US3569709A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Thermal imaging system utilizing liquid crystal material
Assignee: Optical Coating Laboratory Inc
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Filing: 1968-03-27
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Granted: 1971-03-09
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Expires: 1988-03-27
Abstract
Abstract A thermal imaging system wherein an infared transmitting lens forms an image of an object from infared rays emitted by the object and projects the image on a film of liquid crystal material having a thermally responsive color spectrum. The film of liquid crystal material is heat biased to the characteristic temperature range at which the material exhibits thermally sensitive optical scattering properties to accentuate the thermally evoked image.
Inventors
- 👤 Martin R Wank
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 08:20
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/13; G02F1/132; G02B; G02B23/00; G02B23/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
23 words
A thermal imaging system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said film of liquid crystal material is coated on a film base.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
51 words
A thermal imaging system as set forth in claim 2 wherein said film of liquid crystal material is coated on the side of the film base opposite the infrared transmitting lens means and the side of the film base facing the infrared transmitting lens means is provided with a dark coating.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
A thermal imaging system as set forth in claim 1 wherein there is provided a light transmitting imaging lens on the side of the film of liquid crystal material opposite the infrared transmitting lens and a viewing screen adapted to receive an image of said liquid crystal material formed by said light transmitting imaging lens.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
57 words
A thermal imaging system as set forth in claim 4 wherein there is also provided a beam splitter interposed in the optical path between the infrared transmitting lens means and the film of liquid crystal material and wherein there is also provided an eyepiece interposed in the optical path of the split beam from said beam splitter.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A thermal imaging system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said infrared transmitting lens means comprises a zoom lens.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
75 words
In a thermal imaging system, infrared transmitting lens means adapted to form an image of an object in a plane spaced from said lens means; a film of liquid crystal material having a thermally responsive color spectrum, said film being positioned in the image plane of said infrared transmitting lens means for producing a thermal image having a coloration dependent on the thermal characteristics of the object, said image being visible to the human eye.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
73 words
In a method of thermal imaging, the steps of thermally biasing a film of liquid crystal material having a thermally responsive color spectrum; forming an image of an object from infrared rays emitted by the object; and projecting said image on the thermally biased film of liquid crystal material to produce a thermal image having a coloration dependent upon the temperature characteristics of said object, said image being visible to the human eye.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
73 words
In a method of thermal imaging, the steps of thermally biasing a film of liquid crystal material having a thermally responsive color spectrum; forming an image of an object from infrared rays emitted by the object; and projecting said image on the thermally biased film of liquid crystal material to produce a thermal image having a coloration dependent upon the temperature characteristics of said object, said image being visible to the human eye.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
176 words
In a thermal imaging system, infrared transmitting lens means adapted to form an image of an object in a plane spaced from said lens means; a film of liquid crystal material having a thermally responsive color spectrum, said film positioned in the image plan of said infrared transmitting lens means for producing a thermal image having a coloration dependent on the thermal characteristics of the object and being visible to the human eye, said film of liquid crystal material being coated on a film base on the side of the film base opposite the infrared transmitting lens means, the siDe of the film base facing the infrared transmitting lens means being provided with a dark coating; heat bias means positioned near said film of liquid crystal material to bias said film at a predetermined temperature; a light transmitting imaging lens on the side of the film of liquid crystal material opposite the infrared transmitting lens; and a viewing screen adapted to receive an image of said liquid crystal material formed by said light transmitting imaging lens.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
57 words
A thermal imaging system as set forth in claim 10 wherein there is also provided a beam splitter interposed in the optical path between the infrared transmitting lens means and the film of liquid crystal material and wherein there is also provided an eyepiece interposed in the optical path of the split beam from said beam splitter.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-03-08 | 1974-09-07 | 1975-03-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-03-08 | 1978-09-07 | 1979-03-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-03-08 | 1982-09-07 | 1983-03-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |