Compact Image Intensifier Tube Using Multilayer Ceramic Substrate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image intensifier tubes for night vision systems are bulky, heavy, and prone to manufacturing complexities due to their complex structure, which affects the spatial homogeneity of electrostatic fields and vacuum integrity, leading to suboptimal signal quality and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A compact image intensifier tube design utilizing a multilayer ceramic substrate to house the photocathode, microchannel plate, and phosphorus screen, eliminating the need for metallic rings and reducing the number of parts, thereby enhancing spatial homogeneity of electric fields and maintaining vacuum quality, while simplifying the manufacturing process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If conventional tube body structure with multiple metallic rings and insulating spacers is used, then voltage supply to electrodes is achieved, but tube length and weight increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate components (metallic rings and insulating spacers) into a single integrated ceramic substrate. This substrate simultaneously provides mechanical support, electrical insulation, and voltage supply pathways, eliminating the need for multiple discrete parts and reducing overall tube length while maintaining full voltage supply capability to all electrodes
Solution Approach 2:
The ceramic substrate serves multiple functions concurrently: it acts as a mechanical support structure, an electrical insulator, a mounting platform for electrodes, and a pathway for voltage supply. This multi-functionality replaces the conventional separate metallic rings and insulating spacers, achieving compactness without sacrificing electrical functionality
2Power
If multiple metallic rings and insulating spacers are stacked to form tube body, then electrode voltage supply is enabled, but manufacturing complexity and assembly steps increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the functions of multiple metallic rings and insulating spacers into a single monolithic ceramic substrate. This integration eliminates numerous assembly steps required for stacking and securing multiple separate components, dramatically simplifying manufacturing while maintaining the capability to supply voltage to all electrodes through integrated pathways within the substrate
3Strength
If conventional stacked ring structure is used, then mechanical support for elements is provided, but spatial homogeneity of electrostatic fields deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The ceramic substrate provides mechanical support for all electrodes in a single integrated platform, eliminating the cumulative positioning errors that occur when stacking multiple separate rings and spacers. This integration ensures precise, homogeneous spacing between electrodes, creating uniform electrostatic fields while maintaining robust mechanical support
Solution Approach 2:
The monolithic ceramic substrate ensures uniform material properties and consistent geometric dimensions throughout the structure, which directly contributes to homogeneous electrostatic field distribution. The integrated design eliminates variations in spacing and alignment that would arise from assembling multiple discrete components with tolerances
4Strength
If multiple attachment zones are created in tube body, then mechanical assembly is achieved, but vacuum integrity and seal quality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated ceramic substrate reduces the number of separate attachment zones required for mechanical assembly. By providing all support and electrical connections through a single monolithic structure, the invention minimizes the number of potential leak paths, thereby maintaining vacuum integrity while achieving robust mechanical assembly
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 design results in a shorter, lighter, and more cost-effective tube with improved signal quality due to reduced uncertainties in element spacing and minimized leakage risks, maintaining vacuum integrity and enhancing the overall performance of the night vision system.
Implementation Method 1
The photocathode receives incident photons from the outside environment and converts them into photoelectrons according to a pattern corresponding to the image of the observed environment
Implementation Method 2
When an incident photoelectron enters into a microchannel and collides with the inside wall of the microchannel, secondary electrons are generated that in turn collide with the wall also generating other secondary electrons
Implementation Method 3
The phosphorus screen comprises a phosphorus layer or a layer of any other material capable of emitting a photon by fluorescence when it receives an electron with sufficient energy
Data Source
AI summary
An image intensifier tube and a night vision system fitted with such a tube. The tube body of the image intensifier tube includes a multilayer ceramic substrate fixed in a sealed manner to an input device and to an output device so as to assure leaktightness of a vacuum chamber delimited by the tube body. The multilayer substrate also maintains a microchannel plate arranged between a photocathode and a phosphorus screen, and supplies voltage to the photocathode, the plate, and the phosphorus screen.