ITC InfraMation - = April 2004

If you can't see the graphic version = of this=20 message please change your profile to receive text messages at=20 {{user("unsubaddr")}}
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April=20 2004

Volume 5, Issue=20 4

In This=20 Issue:=20

Welcome

IR in the News

New=20 Message Board Feature - Image Uploading

ITC Message Board Posts

Cold Potato - Hot Potato?

New IR Camera from FLIR Systems

Brainteaser of the Month

Last Month's Brainteaser

Past Issues

Upcoming Classes

About the ITC

Hurry, Call for Papers closes=20 soon

Hi there=20 {{user("firstname")}},

Welcome to our=20 special April edition newsletter.

We have added=20 image=20 upload capability to our message boards so you = can=20 display your thermograms and photos with your posts. And check out = a=20 selection of the latest posts; you might = find some=20 information that will directly help you.

We have two=20 features this month, an interesting investigation into the effects = of=20 using foil to bake your potatoes, and an announcement = of a new=20 IR=20 camera from FLIR Systems.

Can=20 you identify the object in our latest Brainteaser? Check it out = and let me=20 know what you think at Brainteaser of the Month. As with all images in = this=20 newsletter, click each image to see a larger = version.

If you want to=20 save this newsletter for viewing off line in your computer, just = go to the=20 web page using your browser and select = File....Save=20 As or save this email = page as html in=20 your email software.

Enjoy this=20 special issue,

Gary=20 Orlove,
Editor and = Publisher

IR in the=20 News [top]

Spotted owl hatches = two=20 more
Bend=20 Bulletin, OR - Mar 27, 2004
... = Nork=20 capitalized on the excitement of the birth of last year's owls = to secure=20 a grant to buy an infrared camera and a $1,000 = supply of=20 dead mice to document ...
NASA Space Shuttle = Processing=20 Status
Space=20 Ref - Mar 26, 2004
... Once the = panels are=20 removed, they undergo thermography and other = non-destructive=20 evaluation techniques to verify they have no internal = flaws.
Sleep labs help knock = the lights out=20 of apnea
Fremont=20 Tribune, NE - Mar 26, 2004
...=20 cardiopulmonary services at FAMC. "We watch (the patient) live = with an=20 infrared camera to see if the patient stops = breathing.".=20 Jane Brown, a ...
Another way to detect=20 cancer
Oakland=20 Tribune, CA - Mar 26, 2004
... = The=20 Woodside Thermal Imaging Center in Redwood City = helped=20 with the diagnosis for Cook, a natural healer who specializes in = teaching Reiki, which is similar to ...
Singapore wages high-tech war against=20 rats
Borneo=20 Bulletin, Brunei Darussalam - Mar 25,=20 2004
SINGAPORE (AP) - Armed with = thermal-imaging=20 devices, closed-circuit television cameras and ultraviolet urine = detectors, Singapore authorities are preparing for = ...=20
Awoken spirits in = their=20 sights
Shepparton=20 News, Australia - Mar 22, = 2004
... Mr=20 Done and Mr Oataway set up thermal imaging = equipment,=20 video and sound recorders, and electromagnetic field detectors = to try to=20 determine whether Ms De Boer ...
France in Space = #259
Space = Ref - Mar 19,=20 2004
... It provides the payload and the launch as = well. One=20 of the 3 instruments within the payload is a 3-channel = thermal=20 imager developed by CNES. ...
Sounding out danger in = aircraft
E4engineering.com, UK - Mar 18,=20 2004
... each other, generating heat. This heat can = then be=20 detected using a thermal imaging camera. = Conventional=20 tests involve disassembly ...
Icy 'planetoid' is = found orbiting=20 beyond Pluto
Arizona=20 Daily Star, AZ - Mar 16, = 2004
... in=20 visible light can have a hard time doing, said Stansberry, a = member of a=20 UA team led by researcher George Rieke that built an = infrared=20 camera on Spitzer. ...
Augmented Reality=20 Explained
3dgraphics.about.com, United=20 States - Mar 15, 2004
... By using an = infrared camera and an image processing hardware, = the=20 system can successfully identify user's fingertips quickly even = in a=20 complicated background. ...=20

Message Board Feature - Image = Uploading=20 [top]

We = have added=20 image uploading capability to our message boards and your posts. = So now it=20 is easier than ever to ask a question and show others your problem = or=20 solution.

