Published on May 28th, 2018 | by Sunit Nandi

10 Benefits of Owning Thermal Imaging Goggles

Thermal imaging is the process of detecting the heat signature of the objects in complete darkness and generating an image based on that data. Initially, thermal imaging was used in the Korean War by the military. Later, thermal imaging has migrated gradually into all branches of science still eminently proving its utility. Although thermal imaging is used extensively in various departments, it is mostly used in gadgets like cameras, binoculars, visual screens, goggles etc. There are also night vision goggles available which are completely different from the thermal imaging goggles.

The night vision goggles capture the minimum amount of light from the object and use a photomultiplier to amplify that light thus producing an image. The thermal imaging goggles see the heat signatures from the object and produce the image. The main difference between the night vision goggle and the thermal imaging goggle is that the night vision goggle becomes useless when there in pitch darkness but, thermal imaging system works well to generate the image even in such darkness. Thermal imaging goggles are used in many departments for various purposes. Let’s have a brief study about the advantage of owning a thermal imaging goggle in this article.

1. Heat in pipes and wires

Wires and pipes used in the construction of a house are always kept concealed inside the walls of the house which you do for ornamental purpose. Even though there is no impairment when it is installed lately, there are many possibilities for the pipes and wires to get worn out based on the pH, salt content, hardness of the water in the pipes and the load, fixtures, connectors, in the wires. Improper functioning of these wires and pipes can cause intense damage to the houses, especially to those of which are made up of wood. Houses with less electrical safety are more prone to fire accidents. Thermal imaging goggles can be very useful in such situations which can be helpful to you by finding the heat signatures of the water and electricity inside the pipe and wire respectively.

2. Check the fridge, oven etc.

We know that the refrigerator works with the principle of changing temperatures and pressures. Similarly, microwaves are short waves with high heat energy used in the ovens to heat the food inside. The thermal imaging goggles can be used when there is an improper function of the fridge and the oven. When there is a defect in the working of the fridge, it means there is some abnormal change in the temperature which can be easily determined with a thermal goggle. Similarly, improper function of the oven can be easily identified by analyzing the heat inside the oven using a thermal imaging goggle.

3. Car diagnosis

Car is a mechanical piece of equipment used for transportation. As we know the engine of the car works on the four cycles which involves suction, compression, combustion, and exhaust. As a whole, the entire engine shall have an equal dispersion of the heat while functioning well. Moreover, other car accessories like brakes, radiators, lights, hydraulics also produce some heat while they function. Using the heat signatures of these parts, the exact location of the malfunction can be easily determined by using a thermal imaging goggle.

4. Roofing problems

Most of the roofing problems prevalent in various houses include ponding water, critters, leaks, moistures, debris, etc. Whatever may be the cause of the roofing problem, the result is the puncture which allows the rain, dust, sunlight to enter the house from the top which is totally undesirable. During the rainy season, we can feel rainwater dripping inside the house from the roof. But, the hole can be very small which remains hidden to our eyes. As the hole becomes very hot during the daytime, thermal imaging goggles can be used to find out the hole by recording the heat signature of the roof.

5. Surveillance

Surveillance is chiefly required in the places which are vulnerable to many criminal activities. Sagacious drug dealers have an intelligence method to tackle any unwanted surveillance over them by parking their cars in a semi-circle pattern focusing their light brightly in the opposite direction. By this technique, they can blind the focus of an optical device monitoring them. But thermal imaging goggle is an easy way to surveillance such criminals, as it uses only the heat signatures and not the visible light to track them.

6. Airplane landing

We know that the airplanes are the most sophisticated and fastest means of transport. Landing the airplanes during clear weather is not a serious issue. But, at harsh winter times, fog and mist shall cover the ground with completely hazy clouds. At this juncture, the pilot can’t see the exact runaway or he shall not be able to predict the exact location of the runway as the lights at the sides of the runway can disperse in the fog. Thermal imaging goggles can make the pilot see the exact location of the runway by seeing the heat signatures of the light along the runway thereby preventing catastrophic accidents.

7. Military applications

One of the more interesting and dangerous operations in the military expeditions include stealth operations. To perform this kind of operation night vision is very much essential which can be provided by the thermal imaging goggles. Invading the abode of the enemies is almost done at the night time for the safety of the soldiers. But how can they walk in an unfamiliar place in pitch darkness? No worries. Thermal imaging goggles can provide you a clear cut path but analyzing the heat signatures of the environment.

8. Mines and caves

Mining is the process of explore the earth to get various minerals like aluminum, copper, uranium etc. and these minerals are extensively useful to us in various ways. While mining, miners have to encounter pitch darkness most of the time. Usage of thermal imaging goggles can provide a better vision to them. At the same time, explorations done by archaeologists also have to encounter may issues collapses, bad air, traps ,water ,darkness, chemicals etc for which the thermal imaging goggles can be a single prime solution.

9. Maritime support

Thermal imaging goggles are not only useful in air and land, but also in the water. They can be used in ships as they continue their voyage even at the night time. There is a possibility for the ship to encounter, another vessel, bridges, pillars at night time. Thermal imaging goggles shall be of great help at that time in the seas. Moreover, they can also be used to rescue the fishermen who have been struggling to hold their life in the sea by severe rain and cyclones.

10. Locating evidence

Thermal imaging goggles can be used to find out the trail of the criminals who has just escaped from the scene. Using the recently fired bullet cases and the footprint of the criminal, he can be easily captured by the cop using the thermal imaging goggles. Also thermal imaging goggles can be of great help while investigating a crime scene and searching for potential evidence.

Tags: benefits, goggles, owning, thermal imaging

About the Author

Sunit Nandi I'm the leader of Techno FAQ. Also an engineering college student with immense interest in science and technology. Other interests include literature, coin collecting, gardening and photography. Always wish to live life like there's no tomorrow.