A method for aligning a projected beam on a reflector in a reflective-type beam detector, the method including adjusting the projected beam so as to: project on to substantially all, if not all, of a reflective surface of the reflector; or project on to at least a portion of a reflective surface of the reflector until a constant, or within a predetermined threshold of a constant, signal is received from the reflector; and detecting one or more edges of the reflective surface of the reflector and thereby: centering the projected beam, so as to align an approximate center of the projected beam on, or within a predetermined threshold of, an approximate center of the reflective surface of the reflector; and/or determining a shape or profile of the reflector.

An infrared thermometer measures a temperature of an energy zone. The infrared thermometer comprises a beam splitter for splitting an incident light beam from an energy zone into an infrared light beam and a visible light beam; an infrared detector for detecting the infrared light beam and generating a signal indicative of a temperature of the energy zone according to the detected infrared light beam; and a sighting device having an optical module for generating a reflective reticle image and transmitting the visible light beam to generate a target image at a sight window, wherein the sighting device is configured to superimpose the reflective reticle image over the target image at the sight window to align the infrared detector with the energy zone. The infrared thermometer and an associated measurement method facilitate the alignment of the energy zone by the users, thereby improving the accuracy of the measurement.

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 thermal radiation detection device (1), said device comprising a sensor array (2) comprising a plurality of sensor elements (3) and an optical waveguide (4) having a radiation input end (5) and a radiation output end (6). The radiation input end (5) is configured to receive thermal5 radiation, and the radiation output end (6) is operatively connected to the sensor array (2). The optical waveguide (4) is configured to transmit the received thermal radiation as a plurality of simultaneous thermal radiation signals. By decoupling the sensor array from the radiation input end, the relatively large sensor array can be placed in a position optimal for electronic functionality and optimal in view of mechanical constraints, independent of the radiation input position.

We disclose a chemical sensing device for detecting a fluid. The sensing device comprises: at least one substrate region comprising at least one etched portion; a dielectric region formed on the at least one substrate region, the dielectric region comprising at least one dielectric membrane region adjacent to the at least one etched portion; an optical source for emitting an infra-red (IR) signal; an optical detector for detecting the IR signal emitted from the optical source; one or more further substrates formed on or under the dielectric region, said one or more further substrates defining an optical path for the IR signal to propagate from the optical source to the optical detector. At least one of the optical source and optical detector is formed in or on the dielectric membrane region.

An access control system includes an identification unit having an infrared (IR) transmitter that transmits IR radiation, an IR detector that receives the reflected IR radiation from one or more body parts of the user, one or more signal processing components to determine a temperature of the user based on the received reflected IR radiation, and an identification device to receive identification information of the user. The access control system also includes a processor that receives the reading of the user, instructs a door lock controller to unlock a door when the temperature is below the threshold temperature or the temperature is within the temperature range. The processor sends an alert when the temperature is above the threshold temperature or the temperature is outside the temperature range, and sends identification information of the user to one or more network devices.

An infrared imager includes a first optical component, a second optical component, and at least one thin film dielectric layer. The first optical component has multiple first parallel conductors with a first spacing pattern, aligned in a plane perpendicular to an axis. The second optical component has multiple second parallel conductors with a second spacing pattern, aligned in a plane perpendicular to the axis, angularly offset from the first direction. The thin film dielectric layer includes a refractive index change (RIC) material disposed between and in contact with the first and second parallel conductors. The first optical component, second optical component, and at least one thin film dielectric layer form an antenna array configured to detect one or more predetermined infrared wavelengths based on at least one of the first spacing pattern or the second spacing pattern or the angular offset.

Apparatuses and methods for measuring substrate temperature are provided. In one or more embodiments, an apparatus for estimating a temperature is provided and includes a plurality of electromagnetic radiation sources positioned to emit electromagnetic radiation toward a reflection plane, and a plurality of electromagnetic radiation detectors. Each electromagnetic radiation detector is positioned to sample the electromagnetic radiation emitted by a corresponding electromagnetic radiation source of the plurality of electromagnetic radiation sources. The apparatus also includes a pyrometer positioned to receive electromagnetic radiation emitted by plurality of electromagnetic radiation sources and reflected from a substrate disposed at a reflection plane and electromagnetic radiation emitted by the substrate. The apparatus includes a processor configured to estimate a temperature of the substrate based on the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the substrate. Methods of estimating temperature are also provided.

A method for contactlessly determining the temperature of a moving object having an unknown degree of emission, especially a metal wire conveyed along its longitudinal axis, is described. The object is guided through at least one radiation source emitting thermal radiation, wherein the object is mostly or completely surrounded by the at least one radiation source. With at least one radiation detector, a spatially-resolved thermal radiation measurement is performed in a region through which the object passes when it is guided through the radiation source. The temperature of the moving object is determined on the basis of the spatially-resolved thermal radiation measurement. A corresponding device is also described.

The present approach relates to the synchronization of frame acquisition by a camera with an external event or trigger despite the camera lacking external control or synchronization capabilities. For example, inexpensive and/or consumer grade camera typically lack a control interface to explicitly synchronize with an external trigger event or external device. The present approach allows synchronization of such a camera lacking external synchronization capabilities with an external event or device.