Convex Warm Shield Redirects Thermal Energy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current thermal imaging systems face challenges in reducing secondary optical paths and artifacts caused by thermal background and foreign object debris, which are difficult to eliminate with conventional concave warm shields.
Innovation Solution
A convex warm shield with a reflective surface is strategically positioned to redirect thermal energy away from the aperture, eliminating parasitic paths and reducing artifacts by reflecting thermal energy onto the cold shield, and optionally featuring a vertical skirt to redirect thermal energy back towards the center.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a concave warm shield is used to block thermal energy, then thermal background reduction is achieved, but secondary optical paths and artifacts are created due to thermal energy reflection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional concave warm shield design to a convex configuration. This geometric inversion changes the reflection behavior: instead of reflecting thermal energy back toward the aperture and creating secondary optical paths, the convex surface redirects thermal energy away from the aperture, eliminating parasitic paths while maintaining thermal background reduction
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful reflective property of warm shields into a beneficial effect. By using a convex geometry, the reflected thermal energy is directed away from the optical path and onto the cold shield, where it can be harmlessly absorbed. This transforms the potential harm of thermal reflection into a benefit by redirecting it to a safe location
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a warm shield is positioned near the aperture to reduce thermal background, then self-emission contributions are minimized, but foreign object debris can still enter and cause artifacts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds a vertical dimension to the warm shield design by incorporating a skirt that extends downward from the convex surface. This three-dimensional configuration creates a protective barrier that blocks foreign object debris from entering the optical path while maintaining the convex surface's ability to redirect thermal energy away from the aperture
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 convex warm shield effectively reduces thermal background noise and eliminates artifacts, improving image quality by minimizing self-emission contributions and foreign object debris-related issues compared to conventional concave designs.
Implementation Method 1
A convex warm shield 610 having a reflective surface is strategically positioned to redirect thermal energy away from an aperture of the Dewar enclosure 602
Data Source
AI summary
A warm shield as part of a thermal imaging system comprising a reflecting surface having a convex curvature that when positioned relative to an opening of a thermal imaging system, thermal energy originating from the opening of the thermal imaging system incident on the convex curvature is reflected in a direction away from the opening of the thermal imaging system. An aperture can be formed in the reflecting surface and positioned to facilitate passage therethrough of external thermal energy in a direction towards a detector of the thermal imaging system, and passage of at least some of the thermal energy originating from within the thermal imaging system in a direction away from the thermal imaging system.