Millimeter Wave Imaging Device Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional millimeter wave imaging devices face challenges in operating effectively in harsh environmental and EMI conditions, such as those found in aircraft radomes, due to size, sensitivity, and temperature stability issues, leading to poor performance and high costs.
Innovation Solution
A compact millimeter wave imaging device design incorporating a thin protective lens, flexible elastomeric mounting, active temperature control using TEC modules, and a unique optics configuration with a polarization splitter and rotator, along with an EMI filter, to maintain stable receiver pixel temperatures and reduce size and weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional millimeter wave imaging devices are used in harsh environmental conditions, then they can operate in challenging areas like aircraft radomes, but they suffer from poor performance and high costs due to size and temperature stability issues
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging device is divided into functionally independent modules: a lens assembly for signal collection, a polarization splitter for separating orthogonal polarizations, a polarization rotator for rotating the polarization plane, and a focal plane array for detection. This modular segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for harsh environment operation while maintaining overall system performance and reliability.
2Volume of moving object
If the imaging device size is reduced for compact installation, then it becomes suitable for small areas like aircraft radomes, but temperature control and stability become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs thin-film polarization splitters and rotators that achieve the required optical functions with minimal thickness. The compact lens assembly uses thin lens elements that maintain focusing capability while minimizing volume. These thin-film and thin-element constructions enable temperature stability by reducing thermal mass and heat capacity, allowing the compact device to resist temperature fluctuations in harsh environments.
3Measurement precision
If conventional lens and optics configurations are used, then the device can collect millimeter wave signals, but the size and weight prevent compact installation in environmentally challenged areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional bulky mechanical lens and mirror systems with integrated polarization optics including a polarization splitter and rotator that manipulate millimeter wave signals through electromagnetic field interactions rather than large mechanical structures. This substitution maintains signal collection precision while dramatically reducing the device weight and volume, enabling compact installation in aircraft radomes and other environmentally challenged locations.
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 solution enables a high-performance, compact PMMW imaging device capable of operating in harsh conditions with improved sensitivity and stability, suitable for small, environmentally challenged areas like aircraft radomes, with reduced size and weight, and enhanced temperature control.
Implementation Method 1
The one or more temperature regulators comprise one or more Thermoelectric Cooler (TEC) modules configured to cool and/or heat the FPA
Implementation Method 2
a polarization splitter configured to reflect, to the polarization rotator, millimeter wave energy of the RF energy collected by the main lens
Implementation Method 3
The RF energy polarization may then be rotated 90 degrees by the polarization rotator
Implementation Method 4
The flexible gasket may be an elastomeric gasket that attaches the main lens and the protective lens to the housing
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
Millimeter wave imaging devices are provided. A millimeter wave imaging device includes a housing and one or more heating elements inside the housing. The millimeter wave imaging device includes a flexible gasket on the housing. The millimeter wave imaging device includes a main lens attached to the housing by the flexible gasket. The millimeter wave imaging device includes a protective lens on an outer surface of the main lens. Moreover, the millimeter wave imaging device includes an Electromagnetic Impulse (EMI) filter attached to the housing and extending along an inner surface of the main lens. Methods of operating millimeter wave imaging devices are also provided.