cooling rate of the material after exposure to the laser;
- e) measuring from the recorded thermal image at least one identifying property of the heated material, the property is one selected from the group including coefficient of absorption, thermal conductivity, thermal capacity and emissivity;
- and
- f) determining the identity of the heated material from the at least one measured physical property.
A system for differentiating material by heating the surface thereof, comprising:
- a) at least one means for irradiating the material to be differentiated, said irradiating means adapted to emit at least one localized, short-duration energy beam;
- b) means to direct said emitted energy beam onto the surface area of the material to be differentiated to irradiate and cause heating sufficient to generate a material-specific thermal impulse response;
- c) means for recording the resultant thermal image of the heated material, the thermal image including at least one of the maximum temperature directly after exposure to said irradiating means, the heat distribution, and the cooling rate of the material after exposure to said irradiating means;
- d) means for measuring from the recorded thermal image at least one identifying property of the heated material, the property is one selected from the group including coefficient of absorption, thermal conductivity, thermal capacity and emissivity;
- and
- e) means for determining the identity of the heated material from the at least one measured physical property.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.