We = are looking=20 forward to seeing all your images and hope you find this addition = to the=20 message boards very useful. Click here for more=20 details.

ITC=20 Message Board Posts [top]

Here is a selection = of recent new=20 threads by IR Community members. Feel free to click the links, see = how=20 people have responded, and post your own response if you = like.

Insurance for chiropractic or other = Medical=20 applications? Needs a=20 response
My chiropractor has expressed an interest = in=20 learning more about thermal imaging, and I can see where with a = little=20 more training this could easily become a lucrative field to take = my=20 business into.

It seems=20 that insurance companies that cover chiropractic treatment have = no=20 problem with X-rays and other diagnostic procedures, but they're = not on=20 board yet with thermal imaging. Does anybody have any = information about=20 this? Are there companies that do cover it, and if so, what are = their=20 criteria? What kinds of certification might be required to = perform such=20 analysis and who provides it? Has anybody done freelance work = for=20 chiropractors or other well-body type practitioners = (acupuncture,=20 massage, etc.) on an informal basis?
Thermography on Plastic molding=20 Machine
There are several mold = plastic=20 Factories around the place where I live.. some surveys are just = for the=20 electrical and distribution systems. Where I can read more about = infrared and plastic molding?
What is best emissivity to use for = electrical bus=20 inspection?
My company is renting = an IR=20 camera for a month and I have been asked to do several = electrical bus=20 inspections. I used an emissivity of 1.0 and then 0.67 for = oxidized=20 copper. But in some places the copper is still shiny. I saw that = this=20 emissivity may be as low as 0.07. This will make a big = difference in my=20 readings. If I am only concerned about good connected on the = busses,=20 could someone tell me what they usually use for emissivity for = these=20 inspections?
IR from a Helicopter
I=20 have been asked to do IR scans on distribution lines in remote = areas=20 from a helicopter. Does anyone have any experience or = suggestions on=20 doing this. The helicopter has requirements that it can only get = so=20 close to the lines, so the prop wash on the target should not be = a=20 problem. I also have a seven degree lens so I should be inside = my spot=20 size ratio. My concern is with the prop wash between me and my=20 target-Any suggestions?
Grocery Store =
Can=20 someone offer advice regarding grocery store refrigeration = equipment. I=20 have been asked to shoot a local grocery store and don=92t know = what to=20 look for or what might be out of the ordinary when looking at=20 refrigerant compressors and their associated plumbing. Are there = other=20 components, other than electrical panels, that I need to look = for?=20
Contract / legal = language=20
My new IR consulting business is rapidly ramping up, with = several of=20 the largest target clients in my area contacting me and = soliciting=20 proposals well ahead of the timetable I had planned for. I am = working=20 with an attorney to prepare contract language before I take on = my first=20 major facility, but was wondering if anybody can point me to a = source of=20 boilerplate language relevant to our field. My hope is to not = only keep=20 legal expenses down but to make sure I'm hitting all the bases, = since=20 obviously my attorney is not a thermographer. Anything at all = would be=20 very helpful, but I'm most interested in material specifically=20 addressing power generation, utilities, and the timber and = paper/pulp=20 industries.
Thermography and Natural = Gas=20
Some gas natural piping runs over the city in underground = routes.=20 Generally the main pipes at my city are 4" diameter and are 3 = feet into=20 ground, above the piping area is the asphalt due the most pipes = runs=20 under pavement roads. if there are a leak, this gas should cold = the=20 leaking area?.. If this is true, then I should I need to inspect = at end=20 of day when the asphalt was heavy sun loaded?
Severity Criteria
I am=20 trying to establish a severity criteria for our IR program. I am = hoping=20 that someone can point me to some literature on the subject. Is = the same=20 criteria applicable to high voltage as it is to "low" voltage = (up to=20 480V).

And of course=20 if YOU have a question or want to start a discussion on a = topic, we=20 would love to hear from you. Just post a new thread on a mes= sage=20 board.

Cold Potato, Hot=20 Potato? [top]

by Mark Droke =
System=20 Engineer
Tennessee Valley Authority
Transmission Support=20 Department

Webster's defines "hot potato" as "a controversial = question or=20 issue that involves unpleasant or dangerous consequences for = anyone=20 dealing with it." This article explores this topic quite = literally. -=20 Editor

During the heat=20 transfer session of my Level II training at the ITC, I questioned = why we=20 wrap our potatoes in foil to cook them. Seemingly it would = reflect=20 any radiated heat. Since an oven cooks food by convection = and=20 radiation, I wanted to determine what the difference (if any) that = baking=20 a potato without foil would make.

