Infrared camera and IR transmissive dome

Abstract

Systems and methods are disclosed that provide an infrared-transmissive dome, such as for infrared imaging applications. For example, an infrared camera system includes a housing having a lens coupled to the housing and an infrared detector within the housing configured to receive infrared energy passing through the lens. An infrared-transmissive dome, coupled to the infrared camera system, includes a main body providing a hollow, hemispherical-shaped dome, with the main body made of an ultra-high molecular weight or a very-high molecular weight polyethylene material. The main body may have a wall thickness equal to or less than approximately 0.012 inches to allow infrared transmittance greater than approximately sixty five percent through the main body to the lens for infrared imaging in a wavelength range of approximately three to fourteen micrometers.

Description

technical field [0001] One or more embodiments of the invention relate generally to infrared applications, and specifically, for example, to infrared-transmissive domes for thermal infrared camera systems. Background technique [0002] Thermal infrared cameras (eg, cameras imaging in the wavelength range of 3-14 microns) are known and widely used in various applications. A typical thermal infrared camera (often referred to simply as an infrared camera or IR camera) utilizes an infrared detector to detect infrared energy, which is provided to the infrared detector through the lens of the infrared camera. The infrared camera may also include a display that presents to the user images generated by the infrared camera based on infrared energy, or the infrared camera may store or transmit images (eg, via a wireless or wired network) for remote viewing and / or storage. [0003] When designed for outdoor use, for example, infrared cameras may be manufactured to be weatherproof, eg ...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, these traditional polymeric materials typically have strong absorbing properties that limit infrared transmission, as well as other undesirable properties such as non-uniformity, excessive thickness, and insufficient structural integrity at desired dimensions, which make these traditional polymeric materials The object material is not suitable for use as an IR transmissive dome, for example as part of a housing or as a lens housing or lens cover to provide the desired IR transmissive properties for thermal infrared imaging applications

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