Thermal Night Vision Cameras in Cars

Thermal night vision cameras is a technology that has been used by the military and emergency services for many years, whether it’s the police detecting criminals or firefighters seeing through blinding smoke. However, the popularity of thermal night vision cameras is continually growing, becoming more accessible and is now frequently being used for everyday activities. This includes being implemented into a number of new cars.

So how is thermal night vision cameras useful in a car? It is essentially a night vision system that displays an image of the road ahead by picking up infra-red radiation that is invisible to the human eye. The image is displayed in black and white on a screen and hot items, whether it is a living object or a car exhaust will glow white, while colder items such as the night sky will appear black.

Now you might be thinking “Why would I need a thermal night vision cameras in my car?” And perhaps it has crossed your mind that it is just another unnecessary extra cost you don’t need when choosing your next car. However, having thermal imaging in your car does have its benefits, especially in terms of safety.

Why is thermal night vision cameras important?

Did you know that, in the US 55% of all fatal accidents occur at night despite only 28% of driving being done at night? Similarly in Germany, half of fatal car accidents happen at night, although only a quarter of all driving is done at night. This means that the risk of driving at night is twice as high as during the day.

Having a thermal imaging system in a car can significantly help to increase drivers’ and passengers’ safety and decrease the number of fatal and serious accidents. The thermal night vision cameras allows drivers to detect animals or pedestrians at a range of roughly 300m, which is far greater than you can see with just the car’s headlights.

This is not only improving the safety of drivers and passengers but also any pedestrians that are walking along the road at night time. The technology also gives the driver more time to react to any sharp corners or obstacles in the road because the device clearly displays the road ahead.

This article comes from thecarexpert edit released

The Use of Thermal Imaging core to Evaluate Body Temperature

The aim of this study was to assess the temperature changes of selected body surfaces (the arm and forearm) as a response to 90-minute physical exercise as well as to analyze the impact of physiological and morphological factors on the dynamics of temperature change. Methods. A study group that consisted of 12 professional volleyball players was subjected to endurance training which lasted 90 minutes. Numerous physiological and morphological factors were measured, with mean temperatures registered from the body surface of the upper extremities before, immediately after, and ten min after physical effort by a thermal imaging core at room temperature. Results. After physical exercise, a fall in skin temperature resulting from prolonged sweating during the dynamic exercise tests was observed. The temperature changes in volleyball players, recorded in a series of tests, were found to be larger on the front surfaces of their upper extremities when compared to the rear. In addition, statistically significant positive correlation between maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) and %HRmax, calculated with the decrease in skin temperatures, was found. Conclusions. The strong and statistically significant influence of maximum oxygen uptake on the drop in surface temperature of the upper extremities (arm and forearm) immediately after the exercise indicates that thermography can be used as an additional, non-invasive method that provides information on a player’s fitness level in comparison to other athletes.

This article comes from degruyter edit released

Thermal imaging cameras help diagnose health issues in small animals

In the equestrian sports thermal imaging cameras are often used to determine and locate injuries in performance horses, but a study at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the University of Helsinki shows that thermal imaging cameras are a good tool to find health issues in small animals as well. “The research is not yet complete, but my initial findings are very positive”, explains veterinarian and researcher Mari Vainionpää.

“Unlike humans animals cannot tell the doctor what they are feeling. This can make it very challenging for veterinarians to find clinical problems in animals.” In thermal imaging Vainionpää has found an exciting solution. “Thermal imaging cameras really are a great tool to find out whether an animal is in pain, for instance.”

But thermal cameras can do much more. “All organic activity generates heat”, continues Vainionpää. “If there are changes in the organic activity there are also changes in the amounts of heat that are emitted. These deviations in the heat pattern can be detected with a thermal imaging camera. In my experience a thermal imaging cameras can be used to reveal inflammations, bruises, tendon or muscle related injuries, superficial tumors, nerve damage, blood circulation issues.”

Introduction to Infrared lenses

Infrared lenses radiation is characterized by wavelengths ranging from 0.750 -1000μm (750 – 1000000nm). Due to limitations on detector range, Infrared lenses radiation is often divided into three smaller regions: 0.750 – 3μm, 3 – 30μm, and 30 – 1000μm – defined as near-infrared (NIR), mid-wave infrared (MWIR), and far-infrared (FIR).

