Honeywell G.m.b.h.

Peter N Nicholson

David L Jungkman

William R Gordon

Thomas M Brennan

Roger C Coda

John E Six

A miniature, nonevacuated, detector refrigerator assembly for use in infrared imaging systems is described. The assembly incorporates a miniature Joule-Thomson laminar refrigerator which serves as the substrate for the detector subassembly, electrical leads, as well as the primary structural element of the assembly. The detector subassembly is positioned on the cold region of the refrigerator, surrounded by two prefabricated vacuum chambers and capped by an optical window or filter as required. As a result, the detector is easily built and is cooled in an efficient manner.

Disc detector assembly having prefabricated vacuum chambers

An improved detector dewar assembly in which the flange supporting the upper cap of the dewar assembly comprises a disc ceramic matrix, including buried electrical leads. This disc serves several purposes. First, it provides a vacuum tight electric feedthrough which connects a tape cable from the detector assembly to a pin assembly imbedded in the exterior portion of the disc feedthrough. Second, it includes metalizations on its top and lower surface in order to provide a surface for connecting (by brazing or soldering) the upper cap assembly and the major vessel wall. A tape cable comprising wires embedded in a flexible nonconductive matrix connects the detector element leadout wires with the electrical connectors of the feedthrough disc. The cable forms a collar which substantially surrounds the coldwell and has tabs at its basal portion which fold up to attach to pin or pad connectors on the lower surface of the disc. The use of Manganin, Constantan, or Balco wires produces a tape cable which significantly reduces the heat load on the dewar refrigerator system. Solder/bond rings and pads positioned both on the endwell and disc assembly mate to solder bond/rings and pads/dots positioned on the tape cable thereby providing stress relief.

Detector dewar assembly

An improved detector dewar assembly comprised primarily of metal subassemblies, which is easily assembled, and leaves the included detector assembly more readily serviceable.

A miniature, nonevacuated, detector refrigerator assembly for use in infrared imaging systems is described. The assembly incorporates a miniature Joule-Thomson laminar refrigerator which serves as the substrate for the detector subassembly, electrical leads, as well as the primary structural element of the assembly. The detector subassembly is positioned on the cold region of the refrigerator, surrounded by insulating material and capped by an optical window or filter as required. As a result, the detector is cooled while the contact pads used for connection to external devices are at the ambient temperature. A piece of high thermally conductive material may be placed in the vicinity of the detector subassembly so that during operation gases in the chamber surrounding the detector assembly will preferentially condense thereon rather than on the detector subassembly.

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Dracut, MA, United States of America

Peter N Nicholson