Patent attributes
An infrared detection camera for the inspection of coated substrates. A corrosion sensing instrument is handheld, portable, battery powered, compact and lightweight. The camera performs nondestructive, real time imaging of corrosion and defects beneath painted metal or plastics or composite surfaces. The device includes a user-friendly computer interface for real time imaging and image storage capability and is typically used for detecting early stage corrosion beneath painted aircraft aluminum surfaces. The handheld device has a front “open air” imaging port which is designed to be placed in soft contact against the painted surface to be inspected by the instrument. The device includes an infrared camera and infrared lighting to capture an image of the surface. The captured image is transferred to a computer and analyzed to locate imperfections below a coating on a surface.