US5179283A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Infrared detector focal plane
Assignee: Raytheon Co
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Filing: 1989-08-07
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Granted: 1993-01-12
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Expires: 2009-08-07
Abstract
Abstract An infrared detector assembly (12) of the type used in munitions and night vision systems having an improved focal plane platform (10) construction. In accordance with this invention, the thermally conductive focal plane platform (10) supports a detector array (26) and integrated readout chips (28). The focal plane platform (10) includes relatively thermally non-conductive inserts (38) disposed in cavities (36) positioned generally below each integrated read out chip (28). The inserts insulate the chips (28) during cryogenic cooling of detector array (26). Freeze-out of the chips (28) is thereby inhibited.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles A. Cockrum
- 👤 Wallace Y. Kunimoto
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 09:34
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01J; G01J5/00; G01J5/02; G01J5/06; G01J5/061; F; F25; F25D; F25D19/00; F25D19/006; H; H10; H10F; H10F77/00; H10F77/60
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
A detector assembly comprising: a housing for providing a thermally insulating enclosure; a mounting platform within said enclosure, said mounting platform being fabricated from a first material having relatively high thermal conductivity; an electromagnetic detector array mounted on said mounting platform for receiving electromagnetic radiation and generating an electrical signal in response thereto; at least one integrated readout circuit mounted on said mounting platform and electrically interconnected to said detector array for generating an electrical response to said electrical signal generated by said detector array; cooling means for cooling said mounting platform; insulating means for thermally insulating said integrated readout circuit from said cooling means; and whereby said mounting platform permits thermal communication between said detector array and said cooling means, and said insulating means inhibiting thermal communication between said integrated readout circuit and said cooling means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
137 words
A detector assembly comprising: a housing for providing a thermally insulating enclosure; a mounting platform within said enclosure, said mounting platform being fabricated from a first material having relatively high thermal conductivity; an electromagnetic detector array mounted on said mounting platform for receiving electromagnetic radiation and generating an electrical signal in response thereto; at least one integrated readout circuit mounted on said mounting platform and electrically interconnected to said detector array for generating an electrical response to said electrical signal generated by said detector array; cooling means for cooling said mounting platform; insulating means for thermally insulating said integrated readout circuit from said cooling means; and whereby said mounting platform permits thermal communication between said detector array and said cooling means, and said insulating means inhibiting thermal communication between said integrated readout circuit and said cooling means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
A detector assembly according to claim 1 wherein said mounting platform further comprises conducting means for electrically interfacing said detector array with said integrated readout circuit, said conducting means electrically conducting said electrical response generated by said integrated readout circuit to an outer peripheral area of said mounting platform.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A detector assembly according to claim 2 wherein said conducting means comprises a plurality of electrically conductive nickel traces deposited on said mounting platform.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
A detector assembly according to claim 1 wherein said mounting platform further includes a cavity below said integrated readout circuit, said cavity being configured for confining said insulating means in close proximity to said integrated readout circuit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
A detector assembly according to claim 4 wherein said insulating means comprises a vacuum environment within said cavity, said vacuum environment having relatively low thermal conductivity so as to thermally insulate said integrated readout circuit from said cooling means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
A detector assembly according to claim 4 wherein said insulating means comprises an insert disposed within said cavity of said mounting platform, said insert fabricated from a second material having relatively low thermal conductivity.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
A detector assembly according to claim 6 wherein said cavity is a recessed cavity extending from a surface of said mounting platform opposite that upon which said detector array and said integrated readout circuit are electrically interconnected.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
A detector assembly according to claim 7 wherein said insert is disposed between said cooling means and said integrated readout circuit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
A detector assembly according to claim 6 wherein said mounting platform comprises an end-cap having a first surface upon which said detector array and said integrated readout circuit are electrically interconnected and a second surface configured to hermetically seal said enclosure from said cooling means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
A detector assembly according to claim 9 wherein said second surface provides a recessed cavity in axial alignment with said integrated readout circuit, said cavity being configured to accept receipt of said insert therein.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
49 words
A detector assembly according to claim 6 wherein said mounting platform comprises an end-cap secured to a mounting board, said end-cap being configured to hermetically seal said enclosure from said cooling means, said mounting board providing a planar surface for mounting said detector array and said integrated readout circuit.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
