Long wave infrared emitter systems

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10948571-B1
Application number	US-201816114789-A
Country	US
Kind code	B1
Filing date	Aug 28, 2018
Priority date	Aug 28, 2018
Publication date	Mar 16, 2021
Grant date	Mar 16, 2021

Abstract

An infrared emitter is described. The infrared emitter comprises an infrared source, a housing, and infrared optics. The infrared source emits electromagnetic radiation with a peak intensity at a radiation wavelength within the range of 2 to 15 microns. The housing has an aperture, and is arranged to house the infrared source. The infrared optics is arranged to direct the electromagnetic radiation emitted from the infrared source through the aperture to outside the housing.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An infrared detection system comprising:
an infrared emitter comprising:
an infrared source emitting electromagnetic radiation with a peak intensity for a radiation wavelength within the range of 2 to 15 microns;
a housing, having an aperture, and arranged to house the infrared source;
infrared optics arranged to direct the electromagnetic radiation emitted from the infrared source through the aperture; and
a temperature controller configured to heat the infrared source to a predetermined temperature within a range of 150° C. and 250° C. so that the infrared source emits the electromagnetic radiation with the peak intensity for the radiation wavelength within the range of 2 to 15 microns; and

an infrared camera configured to detect infrared electromagnetic radiation with a radiation wavelength within the range of 2 to 15 microns, and arranged to directly receive the electromagnetic radiation directed by the infrared optics through the aperture,
wherein the infrared source consumes 10 Watts of power or less to emit the electromagnetic radiation with the peak intensity for the radiation wavelength within the range of 2 to 15 microns that is detectable by the infrared camera.

2. The infrared detection system of claim 1 , wherein the infrared optics includes a parabolic mirror with the infrared source arranged at a focus of the parabolic mirror.

3. The infrared detection system of claim 1 , wherein the infrared optics collimate the electromagnetic radiation emitted from the infrared source, and direct the collimated electromagnetic radiation through the aperture.

4. The infrared detection system of claim 1 , wherein the infrared optics include at least one of reflective optics or refractive optics.

5. The infrared detection system of claim 4 , wherein the infrared optics include at least one of mirrors or lenses.

6. The infrared detection system of claim 1 , wherein the infrared source emits electromagnetic radiation with a peak intensity at a radiation wavelength within the range of 4 to 10 microns.

7. The infrared detection system of claim 1 , wherein the infrared source includes silicon nitride.

8. The infrared detection system of claim 1 , wherein the infrared camera is configured to detect infrared electromagnetic radiation with a radiation wavelength within a range of 7 to 14 microns.

9. The infrared detection system of claim 1 , wherein the infrared camera comprises an array of microbolometers.

10. The infrared detection system of claim 9 , wherein the microbolometers are uncooled.

11. The infrared detection system of claim 1 , wherein the infrared emitter further comprises a window transparent to the electromagnetic radiation within the range of 2 to 15 microns, and arranged within the aperture.

12. The infrared detection system of claim 11 , wherein the window comprises silicon.

13. An infrared signaling system, comprising:
a first infrared detection system and a second infrared detection system,
each of the infrared detection systems comprising:
an infrared emitter comprising:
an infrared source emitting electromagnetic radiation with a peak intensity for a radiation wavelength within the range of 2 to 15 microns;
a housing, having an aperture, and arranged to house the infrared source;
infrared optics arranged to direct the electromagnetic radiation emitted from the infrared source through the aperture; and
a temperature controller configured to heat the infrared source to a predetermined temperature within a range of 150° C. and 250° C. so that the infrared source emits the electromagnetic radiation with the peak intensity for the radiation wavelength within the range of 2 to 15 microns; and

an infrared camera configured to detect infrared electromagnetic radiation with a radiation wavelength within the range of 2 to 15 microns, and arranged to directly receive the electromagnetic radiation directed by the infrared optics through the aperture,

the infrared camera of the first infrared detection system arranged to detect infrared electromagnetic radiation from the infrared emitter of the second infrared detection system, and
the infrared camera of the second infrared detection system is arranged to detect infrared electromagnetic radiation from the infrared emitter of the first infrared detection system;
wherein the infrared source consumes 10 Watts of power or less to emit the electromagnetic radiation with the peak intensity for the radiation wavelength within the range of 2 to 15 microns that is detectable by the infrared camera.

14. The infrared signaling system of claim 13 , wherein each of the infrared detection systems further comprises a window transparent to the electromagnetic radiation within the range of 2 to 15 microns, and arranged within the aperture.

15. The infrared detection system of claim 1 , wherein the temperature controller is positioned within the housing.

16. The infrared detection system of claim 1 , wherein the temperature controller is positioned outside of the housing.

17. The infrared signaling system of claim 13 , wherein the temperature controller is positioned within the housing.

18. The infrared detection system of claim 13 , wherein the temperature controller is positioned outside of the housing.

19. The infrared detection system of claim 1 , wherein the infrared source experiences an atmospheric environment.

20. The infrared detection system of claim 13 , wherein the infrared source experiences an atmospheric environment.

Assignees

• Rockwell Collins Inc

Inventors

• Brown Robert D
• Stanley James H
• Tiana Carlo L
• Foote Bobby D

Classifications

• G08C23/04 Primary

  using light waves, e.g. infrared · CPC title

• G01J2005/202

  Arrays · CPC title

• G01J5/0896

  using a light source, e.g. for illuminating a surface · CPC title

• G01S7/4814 Primary

  of transmitters alone · CPC title

• G01J5/22

  Electrical features thereof · CPC title