Infrared lenses products are used extensively in a variety of applications ranging from the detection of IR signals in thermal imaging to element identification in IR spectroscopy. As the need for IR applications grows and technology advances, manufacturers have begun to utilize IR materials in the design of plano-optics (i.e. windows, mirrors, polarizers, beamsplitters, prisms), spherical lenses (i.e. plano-concave/convex, double-concave/convex, meniscus), aspheric lenses (parabolic, hyperbolic, hybrid), achromatic lenses, and assemblies (i.e. imaging lenses, beam expanders, eyepieces, objectives).

These Infrared lenses materials, or substrates, vary in their physical characteristics. As a result, knowing the benefits of each allows one to select the correct material for any Infrared lenses application.

This article comes from edmundoptics edit released

Thermal imaging system for drones

Basic parameters

UAV thermal imaging system is high-end and unique wireless thermal imaging solution with two cameras and storage for unmanned aerial vehicles, quadrocopters or drones. This lightweight system offers a maximum resolution of 640 x 512 pixels and a temperature sensitivity of 0.05 °C which ranks to the best on the market. You can record continuous video, take images and save data to storage for later analysis.

Some advantages of UAV thermal imaging system

  • see in a day or night, even in complete darkness
  • radimetrics data recording
  • see through the fog, thick smoke and partly through the vegetation
  • all the data are sent wirelessly to the operator’s controller
  • one touch UAV thermal imaging system for saving all images at the same time

The aim of the whole UAV thermal imaging system is the simple transfer, storage and processing of radiometric (temperature) data directly from a UAV (drone) and displaying the data on the screen of the remote control in real time. The UAV thermal imaging system offers three picture modes that can be set by the operator using the keyboard prior to take off. During the flight, the operator can switch between the modes using the UAV remote control.

This article comes from diydrones edit released

Gas Leak Detection

Many industries involve the usage or disposal of gases as part of their daily operations. Gas leaks from process and transport systems are a common problem that cause health, safety, and environmental issues, as such they are under the continuous enforcement of government regulators. Finding and repairing leaks quickly and effectively can provide major economic value by allowing you to avoid regulatory fines and reduce product loss.

Optical gas imaging (OGI), is an innovative thermal imaging technology that is now recognized by regulators as the best system for emissions reduction. Gas leaks camera, our line of innovative OGI cameras, was specifically designed for detecting gas leaks in the harsh conditions of the oil & gas industry. It is also the only gas leaks camera that is certified for ATEX zone 2 and UL class I Div II, hazardous environments.

This article comes from opgal edit released

Infrared Gas Camera

Infrared Gas Camera is the only Infrared Camera specially designed for the Petrochemical, Gas & Oil market requirements for gas detection and Smart LDAR compliance. Simplifying and broadening opportunities for use inside the facility limits without the need of a hot work permit allowing video and audio recording while maintaining intrinsic safety.

The Infrared Gas Camera allows the inspection of vast areas in a plant with an automated and simple user interface, visualizing the infrared image on a large color LCD. Build-In DVR (Digital Video Recording) allows video and audio recording for up to 6 continuous hours.

Gas leak detection equipment is vital to keeping your employees, environment and product safe. Infrared Gas Camera saves time in the search for fugitive gas leaks and provides confidence that equipment is free from leaks of methane and volatile organic compounds (VOC) and other gases…

  • Industry Specific Design – EyeCGas was designed specifically for the harsh environments of the Oil and Gas industry; the camera is extremely rugged, robust, and is sealed for severe outdoor industrial conditions. EyeCGas was certified to meet IEC standards for temperature, humidity, vibration, and dust and water intrusion.
  • The Infrared Gas Camera is the only camera certified for use in Class I Div 2 hazardous environments.
  • Enhanced image processing algorithms to enable the detection and localization of the smallest gas leaks.
  • Real time video recording with audio narration for improved debriefing and off line analysis.
  • Safety – Detect safety risks by providing a clear visual of methane and other volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions.
  • Environment – Quickly and clearly detect invisible fugitive gas emissions that are harmful to the environment.
  • Operational Efficiency – Scanning for multiple elements simultaneously reduces the cost for leak detection and minimizes product loss for improved ROI.
  • Glare Shield – For use in bright light conditions and allowing both eyes observation with a magnification of almost X3, to find more efficiently the leaks.

This article comes from comm-co edit released

UV Camera Targets Corona Detection in Electrical Transmission & Distribution

20171025

New Model UV camera detects partial discharge conditions and offers longer battery life with a larger display.

