An acoustic camera is an imaging device to locate and characterise sound sources. It will give you a detailed visual representation of sound fields and help you pinpoint the origin of sound. Unlike traditional sound level metres, which only measure the loudness of sound, these acoustic cameras help you identify and locate sources accurately.
How Does an Acoustic Camera Work?
An acoustic camera employs an array of microphones that detect the sound of air escaping from a leak. Later, the sound will be processed and converted into a visual image, showing the leak’s location and size. The technology used in acoustic cameras is efficient enough to identify leaks more quickly and accurately, even in noisy environments and difficult-to-reach areas.
The images from the acoustic cameras can be easily analysed, and immediate actions can be taken as per the requirements. These cameras are used to detect leaks in various types of equipment, like valves, pipes and pneumatic tools.
Components of an Acoustic Camera System
An acoustic camera system has certain components that make them most efficient for their work and these are the key components that you can find in acoustic cameras:
- Microphone Array: The most significant part of acoustic cameras is their microphones. Sonotec acoustic cameras’ crucial component is their 72 digital MEMS microphones, offering a 2 kHz – 100 kHz frequency range, up to 150m detection range, and digital microphone type.
- Data Acquisition Hardware: This component of acoustic cameras digitises the analogue signals from the microphones and transfers the data to the processing unit. Sonotec data acquisition hardware includes a relative environment humidity of 10% to 95% non-condensing, environment temperature of 20 °C to 50 °C (-4 °F to 122 °F), a charging temperature of 0 °C to 45 °C (32 °F to 113 °F) and a storage temperature of -30°C to 60°C (-22°F to 140°F).
- Processing Unit: The processing unit is responsible for running the beamforming algorithms and generating the visual output. The operating system of Sonotec Linux for ARM, processors is an ARM A53 4×1.2 GHz with 1 GB of RAM and a 10-finger capacitive touch.
- Software and User Interface: Specialised software is used to control the system, process the data and provide a user-friendly interface for visualising and analysing the sound field. The size of Sonotec is 7 inches / 15.5 x 8.6 cm with a resolution of 800 x 480 px.
- Camera: Most acoustic camera systems integrate a high-resolution camera to provide a visual reference for the sound field overlay. The Sonotec camera includes lighting of 4 LEDs, an aperture angle of 70° (FoV horizontal), and battery of Li-ion rechargeable battery (48 Wh).
When Do You Need an Acoustic Camera to Work?
Acoustic disturbances and other noises are audible to your ears, but locating them is quite challenging. Locating the sound with bare ears will not give you the result every time and is rarely successful. There comes the need for acoustic cameras, which visually identify the sound sources, accelerating root cause analysis. This innovative technology provides users ample time and data-driven insights, enabling them to effectively develop precise, targeted solutions addressing the pinpointed sound origins.
Sonotec’s Sonascreen Acoustic Camera for Preventive Maintenance
The Sonscreen acoustic cameras employ beamforming to detect the sources of sounds and visualise complex acoustic information in colour, either as acoustic photos or acoustic video. The acoustic camera’s easy management and present setup allow even untrained users to handle it easily.
Features of Sonascreen Acoustic Cameras
- Incorporates integrated software solutions for data capture and in-depth analysis.
- 72 sealed spiral arrays of sealed microphones engineered for industrial environments.
- Delivering acoustic imaging in real-time at a rate of 100 frames per second.
- Detecting both audible and ultrasonic frequencies within the range of 2 kHz to 100 kHz.
- Equipped with industrial-grade headphones for auditory monitoring of acoustic signals.
- Designed as a handheld unit with IP54-rated splash resistance.
- Lightweight, compact form factor for portability
Applications of Acoustic Cameras
The acoustic cameras are equipped with various applications and here are the two main applications of Sonoscreen acoustic cameras:
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Ultrasound Leak Detection
Acoustic cameras have assisted significantly in detecting leaks in various industries, including oil and gas, chemical processing and utilities. By visualising the sound patterns, these devices can accurately show the exact location of leaks in pipelines, valves or compressed air systems. It can also be used for preventive maintenance, allowing operators to identify and address potential leak risks before they move into larger issues. Here are some of the Sonoscreen features that highlight its ultrasound leak detection application:
- Broadband Ultrasound
This feature of Sonoscreen captures a wide range of frequencies and detects a variety of leaks across different materials and environments.
