US3596097A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Infrared detection and imaging apparatus employing quenchable luminescent phosphors
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1969-03-21
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Granted: 1971-07-27
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Expires: 1989-03-21
Abstract
Abstract Infrared detection and imaging apparatus are disclosed based on the change in the dielectric constant of an infrared quenchable luminescent phosphor (and thus the capacity of a capacitive element) when exposed to infrared radiation. A mosaic of capacitive elements located in an image plane is scanned by an electron beam to produce an electrical signal representing an infrared radiation distribution pattern. This change in dielectric constant occurs at significantly lower energy levels than the actual visible quenching level of the phosphor. Local infrared detectors as well as infrared image detection apparatus may be constructed based on changes in capacitance when such phosphor is used as the dielectric material.
Inventors
- 👤 Jean J Robillard
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 00:25
CPC Classifications
C; C09; C09K; C09K11/00; C09K11/08; C09K11/58; C09K11/582; C09K11/584; H; H01; H01J; H01J29/00; H01J29/02; H01J29/10; H01J29/36; H01J29/39; H01J29/45; H01J29/458; H01J31/00; H01J31/08; H01J31/49
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
36 words
Apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein said screen and said scanninG means are elements of a sealed tube having a window transparent to ultraviolet and infrared energy facing the continuous conductive layer of said screen.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus as described in claim 2, wherein said means for imaging infrared radiation at an image plane includes a curved mirror, having an aperture, for directing said infrared radiation to said screen and wherein said ultraviolet radiation is supplied to said screen through said aperture.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
Apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein said mosaic is transparent and said screen and scanning means are elements of a sealed tube having two windows positioned in opposition, one transparent to ultraviolet and the other transparent to infrared energy and wherein said screen is positioned between said two windows.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein said infrared quenchable luminescent phosphor layer includes predetermined quantities of zinc sulfide, cadmium sulfide and silver nitrate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
105 words
An infrared detector for sensing local infrared energy comprising: an infrared-sensitive capacitor, having an infrared quenchable luminescent phosphor as a dielectric and having at least one plate transparent to infrared and at least one plate transparent to ultraviolet energy; means for directing infrared energy to be detected to said phosphor; means for supplying ultraviolet energy to said phosphor; and means for developing an electrical signal proportional to the instantaneous capacitance of said capacitor whereby the dielectric constant of said dielectric and therefore the capacitance of said capacitor is changed in accordance with local infrared energy and said signal is representative of the local infrared energy.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
118 words
Infrared image detection apparatus comprising: a multiplicity of infrared-sensitive capacitive elements located at an image plane, each having an infrared quenchable luminescent phosphor as a dielectric and each having at least one plate transparent to infrared and at least one plate transparent to ultraviolet energy; means for directing an infrared image to said image plane; means for supplying ultraviolet energy to said image plane; and means for scanning said capacitive elements to develop an electrical signal representative of the instantaneous value of each element, whereby the dielectric constant and therefore the capacitance of each capacitive element is representative of the local infrared energy of said infrared image and said output signal is representative of the given infrared image.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as described in claim 7, which additionally includes means for converting said output signal to synchronously display a visual simulation of said infrared image.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
116 words
Infrared image detection apparatus comprising: a multiplicity of infrared-sensitive capacitive elements located at an image plane, each having an infrared quenchable luminescent phosphor as a dielectric and each having at least one plate transparent to infrared and at least one plate transparent to ultraviolet energy; means for directing an infrared image to said image plane; means for supplying ultraviolet energy to said image plane; and means for developing a set of electrical signals representative of the instantaneous value of each element whereby the dielectric constant and therefore the capacitance of each capacitive element is representative of the local infrared energy of said infrared image and said set of signals is representative of the given infrared image.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as described in claim 9, which additionally includes means for converting said set of electrical signals to display a visual simulation of said infrared image.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-07-26 | 1975-01-25 | 1975-07-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-07-26 | 1979-01-25 | 1979-07-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-07-26 | 1983-01-25 | 1983-07-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |