Machine vision for ice layer thickness measurements

Author

Hermanto, I. ; Gagnon, R.E. ; Hearn, P. ; Gagnon, R.E.

Author_Institution

Canpolar East Inc., St. John´´s, Nfld., Canada

Volume

2

fYear

1997

fDate

25-28 May 1997

Firstpage

819

Abstract

A patented technique for remotely measuring layer thickness of transparent fluids and solids on surfaces has been incorporated into Canpolar East´s Smart Camera (VE-262) and been validated for measurement of ice layer thickness. This application addresses the need for reliable detection of icing on aircraft. The thickness measurement technique is carried out by directing a laser beam at the surface with the ice layer. A pattern of illumination appears on the surface as a result of internal reflection of the laser light within the ice layer. The layer thickness is calculated by a simple formula involving the size of the image pattern and the refractive index of layer material. The system was tested using a wedge-shaped ice sample with a maximum thickness of about 10 mm. The data indicated a system measurement accuracy of ±0.1 mm

Keywords

aerospace computing; aircraft; computer vision; ice; measurement by laser beam; refractive index; thickness measurement; Canpolar East Smart Camera; aircraft; ice layer thickness measurements; illumination pattern; image pattern size; internal reflection; laser beam; machine vision; refractive index; reliable icing detection; surfaces; system measurement accuracy; transparent fluids; transparent solids; wedge-shaped ice sample; Aircraft; Ice surface; Ice thickness; Laser beams; Lighting; Machine vision; Smart cameras; Solids; Surface emitting lasers; Thickness measurement;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Electrical and Computer Engineering, 1997. Engineering Innovation: Voyage of Discovery. IEEE 1997 Canadian Conference on

Conference_Location

St. Johns, Nfld.

ISSN

0840-7789

Print_ISBN

0-7803-3716-6

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/CCECE.1997.608369

Filename

608369