Composite Cold Shield with Nickel Reinforcement for IR Sensors
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current infrared sensor cold shields face challenges in balancing thermal and structural performance, often failing to withstand shock and vibration while maintaining rapid cooldown and low thermal parasitic losses, due to limitations in materials like pure nickel and copper.
Innovation Solution
A structurally reinforced composite cold shield is developed using a copper body with strategically placed reinforcement rings and struts, optimized for thermal conduction and structural rigidity through electroplating and strategic material placement, combining the benefits of copper and nickel for enhanced shock survivability and rapid cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If pure nickel or copper is used to form the cold shield, then rapid cooldown and low thermal parasitic losses are achieved, but structural rigidity and shock survivability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining copper (for thermal conduction) and nickel (for structural strength) in a single cold shield component. The copper provides rapid heat dissipation and low thermal parasitic losses, while the nickel reinforces structural rigidity and shock survivability, resolving the contradiction between thermal performance and mechanical strength.
2Weight of moving object
If the cold shield mass is reduced, then rapid cooldown is enabled, but shock survivability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The composite copper-nickel structure maintains low mass for rapid cooldown while the nickel reinforcement strategically positioned within the structure provides enhanced shock survivability. The nickel regions are placed where mechanical strength is most needed, allowing the overall mass to remain low without compromising reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating nickel reinforcement in specific regions of the cold shield where structural strength is most critical, rather than uniformly distributing material throughout. This allows mass to be minimized in non-critical areas while maintaining shock survivability in high-stress regions.
3Strength
If reinforcement structures are added to improve shock survivability, then structural strength is enhanced, but thermal performance and rapid cooldown capability are degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The copper-nickel composite structure provides structural reinforcement through nickel regions that are integrated into the copper matrix, maintaining continuous thermal pathways. The reinforcement is achieved through material composition rather than adding separate structural elements, thus avoiding interruption of heat flow and minimizing thermal parasitic losses.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a lightweight, thermally efficient cold shield that can withstand shock and vibration, ensuring rapid cooldown and reduced thermal parasitic losses, thereby improving the reliability and performance of infrared sensor systems.
Implementation Method 1
The cold shield is usually cooled to a similar temperature as the IR detector
Implementation Method 2
forming a cold shield by electroplating metal over the mandrel and a portion of the support member
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a top surface configured to couple to a variable aperture mechanism (VAM), where the top surface has an opening configured to align with an aperture of the VAM. The apparatus also includes a bottom portion configured to couple to a cooled object and a contact portion configured to couple to a strut, where the top surface, bottom portion, and contact portion form a continuous body. The apparatus further includes a plurality of baffles within the continuous body, where each of the baffles has an opening configured to align with the aperture of the VAM. In addition, the apparatus includes a reinforcement ring comprised in or within the continuous body and disposed to be aligned with the strut when the strut is coupled to the continuous body.