Equipment Based on NDT Technique and Used in Security and Safety Provision Systems

Transcription

1 18th World Conference on Nondestructive Testing, April 2012, Durban, South Africa Equipment Based on NDT Technique and Used in Security and Safety Provision Systems Alexey A. Kovalev 1, Alexey V. Kovalev 2, Irina Yu. Pushkina 2 1 TASC-T LLC, Bld. 29A, 3 rd Parkovaya St., Moscow, Russia; Phone / Fax: , mail@tasc-t.ru 2 Joint-Stock Company Research Institute of Introscopy of MSIA Spectrum, Bld. 1, Usacheva St. 35, Moscow , Russia; Phone / Fax: , Fax: ; niiin@spektr6.ru, pushkina@spektr-group.ru Abstract In the paper review of various types of equipment using NDT methods and designed for provision of security and safety in different areas of human activity is given. Most attention is paid to thermovision (IR) method, description of modern solutions and wide range of instruments from hand held to stationary, integrated, multifunctional systems providing solution of screening & search tasks, security tasks and other similar tasks of public safety and security is presented. Existing practical solutions of tasks facing rescue authorities and teams, transportation security services are presented. Proposed are: equipment, instruments and complexes for terrorism fighting, border control and prevention of economical violence and criminal actions. Keywords: Thermovision, IR, terrorism and criminals fighting, security and public safety 1. Introduction Flexibility and high level of informativity of the NDT techniques and diagnostics are the main factors explaining good progress in the area of the counter-terror and forensics equipment and systems development lately. Use of practically full frequency range of electromagnetic spectrum makes it possible to develop technical instruments able to see in optically opaque media and such instruments and equipment are of high quality and have multiple functional options. State of art modern components, like thermal cores, make it possible to provide law enforcement forces and rescue teams with simple and comprehensive, high quality thermal-imaging systems and instruments. Enhanced processing technologies and sensitive TV cameras give pulse to development and improving of various endoscopic systems and equipment for forensics tasks which are also an integral part of human safety provision. New approaches help to solve more difficult problems facing national societies today. 2. Equipment for thermal vision In the range of electromagnetic spectrum the most informative is infra red (IR) one where concentrated is major portion of the self-radiation from nearly all surrounding objects of natural and artificial origin. It covers wave lengths from 0.76 to 1000mcm (corresponding to frequencies from 300 to 0.3THz). This is rather wide spectrum area that conventionally can be split in five intermediate sub-ranges: near band range ( mcm), short-wave band range ( mcm), medium band range ( mcm ), long-wave band range (8 14mcm) and far band range ( mcm ). Sometimes, for convenience, two first band ranges are combined in one ( mcm). Working IR band ranges for thermal vision instruments are3-5.5 & 8-14mcm. It should be noted that range 8 14mcm is of special interest and is more informative as it fully matches the

2 most wide atmospheric transparency window and corresponds to maximal radiation ability of observable objects in temperature range from minus 50 to plus C. Thermal vision equipment possesses several advantages and unique possibilities, i.e. detection of remote heat radiating objects (or targets) independently from natural illumination level as well as from thermal or other types disturbances levels (backlight, smoke, rain, fog, snow, dust, etc.). This equipment, nevertheless, has disadvantages as well, for example, low image detailing and its specific character, strong image quality dependence from temperature contrast of searched or tested object and background. 2.1 Classification of thermal vision and combined equipment Thermal vision instruments that will be discussed further are classified as surveillance equipment of third generation and based on simultaneously watching (i.e. focal-planar) two dimensional, solid, non-cooled multi element (matrix) radiation receivers (detector). Surveillance thermal imaging systems (STIS), that sometimes called searching ones are designed to detect, recognize and visualize remote heat radiating objects (or targets) against thermal noise background can be divided in three groups depending on operating distance ramge: - Short range STIS: up to km for man and up to km for motor vehicle; - Medium range STIS: up to and 2 4km for man and vehicle correspondingly and up to 8km for aircraft; - Increased long range STIS: with parameters exceeding corresponding detection distances of various objects relevant to medium range. Other classification of STIS is made upon their characterization as: - hand-held; - mobile; - stationary; - mounted on various platforms Hand-held Thermal Imagers Hande-held Thermal Imagers of «KATRAN» (Fig. 1) & «SPRUT» (Fig. 2) are short range systems. This equipment is designed for use by law enforcement forces, state security services and similar, rescue teams of Ministry of emergency, ecologists, yachtsman, naturalists and other uses who have to perform efficient all around the clock surveillance and/or monitoring in any weather including severe conditions (presence of smoke, fog, etc.). Such thermal imagers - receivers (detectors) help to solve tasks of land and sea borders control, control over drags traffic, protection of buildings and various constructions as well as various restricted access areas. Hand-held STIS are efficient when rescue operations are conducted, evidence search performed, detection of hidden burials, night patrolling, covert surveillance and monitoring, safety provision during mass public events and environment protection, etc. The requirements that are imposed on STISs look contradictory. From one side they shall have high quality optics, good temperature and spatial resolution, provide surveillance and monitoring at distances of m. From the other side they shall have small dimensions and weight, low energy consumption providing long autonomous operation, high level of protection from moisture and dust, casing toughness and simplicity and convenience of operation. STIS of «KATRAN» & «SPRUT» series satisfy practically all above requirements.

3 KATRAN-М KATRAN-2М KATRAN-2 KATRAN-3M KATRAN-3B Figure 1. Hand-held thermal vision imagers of KATRAN series Thermal imagers of «KATRAN» series have high temperature sensitivity and spatial resolution that make it possible to detect people and technics at distance up to 1000m & 2000m correspondingly. Shock resistant plastic low weight and small dimensions casing provides high level of water and dust resistance. At the same time the thermal imagers of «SPRUT» series in fact are complex surveillance system. In addition to thermal vision channel based on modern microbolometric core (detector) it has additional channel that, in its turn, can be: 1. System of laser location designed for detection at considerable distances of long-focal-lens optics or, in another words, detection of facts of covert surveillance or targeting. In such a manner «SPRUT» system combined are two other instruments «KATRAN-3» (thermal imager) & instrument «SPIN-2» designed for detection at distances up to 1000m of optics, sights, night vision devices, photo and video cameras performing covert surveillance and photo- or video shooting. At the same time the channel of laser location can be used as highly efficient active nigh vision instrument. 2. Highly sensitive TV camera which optical specification provides obtaining of TV image of tested object; and obtained TV image can have the same scaling as thermal one. 3. Laser range finder which helps significantly improve functional options of thermal imager for solution of specific tasks.

4 SPRUT SPRUT Mobile Thermal Imaging Systems Fig.2. Hand-held thermal vision imagers of SPRUT series Mobile Thermal Imaging Systems (MTIS) provide solution of more difficult search tasks, for example, all-round surveillance due to mounting of system on tripod or pan-and-tilt module (PTM). Weight and dimensional parameters of MTIS as a rule are better due to use of more long focal lenses as well as integrated microprocessor systems for image processing and viewing ability enhancing, additional remote displays, memory blocks for images recording (from several to hundred shots), additional channels which expand functional abilities of the MTISs. In Fig. 3 presented is photo of mobile thermal imager «SKAT-2». One of the most actively developing areas of MTIS application is its use for motor vehicles driving during night and in terms of restricted visibility (clouds, fog, rain, snow storms, dust, smoke, presence of light disturbances, etc.) Stationary Thermal Imaging Systems Figure.3. Mobile thermal vision imager SKAT-2 Stationary Thermal Imaging Systems (STIS) provide solution of not only tasks relevant of surveillance, search, target following but more comprehensive of detailed analysis of thermal fields at short (several meters) distances. This systems can be equipped with additional channels: TV, distance measurement (range finders), etc. Multi-channel surveillance-monitoring system «SPEKTR» (Fig. 4) is multifunctional and has wide range of options. It can combine from two up to four channels operating in different spectral ranges in one casing mounted on PTM. Each channel has its own input window and can operate both independently and in combination with other channels. In system «SPEKTR» the following channels can be used:

5 Figure 4. Multi channel thermal vision system SPEKTR - Thermal, operating range 7.14mcm; - Laser location, operating range nm; - Near IR, operating ranges nm & nm; - TV, operating range nm split in spectral sub-ranges with band width 20 50nm selected automatically by integrated interference filters; - Measuring (laser range finder), operating wave length 1.54mcm; - Auxiliary, to install various illuminators and IR spot lights. Such combination of various informative channels in one system provides compensation of disadvantages inherent to some channels due to inherent advantages of the other ones and helps to arrange its 24 hours operation as a whole unit. Developed thermal vision systems currently are used both for solution of classical searchscreening and security task and specific ones if become a part in specialized complexes. Some images of object obtained with the help of mentioned above thermal vision hand-held systems are presented in Fig New approaches in practical use of thermal vision systems and instruments One of the recently appeared areas of thermal vision systems applications, especially when they are combined with TV channel, is protection of railway roads and adjacent infrastructure. Some modules of such system were developed and practically tested for the first time. The system as a unit is designed for: * Equipping of mobile service teams. It was required to provide equipment that can detect man at distance at least 500m, to reveal facts of railway embankment damages and traces of happened approaches to railway lines at distance at least 100m in any time of day and in severe weather conditions. * Mounting of systems directly on locomotive for on-line monitoring over the embankment surface and railroad bed at distances up to 1000m. Such equipment shall reveal facts of railway embankment damages and traces of happened approaches to railway lines, detect people and foreign objects on the way. * Stationary systems to be mounted on brackets or PTM. The main application area for such systems protection of comprehensive (vitally important) sections of railways, security of controlled areas, bridges, tunnels other track structures, energy supply sub-stations and other structures adjacent to railway lines. Operating distance for such systems shall be from 700 to 1500m and more.

6 VISIBLE IMAGERS IR IMAGERS Figure 5. TV and IR imagers of various objects under surveillance

7 In Fig. 6 presented are the real IR images of protected sections of railway line obtained with the help of newly designed equipment. Figure 6. Thermal imagers of railway line sections The range of works over development of equipment for counter-terror tasks based on thermal testing method lately is rapidly expanding. Works are conducted to develop equipment that will make it possible to recognize face based on thermal image of person as well as to evaluate psychophysical condition of this person. First received results are very promising. Experiments were conducted and developed prototype of equipment for remote detection (visualization) of explosive bombs, arms and other illegal items hidden under clothes. In Fig. 7 presented are experimental results that hold out a hope that in the nearest future development of such systems and equipment will be successfully completed.

8 Figure7. TV and thermal imagers of person with hidden explosive belt obtained with the help of prototype security system 3. Conclusions It should be underlined that in recent years development of thermal vision technics is booming and this cause appearance of practically universal diagnostic means. Due to wide functional capabilities such equipment becomes key one and has direct impact on specification parameters of newly developed instruments and devices, of special search and surveillance means required for counter terror and public safety provision.