System and method for infrared reflection avoidance

• US 10,228,321 B1
• Filed: 11/21/2017
• Issued: 03/12/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Government of Saudi Arabia)
• Original Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Government of Saudi Arabia)
• Inventors: Parrott, Brian
• Primary Examiner(s): Green, Yara B
• Application Number:
  US15/820,068
• Time in Patent Office: 476 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/0112 Apparatus in one mechanical, optical or electronic block
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/01 Arrangements or apparatus for facilitating the optical investigation
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/952 Inspecting the exterior surface of cylindrical bodies or wires G01N21/956 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/0642 Light traps; baffles
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 25/72 Investigating presence of flaws

Abstract

A method for protecting an inspected structure from external infrared emissions comprises shielding the inspected structure using a protective sheet so as to block infrared emissions from an external infrared radiation source from reaching the inspected structure, positioning the at least one protective sheet using at least one support so as to block a maximal amount of radiation from the external radiation source, and capturing infrared radiation from the inspected structure using an infrared camera.

Claims

1. A method for protecting an inspected structure from external infrared emissions comprising:

shielding the inspected structure using a protective sheet so as to block infrared emissions from an external infrared radiation source from reaching the inspected structure;

positioning the protective sheet using at least one support to block an amount of radiation from the external radiation source; and

capturing infrared radiation from the inspected structure using an infrared camera;

monitoring the amount of infrared radiation from the external radiation source using the captured image using the camera; and

repeating the positioning step until a minimal amount of infrared radiation is received from the external radiation source.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the external radiation source is the ground below the inspected structure, and the protective sheet is positioned over the ground and underneath the inspected structure.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising disposing a plurality of protective sheets to protect the structure from ground emissions and protective sheet to protect the structure from emissions from another heated item in the vicinity of the structure.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising disposing a plurality of protective sheets to fully enclose the inspected structure with the exception of a small opening for an aperture of the infrared camera.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the protective sheet includes an infrared reflective layer positioned to face the infrared radiation source, a diffuse fabric layer positioned to face the inspected structure, and an insulating layer positioned between the infrared reflective layer and the diffuse fabric layer.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the infrared reflective layer is made from mylar.

7. A system for protecting an inspected structure from external infrared emissions comprising:

an infrared camera positioned to capture infrared radiation from the inspected structure;

a protective sheet positioned to block infrared emissions from an external infrared radiation source from reaching the inspected structure; and

at least one support coupled to the protective sheet, wherein the support holds and orients the protective sheet in the position so as to block a maximal amount of radiation from the external radiation source.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the external radiation source is the ground below the inspected structure, and the protective sheet is positioned over the ground and underneath the inspected structure.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the protective sheet is suspended over the ground using at least one spacer.

10. The system of claim 7, wherein the protective sheet comprises a protective sheet layers disposed to protect the structure from ground emissions and a protective sheet disposed to protect the structure from emissions from another heated item in the vicinity of the structure, wherein at least one sheet layer is comprised of a material that differs from another sheet layer.

11. The system of claim 10, further comprising an additional protective sheet for protecting the infrared from sunlight.

12. The system of claim 7, wherein the protective sheet includes an infrared reflective layer positioned to face the infrared radiation source, a diffuse fabric layer positioned to face the inspected structure, and an insulating layer positioned between the infrared reflective layer and the diffuse fabric layer.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the infrared reflective layer is made from mylar.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the layers of the protective sheet are attached to one another at one or more locations, and wherein the protective sheet further comprises grommets which extend through and attach the layers.

15. The system of claim 7 further comprising a plurality of protective sheets that fully enclose the inspected structure, the protective sheets having an opening for an aperture of the infrared camera.

16. The system of claim 7, further comprising a grip configured to engage the protective sheet and the support at the same time, wherein the grip maintains the protective sheet in the orientation and the position.