IR Imaging Device Radiator Calibration Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
IR imaging devices face challenges in maintaining image quality due to temperature instability, requiring frequent recalibration and the use of multiple external black-body radiators, which leads to increased complexity and heat-related issues, affecting noise equivalent temperature difference (NETD) and minimum resolvable temperature difference (MRTD).
Innovation Solution
The implementation of radiators configured to reflect radiation from a cooled unit to the detector matrix, allowing for the creation of gain and offset maps without separate cooling, using radiators with emissivity less than 1 to control temperature and reduce heat-related issues, and optionally using a rotatable wheel for multiple radiators to optimize placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple external black-body radiators are used for calibration, then calibration accuracy is improved, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the radiator function from external components and integrates it into the imaging device itself. The housing is configured to reflect thermal radiation from the ambient environment onto the detector matrix, eliminating the need for separate external black-body radiators while maintaining calibration capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing serves multiple functions: it provides structural protection, defines the optical path, and acts as a thermal radiator for calibration. By making the housing itself the radiating element, the device achieves multi-functionality without adding separate calibration components.
2Measurement precision
If radiators are cooled to achieve lower calibration temperatures, then NETD and MRTD values improve, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging device uses its own housing and ambient environment to provide the calibration function. The housing naturally reflects thermal radiation without requiring active cooling or heating mechanisms, allowing the system to self-calibrate using environmental thermal sources.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of changing the temperature of dedicated radiators, the system changes the effective calibration temperature by adjusting the emissivity characteristics of the housing surface and selecting appropriate ambient thermal environments, achieving calibration at various temperature points without active thermal control.
3Device complexity
If radiators without cooling are used, then device complexity is reduced, but temperature rise due to internal heat affects image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful internal heat generation into a beneficial calibration source. The housing, warmed by internal electronics and cooling machinery, naturally emits thermal radiation that can be used for calibration purposes, turning the temperature rise problem into a useful feature.
Solution Approach 2:
The system accepts and utilizes the elevated temperature of the housing caused by internal heat sources, adjusting the calibration process to work with this temperature rather than attempting to cool it down, thereby simplifying the thermal management requirements.
4Measurement precision
If external flat black-body radiators are used, then calibration can be performed, but the solution becomes heavy and unwieldy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the radiator function with the housing structure. The housing itself becomes the radiating element through its reflective interior surface, eliminating the need for separate external radiators and significantly reducing the overall weight of the imaging device.
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 enables compact, self-regulating IR imaging devices that maintain better spatial NETD values and allow for dynamic recalibration without temperature rise problems, improving image quality by reducing the reflected temperature and avoiding the need for external cooling.
Implementation Method 1
radiators configured to reflect radiation from the cooled unit to the surface of the detector matrix
Implementation Method 2
a cooled unit having a cooled matrix with detectors
Data Source
AI summary
A device for imaging within the IR range. The imaging device includes a cooled unit having a cooled matrix with detectors and a calibrating device for individual calibration of the detectors of the detector matrix with respect to amplification and/or offset. The calibrating device includes at least one radiator, which is housed in or can be introduced into the imaging device, and a signal-processing unit.