Infrared Detector Vacuum Integrity Self-Diagnosis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Infrared detectors within vacuum packages in infrared cameras face performance degradation due to gradual loss of vacuum pressure over time, making it challenging to accurately diagnose vacuum integrity, especially in field settings without calibrated temperature sources.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced to determine vacuum pressure by changing a parameter, such as temperature or bias duty cycle, of the infrared detector within the vacuum package, measuring the resulting changes, and comparing them to threshold values to assess vacuum pressure conditions, allowing for a diagnostic test that does not require external calibrated sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional vacuum integrity measurement using calibrated temperature sources is used, then vacuum pressure can be determined, but the test cost and complexity increase and field diagnostic becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The infrared detector performs self-diagnosis by using its own operational parameters (bias current, temperature, output signal) to determine vacuum integrity. The system leverages the detector's inherent thermal properties and electrical characteristics without requiring external calibrated temperature sources, enabling the device to test itself and eliminating complex external test equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the vacuum measurement function from the complex external calibration equipment and integrates it into the detector's operational parameters. By monitoring changes in the detector's electrical characteristics (resistance, bias current, output signal) that occur naturally with vacuum degradation, the system removes the need for separate calibrated temperature sources while maintaining measurement capability.
2Measurement precision
If conventional vacuum integrity measurement using calibrated temperature sources is used, then vacuum pressure can be determined, but the test becomes difficult to perform as field diagnostic
Solution Approach 1:
The infrared detector performs self-diagnosis by using its own operational parameters (bias current, temperature, output signal) to determine vacuum integrity. The system leverages the detector's inherent thermal properties and electrical characteristics without requiring external calibrated temperature sources, enabling the device to test itself and eliminating complex external test equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention monitors changes in the detector's operational parameters (bias current, resistance, output signal voltage) that occur as vacuum pressure degrades. By tracking these parameter variations over time and comparing them against threshold values, the system enables simple field diagnostics without requiring specialized equipment or complex calibration procedures.
3Measurement precision
If conventional vacuum integrity measurement is used, then vacuum pressure can be determined, but accuracy is compromised if infrared camera lens or optical path components are degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the vacuum measurement function from the complex external calibration equipment and integrates it into the detector's operational parameters. By monitoring changes in the detector's electrical characteristics (resistance, bias current, output signal) that occur naturally with vacuum degradation, the system removes the need for separate calibrated temperature sources while maintaining measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The detector's electrical parameters serve as an intermediary measurement that indirectly reflects vacuum pressure without requiring optical path integrity. By measuring electrical characteristics (bias current, resistance, output signal) rather than direct optical responsivity, the system bypasses the need for functional optical components, making the measurement reliable even when lenses or optical paths are degraded.
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 approach enables a reliable and field-compatible diagnostic for vacuum pressure within infrared cameras, providing a pass/fail verification or quantitative assessment of remaining vacuum life, which can trigger corrective actions and improve camera performance.
Implementation Method 1
Infrared detectors within vacuum packages in infrared cameras face performance degradation
Implementation Method 2
an infrared detector may be encapsulated within a vacuum package to minimize thermal conduction via gas molecules
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are directed to determining the vacuum integrity within a vacuum package assembly containing an infrared detector, such as within an infrared imaging device. For example for an embodiment, a method of performing a vacuum pressure test on a vacuum package includes changing a first parameter value associated with an infrared detector within the vacuum package to vary a temperature of the infrared detector; measuring a second parameter value associated with the infrared detector based on the changing of the first parameter value; comparing the second parameter value to a threshold value; and determining a vacuum pressure condition of the vacuum package based on the comparing of the second parameter value to the threshold value.