| HOW IT WORKS / SCANNING |
The heart of the VideoTherm is the "hard" pyroelectric vidicon tube. This tube "sees" heat and presents a visual image of the scene being scanned, based on the thermal patterns of the objects. The VideoTherm tube is sensitive to that part of the infrared spectrum, known as the 8 to 14 micron range, where targets at around earth temperature radiate most of their thermal energy. Effectively, this is a temperature range from -30 degrees Celsius to +1100 degrees Celsius (-20 degrees F to +2000 degrees F). The battery belt, in a fully charged condition, provides enough power for approximately eight hours of continuous scanning, and the video tape recorder battery supplies 90 minutes of power when fully charged. The VideoTherm is easy to use. After the operator connects the camera to the power source, he simply points the camera at the object and views the thermal image in the electronic viewfinder/monitor. The VideoTherm controls are very simple and basic: brightness and contrast on the camera, and focus and aperture/iris on the lens. |
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DOCUMENTATION |
| Because of its video interface capabilities, the VideoTherm is revolutionizing the method of documenting infrared surveys for analysis and future reference. The operator simply connects the camera to a lightweight portable video tape recorder, goes into the field or plant (wherever the survey is to be performed), and performs the survey. Then when the operator sees a thermal problem, he merely depresses the trigger on the camera handle, and video records any or all of the survey desired. And that’s all there is to it! You no longer have to carry a tripod and camera around to get documentation. With the VideoTherm system the operator can also record voice descriptions of the survey on the same video tape by utilizing a microphone connected to the camera. In this way, comprehensive documentation is obtained without carrying a notebook, or relying totally upon the operator’s memory. Before leaving the survey site, the operator can review the videotape by playing it back through the viewfinder/monitor, to assure that they have an adequate videotape of the problem for later analysis. |
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| REVIEW / ANALYSIS |
| Upon returning to a convenient location (office or conference room) the operator can play the videotape back through the video tape recorder on any standard television set or video monitor. All necessary engineering or maintenance personnel can then be brought together to review the videotape, and view the survey just as the operator recorded it. Priorities for correcting the problems surveyed can then be established, and a permanent record is retained on videotape. The videotape survey can also be used after repairs have been made, to ensure that the repairs were made correctly. "Hard copy" photographs, if desired, can then be obtained by simply photographing the selected image off of the television or video monitor with any conventional or instant camera. |