Infrared-based vehicle component imaging and analysis
First Claim
1. A system comprising:
- a first imaging device configured to acquire infrared-based image data corresponding to only a central region of wheels of a vehicle moving through a field of view of the imaging device;
a second imaging device configured to acquire infrared-based image data corresponding to a lower outer region of the wheels of the moving vehicle, wherein the lower outer region does not overlap with the central region, wherein the infrared-based image data acquired by the first and second imaging devices is at least partially based on infrared within the mid-wavelength infrared (MWIR) radiation spectrum; and
a computer system for evaluating the wheels based on the infrared-based image data, wherein the evaluating includes, for each imaged wheel of the moving vehicle;
generating temperature distribution data for the wheel based on the infrared-based image data acquired by the first and second imaging devices; and
evaluating the wheel using the temperature distribution data.
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Abstract
An improved system for evaluating one or more components of a vehicle is provided. The system includes a set of imaging devices configured to acquire image data based on infrared emissions of at least one vehicle component of the vehicle as it moves through a field of view of at least one of the set of imaging devices. An imaging device in the set of imaging devices can include a linear array of photoconductor infrared detectors and a thermoelectric cooler for maintaining an operating temperature of the linear array of detectors at a target operating temperature. The infrared emissions can be within at least one of: the mid-wavelength infrared (MWIR) radiation spectrum or the long wavelength infrared (LWIR) radiation spectrum.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system comprising:
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a first imaging device configured to acquire infrared-based image data corresponding to only a central region of wheels of a vehicle moving through a field of view of the imaging device; a second imaging device configured to acquire infrared-based image data corresponding to a lower outer region of the wheels of the moving vehicle, wherein the lower outer region does not overlap with the central region, wherein the infrared-based image data acquired by the first and second imaging devices is at least partially based on infrared within the mid-wavelength infrared (MWIR) radiation spectrum; and a computer system for evaluating the wheels based on the infrared-based image data, wherein the evaluating includes, for each imaged wheel of the moving vehicle; generating temperature distribution data for the wheel based on the infrared-based image data acquired by the first and second imaging devices; and evaluating the wheel using the temperature distribution data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A system for evaluating a vehicle moving at any speed in a range of speeds including a maximum main line operating speed of the vehicle, the system comprising:
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a first imaging device configured to acquire infrared-based image data corresponding to a first region of the vehicle corresponding to at least one vehicle component of the vehicle moving through a field of view of the imaging device; a second imaging device configured to acquire infrared-based image data corresponding to a second region of at least one vehicle component the moving vehicle, wherein the first region does not overlap with the second region, wherein each of the first imaging device and the second imaging device includes an array of high speed lead selenide infrared detectors and a temperature element maintaining an operating temperature of the array of high speed infrared detectors at a target operating temperature between approximately −
80 degrees Celsius and approximately −
25 degrees Celsius, and wherein the infrared-based image data is at least partially based on infrared within the mid-wavelength infrared (MWIR) radiation spectrum; andmeans for evaluating the at least one vehicle component using the infrared-based image data. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A system for evaluating a vehicle moving at any speed in a range of speeds including a maximum main line operating speed of the vehicle, the system comprising:
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a plurality of imaging devices configured to acquire infrared-based image data corresponding to distinct, non-overlapping regions of wheels of the vehicle, wherein the plurality of imaging devices includes at least two imaging devices, each of the at least two imaging devices including; a high speed linear array of photoconductor infrared detectors; and a temperature element for maintaining an operating temperature of the linear array of photoconductor infrared detectors at a target operating temperature between approximately −
80 degrees Celsius and approximately −
25 degrees Celsius, and wherein the infrared-based image data is at least partially based on infrared within at least one of;
the mid-wavelength infrared (MWIR) radiation spectrum or the long wavelength infrared (LWIR) radiation spectrum; andmeans for evaluating the wheels using the infrared-based image data. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification