US 12,379,210 B2
High-sensitivity gas-mapping 3D imager and method of operation
Aaron Kreitinger, Bozeman, MT (US); and Michael James Thorpe, Bozeman, MT (US)
Assigned to Bridger Photonics, Inc., Bozeman, MT (US)
Filed by Bridger Photonics, Inc., Bozeman, MT (US)
Filed on Apr. 11, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/298,898.
Application 15/936,247 is a division of application No. 15/285,550, filed on Oct. 5, 2016, granted, now 9,970,756, issued on May 15, 2018.
Application 18/298,898 is a continuation of application No. 17/399,106, filed on Aug. 11, 2021, granted, now 11,656,075.
Application 17/399,106 is a continuation of application No. 16/424,327, filed on May 28, 2019, granted, now 11,105,621, issued on Aug. 31, 2021.
Application 16/424,327 is a continuation of application No. 15/936,247, filed on Mar. 26, 2018, granted, now 10,337,859, issued on Jul. 2, 2019.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/237,992, filed on Oct. 6, 2015.
Prior Publication US 2023/0243648 A1, Aug. 3, 2023
Int. Cl. G01N 21/39 (2006.01); G01B 21/20 (2006.01); G01C 15/00 (2006.01); G01M 3/28 (2006.01); G01M 3/38 (2006.01); G01N 21/17 (2006.01); G01N 21/53 (2006.01); G01P 5/00 (2006.01); G06V 20/64 (2022.01)
CPC G01B 21/20 (2013.01) [G01C 15/00 (2013.01); G01M 3/28 (2013.01); G01M 3/38 (2013.01); G01N 21/39 (2013.01); G01N 21/53 (2013.01); G01P 5/00 (2013.01); G06V 20/64 (2022.01); G01N 2021/1793 (2013.01); G01N 2021/1795 (2013.01)] 24 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system comprising:
a sensor mounting platform;
a sensor mounted on the sensor mounting platform at an elevation above a target surface, the sensor comprising:
a transmitter configured to direct at least one beam towards the target surface;
a range-finding sensor configured to measure a distance along the at least one beam;
a gas concentration sensor configured to measure a gas concentration along the at least one beam; and
a beam scanner configured to scan the at least one beam to a plurality of locations on the target surface; and
a processor configured to generate 3D topographic point cloud data of the target surface based on the measured distance and the scanning, and to generate a gas concentration image based on the measured concentration and the scanning, wherein the processor is further configured to register the gas concentration image to the 3D topographic point cloud data to generate spatially registered gas concentration measurements.