Helical Cold Shield Stray Radiation Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Low-temperature infrared detectors face inefficiencies due to stray radiation reflections from internal components, which are difficult to manage with existing baffles that require time-consuming installation and can cause outgassing, affecting detector performance.
Innovation Solution
A cold shield with a helical profile is integrated into the internal wall, eliminating the need for additional baffles by maximizing stray radiation reflection through a nickel or copper-based alloy with a non-perpendicular edge, produced via electrodeposition, optimizing reflection and reducing manufacturing complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If radial baffles are fitted on the internal face of the cold shield by bonding with epoxy resin, then stray radiation is stopped or reflected, but the bonding process is time-consuming and expensive, and the epoxy resin causes outgassing that affects detector efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cold shield and baffles into a single integrated component. The cold shield includes an internal face with radially directed baffles formed as integral parts of the shield structure itself, eliminating the need for separate baffle components and bonding operations. This integration resolves the contradiction by maintaining stray radiation blocking functionality while removing the complex bonding process and associated outgassing problems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the harmful epoxy resin bonding process from the system entirely. By forming the baffles as integral parts of the cold shield through a single piece construction, the design eliminates the need for epoxy resin adhesives, thereby removing the source of outgassing that degrades detector performance over time while maintaining the necessary stray radiation blocking function.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If radial baffles are fitted on the cold shield, then stray radiation is blocked, but production time and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cold shield and baffles are merged into a single monolithic component manufactured in one piece. This integration eliminates multiple assembly steps including separate baffle installation and epoxy bonding operations, significantly reducing production time and manufacturing complexity while maintaining the complete stray radiation blocking functionality.
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
This solution enhances electro-optical performance by effectively redirecting stray radiation without additional components, reducing production time and costs, and minimizing outgassing risks, thereby improving the accuracy and longevity of low-temperature infrared detectors.
Implementation Method 1
A cold shield with a helical profile is integrated into the internal wall, eliminating the need for additional baffles by maximizing stray radiation reflection through a nickel or copper-based alloy with a non-perpendicular edge
Implementation Method 2
produced via electrodeposition, optimizing reflection and reducing manufacturing complexity
Data Source
AI summary
An infrared radiation detector includes: a cryostat having a cold finger ensuring heat exchange with a cold source and a window transparent to infrared radiation to be detected; a mechanically fixed cold plane in heat exchange with the cold finger; a detector unit comprising at least a detector circuit sensitive to the infrared wavelength range to be detected, and in direct or indirect heat exchange with the cold plane; and a mechanically fixed cold shield in heat exchange with the cold plane and limiting stray radiation. The cold shield is rotationally symmetrical. An inside wall of the cold shield has a succession of reliefs distributed in at least one helical pattern. A definition axis of the helical pattern coincides with the axis of revolution of the cold shield.