We have introduced a UV camera designed to facilitate the detection of ultraviolet (UV) radiation emitted from dielectric breakdown in electrical distribution wiring, transformers, and switchgear. The Ultraviolet Corona Camera features:

  • The ability to “see” power being delivered over transmission or distribution lines — it takes video that detects and records potentially harmful coronas.
  • High sensitivity to UV radiation over a spectral range of 240 to 280 nm.
  • A built-in GPS to accurately locate and record corona-emitting sources.
  • The ability to operate in full sunlight without degradation.
  • A 5.7” color, LCD touchscreen with 26X optical and 12X digital zoom with dual image technology that can display both visible and UV images simultaneously. Audio input and the ability to upload recorded information via an SD card or video cable directly to a PC.
  • PC software provided to facilitate creation of reports.
  • A rugged carrying case.

This article comes from ien edit released

Infrared Core Solutions for Unmanned Systems

We are the world leader in the design and manufacture of infrared core solutions for small unmanned systems. We supply more thermal imagers for unmanned platforms than any other company in the world.

Uncooled Camera

Our Uncooled Camera is the smallest and lightest fully-integrated uncooled 20171023camera in existence. It’s designed for infrared core applications that require minimum volume and weight, it is rated for extreme shock and operating temperature environments.

Our several lens options are available. Key features include 17-micron VOx FPA pixels for superior image detail, 640 x 512 or 336 x 256 resolution options, ultra-small volume and mass, and an industry-leading shock rating.

This article comes from UST edit released

Infrared Cameras for Agriculture & Farming

The debate over the use of UAV/UAS drones in America has been a hot topic for some time now with folks being concerned about privacy issues. (The Federal Aviation Administration has banned all commercial use of UAV drones, but now there is a directive in place to have a plan to legalize commercial drone use by 2015). Now, it seems as though more practical uses for drones may be taking them off the “no fly” list. The FAA recently relaxed it’s ban over unmanned aerial vehicles for agricultural use in New York, granting an exemption and allowing crop researchers to begin using infrared cameras for agriculture mounted on drones to begin monitoring the farmland remotely.

Bill Verbeten and Mike Stanyard, both crop specialists at CCE (Cornell Cooperative Extension), have recently been approved as the fifth test group by the FAA to start using a UAV drones equipped with with infrared cameras for agriculture to remotely monitor crops in Genesee County, New York. Verbeten, who is with Niagara County CCE and is part of the Northwest New York Dairy, Livestock & Field Crops Team said in an interview with Finger Lakes Times, “At the end of the day, we hope to learn if we can replace some of our tasks that take a lot of time on the ground. Counting the corn population would be an example. That’s something that takes a consultant a month to learn in the field.”

Both Verbeten and Stanyard had to take a series of written tests and physical examinations in order to qualify for the exemption to start using the drones with infrared cameras for agriculture, and Verbeten will be the one at the helm flying the drone that will primarily be used to monitor corn, alfalfa and soybean fields. “Even though it’s an unmanned craft, we had to have physicals just like a private pilot would,” Verbeten said. “We also need to know rules of the air through the FAA. Basically, these things fly themselves … but you need to know if there is a hazard to deal with, and you need to know something about flying and aviation.”

According to Verbeten, there is already a number of farmers who volunteered their land for the drone fly-overs. However, when they do plan to do their test surveys there are protocols that first need to be followed. For one, they have to contact the farmer. Secondly, they must contact air traffic control in the area. “We can’t just show up and start flying. There’s a lot of stuff ahead of time that needs to be done. If a farmer may be spraying his field or running a tractor, we can’t be there flying.”

The drones will be surveying for a number of issues, including seeing if plants are green enough, if they are unhealthy/damaged, where they need fertilizer or water, or if there are any harmful insects infesting them. Some folks are even in the mindset that using drones to monitor crops will even lead to decreasing the amount of chemicals sprayed on crops because of the overall bigger picture drones with infrared cameras for agriculture can provide, which will be better for all of us. Verbeten and Stanyard hope that by conducting this study it will help farmers to save thousands in costs, including man hours. “We’ve been working with satellite imagery since the 1990s, but this will give us a much better look,” he said. “There are a lot of people really excited about this. Sometimes, New York state has a reputation for being behind the curve in agriculture, so this can give New York farmers a sense of pride.”

This article comes from spi edit released