Preparation

Two very similar potatoes were placed in the refrigerator = (to=20 obtain a greater delta T) for 24 hours. An ordinary house = oven was=20 preheated to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. One potato was tightly = wrapped=20 in foil and the other with no foil. Both Potatoes were = placed in the=20 center of the rack, no cookware or cookie sheet was used. = The=20 potatoes were cooked for 20 minutes, then quickly removed, cut in = half,=20 and IR images were made with the Inframetrics PM 390 Shortwave = (cooled)=20 ThermaCAM. The emissivity of the potato was calculated and = found to=20 be 0.95. However, the potato emissivity is not important in = this=20 experiment. Mainly the difference in temperature is=20 observed.

Results

The potato that was not wrapped in foil, cooked much=20 faster.

Theory

Heat is transferred in three ways: Conduction, = Convection,=20 and Radiation.

Conduction - Is the transfer of = energy from=20 higher energy particles to lower energy particles by intimate = contact in a=20 substance.

Convection - Heat transfer by = the movement=20 of a fluid or gas

Radiation - Heat transfer by=20 electromagnetic radiation

In this experiment there was very little heat transfer = due to=20 conduction. Upon first placing the potato onto the rack, = some of the=20 heat from the metal rack was conducted to the potato. = However, this=20 contribution is negligible.

Most of the time when cooking in an oven, the heat is = transferred=20 to the food by convection from the hot air and radiation from the=20 walls. Many times you are cooking in cookware or on a cookie = sheet=20 and this reduces the amount of direct radiant heat that gets to = the=20 food.

Radiant heat comes partly from the walls of the oven and = whenever=20 either of the oven elements came on, the radiant heat that went to = the=20 potatoes increased by huge amounts. The foil that was wrapped = around the=20 one potato reflected the radiant heat away from the potato. = As shown=20 in figure 1 (click the image for a larger version), the two potato = halves=20 on the left that were without foil and were heated with convection = and radiant heat, heated faster than the two on the right = that were=20 wrapped in foil and reflected radiant heat. Figure 2 shows a = visual=20 image of the potatoes.

Figure=20 = 1 = &= nbsp; =20 Figure 2

Conclusion

I have been cooking my potatoes wrong for years! = From a heat=20 transfer perspective, It would be better to cook your potatoes = without=20 foil. Then after taking them out of the oven, wrap them = loosely in=20 foil to keep them warm.

Mark receives an InfraMation Executive Attach=E9 Case for = his=20 newsletter = contribution.

FLIR Systems introduces new IR = camera [top]

Coming on the heels = of the famous=20 Pocket Fisherman that has thrilled generations, FLIR Systems has=20 introduced a breakthrough product even more impressive!

The FLIR ThermaFISH combines an infrared camera and = telescopic=20 fishing rod to give you everything you need to perform IR surveys = and=20 catch a few fish during your breaks from thermal = scanning.

Fishing is a great summer time activity but the fuss of = taking a=20 rod and tackle box out to the lake can leave you wanting to stay = on dry=20 land. With its compact design, the ThermaFISH fits easily in to a = glove=20 compartment and clips on to the belt so you can keep your hands=20 free.

The=20 mini tackle box in the handle eliminates the need for larger, more = cumbersome tackle boxes. Carry all your fishing needs in one = compact=20 package! The perfect gift for the aspiring or veteran fishing=20 enthusiast!

Features such as Automatic Anti-Reverse prevents the = handle from=20 turning backwards. The ThermaFISH is the first fishing system to = feature a=20 dual use fishing line and fiber optic link so you can view the = fish you=20 have hooked on the integral LCD = display. =20

And as a special bonus, you will receive our serrated = Filet knife,=20 flexible and perfect for the fish you catch. The ever-sharp = serrated blade=20 allows you to fillet your fish before you get home.

An=20 angler's dream: the new ThermaCAM from FLIR Systems allows you to = fish=20 wherever you go. It's the best gift you can give to any kid or=20 adult!

Your ThermaFISH Features:

=95 Convenient, Compact Design features 5 piece = telescoping=20 fishing rod

=95 Fits Into Your Glove Compartment .

=95 Attaches to Your Belt.

=95 Automatic Anti-Reverse prevents the handle from = turning=20 backwards.

