Cooling systems for imaging devices

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9746379-B2
Application number	US-201614992476-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 11, 2016
Priority date	Jan 11, 2016
Publication date	Aug 29, 2017
Grant date	Aug 29, 2017

Abstract

An imaging assembly includes a base member defining an expansion chamber therein, the base member defining a gas inlet for receiving a compressed gas and a gas outlet for expelling expanded gas, and a focal plane array assembly mounted to the base member including a sensor and a lens.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An imaging assembly, comprising: a base member defining an expansion chamber therein, the base member defining a gas inlet for receiving a compressed gas and a gas outlet for expelling expanded gas; and a focal plane array assembly mounted to the base member including a sensor and a lens, wherein the base member includes internal webbing disposed within the expansion chamber for defining a gas expansion path.

2. The imaging assembly of claim 1 , wherein the gas inlet defines a canister receiver for receiving a neck portion of a gas canister.

3. The imaging assembly of claim 2 , wherein the gas inlet includes a neck extending from the expansion chamber to the canister receiver.

4. The imaging assembly of claim 1 , wherein the gas outlet includes a plurality of outlet holes defined in a side of the base member.

5. The imaging assembly of claim 4 , wherein the plurality of outlet holes are defined on an opposite side of the base member relative to the gas inlet.

6. The imaging assembly of claim 1 , wherein the internal webbing defines an alternating path that routes expanding gas between opposing boundaries of the expansion chamber to maximize travel time through the base member.

7. The imaging assembly of claim 1 , wherein the base member includes at least one through hole for receiving a port of the focal plane array assembly.

8. A system, comprising: an imaging assembly, comprising: a base member defining an expansion chamber therein, the base member defining a gas inlet for receiving a compressed gas and a gas outlet for expelling expanded gas wherein the gas inlet defines a canister receiver for receiving a neck portion of a gas canister; and a focal plane array assembly mounted to the base member including a sensor and a lens, wherein the base member includes internal webbing disposed within the expansion chamber for defining a gas expansion path.

9. The system of claim 8 , further comprising a CO 2 gas canister operatively connected to the canister receiver.

10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the gas inlet includes a neck extending from the expansion chamber to the canister receiver.

11. The system of claim 8 , wherein the gas outlet includes a plurality of outlet holes defined in a side of the base member.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the plurality of outlet holes are defined on an opposite side of the base member relative to the gas inlet.

13. The system of claim 8 , wherein the internal webbing defines an alternating path that routes expanding gas between opposing boundaries of the expansion chamber to maximize travel time through the base member.

14. The system of claim 8 , wherein the base member includes at least one through hole for receiving a port of the focal plane array assembly.

15. An imaging assembly, comprising: a base member defining an expansion chamber therein, the base member defining a gas inlet for receiving a compressed gas and a gas outlet for expelling expanded gas; and a focal plane array assembly mounted to the base member including a sensor and a lens, wherein the base member includes at least one through hole for receiving a port of the focal plane array assembly.

Assignees

• Sensors Unlimited Inc

Inventors

• Foster John T

Classifications

• G01J5/0014

  for sensing the radiation from gases, flames · CPC title

• G01J5/061 Primary

  by controlling the temperature of the apparatus or parts thereof, e.g. using cooling means or thermostats · CPC title

• G02B19/009

  for use with infrared radiation · CPC title

• G02B13/14

  for use with infrared or ultraviolet radiation ({G02B13/008, } G02B13/16 take precedence) · CPC title

• G02B7/008

  with means for compensating for changes in temperature or for controlling the temperature; thermal stabilisation · CPC title