Infrared temperature measurement and stabilization thereof
AssigneeCVG Management Corporation
InventorRobert A. Maston
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Infrared (IR) temperature measurement and stabilization systems, and methods related thereto are provided. The innovation actively stabilizes temperatures of objects in proximity and within the path between an infrared (IR) sensor and target object. A temperature monitor and controller are employed to regulate power to resistive temperature devices (RTDs) thereby regulating current (and power) to the RTDs. As a result, temperatures of IR visible objects can be actively stabilized for changes, for example, changes in ambient temperatures, resulting in efficient and accurate temperature readings.
Claims20
An infrared (IR) temperature monitoring system, comprising:
- a protective housing having an open end and closed end;
- an IR temperature sensor having a sensor housing which encases an IR element, wherein the protective housing encases the IR temperature sensor and the sensor housing, wherein the protective housing is a plastic cap that shields the sensor housing from one or more environmental effects;
- a metallic frame positioned upon an inner portion of the closed end of the protective housing, wherein the metallic frame encompasses a transmissive window in the closed end of the protective housing, wherein the metallic frame provides a stable temperature around the transmissive window;
- a plurality of resistive temperature detectors (RTDs) thermally bonded to the metallic frame, wherein the plurality of RTDs both detect and generate heat and actively stabilize a temperature of the transmissive window;
- and
- a control circuitry that actively stabilizes temperature of the transmissive window via temperature control of each of the plurality of RTDs to maintain a setpoint temperature via one or more of the RTDs by regulating current and power dissipation to the plurality of RTDs while measuring the temperature measurement.
A method for stabilizing temperature of an IR temperature sensing assembly, comprising:
- selecting a setpoint temperature;
- monitoring a present temperature of a plurality of RTDs in relation to the setpoint temperature;
- encasing a sensor housing of an IR sensing element with a protective housing that shields the sensor housing from one or more environmental effects;
- stabilizing a temperature of a transmissive window by applying heat on the transmissive window of the protective housing;
- and
- if the present temperature of one of the plurality of RTDs is not consistent with the setpoint,
- actively regulating power to the one of the plurality of RTDs;
- and
- adjusting the heat output of the one of the plurality of RTDs as a function of the present temperature related to the setpoint.
An infrared (IR) temperature monitoring system, comprising:
- a protective housing having an open end and closed end;
- an IR temperature sensor having a sensor housing which encases an IR temperature sensing element, wherein the protective housing encases the IR temperature sensing element and the sensor housing, wherein the protective housing is a cap that shields the sensor housing from one or more environmental effects;
- a metallic frame positioned upon an inner portion of the closed end of the protective housing, wherein the metallic frame encompasses a transmissive window in the closed end of the protective housing, wherein the metallic frame provides a stable temperature around the transmissive window;
- a plurality of resistive temperature detectors (RTDs) thermally bonded to the sensor housing, wherein the plurality of RTDs detect and generate heat, wherein the metallic frame conducts heat to passively and actively stabilize one or more components bonded thereto and a temperature of the transmissive window;
- and
- a control circuitry that actively stabilizes temperature of the transmissive window via temperature control of each of the plurality of RTDs to maintain a setpoint temperature via one or more of the RTDs by regulating current and power dissipation to the plurality of RTDs while measuring the temperature measurement.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.