=95 Mini Tackle Box - Contained in the handle are: = hook, line,=20 sinker, and
bobber.

=95 Finds thermal problems fast with accurate = temperature=20 measurement

=95 Download and document your IR = findings

=95 Flexible JPEG image storage with post = processing

=95 View sensitive thermal images at standard TV=20 rates

=95 Interchangeable optics

=95 30 day money back guarantee

You would expect to pay $30,000 for a fine system like = this. Well=20 at FLIR Systems you know you aren=92t going to pay $30,000, and = not 29,000,=20 not $28,000, not even $25,000. All you are going to pay for this=20 outstanding product are three easy payments of just $7,500. =

Try the ThermaFISH for a 30 day risk free trial. If you = aren=92t=20 convinced that it is the most useful combination thermal camera = and=20 fishing kit on the market, we don't want you to keep it. Just send = it back=20 and we will gladly refund your money. But please keep the filet = knife as=20 our gift to = you.

Brainteaser of the Month =20 [top]

Here is this month's = brainteaser.=20 First reader to email me with the correct explanation or = identification of=20 the object in the thermogram receives a gift from ITC. Please put=20 "Brainteaser" as the subject of the = message.

Click=20 here to email your guess

Do you have an interesting image that you think would = stump other=20 thermographers? If so please email=20 me your image (preferably in native .img, .jpg, .tif, .tgw, or = .tmw=20 format) with an accompanying visible photo and explanation. If = your image=20 is used, you receive a gift as=20 well.

Last Month's = Brainteaser=20 [top]

Who invited these iguanas to lunch? I don't know, but I = think one of=20 our instructors had something to do with it.

Anyway our winner for last month's = thermal image=20 is Wayne Depew from Xerox Corporation. Wayne receives = a special low emissivity = traveling=20 coffee mug. You know your reptilians=20 Wayne!

Past Issues =20 [top]

Click the links = below to view=20 past issues of this newsletter:

All past issues from February 2000 through March=20 2003

March = 2004

February=20 2004

January=20 2004

December=20 2003

November=20 2003

October=20 2003

September=20 2003

August=20 2003

July=20 2003

June=20 2003

May=20 2003

April=20 2003

Upcoming Classes =20 [top]

Click the links = below to see our=20 latest course calendars (in local language).

Americas - Level I

Americas - Level II

Americas - Level III

Americas - E Series

Americas - Building Science

Americas - Electrical

Americas - Roof

Americas - R&D

Eurasia

Deutschland

France

Italia

United = Kingdom

About=20 the Infrared Training Center =20 [top]

The Infrared Training Center offers training and = certification in=20 all aspects of infrared thermography use. Our world-class training = facilities are located near Boston, Massachusetts, USA and = Stockholm,=20 Sweden and have the world's most extensive hands on laboratories = for=20 infrared applications. Please join us in exploring the fascinating = world=20 of the infrared!

Your comments and suggestions about this newsletter are = welcomed=20 and encouraged. If you have an interesting application or case = study to=20 share, we encourage you to submit it for publication. Published = articles earn credit towards = recertification.

Please e-mail Gary = Orlove or=20 send regular mail to the Americas office.

Visit our website:

ITC Americas, BOSTON

16 Esquire Road
N. Billerica, MA 01862, = USA

Tel: +1-978-901-8405
Toll free:=20 = +1-866-TRAINIR
&= nbsp; =20 (866-872-4647)
Fax: +1.978.901-8832
E-mail: mailto:info_us@infraredtraining.com

ITC Eurasia, SWEDEN

Rinkebyv=E4gen 19
SE-182 11 Danderyd, = Sweden

Tel: +46 (0) 8 753 25 00
Fax: +46 (0) 8 753 26 = 01
E-mail:=20 mailto:itc@flir.se

THIS DOCUMENT IS FOR INFORMATIONAL = PURPOSES ONLY.=20 INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THIS DOCUMENT IS PROVIDED 'AS IS' WITHOUT = WARRANTY=20 OF ANY KIND. The user assumes the entire risk as to the accuracy = and the=20 use of this document. The Infrared Training Center newsletter may = be=20 copied and distributed subject to the following conditions: 1. All = text=20 and images must be copied without modification and all pages must = be=20 included; 2. All copies must contain the Infrared Training Center=20 copyright notice and any other notices provided therein;
3. = This=20 document may not be distributed for profit

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