A method for monitoring a surface condition of a component includes providing thermal energy to a component, determining a thermal response of the heater in response to providing the thermal energy, and determining a thermal characteristic of the component based on a reference thermal response and the thermal response. The method includes predicting the surface condition of the component based on the thermal characteristic and a predictive analytic model, where the predictive analytic model correlates the thermal characteristic of the component to an estimated surface condition of the component.

A method for monitoring a surface condition of a component includes providing thermal energy to a component, determining a thermal response of the heater in response to providing the thermal energy, and determining a thermal characteristic of the component based on a reference thermal response and the thermal response. The method includes predicting the surface condition of the component based on the thermal characteristic and a predictive analytic model, where the predictive analytic model correlates the thermal characteristic of the component to an estimated surface condition of the component.

A method of identifying a gas is provided. The method includes providing a gas sensor device comprising at least two stacked metal oxide layers, wherein a change in conductance of the gas sensor device in a presence of a gas varies with a temperature of the stacked metal oxide layers. The method includes bringing the gas into proximity with the stacked metal oxide layers. The method also includes measuring the conductance of the gas sensor device when the gas is in proximity with the stacked layers at multiple temperatures to generate a temperature-conductance profile. The method also includes identifying a gas of interest based on the temperature-conductance profile.

A flash thermography device for generating an infrared image of a turbine component located inside a turbine. The device includes a flash enclosure having an aperture. A flash source is located in the aperture wherein the flash source generates a light pulse that heats the turbine component. The device also includes an infrared sensor for detecting thermal energy radiated by the turbine component wherein the radiated thermal energy is transmitted through the aperture to the infrared sensor to enable generation of an infrared image of the turbine component.

A load change detection apparatus is provided with a base member, an elastic member, a first plate, a fixing member and heat flow sensors. The elastic member deforms according to a changed load applied to the elastic member, received by the receiving member. The first plate supports a surface of the elastic member on a side of the base member. The fixing member fixes the lower plate and the elastic member to the base member. The heat flow sensors, provided between the base member and the lower plate, output signals according to heat flowing between the lower plate and the base member. The heat flows due to heat generated or heat absorbed when the elastic member changes the elasticity shape thereof. Stress occurring when the elastic member deforms, is shut off by the first plate, thus direct transmission of the stress to the heat flow sensors is avoided.

A load change detection apparatus is provided with a base member, an elastic member, a first plate, a fixing member and heat flow sensors. The elastic member deforms according to a changed load applied to the elastic member, received by the receiving member. The first plate supports a surface of the elastic member on a side of the base member. The fixing member fixes the lower plate and the elastic member to the base member. The heat flow sensors, provided between the base member and the lower plate, output signals according to heat flowing between the lower plate and the base member. The heat flows due to heat generated or heat absorbed when the elastic member changes the elasticity shape thereof. Stress occurring when the elastic member deforms, is shut off by the first plate, thus direct transmission of the stress to the heat flow sensors is avoided.

A machine learning device includes a virtual temperature model calculating unit having an equation including a first coefficient for determining a heat generation amount and a second coefficient for determining a heat dissipation amount. The virtual temperature model calculating unit is configured to calculate virtual temperature data by estimating a temperature of a specific portion of a machine by the equation using heat generation factor data. A thermal displacement model calculating unit is configured to calculate, using the calculated virtual temperature data and actual temperature data acquired from at least one temperature sensor mounted to a portion other than the specific portion, an error between thermal displacement estimated by the equation and actually measured thermal displacement, in which the virtual temperature model calculating unit performs machine learning to search for the first coefficient and the second efficient so that the error is minimized.

A machine learning device includes a virtual temperature model calculating unit having an equation including a first coefficient for determining a heat generation amount and a second coefficient for determining a heat dissipation amount. The virtual temperature model calculating unit is configured to calculate virtual temperature data by estimating a temperature of a specific portion of a machine by the equation using heat generation factor data. A thermal displacement model calculating unit is configured to calculate, using the calculated virtual temperature data and actual temperature data acquired from at least one temperature sensor mounted to a portion other than the specific portion, an error between thermal displacement estimated by the equation and actually measured thermal displacement, in which the virtual temperature model calculating unit performs machine learning to search for the first coefficient and the second efficient so that the error is minimized.

Provided are a controller for a thermal analysis apparatus, with which thermal characteristics of a measurement target can be grasped, and a thermal analysis apparatus. A controller (51) for a thermal analysis apparatus, which is configured to measure thermal behavior accompanying a temperature change caused by one of heating and cooling of a measurement target (X, Y), is configured to: acquire an intensity of a response signal of the measurement target to an electromagnetic wave with which the measurement target is irradiated with respect to a variable of one of a time and a temperature; differentiate the intensity with respect to the variable; and output a derivative value obtained as a result of the differentiation with respect to one of the temperature and the time, or display the derivative value with respect to one of the temperature and the time on a predetermined display (53).

Provided are a controller for a thermal analysis apparatus, with which thermal characteristics of a measurement target can be grasped, and a thermal analysis apparatus. A controller (51) for a thermal analysis apparatus, which is configured to measure thermal behavior accompanying a temperature change caused by one of heating and cooling of a measurement target (X, Y), is configured to: acquire an intensity of a response signal of the measurement target to an electromagnetic wave with which the measurement target is irradiated with respect to a variable of one of a time and a temperature; differentiate the intensity with respect to the variable; and output a derivative value obtained as a result of the differentiation with respect to one of the temperature and the time, or display the derivative value with respect to one of the temperature and the time on a predetermined display (53).