US4954708A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Low distortion focal plane platform
Assignee: Raytheon Co
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Filing: 1989-08-23
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Granted: 1990-09-04
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Expires: 2009-08-23
Abstract
Abstract An infrared detector assembly (12) of the type used in munitions and night vision systems having an improved focal plane platform (10). The focal plane platform (10) includes an end-cap (32) made from tungsten. Adhesively bonded to end-cap (32) is a ceramic mounting board (34). Ceramic mounting board (34) further comprises gold trace pattern (50) for conducting electrical signals generated by hybrid detector (26) to external control electronics. The improved focal plane platform (10) provides a relatively distortion free, thermally stable mounting platform upon which detector (26) is secured. Premature thermal fatigue failure of the hybrid detector is thereby inhibited.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald E. Salzer
- 👤 Nevil Q. Maassen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 16:00
CPC Classifications
F; F25; F25D; F25D19/00; F25D19/006; G; G01; G01J; G01J5/00; G01J5/02; G01J5/06; G01J5/061
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
75 words
A detector assembly comprising: a dewar housing providing an evacuated cavity; a focal plane platform within said evacuated cavity, said focal plane platform having a tungsten end-cap and a ceramic mounting board; a detector mounted on said ceramic mounting board; means for cooling said focal plane platform and said detector; and whereby said focal plane platform inhibits thermal distortion during cooling of said detector while providing thermal conductivity between said cooling means and said detector.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
75 words
A detector assembly comprising: a dewar housing providing an evacuated cavity; a focal plane platform within said evacuated cavity, said focal plane platform having a tungsten end-cap and a ceramic mounting board; a detector mounted on said ceramic mounting board; means for cooling said focal plane platform and said detector; and whereby said focal plane platform inhibits thermal distortion during cooling of said detector while providing thermal conductivity between said cooling means and said detector.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A detector assembly according to claim 1 wherein said ceramic mounting board has a substantially planar upper surface, said upper surface providing a low distortion focal plane on which said detector is mounted.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
A detector assembly according to claim 2 wherein said ceramic mounting board is fabricated from alumina.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A detector assembly according to claim 3 wherein said alumina comprises at least about 97% of said ceramic board.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
A detector assembly according to claim 1 wherein said tungsten end-cap is fabricated from pure tungsten.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
A detector assembly according to claim 1 wherein said ceramic mounting board is adhesively bonded to said tungsten end-cap with an epoxy adhesive material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
A detector assembly according to claim 1 wherein said detector comprises an infrared photodetector array electrically interconnected to an integrated circuit readout board, said integrated circuit readout board generating an electrical output in response to said array.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
A detector assembly according to claim 7 wherein said integrated circuit readout board of said detector is adhesively bonded to said ceramic mounting board with a silicone, room temperature, vulcanizing adhesive having a relatively low glass transition temperature for minimizing thermal stress.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
A detector assembly according to claim 8 wherein said ceramic mounting board, further comprises conducting means for electrically conducting said electrical output from said integrated circuit readout board to an outer peripheral area of said mounting board.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
A detector assembly according to claim 9 wherein said conducting means comprises a plurality of electrically conductive gold traces deposited on said upper surface of said ceramic mounting board.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
125 words
A low distortion coldfinger assembly for use in an electromagnetic detector assembly of the type having an evacuated dewar for cooling a hybrid detector positioned therein, comprising: a titanium coldfinger tube, said tube having a cold end; a focal plane platform comprising means for supporting said detector within said evacuated dewar, said focal plane platform including a tungsten end-cap having a first surface defining a planar surface and a second surface configured to enclose said titanium coldfinger tube at said cold end, and a ceramic mounting board having a first surface comprising a means for mounting whereon said hybrid detector and a second surface secured to said first surface of said tungsten end-cap; and a bond hermetically bonding said tungsten end-cap to said coldfinger tube.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
125 words
A low distortion coldfinger assembly for use in an electromagnetic detector assembly of the type having an evacuated dewar for cooling a hybrid detector positioned therein, comprising: a titanium coldfinger tube, said tube having a cold end; a focal plane platform comprising means for supporting said detector within said evacuated dewar, said focal plane platform including a tungsten end-cap having a first surface defining a planar surface and a second surface configured to enclose said titanium coldfinger tube at said cold end, and a ceramic mounting board having a first surface comprising a means for mounting whereon said hybrid detector and a second surface secured to said first surface of said tungsten end-cap; and a bond hermetically bonding said tungsten end-cap to said coldfinger tube.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
A low distortion coldfinger assembly according to claim 11 wherein said ceramic mounting board is at least about 97% alumina, said alumina mounting board providing a low distortion focal plane upon which said detector is mounted.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
A low distortion coldfinger assembly according to claim 12 wherein said tungsten end-cap is made of commercially pure tungsten.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
A low distortion coldfinger assembly according to claim 13 wherein said tungsten end-cap and said alumina mounting board are adhesively bonded, said adhesive bond is an epoxy.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
62 words
A low distortion focal plane platform for supporting a detector within an evacuated cavity of a detector assembly, comprising: a tungsten end-cap defining a planar upper surface; and a ceramic mounting board secured to said upper surface of said tungsten end-cap, a surface of said ceramic mounting board opposite said tungsten end-cap comprising means for supporting said detector within said evacuated cavity.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
62 words
A low distortion focal plane platform for supporting a detector within an evacuated cavity of a detector assembly, comprising: a tungsten end-cap defining a planar upper surface; and a ceramic mounting board secured to said upper surface of said tungsten end-cap, a surface of said ceramic mounting board opposite said tungsten end-cap comprising means for supporting said detector within said evacuated cavity.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
A low distortion focal plane according to claim 15 wherein said alumina mounting board is at least about 97% alumina.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
A low distortion focal plane according to claim 15 wherein said end-cap is made from substantially pure tungsten.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
A low distortion focal plane according to claim 15 wherein said ceramic mounting board is adhesively bonded to said tungsten end-cap.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
77 words
A method of making a low distortion focal plane platform for supporting an electromagnetic detector within an evacuated dewar of an electromagnetic detector assembly, said method comprising the steps of: providing an end-cap made of tungsten; providing a planar ceramic mounting board; adhesively bonding said tungsten end-cap to said ceramic mounting board; and whereby said tungsten end-cap provides resistance to thermal distortion and increased thermal conductivity, and said ceramic mounting board provides supplemental resistance to thermal distortion.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
77 words
A method of making a low distortion focal plane platform for supporting an electromagnetic detector within an evacuated dewar of an electromagnetic detector assembly, said method comprising the steps of: providing an end-cap made of tungsten; providing a planar ceramic mounting board; adhesively bonding said tungsten end-cap to said ceramic mounting board; and whereby said tungsten end-cap provides resistance to thermal distortion and increased thermal conductivity, and said ceramic mounting board provides supplemental resistance to thermal distortion.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 19 wherein said step of adhesively bonding further comprises providing a layer of epoxy adhesive.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4190106A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-09-03 | 1994-03-05 | 1994-09-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-09-03 | 1998-03-05 | 1998-09-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-09-03 | 2002-03-05 | 2002-09-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |