Patent US4982093A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4982093A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Thermal imaging device
Assignee: EMI Group Electronics Ltd
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Filing: 1990-01-11
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Granted: 1991-01-01
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Expires: 2010-01-11
Abstract
Abstract A thermal imaging device comprises a layer 11 of pyroelectric material, an array of interconnected electrodes 13, and an array of discrete electrodes 15 supported from a substrate 27 by pillars 23 of thermally insulating material. Heaters 17 and associated control electrodes 19 are also provided to reduce the temperature difference between the discrete electrodes 15 and the pillars 23 and substrate 27. Control circuits 25 are provided to control energisation of the heaters 17. In a preferred embodiment the heaters may be provided on the substrate 27 for heating the discrete electrodes 13, the control current to the heaters providing an indication of the temperature of the source of radiation.
Inventors
- 👤 Roger Voles
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 23:51
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01J; G01J5/00; G01J5/10; G01J5/34; H; H10; H10N; H10N15/00; H10N15/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
84 words
A thermal imaging device comprising a layer of pyroelectric material; an array of interconnected electrodes carried on one major surface of the layer; an array of discrete electrodes carried on the other major surface of the layer so as to define with the interconnected electrodes an array of pyroelectric detector elements; and a supporting structure for the detector elements, wherein the discrete electrodes are provided with respective heater means for reducing temperature difference between discrete electrodes and at least part of the supporting structure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
84 words
A thermal imaging device comprising a layer of pyroelectric material; an array of interconnected electrodes carried on one major surface of the layer; an array of discrete electrodes carried on the other major surface of the layer so as to define with the interconnected electrodes an array of pyroelectric detector elements; and a supporting structure for the detector elements, wherein the discrete electrodes are provided with respective heater means for reducing temperature difference between discrete electrodes and at least part of the supporting structure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein the heater means are arranged on the other major surface between the supporting structure and the layer of pyroelectric material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device according to claim 2 comprising feedback electrodes carried on the other major surface of the layer of pyroelectric material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device according to claim 2 wherein the supporting structure comprises support pillars of a thermally insulating material for supporting respective detector elements.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein the supporting structure comprises a substrate layer and the heater means are arranged on a major surface of the substrate layer facing the other major surface of the layer of pyroelectric material for heating respective discrete electrodes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device according to claim 5 comprising feedback electrodes carried on the other major surface of the layer of pyroelectric material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device according to claim 1 comprising feedback electrodes carried on the other major surface of the layer of pyroelectric material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
A device according to claim 7 wherein the heater means are arranged on the other major surface of the layer of pyroelectric material and the device further comprises auxiliary heater means for heating respective feedback electrodes.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device according to claim 8 wherein the supporting structure comprises support pillars of a thermally insulating material for supporting respective detector elements.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device according to claim 9 wherein the feedback electrodes are of annular shape arranged about the support pillars.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
A device according to claim 10 wherein the heater means have a shape corresponding substantially to that of the discrete electrodes and the auxiliary heater means have a shape corresponding substantially to that of the feedback electrodes.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
A device according to claim 8 wherein the heater means have a shape corresponding substantially to that of the discrete electrodes and the auxiliary heater means have a shape corresponding substantially to that of the feedback electrodes.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device according to claim 7 wherein the supporting structure comprises support pillars of a thermally insulating material for supporting respective detector elements.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device according to claim 13 wherein the feedback electrodes are of annular shape arranged about the support pillars.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein the supporting structure comprises support pillars of a thermally insulating material for supporting respective detector elements.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein the heater means comprise resistive films, laser diodes or dielectric heaters, or any combination thereof.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
42 words
A device according to claim 1 comprising shutter means for periodically intercepting infra-red radiation incident on the detector elements and a control circuit for energising the heater means only in periods when the incident radiation is not intercepted by the shutter means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
50 words
A device according to claim 17 wherein the control circuit is arranged to determine, in one period when the incident radiation is not intercepted by the shutter means, the required energisation of the heater means for the next period when the incident radiation is not intercepted by the shutter means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
52 words
A device according to claim 18 wherein the the control means is arranged to provide, from the energisation of the heater means to heat the respective discrete electrodes to a temperature substantially corresponding to the part of the supporting structure, an indication of the temperature of the source of the infra-red radiation.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
51 words
A device according to claim 17 wherein the control means is arranged to provide, from the energisation of the heater means to heat the respective discrete electrodes to a temperature substantially corresponding to the part of the supporting structure, an indication of the temperature of the source of the infra-red radiation.
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) | 1993-12-31 | 1994-07-02 | 1995-01-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-12-31 | 1998-07-02 | 1999-01-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-12-31 | 2002-07-02 | 2003-01-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |