LEAK DETECTION

• US 20150317787A1
• Filed: 04/02/2014
• Published: 11/05/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intelliview Technologies Inc.
• Original Assignee: Intelliview Technologies Inc.
• Inventors: Badawy, Wael, Rahman, Ashiq, Rogers, Shane, Du, Shan
• Granted Patent: US 10,234,354 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/04 by detecting the presence of fluid at the leakage point
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/38 by using light G01M3/02 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/3802 Manufacture or installation of magnet assemblies; Additional hardware for transportation or installation of the magnet assembly or for providing mechanical support to components of the magnet assembly
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/3804 Additional hardware for cooling or heating of the magnet assembly, for housing a cooled or heated part of the magnet assembly or for temperature control of the magnet assembly
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/3806 Open magnet assemblies for improved access to the sample, e.g. C-type or U-type magnets
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/3808 Magnet assemblies for single-sided MR wherein the magnet assembly is located on one side of a subject only; Magnet assemblies for inside-out MR, e.g. for MR in a borehole or in a blood vessel, or magnet assemblies for fringe-field MR
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/10024 Color image
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/20104 Interactive definition of region of interest [ROI]
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/30164 Workpiece; Machine component
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/0008 checking presence/absence
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/001 using an image reference approach
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/90 Determination of colour characteristics

Abstract

Apparatus and corresponding method are invented for detecting a leak in equipment forming a target, such as a stuffing box. The apparatus includes an image analyzer configured to receive an image from camera and analyze the image to determine if a leak on the equipment is present by comparing a color channel of the image with a reference and the image analyzer having an output port for delivering a notification upon the image analyzer determining that a leak is present on the equipment.

Claims

1. A method of detecting a leak in equipment forming a target, the method comprising:

acquiring a test image of the target with a camera, in which the test image comprises pixel values that are representative of color;

sending the test image to an image analyzer;

analyzing the test image to determine if a leak is present on the equipment from the pixel values that are representative of color; and

upon determining that a leak is present, generating a notification of the presence of a leak.

2. The method of claim 1 in which analyzing the test image comprises comparing a color channel of the test image with a reference.

3. The method of claim 2 in which the reference comprises color information from a reference image of the target.

4. The method of claim 1 in which the test image represents color in a first color space and analyzing the test image comprises transforming the first color space to a second color space.

5. The method of claim 4 in which the second color space has a blue-yellow axis and a red-green axis.

6. The method of claim 1 in which analyzing the test image comprises determining a dominant color channel of the test image.

7. The method of claim 1 in which the presence of a leak is determined by the following protocol:

the target is relatively dark when dominantly red or yellow or the target is relatively bright when dominantly green or blue.

8. The method of claim 1 in which analyzing is carried out by analysis of a region of interest in the test image.

9. The method of claim 1 in which analyzing is carried out by analysis of a segmented portion of a region of interest in the test image.

10. The method of claim 8 in which the region of interest is user selected.

11. The method of claim 1 in which analyzing comprises removing pixel values representative of glare from the test image.

12. The method of claim 1 in which analyzing comprises removing pixel values representative of snow from analysis of the test image.

13. The method of claim 1 in which the equipment is a stuffing box.

16. An image analysis system comprising a camera and a server with an input port and an output port, the server being configured to carry out the method steps of claim 1.

14. Apparatus for detecting a leak in equipment forming a target, the apparatus comprising:

an image analyzer configured to receive an image from camera and analyze the image to determine if a leak on the equipment is present by comparing a color channel of the image with a reference and the image analyzer having an output port for delivering a notification upon the image analyzer determining that a leak is present on the equipment.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising a camera connected to send an image of the target to the image analyzer.