SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PLACING AN IMAGING TOOL IN A TEST AND MEASUREMENT TOOL

• US 20170078545A1
• Filed: 09/12/2016
• Published: 03/16/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fluke Corporation (Fortive Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Fluke Corporation (Fortive Corp.)
• Inventors: Kearsley, Duncan N., Ringsrud, Paul A., Huber, Clark N.
• Granted Patent: US 10,530,977 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 1/04 Housings; Supporting members; Arrangements of terminals
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 15/125 for digital multimeters
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 15/14 Adaptations providing voltage or current isolation, e.g. for high-voltage or high-current networks
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 15/148 involving the measuring of a magnetic field or electric field G01R15/18, G01R15/20, G01R15/24, G01R15/26 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/51 Housings
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/57 Mechanical or electrical details of cameras or camera modules specially adapted for being embedded in other devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/33 Transforming infrared radiation cameras or camera modules for generating image signals from infrared radiation H04N23/20; circuitry of SSIS for transforming infrared radiation into image signals H04N25/20

Abstract

Analysis systems can include both a test and measurement tool for generating measurement data representative of at least one parameter of a device under test and an imaging tool for generating image data representative of a target scene. An electrical isolation mechanism can electrically isolate a user operating the analysis tool from the test and measurement circuit through the imaging tool. The electrical isolation mechanism can include an insulating coating surrounding a part of the imaging tool having an opening proximate the imaging tool so that electromagnetic radiation can enter through the opening and reach the imaging tool. The opening can be sized so that a standard finger cannot penetrate the opening to within a predetermined distance of the imaging tool. Additionally or alternatively, a window positioned over the opening can prevent access to the imaging tool via the opening.

Claims

1. An analysis system comprising

a test and measurement tool comprising a test and measurement circuit configured to interface with a device under test and to generate measurement data representative of at least one parameter of the device under test;

an imaging tool attached to the test and measurement tool and configured to receive electromagnetic radiation from a target scene and to generate image data representative of the target scene;

a housing enclosing the test and measurement tool and the imaging tool, the housing comprising an aperture for permitting electromagnetic radiation to enter the housing so that the imaging tool receives the electromagnetic radiation;

a processor in communication with the test and measurement circuit of the test and measurement tool and the imaging tool and configured to receive and process measurement data and image data; and

at least one electrical isolation mechanism configured and arranged so that a user operating the analysis tool is electrically isolated from the test and measurement circuit through the imaging tool.

2. The analysis system of claim 1, wherein the at least one electrical isolation mechanism comprises an insulating coating surrounding at least a portion of the imaging tool and having an opening proximate the imaging tool such that electromagnetic radiation can enter the opening and reach the imaging tool.

3. The analysis system of claim 2, wherein the opening in the insulating coating is sized so that a standard finger cannot penetrate the opening to within a predetermined distance of the imaging tool.

4. The analysis system of claim 3, wherein the standard finger and the predetermined distance meet IEC 61010 standards.

5. The analysis system of claim 2, further comprising a window substantially covering the opening in the insulating coating proximate the imaging tool.

6. The analysis system of claim 5 wherein the window is positioned at least a first distance from the imaging tool.

7. The analysis system of claim 6, wherein the first distance is dependent on electrical characteristics of the window and a voltage rating of the test and measurement circuit.

8. The analysis system of claim 5, wherein the imaging tool comprises an infrared camera module, and wherein the window comprises an infrared-transmissive material.

9. The analysis system of claim 8, wherein the imaging tool further comprises a visible light camera module, and wherein the window is substantially transparent to visible light.

10. The analysis system of claim 5, wherein the window is in thermal communication with a thermally conductive portion of the electrically isolating material.

11. The analysis system of claim 1, wherein the imaging tool is removably attached to the test and measurement tool.

12. An analysis system comprising:

a test and measurement tool comprising a test and measurement circuit configured to interface with a device under test and to generate measurement data representative of at least one parameter of the device under test;

an imaging tool attached to the test and measurement tool and configured to receive electromagnetic radiation from a target scene via a receiving end of the imaging tool and to generate image data representative of the target scene, the imaging tool being electrically coupleable to the test and measurement circuit of the test and measurement tool;

a housing comprising an insulating material at least partially surrounding the imaging tool, the insulating material having an aperture proximate the receiving end of the imaging tool and the housing being configured to prevent a user from accessing a portion of the imaging device within the housing.

13. The analysis system of claim 12, wherein the imaging tool is fixedly attached to the test and measurement tool.

14. The analysis system of claim 12, wherein the housing comprises an opening shaped and sized to prevent a standard finger from reaching within a predetermined distance of the receiving end of the imaging tool.

15. The analysis system of claim 14, wherein the opening is frustoconical in shape.

16. The analysis system of claim 14, wherein the imaging tool comprises a wide angle lens.

17. The analysis system of claim 12, further comprising a window positioned to prevent access to the imaging tool via the opening, and wherein the housing is configured to support the window in place over the opening.

18. The analysis system of claim 17, wherein the portion of the housing supporting the window comprises an electrically insulating and thermally conductive material.

19. The analysis system of claim 17, wherein the imaging tool comprises an infrared camera module, and wherein the window is substantially transparent to infrared radiation.

20. The analysis system of claim 12, wherein the test and measurement tool comprises a digital multimeter.

21. A combination tool comprising:

a test and measurement circuit configured to interface with a device under test in order to measure at least one electrical parameter of the device under test;

an imaging tool fixedly attached to and in electrical communication with the test and measurement tool, the imaging tool being configured to generate image data representative of a target scene; and

a housing comprising an insulating material and surrounding at least a portion of the test and measurement circuit and the imaging tool, the housing having an opening proximate the imaging tool so that electromagnetic radiation from the target scene travels through the opening in the housing and is received by the imaging tool;

wherein

the housing is configured to prevent a standard sized finger from accessing the imaging tool within the housing.

22. The combination tool of claim 21, wherein the housing is configured to support a window over the opening in order to prevent the standard sized finger from accessing a position within a predetermined distance from the imaging tool via the opening, the predetermined distance depending on the electrical characteristics of the window.

23. The combination tool of claim 21, wherein the opening is frustoconical in shape and is sized so that a finger inserted into the housing cannot within a predetermined distance from the imaging tool via the opening, and wherein the predetermined distance depends on a voltage rating of the test and measurement circuit.