Methods and systems for converting an image contrast evolution of an object to a temperature contrast evolution and vice versa are disclosed, including methods for assessing an emissivity of the object; calculating an afterglow heat flux evolution; calculating a measurement region of interest temperature change; calculating a reference region of interest temperature change; calculating a reflection temperature change; calculating the image contrast evolution or the temperature contrast evolution; and converting the image contrast evolution to the temperature contrast evolution or vice versa, respectively.

A method of measuring temperature of a part heated during a heating process includes applying a non-reactive coating at a first temperature; heating the part, and thereby the coating thereon, to a second temperature greater than the first temperature; and measuring a temperature distribution of the part by measuring infrared light emitted from the heated coating using a thermal imaging device calibrated to the known emissivity of the coating. The coating is at least partially opaque and having a known emissivity of infrared light and conducts thermal energy from the underlying part.

An adaptive method and system for monitoring a shipping container for an environmental anomaly uses sensor-based ID nodes within the container and a command node. Sensors on each ID node generate sensor data about an environmental condition proximate the ID node as disposed within the container. Each ID node periodically broadcasts the sensor data. The command node monitors a first group of sensor data from the ID nodes over a first time period to detect an initial environmental threshold condition related to the container, then monitors a subsequent group of sensor data over a second time period under a modified monitoring parameter to detect a secondary environmental threshold condition related to the container as the anomaly. In response to detecting the secondary condition, the command node generates an alert notification and transmits the alert notification to an external transceiver to initiate a mediation response related to the anomaly.

An inexpensive thermopile temperature detector is particularly adapted to monitoring of electrical equipment, such as a power bus bar, within an enclosed area such as a cabinet. The detector may have a plastic housing, a thermopile sensor and a plastic Fresnel lens. Each sensor also includes a calibrated element such that, but for calibration, the same sensor may be used for various applications for different target sizes and distance or, more generally, with respect to effective target percentage of field of view.

An apparatus for monitoring a switchgear includes: an input unit; a processing unit; and an output unit. The input unit provides the processing unit with a monitor infra-red image of a switchgear. The processing unit implements a machine learning classifier algorithm to analyse the monitor infra-red image and determine if there is one or more anomalous hot spots in the switchgear. The machine learning classifier algorithm has been trained based on a plurality of different training infra-red images, the plurality of training infra-red images including a plurality of synthetic infra-red images generated from a corresponding plurality of visible images. The output unit outputs information relating to the one or more anomalous hot spots.

A system for detecting and verifying an environmental anomaly within a shipping container (transported on a transit vehicle having an external transceiver) has wireless sensor-based ID nodes at different locations within the container and multiple command nodes mounted to the container. A first command node is programmatically configured to be operative to detect the sensor data broadcasted from the ID nodes; responsively identify the anomaly based upon the sensor data detected by that command node; and transmit a validation request to another command node. The other command node is configured to be operative to also detect the sensor data broadcasted from the ID nodes; receive the validation request from the first command node; verify the anomaly in response to the validation request and based upon the sensor data detected by the second command node; and broadcast a verification message based upon whether the anomaly for the shipping container is verified.

A system and method for monitoring a switchgear includes an infrared camera, a processing unit, and an output unit. The infrared camera acquires an infrared image of the switchgear, and the processing unit converts it into a binary image. Pixels in the infrared image having a temperature equal to or above a first threshold value are given the same first value. Pixels in the infrared image having a temperature below the first threshold value are given the same second value. The processing unit is configured to implement a Siamese neural network to determine if a hot spot exists in the infrared image.

A temperature distribution learning apparatus learns a temperature distribution including a temperature at at least a first point in air of a target space. The temperature distribution learning apparatus includes a learning model. The learning model learns the temperature distribution, which is an objective variable, and a thermal image, which is an explanatory variable and is related to the target space, in association with each other. The learning model learns based training data including the temperature distribution and the thermal image.

An enhanced shipping container apparatus that maintains packages is described having integrated fire suppression. The apparatus has a container base supporting the packages, multiple container walls coupled to the container base, and a container top coupled to each of the container walls. A fire suppression panel is integrated as part of one or more of the walls and top portion, and has a support sheet of fire resistant material; an interior exposed sheet of temperature sensitive material; a sealed boundary connecting the support sheet and interior exposed sheet on peripheral edges (where the sealed boundary, support sheet and interior exposed sheet define a holding cavity), and integrated fire suppression material in the holding cavity. The temperature sensitive material of the interior exposed sheet releases the integrated fire suppressant material from within the holding cavity when the temperature sensitive material of the interior exposed sheet is exposed to a threshold temperature.

A danger detector, for example a flame detector, includes an alarm housing with an alarm cover. The housing part of the alarm cover is permeable to heat radiation in the central infrared range. A non-contact, optical heat radiation sensor which is sensitive to the incoming heat radiation and optically oriented to the housing part is arranged in the alarm housing. A processing unit for further processing a sensor signal emitted by the heat radiation sensor is mounted downstream of the heat radiation sensor. The processing unit is designed to monitor the signal emitted by the sensor with respect to significant fluctuations or flicker frequencies for open flames and to determine, based on a direct component of the signal emitted by the sensor, a temperature value for the ambient temperature in the surroundings of the danger detector. The heat radiation sensor may be a thermopile or a bolometer.