A detector assembly according to claim 11 wherein said insert is disposed between said end-cap and said mounting board.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
A detector assembly according to claim 6 wherein said integrated readout circuit comprises a silicon bi-polar amplifier chip.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
A detector assembly according to claim 6 wherein said detector array comprises a photoconductive infrared detector array.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
39 words
A detector assembly according to claim 1 wherein said cooling means is a cryogenic cooling system operable to provide a source of thermal energy to cool said detector array to an operating temperature of at least about 77° K.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
89 words
A focal plane platform for supporting a detector array and an integrated readout circuit within a detector assembly, said detector assembly associated with a cryogenic cooling system for cooling said detector array, comprising: a mounting platform upon which said detector array and said integrated readout circuit are mounted, at first and second positions thereon, respectively, said mounting platform having relatively high thermal conductivity for providing thermal communication between said detector array and said cooling system; and insulating means for thermally insulating said integrated readout circuit from said cooling system.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
89 words
A focal plane platform for supporting a detector array and an integrated readout circuit within a detector assembly, said detector assembly associated with a cryogenic cooling system for cooling said detector array, comprising: a mounting platform upon which said detector array and said integrated readout circuit are mounted, at first and second positions thereon, respectively, said mounting platform having relatively high thermal conductivity for providing thermal communication between said detector array and said cooling system; and insulating means for thermally insulating said integrated readout circuit from said cooling system.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
A focal plane platform according to claim 16 wherein said insulating means has low thermal conductivity relative to said mounting platform.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
A focal plane platform according to claim 17 wherein said insulating means comprises a vacuum environment disposed within a cavity provided in said mounting platform.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
A focal plane platform according to claim 17 wherein said insulating means comprises an insert disposed within a cavity provided in said mounting platform.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
A focal plane platform according to claim 19 wherein said cavity is below said second position.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
53 words
A focal plane platform according to claim 16 wherein said mounting platform further comprises conducting means for electrically interconnecting said detector array to said integrated readout circuit, said conducting means electrically conducting electrical signals generated by said detector array and said integrated readout circuit to an outer peripheral area of said mounting platform.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
164 words
A method of thermally insulating an integrated readout circuit during cooling of an electromagnetic detector array, said integrated readout circuit and detector array being supported on a focal plane platform within an evacuated dewar of an electromagnetic detector assembly, said method comprising the steps of: providing a mounting platform having relatively high thermal conductivity, said detector array and integrated readout circuit being mounted and electrically interconnected on a first surface of said mounting platform; providing cooling means for thermally cooling said detector array to an operating temperature of at least about 80° K.; providing insulating means, associated with a second surface of said mounting platform, for thermally insulating said integrated readout circuit from said cooling means; and whereby said mounting platform permits thermal communication between said detector array and said cooling means, and said insulating means inhibiting thermal communication between said integrated readout circuit and said cooling means to permit said integrated circuit to operate at an optimum temperature range greater than 80° K.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
164 words
A method of thermally insulating an integrated readout circuit during cooling of an electromagnetic detector array, said integrated readout circuit and detector array being supported on a focal plane platform within an evacuated dewar of an electromagnetic detector assembly, said method comprising the steps of: providing a mounting platform having relatively high thermal conductivity, said detector array and integrated readout circuit being mounted and electrically interconnected on a first surface of said mounting platform; providing cooling means for thermally cooling said detector array to an operating temperature of at least about 80° K.; providing insulating means, associated with a second surface of said mounting platform, for thermally insulating said integrated readout circuit from said cooling means; and whereby said mounting platform permits thermal communication between said detector array and said cooling means, and said insulating means inhibiting thermal communication between said integrated readout circuit and said cooling means to permit said integrated circuit to operate at an optimum temperature range greater than 80° K.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 22 wherein said insulating means is a material having low thermal conductance relative to said mounting platform.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4755676A
Cited
US4862002A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-01-12 | 1996-07-13 | 1997-01-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-01-12 | 2000-07-13 | 2001-01-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-01-12 | 2004-07-13 | 2005-01-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |