Gas detection device

Abstract

A gas detection device has at least one functional device ( 1, 13 ), which is configured to receive radiation ( 10 ) passing through a defined monitoring area ( 4 ). At least one analysis unit ( 9, 19 ) is configured to detect and analyze a change in the received radiation ( 10 ). The received radiation ( 10 ) is based on the interaction of the radiation ( 10 ) with a gas present within the monitoring area ( 4 ). At least one camera ( 8 ) has a field of view ( 11 ) that at least partially detects the monitoring area ( 4 ).

1 . A gas detection device comprising:
 at least one functional device configured to receive radiation having passed through a defined monitoring area;   at least one analysis unit configured to detect and analyze a change in the received radiation, which is based on a gas present within the monitoring area; and   at least one camera with a camera field of view that at least partially detects the monitoring area.   
     
     
         2 . A gas detection device in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising an additional functional device configured to emit the radiation, wherein the at least one functional device and the additional function device are positioned at spaced locations from one another. 
     
     
         3 . A gas detection device in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising a reflector, the functional device is additionally configured to emit the radiation, and the reflector is positioned at a spaced location from the functional device. 
     
     
         4 . A gas detection device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the camera is sensitive in a visible range of the light spectrum or in an infrared range of the light spectrum or in both a visible range of the light spectrum and in an infrared range of the light spectrum. 
     
     
         5 . A gas detection device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the camera is configured as a thermal imaging camera or further comprising a thermal imaging camera. 
     
     
         6 . A gas detection device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the camera is arranged at or in a housing of the functional device or is fastened to a platform pivotably connected to the functional device. 
     
     
         7 . A gas detection device in accordance with  claim 6 , wherein the camera is arranged within a housing of the functional device, which housing is encapsulated to be pressure-tight. 
     
     
         8 . A gas detection device in accordance with  claim 7 , wherein the housing has a passage window on a side facing the monitoring area, wherein the passage window is configured as a lens in a first area, which is provided for passage of the radiation and is configured as a plane-parallel window in a second area located in the field of view of the camera. 
     
     
         9 . A gas detection device in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising a data transmission device connecting the functional device to a reception site. 
     
     
         10 . A gas detection device in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein the analysis unit is configured such that based on an automatic analysis of a received radiation or based on an analysis of an image recorded by the camera or based on an analysis of an image recorded by the thermal imaging camera, or based on any combination of an automatic analysis of a received radiation, an analysis of an image recorded by the camera and an analysis of an image recorded by the thermal imaging camera, the analysis unit transmits data to the reception site by means of the data transmission device. 
     
     
         11 . A gas detection device in accordance with  claim 10 , wherein the data comprise image data of an image recorded by the camera or recorded by the thermal imaging camera or a fault indication or any combination of image data of an image recorded by the camera, recorded by the thermal imaging camera and a fault indication. 
     
     
         12 . A gas detection device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the analysis unit is configured to compare an image recorded by the camera with a reference image in order to determine a maladjustment of the functional device. 
     
     
         13 . A method of gas detection, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a gas detection device comprising: at least one functional device configured to receive radiation having passed through a defined monitoring area; at least one analysis unit configured to detect and analyze a change in the received radiation, which is based on a gas present within the monitoring area; and at least one camera with a camera field of view that at least partially detects the monitoring area, wherein a fault indication based on the analyzed change in the received radiation is linked with the image data of an image recorded by the camera, and wherein   a decision is made on shutting off an industrial plant;   a source of a detected gas is determined;   a decision is made on whether an interruption of the reception of the radiation is Temporary;   a potential ignition source for a gas to be detected is determined as a follow-up measure on the basis of this linking; or   any combination of a decision is made on shutting off an industrial plant; a source of a detected gas is determined; a decision is made on whether an interruption of the reception of the radiation is temporary; and a potential ignition source for a gas to be detected is determined as a follow-up measure on the basis of this linking   
     
     
         14 . A method in accordance with  claim 13 , wherein the follow-up measure or the plurality of follow-up measures is/are initiated automatically.