Infrared Sensor Case Using Titanium Alloy and Laser Welding
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electromagnetic radiation detection devices for self-guided projectiles require improved sealing and structural rigidity to maintain vacuum and operate effectively across significant temperature variations, with current materials like Kovar being unsuitable due to increased complexity and corrosion sensitivity.
Innovation Solution
The use of a titanium alloy for the case and cold finger, combined with laser welding and glass-lined sealed passages, allows for better positioning and assembly of the FPA, reduced weight, and improved corrosion resistance, enabling precise and stable operation in non-sealed environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If metal alloys like Kovar are used for the case, then structural rigidity and sealing are improved, but weight increases and corrosion resistance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from traditional Kovar alloy to titanium alloy, which fundamentally alters the weight-to-strength ratio. Titanium provides sufficient structural rigidity while reducing weight by approximately 30% compared to Kovar, directly resolving the contradiction between strength and weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite construction by combining titanium alloy for the case structure with glass-lined sealed passages for electrical connectors. This composite approach maintains structural integrity while enabling effective sealing, addressing both the strength requirement and the corrosion resistance need.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple connections are added to the sensor, then functionality is improved, but device complexity and sealing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces glass-lined sealed passages as an intermediary structure to manage multiple electrical connector connections. These passages act as mediators that provide both electrical connectivity and hermetic sealing in a unified structure, reducing the complexity of managing multiple separate sealing points while maintaining full functionality.
3Strength
If the case material is changed from glass to metal, then structural rigidity is improved, but manufacturing precision and sealing quality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical sealing methods with laser welding technology to join titanium components. This substitution of mechanical sealing processes with laser welding provides superior sealing quality and precision while maintaining the structural advantages of metal construction, effectively resolving the manufacturing precision issue.
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 the optronic performance, simplifies manufacturing, reduces weight by 30%, and ensures long-term resistance and tightness, while adapting to non-sealed environments with titanium's corrosion resistance.
Implementation Method 1
the assembly of the case and the cold finger can be done by simple laser welding
Implementation Method 2
The sealed passages in the main body are lined with glass sealed to the main body
Implementation Method 3
a hollow casing (6) defining an enclosure (7) in which there is a partial vacuum
Implementation Method 4
a sensor (4) mounted on the terminal wall (16) of the dewar container (14)... The radiation detected is generally infrared
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The apparatus has a case (6) defining a hollow enclosure (7), and a cold plunger (12) that is fixed tightly to the case. The cold plunger has a Dewar container (14) extending in the hollow enclosure and terminated by a terminal wall (16) on which an infrared sensor (4) is mounted. The case is formed by assembling a main body (24), a flange (29) and a cover (34) by laser welding.