Multi-Image Detector Assembly with Fixed Filters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional spectral imaging systems relying on mechanically movable filters are expensive, complex, and prone to mechanical failures, leading to inefficiencies and unreliability, especially in space-based and military applications where rapid response times and simultaneous data acquisition are critical.
Innovation Solution
A multi-image detector assembly with a focal plane array and optical focusing elements, where each detector array section has multiple subsections and optical paths, allowing for simultaneous imaging over disparate wavelength ranges using fixed optical filtering elements and focusing elements with different f-numbers to create correlated images, enabling efficient data acquisition and processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If mechanically movable filters are used to image different wavelength ranges, then spectral data can be acquired, but the system becomes expensive, heavy, large, and mechanically complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanically movable filters with a fixed filter array positioned at the focal plane of each focusing element. Each detector array section has multiple fixed filters associated with it, eliminating the need for mechanical filter movement while enabling multi-wavelength imaging. This substitution of mechanical systems with a fixed optical arrangement resolves the technical contradiction by maintaining spectral imaging capability without mechanical complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the detector array into multiple detector array sections, with each section having multiple subsections. Each section is associated with a specific focusing element and has multiple fixed filters assigned to different subsections. This segmentation allows different wavelength ranges to be imaged simultaneously through different sections, eliminating the need for a single mechanical filter to service the entire array, thereby reducing mechanical complexity while maintaining versatility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If mechanically movable filters are used, then spectral filtering can be achieved, but the system requires high precision mechanisms and has reliability concerns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates mechanical filter movement by positioning multiple fixed filters in the optical path of each detector array section. The filters are stationary and permanently mounted, removing all mechanical components that could fail or require precision maintenance. This resolves the reliability contradiction by maintaining wavelength range selection capability through a purely optical, non-mechanical system.
3Adaptability or versatility
If mechanically movable filters are used, then spectral imaging can be performed, but observation dead time increases due to filter switching
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous spectral imaging by having multiple fixed filters simultaneously active in different detector array sections. While one wavelength range is being imaged through one filter, other wavelength ranges are simultaneously imaged through other filters in other sections. This eliminates the sequential filter switching process and its associated dead time, achieving continuous useful action across multiple spectral bands without interruption.
Solution Approach 2:
By dividing the detector array into multiple sections with different fixed filters, the system can simultaneously acquire data from multiple wavelength ranges. This segmentation allows parallel spectral imaging, eliminating the time loss associated with sequential filter switching, as each section continuously images its assigned wavelength range without waiting for filter changes.
4Adaptability or versatility
If mechanically movable filters are used, then spectral filtering is achieved, but the system produces sequential data rather than simultaneous spectral data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves simultaneous spectral data acquisition by having multiple detector array sections with different fixed filters operating in parallel. Each section continuously images its assigned wavelength range without interruption or sequencing. This produces simultaneous spectral data across all wavelength ranges, dramatically improving productivity by capturing all spectral information at the same moment rather than sequentially, which is critical for monitoring rapidly changing events.
5Adaptability or versatility
If moveable filter mechanisms are added, then wavelength filtering is enabled, but cost and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates heavy mechanical filter wheel assemblies and drive mechanisms by using a fixed array of lightweight filters positioned at the focal planes of the detector array sections. The filters are stationary and integrated into the optical structure, removing the need for heavy mechanical components while maintaining multi-wavelength imaging capability. This substitution dramatically reduces system weight while preserving versatility.
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 reduces the need for mechanical filter movement, enhances system reliability by providing redundant imaging capabilities, and conserves computational and storage resources by selectively activating detectors and storing data only when necessary, improving response times and data quality.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of optical focusing elements, each optically aligned for focusing upon a corresponding one of the plurality of detector-array subsections an image of a scene
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of optical filtering elements, each configured to pass a pre-selected wavelength range that is within the sensitivity range of the detector array
Implementation Method 3
a focal plane array including a large number of discrete detector elements that are highly responsive to electromagnetic energy within a pre-selected wavelength range
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-image detector assembly for detecting a plurality of correlated images of a single scene over a plurality of disparate electromagnetic wavelength sets includes an imaging-sensor array, a plurality of focusing elements and a plurality of optical filtering elements. The imaging-sensor array has a plurality of detector-array sections, each of which detector-array sections comprises at least two detector-array subsections dedicated to the detection of a common wavelength set associated with that detector-array section. Each focusing element is aligned for focusing upon a corresponding one of the plurality of detector-array sub-sections an image of the scene correlating to the images of the scene focused upon other detector-array sub-sections by the other focusing elements. Additionally, each focusing element and its corresponding detector-array sub-section defines an optical path and each detector-array section has associated with it at least two such optical paths. At least two detector-array subsections belonging to each common detector-array section are configured to register images that are commonly filtered by a single optical filtering element.