US5401968A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Binary optical microlens detector array
Assignee: Honeywell Inc
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Filing: 1989-12-29
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Granted: 1995-03-28
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Expires: 2009-12-29
Abstract
Abstract An uncooled IR array, in conjunction with an array of binary optical microlenses, having a large effective fill factor.
Inventors
- 👤 J. Allen Cox
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 00:28
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01J; G01J1/00; G01J1/02; G01J1/04; G01J5/00; G01J5/02; G01J5/0225; G01J5/024; G01J5/04; G01J5/046; G01J5/08; G01J5/0806; G01J5/0846; H; H10; H10F; H10F77/00; H10F77/40; H10F77/413; G01J2005/0077
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
148 words
A binary optical microlens detector array for detecting radiation, comprising: an uncooled microbolometer detector array having a plurality of detectors, wherein each detector is contiguous to neighboring detectors in said uncooled microbolometer detector array, and each detector has an active area sensitive to radiation and an inactive area insensitive to radiation, and has a fill factor which is a ratio of the active area to the inactive area plus the active area; and a plurality of binary optical microlenses set in an array attached to said uncooled microbolometer detector array so that each microlens serves as a field lens for each detector of said plurality of detectors so as to effectively increase the fill factor of the uncooled microbolometer detector array to nearly 100 percent thereby increasing sensitivity and range of said uncooled microbolometer detector array, and wherein each microlens has a plurality of discrete steps of gradation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
148 words
A binary optical microlens detector array for detecting radiation, comprising: an uncooled microbolometer detector array having a plurality of detectors, wherein each detector is contiguous to neighboring detectors in said uncooled microbolometer detector array, and each detector has an active area sensitive to radiation and an inactive area insensitive to radiation, and has a fill factor which is a ratio of the active area to the inactive area plus the active area; and a plurality of binary optical microlenses set in an array attached to said uncooled microbolometer detector array so that each microlens serves as a field lens for each detector of said plurality of detectors so as to effectively increase the fill factor of the uncooled microbolometer detector array to nearly 100 percent thereby increasing sensitivity and range of said uncooled microbolometer detector array, and wherein each microlens has a plurality of discrete steps of gradation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
Said binary optical microlens detector array of claim 1 wherein said uncooled microbolometer detector array comprises a heat sink to which the detectors are attached.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
Said binary optical microlens detector array of claim 2 wherein: said plurality of microlenses is a monolithic array; and each microlens is a binary step-etched microlens.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
Said binary optical microlens detector array of claim 3 wherein: said heat sink and detectors are monolithic; and said heat sink has pyramidal protrusions upon which the detectors are attached.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
Said binary optical microlens detector array of claim 4 wherein said plurality of microlenses is a radiation-transmitting and reactive-ion-etched material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
Said binary optical microlens detector array of claim 5 wherein said heat sink is silicon.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
Said binary optical microlens detector array of claim 5 wherein said plurality of microlenses is germanium.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
Said binary optical microlens detector array of claim 5 wherein said plurality of microlenses is silicon.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
Said binary optical microlens detector array of claim 5 wherein said binary optical microlens detector array is fabricated from material of a group consisting of GaAs, ZnS, Si and Ge.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-03-27 | 1998-09-26 | 1999-03-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-03-27 | 2002-09-26 | 2003-03-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-03-27 | 2006-09-26 | 2007-03-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |