当前申请(专利权)人地址：
Incorporated in the United Kingdom, Wobaston Road, Fordhouses, WOLVERHAMPTON, WV10 6QJ, United Kingdom
摘要：
A method for thermographic analysis of a heat exchanger 12 comprises applying vibrations 17 to the heat exchanger 12 as a part of a vibration testing process, capturing a thermographic image 24 of at least a portion of the heat exchanger 12 whilst the heat exchanger 12 is undergoing vibrations 17, analysing the thermographic image 24 and determining a status of the heat exchanger 12 based on the analysis of the image 24. The vibration test may be a test which reproduces the effect of vibrations on the heat exchanger over its life, possibly until failure. Thermographic imaging during this testing may be used to identify and track defects enabling redesign of the heat exchanger to improve vibration resistance.
权利要求：
CLAIMS:
1. A method for thermographic analysis of a heat exchanger, the method comprising: applying vibrations to the heat exchanger as a part of a vibration testing process; capturing a thermographic image of at least a portion of the heat exchanger whilst the heat exchanger is undergoing vibrations; analysing the thermographic image; and determining a status of the heat exchanger based on the analysis of the image.
2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein one or more accelerometers are used to measure the vibrations applied to the heat exchanger and the method includes keeping a record of the measured vibrations along with the thermographic imaging data, to thereby enable the status of the heat exchanger to be linked with the vibrations that are being applied.
3. A method as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the method includes identifying potentially problematic vibrations) that should be avoided and/or identifying areas of the heat exchanger for redesign in order to reduce the risk of failure and/or to prolong the working life of the heat exchanger.
4. A method as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein determining a status of the heat exchanger includes comparing at least one feature of the captured thermographic image with a library of defects to classify the at least one feature of the thermographic image based on that comparison.
5. A method as claimed in claim 4, further comprising updating the library based on the captured thermographic image.
6. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein analysis of the thermographic image includes identification of a region of interest of the image, wherein the region of interest includes an anomalous thermal feature.
7. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein analysis of the thermographic image includes determination of at least one characteristic of at least one anomalous thermal feature of the captured thermographic image.
8. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the captured thermographic image is a first thermographic image, the method further comprising; capturing a second thermographic image of at least a portion of the heat exchanger; analysing the second thermographic image; and determining an updated status of the heat exchanger based on the analysis of the second thermographic image and the determined status of the heat exchanger based on the analysis of the first image.
9. A system for thermographic analysis of a heat exchanger, the system comprising: a source of vibrations for applying vibrations to the heat exchanger as a part of a vibration testing process; an imaging device for capturing a thermographic image of at least a portion of the heat exchanger whilst the heat exchanger is undergoing vibrations; and a data processor for analysing the thermographic image and for determining a status of the heat exchanger based on the thermographic image.
10. A system as claimed in claim 9, comprising a vibration test rig including the source of vibrations and a support for holding the heat exchanger and for applying vibrations to the heat exchanger.
11. A system as claimed in claim 9 or 10, comprising one or more accelerometer(s) for measuring the vibrations applied to the heat exchanger, wherein the data processor is arranged to receive data from the accelerometer(s) and keep a record of the vibrations along with the thermographic imaging data, to thereby enable the status of the heat exchanger to be linked with the vibrations that are being applied.
12. A system as claimed in claim 9, 10 or 11, comprising a database storing a library of defects for comparing against an anomalous thermal feature of a captured thermographic image for classification of that features.
13. A system as claimed in any of claims 9 to 12, configured to perform the method of thermographic analysis as claimed in any of claims 1 to 8.
14. A computer program product comprising instructions for execution on a system for thermographic analysis of a heat exchanger, the system comprising a source of vibrations for applying vibrations to the heat exchanger as a part of a vibration testing process; an imaging device for capturing a thermographic image of at least a portion of the heat exchanger whilst the heat exchanger is undergoing vibrations; and a data
processor; wherein when executed on the system the instructions will cause the system to: capture a thermographic image of at least a portion of the heat exchanger whilst vibrations are being applied to the heat exchanger, analyse the thermographic image, and determine a status of the heat exchanger based on the analysis of the image.
15. A computer program product as claimed in claim 13 comprising instructions that, when executed on a system for thermographic analysis of a heat exchanger causes the system to carry out a method as claimed in any of claims 1 to 8.