- Spectrogram Display
The leaks are represented in a spectrogram view, which offers a detailed analysis of the sound patterns associated with different leaks, making it easier to identify the source.
- Adjustable Bandpass Filter and Dynamic Range
The adjustable bandpass filter of the Sonoscreen isolates the leak sound from other background noises. This feature is essential in noisy industrial settings where identifying the noises can be difficult.
- Interference Filtration
This technology filters out unnecessary noise or ultrasound, which assists you in detecting leaks without deviating from the ambient noise present in your surroundings.
- Simultaneous Multiple Leak Detection
The Sonoscreen acoustic cameras can display several leaks in a single image simplifying the process of detecting and locating problems within complex systems.
- Enhanced Reporting Capabilities
The accompanying software is very user-friendly, can easily detect gross losses due to leaks and can generate a report for further analysis. This software is free and supports both PDF and EXCEL file formats.
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Partial Discharge Detection
Partial discharge occurs in high-voltage electrical systems, such as transformers, switchgear and power cables. By capturing and visualising the acoustic signatures associated with partial discharge these devices enable proactive maintenance and repair, preventing costly downtime and ensuring the reliable operation of critical electrical infrastructure. The following are a few Sonoscreen features that demonstrate how useful it is for partial discharge detection:
- Early Detection in the Ultrasonication Range
These devices can identify the partial discharges at their inception before they evolve into significant issues. While operating within these ultrasonic frequency ranges, they have the potential to pick up high-quality sounds generated by these discharges that are inaudible to the human ear.
- Equipment Reliability and Safety
By detecting the early signs, this Sonoscreen directly contributes to the overall safety and reliability of high voltage systems, safeguarding against the risks of electrical fires and all types of equipment damage.
- Spectrogram Analysis for Discharge Characteristics
The sophisticated spectrogram of Sonoscreen is employed to illustrate the sound patterns which are produced by partial discharges. This allows you to identify the type of discharge and assist in finding the exact location and nature of the issue.
- Display Multiple Partial Discharges in One Image
This enables the visualisation of several partial discharges in a single image which enhances the overall diagnostic processes. This feature is more beneficial for areas with more complex electrical systems.
Advantages of Acoustic Cameras
Acoustic cameras are equipped with advantages that make them an inevitable instrument in various industries. Here are some of the key advantages of acoustic cameras:
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Fast Sound Detection
The Sonoscreen acoustic cameras are equipped with fast detection of the sources of the sounds in the audible and ultrasonic range which is from 20 kHz to 100 kHz and in some circumstances even longer distances.
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Easy Detection of Fast-Moving Sources
Sonoscreen’s technology is efficient enough to identify even fast-moving sound sources, such as leakages at robots, due to the camera’s high resolution of 100 fps and global shutter.
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Easy Handling
These acoustic cameras are easy to handle, less time-consuming and require no training.
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Wide Frequency Range
Sonoscreen’s wide frequency range of 2 kHz – 100 kHz allows it to identify ultrasonic sources of above-average industrial noise, which is typically between 50 and 60 kHz.
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Suitable for Industrial Purposes
The encapsulated microphones of Sonoscreen provide IP 54 water and dust resistance, rendering them appropriate for industrial applications.
Being the leading engineering company in Oman, OceanMe assists you in identifying the exact location of the Ultrasound source, even in a noisy environment through various condition monitoring services like vibration analysis, infrared thermography testing, ultrasound analysis etc.
This advanced technology assists significantly in predictive maintenance. These cameras are designed to detect even small leaks from various types of equipment, including valves, pipes and pneumatic tools. Contact us to learn more about acoustic cameras and their possibilities.