US3602714A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cooling apparatus for an infra-red detector
Assignee: EMI Ltd
•
Filing: 1967-10-04
•
Granted: 1971-08-31
•
Expires: 1987-10-04
Abstract
Abstract The invention relates to infrared sensitive devices, such as infrared telescopes embodying a target, including photoelectrically sensitive material, for receiving infrared energy. The target is mounted on the outer surface of one of three spaced walls which form two cavities extending over the area of the target surface, the walls being transparent to infrared radiation so that such radiation can pass through them to the target. An inlet tube is provided having an orifice opening into an outer region of one of the cavities for emitting compressed gas into that cavity. The intermediate wall between the two cavities has a central aperture and the other cavity has an annular exhaust aperture, so that the gas emitted into the first cavity can pass through the aperture in the central area of the intermediate wall into the second cavity and disperses radially outward through the exhaust aperture, the ensuing expansion of the gas being effective to cool the target. Ducting is provided to lead the exhausted gas over the inlet tube to precool the gas before it is emitted from the orifice and also to guide the exhausted gas on to the target and the outer surface of a cavity wall to prevent misting thereof.
Inventors
- 👤 Victor Michael Farmer
- 👤 John Alfred Gurdler
- 👤 John Francis Knight
- 👤 Robert Nicholson Oswald
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 19:14
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01J; H01J29/00; H01J29/02; H01J29/10; H01J29/36; H01J29/39; H01J29/45; H01J29/458; H01J31/00; H01J31/08; H01J31/50; H04; H04N; H04N3/00; H04N3/10; H04N3/30; H01J2231/00; H01J2231/50; H01J2231/50005; H01J2231/5001; H01J2231/50015; H01J2231/50026; H01J2231/50057; H01J2231/50063
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
150 words
An infrared sensitive device embodying a target having a surface for receiving infrared energy and including photoelectrically sensitive material, and cooling means for said target, said cooling means comprising: a. three spaced walls forming two cavities which extend over the area of said target surface, b. an outer one of said walls being in conductive relationship with said surface, c. a central area of the intermediate wall being apertured to allow gas to pass from a first of said cavities to the second of said cavities, d. means for emitting compressed gas into an outer region of said first cavity, e. means for exhausting gas from angularly spaced points in the outer region of said second cavity, so that gas emitted into said first cavity passes into said second cavity in the central region thereof, and disperses radially outward to be exhausted from the outer region of said second cavity.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
150 words
An infrared sensitive device embodying a target having a surface for receiving infrared energy and including photoelectrically sensitive material, and cooling means for said target, said cooling means comprising: a. three spaced walls forming two cavities which extend over the area of said target surface, b. an outer one of said walls being in conductive relationship with said surface, c. a central area of the intermediate wall being apertured to allow gas to pass from a first of said cavities to the second of said cavities, d. means for emitting compressed gas into an outer region of said first cavity, e. means for exhausting gas from angularly spaced points in the outer region of said second cavity, so that gas emitted into said first cavity passes into said second cavity in the central region thereof, and disperses radially outward to be exhausted from the outer region of said second cavity.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A device according to claim 1 in which said walls are transparent to infrared radiation so that such radiation can pass through said walls to said surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
54 words
A device according to claim 1 in which said means for emitting compressed gas comprises an inlet tube formed with an orifice directed to emit compressed gas with a substantial tangential component into the outer region of said first cavity so that the gas gyrates to the apertured central area of said intermediate wall.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
A device according to claim 3 comprising a duct connected to said outer region of said second cavity to receive gas exhausted from said second cavity, said inlet tube being located in said duct so that exhaust gas cools said inlet tube.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A device according to claim 3, said inlet tube being formed as a helical coil surrounding said target.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device according to claim 1 comprising means for guiding gas exhausted from said second cavity to said target, to reduce frosting thereon.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
A device according to claim 1 comprising means for guiding gas exhausted from said second cavity to the outer surface of an outer one of said walls, to reduce frosting thereon.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
An infrared sensitive device embodying cooling apparatus according to claim 1 in which said target is incorporated in means for converting infrared energy into visible light energy.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
An infrared sensitive device according to claim 1 comprising means for focusing an infrared image on said target through said walls.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
An infrared sensitive device according to claim 8 comprising an electroluminescent layer for producing said visible light energy, and an eyepiece for viewing said electroluminescent layer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
An infrared sensitive device according to claim 8 in which said converting means comprises a photoconductive layer sensitive to infrared energy, an electroluminescent layer conductively coupled to said photoconductive layer, said layers being located between transparent conductive electrodes.
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) | 1974-08-30 | 1975-03-01 | 1975-08-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-30 | 1979-03-01 | 1979-08-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-30 | 1983-03-01 | 1983-08-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |