Commercial/Industrial Systems For Power Line Inspection, Environmental Protection

FLIR Systems, Inc. recently announced the introduction of a new line of commercial/industrial airborne inspection systems: the Kelvin 275, Corona 350, and Ultra 8000e (shown below).

The Kelvin 275 is a stabilized multi-sensor airborne system used to detect and measure hot spots in power transmission lines from the air. It features FLIR’s best-in-class 640x480 longwave thermographic camera, which delivers the exceptional sensitivity, resolution, and image quality needed for airborne predictive maintenance inspection applications.

The Corona 350 combines an ultraviolet camera, a color video camera, and a 320x240 longwave thermographic camera, creating a comprehensive utility imaging system that lets operators detect coronas, find and measure hot spots, and document easement encroachment, all with one system.

According to FLIR, what makes the Corona 350 unique is its ability to overlay its ultraviolet and color TV video signals to create an image that allows operators to detect coronal discharges -- areas of ionized air -- that can damage insulators and other electrical components. The early detection of coronas by aerial inspection is a fast and efficient method of reducing maintenance costs.

The Ultra 8000e is a stabilized thermal imaging system designed for environmental protection, improved pipeline and processing plant safety, and economic loss prevention. The 8000e combines powerful continuous-zoom optics with FLIR’s GasFindIR technology to allow operators to detect fugitive Alkane and Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) gases from the air.

Many industrial gases and volatile organic compounds are invisible to the naked eye, but with its specialized sensor, the 8000e displays many of these fugitive gases as black fumes. Because of its visible detection capability, the 8000e is not prone to false positives commonly experienced with "sniffer" detection systems.

"FLIR is the world’s leading supplier of airborne thermal imaging systems and thermographic predictive maintenance cameras," said Earl Lewis, CEO of FLIR Systems. "Combining the two in this new commercial/industrial line is a perfect fit."

FMI: www.flir.com/cvs/aviation/